Transfer to/from - Melbourne airport (MEL)

Transportation

Ride-sharing

UberX, UberBLACK, Ola, Didi and GoCatch pick up passengers on lane 3, in front of terminals 1, 2 and 3, and on level 2 of the car park in front of Terminal 4. Use the companies' apps to book your ride in advance. There is a $4.48 surcharge for using these services from the airport.

Bus

The Melbourne City Express from SkyBus (Tel +61 1300 759 287) is an express service from the airport to Melbourne CBD Station (Southern Cross), in the city centre, operating every 10-15 minutes from 4:00 am to 1:00 am. Travel time is 30 min. and costs $23.90. Departures outside terminals 1, 3 and 4.

The same company operates the Peninsula Express service, which connects the airport with St. Kilda, Frankston and the surrounding suburbs. Regular departures between 6:45 am and 9:45 pm (weekends from 6:00 am to 7:30 pm).

PTV public buses (Tel +61 1800 800 007) stop in the car park in front of Terminal 4:
- SmartBus 901: travels to Roxburgh Park, Epping, Greensborough, Dandenong and Frankston, and offers connections to the Craigieburn train line at Broadmeadows Station (20 min.)
- 478: runs to Airport West shopping centre via Melrose Drive.
- 479: connects Sunbury train station with Bulla, Tullamarine and Airport West.
- 482: runs to Airport West via Tullamarine and South Centre Road.

There are also medium-distance services to surrounding locations:
- Airport Bus Dandenong (Tel +61 397 826 766) to Dandenong.
- Airport Shuttle Bus (Tel +61 353 334 181) to Ballarat.
- Bendigo Airport Service (Tel +61 354 443 939) to Bendigo.
- Gull Airport Services (Tel +61 352 224 966) to Geelong.
- Gippy Shuttle (Tel +61 417 359 714) to Gippsland.
- Airport Direct (Tel +61 358 253 861) to Shepparton and the Southern Riverina district.

Rent a Car

Taxi

Taxi ranks are located in front of level 1 of Terminal 1 and on the ground floor of the car park in front of Terminal 4. For your safety, it is advisable not to accept services outside the designated ranks. Before getting into the vehicle, make sure that both the taxi and the driver have an accredited service number. The journey to central Melbourne takes approximately 30 minutes.

Some of the companies available are Sunbury Cabs (Tel +61 397 408 233), Crown Cabs (Tel +61 1300 121 314), Silver Top Taxi (Tel +61 131 008), Silver Service Taxi (Tel +61 390 880 786), Melbourne Silver Premium Cabs (Tel +61 422 502 251), 13Cabs (Tel +61 132 227), Melton Bacchus Marsh Taxicabs (Tel +61 397 469 999).

Further information

Although there are issues that seem more than obvious, it is always advisable to take them into account when moving to or from the airport, and especially if we go by public transport.  1- To the airport - It is convenient to leave with a little more anticipation than what is commonly suggested. If you choose a taxi or a private car service, always take into account peak traffic times, demonstrations, strikes or events that may delay the journey to the airport from where you are. It is always good to be informed about what is happening. If you contract a shared transfer service, have a contact telephone number handy in case of any delay by the company. In these cases they usually already have a scheduled collection time. If you use public transport (collective, train) take into account the schedules (weekends and holidays tend to have less frequency), if you have to change and also how to board (if you need a card or paying the driver or motorist at the moment ). These are details that seem obvious, but it is advisable to know so as not to have surprises and suffer a delay that could cause complications. If you rent a car to get to the airport, check where to leave the vehicle. At some airports, there is an exclusive parking lot for rental cars.  2 -From the airport- Here it is a little less stressful since you don't have the pressure of missing your flight. In the worst case, you will arrive later at the place where you are going to stay or at the meeting point where you are trying to arrive. Once you leave the plane, look for your suitcase and finish with the arrival procedures that are required. Then, follow the directions for public transportation or ask the airport staff. It is very useful to find out in advance the schedules of the buses or trains in case you arrive late at night. Not all work 24 hours. The same goes for taxis. In case of using an Uber-type service, have the mobile application handy to contact the driver. On the other hand, if you booked a private transport service, it is likely that they will have a person waiting for you, identified with a sign. If you rent a car to go from the airport to your final destination, for greater peace of mind it is advisable to book it in advance. Rental counters are usually available in the arrivals hall.

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