Melbourne Airport to the city (CBD)

SkyBus: tickets, boarding and where it goes

SkyBus Melbourne City Express runs between Melbourne Airport and Southern Cross Station. SkyBus stops at T1, T3 and T4 (T4 pick-up only) (Melbourne Airport and Transport Victoria); ticket kiosks kerbside at T1, T2 and T4 (SkyBus). In the city, buses to the airport leave Southern Cross Station from Bay 75 (Transport Victoria). Buy SkyBus tickets in the app, online or at a kiosk (SkyBus fares).

Fares (app, online and kiosk): adult $25.90 one way, $43.40 return; child (4 to 16) $6.60 one way, $11.00 return; senior $20.70 one way, $35.10 return. Fares include airport access, tolls and GST, and tickets are valid for 12 months (SkyBus fares).

SkyBus runs 4am to 1am, 7 days: every 10 minutes at peak times and every 15 minutes outside peak, with no services between 1am and 4am. Cash tickets are sold at the Prosegur and Smarte Carte baggage storage counters in the T2 Arrivals hall (Melbourne Airport).

How much is a taxi from Melbourne Airport to the CBD?

There is no official typical fare. Victoria sets maximum fares for unbooked taxis, and operators may charge less (Safe Transport Victoria). From the airport rank you also pay the $5.26 airport access fee on trips from the rank (Melbourne Airport) plus the $1.25 CPV levy (Safe Transport Victoria).

An illustrative calculation from the official maximum tariff, not a quote or typical fare. It uses maximum fare structure 1 ("time or distance"): the per-km rate applies when the taxi travels above 21 km/h and the per-minute rate applies below 21 km/h. The inputs are a hypothetical 20 km at the per-km rate and 10 minutes at the per-minute rate, not the measured distance or time to the CBD; your meter will differ. Sources: Safe Transport Victoria fares and Melbourne Airport taxi access, rates checked 17 October 2026.

• Day rate (9am to 5pm): $5.40 flagfall + 20 km × $2.10 ($42.00) + 10 min × $0.70 ($7.00) = $54.40, plus $5.26 airport fee and $1.25 levy = about $60.91.
• Overnight rate (5pm to 9am): $6.75 flagfall + 20 km × $2.30 ($46.00) + 10 min × $0.80 ($8.00) = $60.75, plus $5.26 airport fee and $1.25 levy = about $67.26.
• Not included: tolls (passed through), a card surcharge (up to 4%, or 6% on taxi-specific payment devices), the peak rate (10pm to 4am Friday and Saturday, and listed holidays) and the $18.35 high occupancy fee (5+ passengers or a larger vehicle you request).
• For how to compare a taxi with Uber and fixed-price options on the day, see Uber vs taxi from Melbourne Airport.

Uber cost: Melbourne Airport to CBD

Uber fares are set by the operator; check the app for a quote. Booked trips, including rideshare, are not fare-regulated (Safe Transport Victoria), so there is no official figure and we do not publish a dollar range. The airport charges a $4.82 airport access fee per trip (Melbourne Airport).

Uber picks up at T1 (turn left out of the terminal), T2 (kerbside in front of the terminal) and the T4 car park ground floor (turn right on exit). Other apps, including DiDi and Shebah, pick up from Lane 3 of the forecourt at T1, T2 and T3, and from Level 1 inside the T4 car park (Melbourne Airport).

What is the cheapest way from Melbourne Airport to the city?

SkyBus is the only option here with a published fixed fare ($25.90 adult one way). Taxi fares are capped but depend on distance and time, and rideshare fares are set by the operator, so work it out for your own trip:

• One or two people going to or near Southern Cross Station: compare the SkyBus fare with a rideshare app quote.
• Three or more people: one car is shared, so compare a taxi, rideshare or pre-booked transfer price with the SkyBus fare multiplied by your group size.
• Lots of bags, a pram or children: see maxi taxis and larger vehicles.
• Address far from Southern Cross Station: add the cost of the onward trip to the SkyBus fare before you compare.

Shuttles and shared vans

SkyBus is the express bus between the airport and Southern Cross Station. We have not verified other shared door-to-door shuttles; if you find one, check its coverage and fares with the operator before you book.

Southbank, Docklands and St Kilda

The same options serve the inner suburbs. SkyBus stops at Southern Cross Station; check onward connections from there to Southbank, Docklands or St Kilda with Transport Victoria.

Taxis, rideshare and pre-booked transfers go door to door, so only the address changes. Ask for a quote to your exact street address, not just "the CBD".

Is there a train to Melbourne Airport?

There is no train to Melbourne Airport. Stage 1 of Melbourne Airport Rail (West Footscray to Albion) is due in 2030, and no opening date for airport services has been given (Big Build). Stage 2 (Albion to Keilor East) is due to be completed in 2031.

Prayer stop or halal-friendly driver

See halal-friendly transfers and the two 24/7 prayer rooms at Melbourne Airport.

Questions people ask

Is Melbourne City Express the same as SkyBus?

Yes. Melbourne City Express is the SkyBus service between Melbourne Airport and Melbourne City (Southern Cross Station). Source: SkyBus.

Where do I buy a SkyBus ticket at Melbourne Airport?

Online, in the app, or at the ticket kiosks kerbside at T1, T2 and T4 (SkyBus). Cash tickets are sold at the Prosegur and Smarte Carte baggage storage counters in the T2 Arrivals hall (Melbourne Airport).

Where do I board SkyBus at Melbourne Airport?

SkyBus stops at T1, T3 and T4 (T4 pick-up only) (Melbourne Airport and Transport Victoria); ticket kiosks kerbside at T1, T2 and T4 (SkyBus). In the city, buses to the airport leave Southern Cross Station from Bay 75.

How much does SkyBus cost from Melbourne Airport to the city?

Adult $25.90 one way and $43.40 return, including airport access, tolls and GST (SkyBus fares, checked 17 Oct 2026).

What hours does SkyBus run?

4am to 1am, 7 days: every 10 minutes at peak times and every 15 minutes outside peak. There are no services between 1am and 4am (Melbourne Airport).

How much is a taxi or Uber from Melbourne Airport to the CBD?

Neither has an official typical fare. Taxis from the rank charge up to the regulated maximum plus a $5.26 airport fee and $1.25 levy; see the illustrative calculation on this page for how a maximum fare adds up. Uber fares are set by the operator, plus a $4.82 airport fee; check the app for a quote.

Is there a train from Melbourne Airport to the city?

There is no train to Melbourne Airport. Stage 1 of Melbourne Airport Rail (West Footscray to Albion) is due in 2030, and no opening date for airport services has been given (Big Build).