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MEL

Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine)

Melbourne, Australia

Where to start
SkyBus / Uber

There's no train from Melbourne Airport to the city (the rail link is still under construction), so for the CBD take SkyBus to Southern Cross Station (~30–45 min, as often as every 10 minutes). For door-to-door, taxis are at the Arrivals rank, and Uber/DiDi/Ola pick up on Level 1 of the T2/T3 car park via the elevated walkway. And make sure you're at MEL (Tullamarine), not AVV (Avalon) — they're 75 km apart.

Ride Options

SkyBus

shuttle

Frequent, direct express coach to the CBD (Southern Cross)

AvailabilityAs often as every 10 min, close to 24 hours a day
Pickup NoteKerbside SkyBus stops at the terminals; express to Southern Cross Station (~30–45 min). Additional routes to St Kilda, Frankston, Doncaster, and the western suburbs.
Convenience
Relative costLower cost
Visit Website

Uber

rideshare

Door-to-door, widely used in Melbourne

AvailabilityVery widely available at MEL
Pickup NoteDesignated rideshare zone on Level 1 of the T2/T3 car park, via the elevated walkway (per-trip airport access fee). There's also a dedicated T1 Uber pickup (Qantas Domestic) and a T4 hub. Follow the in-app pickup point and 'Rideshare' signs.
Convenience
Relative costMid cost
Visit Website

DiDi

rideshare

Often more affordable than Uber in Melbourne

AvailabilityAvailable in Melbourne
Pickup NoteSame Level 1 T2/T3 car-park rideshare zone via the elevated walkway — follow the in-app pin.
Convenience
Relative costMid cost
Visit Website

Ola

rideshare

Another rideshare alternative in Melbourne

AvailabilityAvailable in Melbourne
Pickup NoteSame Level 1 T2/T3 car-park rideshare zone via the elevated walkway — follow the in-app pin.
Convenience
Relative costMid cost
Visit Website

Licensed Taxi

taxi

No-app option, door-to-door

AvailabilityAt the rank outside Arrivals
Pickup NoteRank directly outside Arrivals. Metered, plus a fixed airport charge.
Convenience
Relative costHigher cost
Visit Website

SIXT Ride — Pre-booked Airport Transfer

Private Transfer

Fixed-rate pre-booked door-to-door transfer

AvailabilityAvailable at Melbourne Airport — book via SIXT app or website
Pickup NoteDriver meets you in arrivals with a name sign. Fixed price, flight tracking, up to 60 min free waiting.
Convenience
Relative costHigher cost
Book Transfer

Pickup Guidance

Rideshare

Uber, DiDi, and Ola operate. The main rideshare zone is on Level 1 of the T2/T3 car park, reached via an elevated walkway (a per-trip airport access fee applies) — not the arrivals curb. There's also a dedicated T1 Uber pickup zone (Qantas Domestic) and a T4 Transport Hub pickup. With 2026 construction underway, follow the current in-app pickup point and airport signs.

Taxi

Licensed taxis use the rank directly outside Arrivals — metered, with a fixed airport charge.

Shuttle

SkyBus runs an express coach to Southern Cross Station (~30–45 min), as often as every 10 minutes and close to 24 hours a day, plus routes to St Kilda, Frankston, Doncaster, and the western suburbs.

Transit

There is no train to the city — the Melbourne Airport Rail Link is still under construction in 2026. SkyBus is the public-transport answer; once at Southern Cross, the Myki network covers the rest of the city.

Private Transfer

Pre-booked transfers meet you in the arrivals area with a name sign — door-to-door with luggage, and often better value per person than SkyBus for groups.

Travel Extras

Need a SIM?Need a lounge?Need a hotel?Need bag storage?

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Local Tips

  • There's no train to the city yet — the airport rail link is under construction, so SkyBus is the public-transport answer to the CBD (Southern Cross Station).
  • Melbourne has two airports: MEL (Tullamarine, ~23 km out) and AVV (Avalon, ~55 km out near Geelong) — they're about 75 km apart, so never book same-day flights from different ones assuming an easy transfer.
  • Rideshare is up on Level 1 of the T2/T3 car park via the elevated walkway, not at the arrivals curb — follow the in-app pickup point.
  • SkyBus runs as often as every 10 minutes, close to 24 hours a day — no need to pre-book for the Southern Cross express.
  • For a group or anyone with luggage, a door-to-door taxi or rideshare often beats per-person SkyBus fares.

Tarmyq local tip

Don't wait for a train that doesn't exist yet. SkyBus is the quick public option to the CBD; if you're a group or have luggage, a taxi or rideshare door-to-door often works out better per person.