How to Get from Melbourne Airport to the City Center – What’s the Most Popular Transport?

When it comes to traveling to Australia, Melbourne – the “capital” of Victoria – is one of the top recommended destinations. This beautiful city is ready to welcome you with countless attractions, peaceful ambiance, and lush greenery.

As your first step after landing in Melbourne from Vietnam, which transport will you choose to get to the city center? Discover the most popular transfer options from Melbourne Airport to downtown to kickstart your trip with ease!

1. Introduction to Melbourne Airport

Upon arriving in Melbourne, the first gateway that welcomes you is Melbourne Airport, also known as Tullamarine Airport. In fact, to answer the question “how many airports in Melbourne”, there are two: Tullamarine Airport and Avalon Airport. However, Tullamarine takes the lead as the largest airport, handling most international and domestic flights. Avalon Airport, in contrast, mainly serves budget airlines and is located much farther from the city center (about 55 km away). Thus, when referring to "Melbourne Airport", most people mean Tullamarine Airport – the starting point for exploring this charming city.

From Tullamarine Airport, Melbourne, you can easily travel to major destinations in the city:

Destination	Distance	Travel Time
City Center (Federation Square)	~23 km	25–35 minutes
St Kilda Beach	~33 km	40–50 minutes
Queen Victoria Market	~21 km	25–35 minutes
Royal Botanic Gardens	~28 km	35–45 minutes
Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)	~25 km	30–40 minutes

Melbourne has two airports, but Tullamarine is more commonly used by international visitors.

2. How to Get from Melbourne Airport to the City Center

Depending on your itinerary and budget, you can choose from the following Melbourne airport transfer options:

2.1 SkyBus

One of the most popular options is the SkyBus Melbourne express service, which connects Tullamarine Airport to the city center and surrounding suburbs. It operates frequently and is always ready to serve passengers. SkyBus is also more affordable, making it suitable for many travelers.

How to take SkyBus from Melbourne Airport to the City Center:

After clearing customs, head to the right exit of the terminal.
Leave the terminal building and look for the red SkyBus signs at the pickup area.
Tickets can be purchased directly at kiosks or online.
Join the queue and wait for your bus. If your hotel is in the CBD, make sure to take the MELBOURNE CITY EXPRESS. Avoid boarding the wrong route such as St. Kilda or Southbank/Docklands.
The double-decker buses have luggage space on the lower level.
Get off at Southern Cross Station.

Ticket Type	Price (AUD)	Approx. VND
Adult One-Way	$24.60	~400,000 VND
Adult Round-Trip	$41.20	~665,000 VND
Child One-Way	$4.00	~64,000 VND
Child Round-Trip	$6.00	~96,000 VND

Travel time: 30–45 minutes (depending on traffic)

SkyBus is a fast and affordable way to get from Melbourne Airport to the city.

2.2 Taxi

Taxis are a convenient option if you want privacy and a direct drop-off. They’re available 24/7 and take you directly to your destination. However, this comfort comes at a slightly higher cost.

How to take a taxi from Melbourne Airport to the city:

Official Taxi Ranks are located near each terminal. For safety, only use these official ranks, especially at Terminals 1 and 4.
You may also pre-book a taxi to be picked up from the north end of the Terminal 1–3 parking area.
A $4.78 airport access fee (incl. GST) applies to all pickups. This will be added to the taxi fare and displayed on the meter.

Travel time: 25–40 minutes (depending on traffic and destination)Cost: 35–50 AUD (~565,000 – 800,000 VND)

Taxis offer privacy and flexible timing for travelers heading into the city.

2.3 Rideshare Services (Uber/Didi)

Rideshare options such as Uber and Didi provide similar comfort to taxis and can be booked via mobile apps.

How to use rideshare from Melbourne Airport to the city:

Install the Uber or Didi app and set up your payment method (credit/debit card).
Pickup locations:
Terminals 1, 2 & 3: Lane 3 of the forecourt
Terminal 4: Level 1 of the T4 parking garage

Travel time: 25–40 minutesCost: Approx. 60 AUD (~970,000 VND), may vary based on demand and traffic.

2.4 Public Bus

While not the fastest, public buses are the most budget-friendly option. Currently, there is no train from the airport, but combining bus + train can save money.

How to take a public bus from Melbourne Airport to the city:

Head to the public transport hub near Terminal 4 (5–10 minutes walk from other terminals).
Take bus route 901 to Broadmeadows Station, then transfer to the Craigieburn train heading toward Southern Cross or Flinders Street Station.
Bus 901 runs every 15 minutes on weekdays until 9 PM, every 30 minutes on weekends and after 9 PM.
Bus service starts at 5:00 AM on weekdays, 5:30 AM on Saturdays, and 6:30 AM on Sundays, and ends at midnight (Mon–Sat) or 9 PM (Sun).
Check PTV (Public Transport Victoria) for exact train times if traveling late or early.

Travel time: ~60 minutes (depending on waiting times)Cost: ~5–10 AUD (~80,000 – 160,000 VND)

Public buses are a budget-conscious way to reach the city from Melbourne Airport.

3. Tips for a Smooth Trip from Melbourne Airport to the City

Book SkyBus online in advance: Avoid queues and secure exclusive early-bird discounts by purchasing SkyBus tickets via their official website or app.
Ask for taxi fare estimates: Prevent being overcharged by asking for an estimated fare before getting in. Alternatively, use Uber/Didi to view pricing beforehand.
Carry some AUD cash: While cards are widely accepted, having cash is handy for buses, taxis, or snacks in case of POS issues.
Stay connected (SIM/Wi-Fi): To use ride apps, navigation (Google Maps, Apple Maps), or translation tools, ensure you have a working SIM or Wi-Fi connection.
Avoid peak hours: Try to skip traffic-heavy times like 7:00–9:00 AM and 4:00–6:00 PM. If possible, book flights that land outside rush hour.
Protect your belongings: Keep your luggage and valuables secure and within sight at all times, especially in busy terminals or public transport.

With these detailed insights on Melbourne Airport transfer options, we hope you’ll have a smooth and enjoyable trip in this beautiful city. And of course, your Melbourne adventure starts with the right flight! If you haven’t booked your flight yet, get your Melbourne ticket now at Vietjet. Vietjet offers affordable direct flights to Melbourne starting from only 490,000 VND. Don’t miss the 0 VND ticket flash sale available from 12:00–14:00 daily. View details HERE.