Melbourne airport to city: Cheap option for travellers

Cost-conscious Melbourne visitors have jumped on a budget trip from the airport to CBD, and it delivers change from $5. Here’s how they do it.

Cost-conscious backpackers have revealed a hidden hack to get to the city from the airport for just over $4.

But the budget journey — involving a bus and suburban train — is costly when it comes to time. While travellers can shell out $65 for a taxi, young international visitors are sharing their bargain alternative online.

It involves catching the Route 901 bus from Melbourne Airport to Broadmeadows railway station. They then catch a city-bound train.

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At $4.40 for a two-hour myki ticket, it’s the cheapest way into the city, but not the fastest. The journey takes 70 minutes — and that’s the best possible scenario.

German traveller Stefanie Ammerer was among backpackers taking the route this week.

Stefanie Ammerer used the budget public transport option. Picture: Alex Coppel

The 24-year-old, who has spent two years travelling around Australia New Zealand and South-East Asia, found out about the alternative via friends.

“It takes a bit longer, but if it’s cheaper it’s always better,” Ms Ammerer said.

A trip from Melbourne Airport to the city costs $17.50 on SkyBus, which is a discounted fares for summer.

The price for an Uber was this week quoted at $50, while a taxi would cost travellers $65.

Public Transport Users Association president Tony Morton said the Broadmeadows detour was a long-held secret among savvy visitors.

Even though Melbourne was now getting an airport rail link, he said the practice showed the importance of making sure fares weren’t too high or people on a tight budget would shun the service.

“You can go to Ballarat from Melbourne off peak for $10 — it would be funny if it would cost more to go to the airport than Geelong or Ballarat,” Mr Morton said.

Construction on the airport rail is due to begin next year.

The journey will take just 20 minutes.