How do you get to Melbourne?
Getting There3.9/10Harder to reach than about 70% of cities
- Main airport
- Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine)
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: skybus.com.au, carsondemand.com.au
Good to know
Good to Know
- Airport rail link is under construction and expected to open in 2030. Until then, SkyBus is the most reliable budget option for reaching the CBD; taxis and rideshare are faster but more expensive.
- Melbourne's metro network is extensive and user-friendly with 17 lines; the recently opened Metro Tunnel (February 2026) improves CBD connectivity.
- Interstate rail to Sydney takes 10–11 hours with four daily XPT services; consider flying or driving the Hume Highway for faster travel.
- The Dandenong Ranges are accessible in under 1 hour by car or train+bus, making them ideal for a relaxing half-day escape with gardens, forests, and heritage steam train rides.
- Western Port ferry to Phillip Island (Stony Point→Cowes) is foot-passenger only; great for avoiding driving fatigue, but requires train/bus connection to Stony Point first.
- Phillip Island is a popular day trip (2 hours by car); the penguin parade is the main draw—check operating hours and book tickets in advance.
- SkyBus airport service runs 24/7 with frequent departures, making it ideal for early/late flights; CityLink tolls may apply to taxi/rideshare fares.
- V/Line regional services often require advance booking; call 1800 800 007 or book online.
Airport
- Name
- Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine)
- Distance From CBD
- 23 km northwest
- Note
- Airport rail link under construction, expected completion 2030. Currently all ground transport uses road network.
Transport Options
20–40 Minutes (Depending on Traffic)
- Cost
- A$25
- How to get there
- SkyBus Express Bus
- Frequency
- Every 10 minutes, 24/7
- Destination
- Southern Cross Station (CBD)
- Return Cost
- A$42
- Notes
- Most popular public transport option. One-way online booking available.
25–60 Minutes
- Cost
- A$70
- How to get there
- Taxi
- Destination
- CBD
- Notes
- Typical starting fare from airport to CBD. Subject to traffic and tolls on CityLink.
25–60 Minutes
- Cost
- A$60
- How to get there
- Rideshare (Uber, Didi, Ola)
- Destination
- CBD
- Notes
- Variable pricing. Airport facility charge of $4.48 AUD (inc. GST) may apply.
1–1.5 Hours
- How to get there
- Public Bus + Train
- Route
- PTV SmartBus routes 478, 479, or 482 to Broadmeadows or Essendon station, then train to CBD
- Notes
- Requires myki card. Not recommended with luggage.
Day Trip Access
Dandenong Ranges
- Drive Time
- approximately 1 hour
- Highlights
- Puffing Billy heritage steam train, fern gullies, mountain ash forests, charming villages, botanical gardens
- Public Transport
- Train to Upper Ferntree Gully or Belgrave station, then bus (route 668) to villages (Sassafras, Olinda, Belgrave)
- Distance From CBD
- 40 km east
- Puffing Billy Return Ticket
- A$49
- Notes
- Outstanding half-day or full-day trip. V/Line train access available.
Phillip Island
- Highlights
- Penguin Parade, wildlife viewing, beaches, coastal attractions
- Ferry Advantage
- Passenger ferry option allows scenic bay crossing; great day-trip alternative to driving.
- Distance From CBD
- approximately 2 hours drive or 3 hours by bus
- Transport Options
- Drive via San Remo bridge (direct), ferry via Stony Point + public transport, or V/Line coach
- Notes
- Accessible by multiple modes; ferry requires planning but offers unique experience.
Geelong
- Drive Time
- 1–1.5 hours
- Highlights
- Waterfront precinct, Eastern Beach swimming enclosure, cafes, shops, art gallery, heritage sites
- Public Transport
- Regional train or coach via V/Line
- Distance From CBD
- approximately 75 km southwest
Rail Connections
Interstate
Approximately 10–11 Hours
- Route
- Sydney–Melbourne
- Operator
- NSW TrainLink XPT
- Frequency
- 4 daily services
- Departure Point
- Southern Cross Station
- Notes
- Standard gauge corridor; journey time affected by single-track sections and curves.
Journey Beyond Rail Expeditions (The Overland)
- Route
- Melbourne–Adelaide
- Departure Point
- Southern Cross Station
- Description
- Day-long service connecting Melbourne and Adelaide
Regional Within Victoria
- Coverage
- Major cities and tourist centres throughout Victoria
- Operator
- V/Line
- Departure Point
- Southern Cross Station and limited metropolitan stations (Dandenong, North Melbourne, Caulfield)
- Notes
- Services connect to metro network for onward travel.
Ferry Connections
Western Port Passenger Ferry
- Route
- Stony Point (Mornington Peninsula) to Cowes (Phillip Island) via Tankerton (French Island)
- Duration
- 30–45 minutes total (varies with stops)
- Operator
- Western Port Ferries
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Return Cost
- A$31
- Passenger Only
- Yes
- Access From Melbourne
- Train from Flinders Street Station (Frankston line) to Frankston, then change to Stony Point line; or drive via Monash Freeway.
- Cost Stony Point To Phillip Island
- A$12
- Notes
- Foot passengers and bicycles only; no vehicles. Ferry for a day trip to Phillip Island; allows access to penguin parade and coastal attractions.
Ground Transport
Taxis
- Availability
- Widely available at major stations and on-street. Ranks located at Flinders Street, Spencer Street, and major transport hubs.
Rideshare
- Operators
- Uber, Didi, Ola
- Notes
- Available throughout city and suburbs
Public Transport
Metro Trains
- Network
- Centred on Flinders Street and Southern Cross stations (CBD)
- Coverage
- 227 stations across 17 lines serving Melbourne metropolitan area
- Operator
- Metro Trains Melbourne
- Frequency
- Varies by line; electrified network with good inner-city coverage
- Notes
- Metro Tunnel opened February 2026 with new stations at State Library and Town Hall.
Regional Trains
- Operator
- V/Line
- Services
- Regional passenger and coach services throughout Victoria
- Reservations
- Required for some journeys; call 1800 800 007 or visit V/Line website
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.skybus.com.au
- 2.carsondemand.com.au
- 3.melbourneairport.com.au
- 4.bigbuild.vic.gov.au
- 5.en.wikipedia.org
- 6.transport.vic.gov.au
- 7.visitvictoria.com
- 8.en.wikipedia.org
- 9.en.wikipedia.org
- 10.australia.com
- 11.cooeetours.com.au
- 12.ptv.vic.gov.au
- 13.westernportferries.com.au
- 14.rome2rio.com
- 15.visitphillipisland.com.au
- 16.phillipislandtour.com.au
- 17.tradingeconomics.com
- 18.xe.com
More About Melbourne
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.