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Maximize Your Trip with These Top Tips for Melbourne Airport Travel
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport is located approximately 23km from the CBD with the average journey taking anywhere from 20 to 35 minutes depending on your time of travel and also local traffic. If you are travelling from further outer suburbs times will vary dramatically.
If you heading off on your holidays or on a business trip from Melbourne International Airport, for all departures it is best to check the VicTraffic website to see if there are any major delays. Between morning and afternoon peak times it can take anywhere between 45 to 60 minutes from the centre of the city. This is usually between the times of 5:30 am and 9:30 am and also, 3:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Arriving late for your flight is one thing, but then getting to your check-in desk to find another queue can cause further delays.
Make sure you plan your departure from Melbourne Airport accordingly and you have plenty of time to check-in any baggage and get through security checks. If you are arriving back at Melbourne international airport you really are spoilt for choice in terms of travel options and there are a number of information points within each terminal building. Each of the terminals is closely adjoined with one another, so if you do end up arriving in an unfamiliar terminal or need to get to another one. Rest assured you can navigate the airport with ease. Which is great as you won’t need to waste any time waiting for or having to get on a shuttle bus to get around the airport.
What is the best transport option for getting to Melbourne International Airport?
Taxi services to Melbourne Airport
A taxi from the centre of city can cost anywhere from $55 and upwards. Your driver will have to pay a compulsory airport fee that is made payable by departing taxis and CityLink tollway charges. Make sure you check that this price is inclusive before booking your taxi to the airport.
Buses going to and from Melbourne International Airport
The Skybus is a cheaper alternative to a taxi and could save you a small fortune with prices starting as low as $10. Their buses are modern, comfortable and are fully equipped with WiFi onboard to help you keep a track of your flight times. This bus service operates in both directions so could be a great option to get back into the city when you come back from your holiday. Operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week you won’t find it difficult to find a service that aligns with your flight schedule. Departing from Southern Cross station it usually takes anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes to get to the airport. There are also a number of other shuttle bus services to and from some of the outer suburbs such as Southbank, St. Kilda and over to the Mornington Peninsula. All vary in prices and is usually dependent on the distance.
Public transport options getting to and from Melbourne Airport
Although it can take a little bit more time and effort, using public transport services to get to the airport can actually lower the cost dramatically. Using your Myki Card on PTV bus stops can save you heaps which gives you a little bit more spending money for when you go away. Public Transport Victoria bus stops are situated close to Terminal 4 and are easy to locate. The best and cheapest way we feel to get to Melbourne Airport is to combine the use of both a bus and train.
Coming from the Airport, if you catch the 901 bus to Broadmeadows Train Station and jump on a train directly to Flinders Street you can get into the city in just under an hour. The route works both ways so could also be used to get to the Airport. Bus routes 478, 479 and 482 all depart from terminal four and head to Westfield airport west shopping centre. From which you can jump on a tram directly into the city.
As with any public transport service please make sure you check for any planned service disruptions or engineering works as this could get your holiday off to a nightmare start. If you are departing on a weekend also check times as they could differ from a standard weekday service.
Should I drive my car and park at Melbourne Airport?
By far the most comfortable way of getting to the airport is travelling in your own car. But sometimes airport car parks can be extremely costly. Finding the right deal and making sure you book your car parking space well in advance can get you car parking costs down to as little as $6 a day. Price can also be strongly dependent on whether you require long or short-stay parking.
You can turn up on the day without pre-booking, however, this can often cause you to pay a premium price. Make sure you are aware of what terminal your flight is departing when booking your car park as well. Getting on a shuttle bus from the car park to the wrong terminal could cause delays and may mean you end up missing your flight.
What is the best mode of transport to get to Melbourne Airport?
In terms of cost, the cheapest options are using good old fashioned public transport or utilising the efficient SkyBus service (if you book far enough in advance). If you have the money though, we would recommend getting a taxi as this can often be the easiest and quickest mode of transport as all you need to do is throw your bags in the boot and let your driver take care of the journey.
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