While planning a trip to Melbourne, most holidaymakers seem to forget about one important issue: Airport transfer. For those who have never visited Melbourne before, here is something you need to know—there are no trains located at Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport, hence getting to the city centre is not as simple for first-timers to the world’s most liveable city.
There are several modes of airport transfers available, but one should always consider a number of factors—such as budget, flight timing and the number of travellers with you etc— before picking your ideal mode of airport transfer. From renting a car, taking a taxi to using sky bus, here are 6 Ways To Get From Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport To The City.
#1 CAR RENTAL
Renting a car from Tullamarine Airport and self-driving yourself to the city is most ideal if you are travelling in a group. Look up online site Airport Rentals where you can browse rates from different companies after selecting your desired date and timing for pick-up and drop-off.
You can rent a Toyota Corolla from Atlas or Hyundai i20 from East Coast at S$40.60 and S$49 per day respectively. Do the math and a group of 4 only has to pay about S$10++ per pax!
Read: 10 things you should consider before driving on a road trip.
#2 PUBLIC TRANSPORT
This is the cheapest way to get from Melbourne airport to city.
First, purchase a Myki card (similar to Singaporean’s ezlink card) at the Skybus Terminal, before you proceed to Terminal 1′s platform. Board bus number 901, alight at Broadmeadows Station and then switch train/tram to whichever destination you have in mind.
#3 ROYALE TRAVEL
If travelling in style is your top priority and you have no qualms splurging on a fancy ride, then do give Royale Travel a shot. Prices range from A$139 for a four-seater BMW 7 Series to A$189 for a Mercedes Benz Viano. This luxurious chauffeur service is available 24/7 so it doesn’t matter what time your flight arrives/departs. Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride!
#4 SKY BUS
Sky Bus is possibly the most cost-efficient and convenient mode of airport transfer. Operating 24/7 daily with a high frequency of every 10 minutes, Sky Bus will shuttle travellers to and fro Southern Cross Station and Tullamarine Airport within 20 minutes for each one-way journey. Tickets are affordably priced at AS$19 each for a single trip and A$38 each for a round trip.
#5 STAR BUS
Star Bus is great for solo travellers who have to get to the city centre or head to the airport. It functions as a door-to-door airport shuttle service and operates from 6am to 7pm daily. A two-way trip costs you just A$30. To give you a clearer idea, its operations are similar to Uber Pool. Call (03)8378-8700 upon luggage collection and you will be directed to your pick-up location.
#6 TAXI
Taxis are readily available at the designated taxi stands. However, as the taxis run by the metre, you might end up having to pay heaps if you are unfortunately stuck in a traffic jam due to peak hours or car accidents. A one-way ride from the airport to the CBD typically could cost from anything between A$50 to A$70. Use this online calculator to gauge your taxi fare.
For more recommendations, read our guide on 41 Best Cafes in Melbourne.