How to get to Melbourne Airport by public transport

Introduction | City to Melbourne Airport times | Melbourne Airport to City times | Notes

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Introduction

This page details how to get to and from Melbourne airport by conventional public transport.

It's a little awkward because buses to the airport leave from two different suburban rail stations, and only during daylight hours. However, the trip can usually be done in about an hour, and costs $5.20 per person ($2.80 for children), assuming you don't already have a ticket that is valid for the trip. (Official fares information - you need a ticket for zones 1 and 2 for this trip.)

***NOTE 1 JUNE 2007 Some bus times have changed. This will be rectified as soon as possible, but in the mean time, we suggest planning your trip using Metlink's Journey Planner. Use the "More Options" screen to specify that you want to exclude the Melbourne Airport Bus (Skybus) from the search***

To use the times below:

• First check the day you are travelling. Times differ between weekdays, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. Note: check with official sources below if travelling on Christmas Day or Good Friday, as buses may not run.
• Then check the time required for arrival or departure at Melbourne Airport. Use the times shown to determine if your most convenient bus to the airport is to/from Broadmeadows or Essendon station.
• Follow the column up (or down) to check the closest train connection to/from the city.
• If it is critical that you be somewhere at the correct time, please double-check the times with an official source, such as the bus/train company web sites linked below, or the Met information line (131 638)

City to Melbourne Airport by Public Transport

Weekdays (but not holidays)

*Catch 477 and change at Airport West Shoppingtown to connecting 479 bus.
r = The 15:45 route 478 bus makes several detours, taking an hour to get from Essendon to the airport. Instead catch  479 that leaves at 15:40.

Saturdays

c = Bus originates in city, departing corner of Flinders Street and Russell Streets at 13:15. 

Sundays (and most public holidays)

Note: On most public holidays, buses run to this timetable. Trains generally run to the Saturday timetable on holidays and are more frequent than listed here.

c = Bus originates in city, departing corner of Flinders Street and Oliver Lane at 13:15, but caution is advised as this stop is unmarked. This trip does not run on public holidays.

Melbourne Airport to City by Public Transport

Weekdays (but not holidays)

m = Bus goes to Moonee Ponds, not Essendon. Times shown are at Moonee Ponds. Can change to train or tram to city from there.
* = Requires change to connecting 477 bus at Airport West Shoppingtown - alternatively catch 59 tram from there to Essendon or to the City.

Saturdays

Sundays (and most public holidays)

Note: On most public holidays, buses run to this timetable. Trains generally run to the Saturday timetable on holidays and are more frequent than listed here.

Notes

Updated October 2006: to show bus route numbers more clearly. Weekend route 479 trips no longer stop at the airport when city-bound. Some other minor timetable changes.

These connections allow at least 3-4 minutes transfer - late running services could affect this. In some cases, closer connections can be made, but these are obviously more risky. Trains to the city run fairly frequently (the least frequent daytime service is every 20 minutes except Sunday morning 40 minutes). Buses to the airport run very infrequently. If a bus connection is missed and another one is not available quickly, taxis can be generally obtained from Essendon or Broadmeadows stations, or call 131 008.

If the times above do not suit you, there is an alternative route: V/Line train to Sunbury (Bendigo line) (the same zone 1&2 fare applies) then route 479 or 500 bus back to the airport. Check times carefully, as these buses are not very frequent.

Between Essendon and the City, an alternative is tram route 59. This runs more frequently than trains, though trip time is longer (and often less predictable, due to traffic).

Disclaimer: Times may be subject to change. No responsibility is taken for changed or incorrect information on this page. Any corrections can be e-mailed to: danielbowen at gmail dot com.

Official public transport information is available at Metlink or by phoning 131 638. Airport information including flight arrivals/departures information is available on the official airport web site.

Last updated 11/10/2006 from information provided on the relevant transport companies' web pages: Route 477, 478, 479, 500, Broadmeadows train

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