GETTING HERE
From London, you can fly direct to Melbourne - the journey takes around 20 hours, with a quick stop-off for re-fuelling. There are also indirect flights, making the journey longer but considerably less expensive.
From North America, you can catch a direct flight to Melbourne, as well as a number of single-stop services. Excluding stopovers, flying time to Melbourne is around 20 hours from New York or Toronto, 18 hours from Vancouver, or 15 hours from Los Angeles.
From New Zealand, there’s a range of flights available to Melbourne, and an increasing range of budget flights, with those from Auckland taking approximately three-and-a-half hours.
Melbourne is also an easy city to reach from other Australian states. Australia’s major domestic carriers are Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Blue and Tiger. Peak times for airfares are generally between November and January, especially around Christmas. If you’re planning to come in summer, book in advance.
For up-to-date flight information, visit the Melbourne Airport website.
Arrival
By air
Melbourne Airport is approximately 22km from the city - about a 30-minute drive, depending on traffic. Australia’s second busiest airport, it’s open 24/7, servicing all the major international airlines. The airport has baggage lockers in the international terminal, foreign exchange counters, information desks and, for departing travellers, an area to reclaim the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on some goods. Departure tax is charged on leaving the country, but it’s often incorporated in your airline ticket.
Getting to the airport
Skybus Super Shuttle runs between Melbourne Airport and the Melbourne central business district, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service runs every 15 minutes between 6am and 9pm (less frequently at other times), and takes 20 minutes to get from the airport to the City centre. Visit the Skybus website for more info or call 03 9335 3066.
Sunbus runs services between Avalon Airport and the Melbourne central business district. City stops are at Southern Cross Station and outside Hotel Bakpak at 167 Franklin Street. If pre-booked 48 hours in advance, buses will pick you up at CBD Hotels. Visit the Sunbus website for more info or call 03 9689 6888.
A taxi from the airport costs around $AUD40 to the city centre, $AUD50 to St Kilda.
By bus & train
Buses stop at the Melbourne Transit Centre at 58 Franklin Street, near the top of Swanston Street, the main artery of the city. Generally less expensive than trains, buses are equipped with air-conditioning and video players. The direct bus route from Adelaide to Melbourne takes 11 hours, the direct route between Sydney and Melbourne takes 12 hours. For information on bus routes in Victoria, visit the V/Line website.
Trains servicing country Victoria and interstate routes arrive at Southern Cross Station, where you can connect to a suburban rail line. For information on train journeys, fares and timetables in Victoria, visit the V/Line website; for information on train services operating outside Victoria, see the Countrylink website.
By boat
If you're travelling from Tasmania by ferry, you'll dock at Station Pier in Port Melbourne, about 4km southwest of the CBD. The ferry Spirit of Tasmania operates overnight with additional day sailings during peak periods. Contact www.spiritoftasmania.com.au for further information.
