Melbourne Airport Transfers

Melbourne airport transfers here run on the SkyBus express, a coach service between Tullamarine Airport and Southern Cross Station on the western edge of the CBD. A coach leaves every quarter hour from 4am to 1am, 7 days a week, and you can book it in either direction: Tullamarine Airport to Melbourne City when you land, or Melbourne City to Tullamarine Airport when you leave.

Transfers from Tullamarine Airport to the Melbourne CBD

The airport-to-city run is a 30-minute trip on average. In the morning and afternoon peaks, roughly 6am to 10am and 3pm to 7pm, it becomes a 45-minute trip, so build that into any plans with a tight connection on the city end. Allow the extra time on the way back to the airport too.

There's no departure time to book. You buy a one-way or return ticket, stand at the stop with a 10-minute buffer, and take the next coach. That suits flights that land late or early, because the service runs from 4am until 1am rather than around a fixed timetable of booked slots.

Where the airport coach picks up and drops off

At Melbourne Airport the coaches load at the kerbside outside Terminals 1, 3 and 4. In the city the service ends at the Southern Cross Station Coach Terminal on Spencer Street, between Collins and La Trobe streets. That puts you on the Docklands edge of the CBD, on the west side of the city centre.

Southern Cross is also where Metro and V/Line trains and several tram routes come through, so the coach drop-off doubles as a connection point if your hotel is a few stops away rather than a short walk. The Melbourne transport page covers the other ways to get around with a booking.

Tickets, luggage and what's on board

Ticket types cover adults, children aged 4 to 16 and pensioners or seniors, in one-way and return versions. Tickets are valid for 3 months from the date of purchase, which gives you room to buy ahead of your trip.

The coaches are modern and have free WiFi on board, and the listing states no excess luggage fees, which matters if you're travelling with a big suitcase. Both directions are listed as wheelchair friendly.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get from Melbourne Airport to the CBD with SkyBus?

Board a SkyBus coach from the kerbside at Terminals 1, 3 or 4 at Melbourne Airport and ride to the Southern Cross Station Coach Terminal in the city. It's a 30-minute trip on average.

How often do the Melbourne airport transfers run?

SkyBus coaches between Melbourne Airport and Southern Cross Station leave every quarter hour from 4am to 1am, 7 days a week. You don't reserve a departure time, and the listing asks you to be at the stop with a 10-minute buffer.

Are there child and senior tickets for the SkyBus in Melbourne?

Yes. SkyBus tickets include child tickets for ages 4 to 16 and pensioner or senior tickets, in one-way and return options.

Are there luggage fees on the Melbourne SkyBus?

No. The SkyBus airport transfers are listed with no excess luggage fees, and the coaches are wheelchair friendly with free WiFi on board.

Can I cancel a SkyBus airport transfer ticket?

SkyBus tickets are listed with no cancellation. They stay valid for 3 months from the date of purchase, and there's no departure time to reserve.

That's the Melbourne airport transfer sorted. Once you've landed, the Melbourne attractions page is a good place to start planning what comes next.