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Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) Taxi Service


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 Official Melbourne Tullamarine Airport Taxi Service

 

Official Melbourne Tullamarine Airport Taxi Rates & Fares

Melbourne Tullamarine Airport taxi rates given here are in the local currency (AUD or Australian Dollar). Use our currency converter or the cheat sheet to the left if you would like to convert to your currency. Note that Melbourne Tullamarine Airport taxi rates given here are for official taxis and unofficial or pirate taxis (discussed below) may be different.


  • Typical Melbourne Airport taxi fares are about:

    City centre AUD 40-45 including road tolls
    Bendigo AUD 200


     

    Additional charges may include:


    • Toll road fees
    • Late night surcharge (midnight and 05:00): 20% 
    • EFTPOS/dedit/credit card transaction surcharge: usually 10%
    • Airport fee for taxis leaving from taxi ranks: AUD 2
    • Airport fee for taxis leaving from Premium Parking/taxi waiting area: AUD 3

     

    Tip: You can estimate your taxi fare by visiting the online fare estimator (or mobile fare estimator) or send a SMS text to 0448 937 223.



 
Melbourne Taxi Payment: Cash • Credit Cards • Debit Cards
  • Always confirm with your Melbourne Tullamarine Airport taxi driver if they take credit or bank cards and if there are any card fees.


Melbourne Taxi Tipping Recommendation: Tipping optional, Round up to next bill/large coin



Official Melbourne Tullamarine Airport Taxi Details

Melbourne Tullamarine Airport Taxi

Melbourne Tullamarine Airport taxi photo

Melbourne Airport taxi service are available from the taxi ranks outside Terminals 1 and 3. Travel time to the city centre is around 20-30 minutes.

 

The Melbourne Tullamarine Airport suggests that if you need to go just a short distance ("short haul"), pre-book your taxi.

 

If you have pre-booked a taxi, do not go to the taxi rank. Your taxi will be waiting for you in the Premium Parking area, opposite Terminal 1/2. 

 

Melbourne taxi drivers are not allowed out on the road without a functioning EFTPOS/debit/credit card machine. Check with the driver up front and if they say it is not working, get yourself a new cab! This has been a problem in Melbourne - see the scams section below.

 

Note that you will need to prepay your fare between 22:00 and 05:00.




 Pirate Melbourne Tullamarine Airport Taxi Serivce

 

Taxis and other comercial vehicles are not permitted to pick-up passengers from public pick-up lanes in the forecourt.

 

The Victorian Government urges travellers to be aware of unlicensed or illegal taxi and chauffeur drivers, also known as touters, operating at Melbourne Airport. If you are approached by someone offering to assist you with transport needs, you should decline the invitation and report the incident to the Victorian Taxi Directorate on +61 3 9320 4300 or (toll free) 1800 638 802.




 Melbourne Tullamarine Airport Taxi Scams


Not a scam, per se, but this is one of the priciest cities in which catch a cab from the airport, by cost per kilometre/mile. In 2013, Melbourne Tullamarine Airport ranked #8 on The World’s 15 Most Expensive Taxi Rides From the Airport to a City, by Skift Travel IQ.

 

Be careful when using taxis in Melbourne. Many people have been ripped off. DO NOT USE YOUR CREDIT CARD. If you do, keep the receipts and check your statements for false charges. This is an ongoing problem with the Melbourne taxi industry.

 

Broken EFTPOS Machine


In this scam, drivers pretend that their EFTPOS (credit card/debit card) machine is broken. They then process the cab charge by hand, giving the passenger a hand written receipt. They process this handwritten receipt and get paid once. Later they use the credit card to process a cash fare using the card. They keep the cash and then get the money from the card as well, scamming the unsuspecting tourist leaving them highly confused when their receive their credit card statement later on. These scammers get paid three times for two fares! Insist that the electronic machine be used, and get an electronic receipt at the end of your trip. Better yet: pay cash!

 

Short-Haul Kerfuffles


There have been disputes at the airport when drivers - who have been waiting for hours for a fare - get a "short haul" fare, then try to jump the line to regain their position. To avoid this scene entirely, pre-book your taxi.


Complaints


The Victorian Taxi Directorate (VTD) encourages feedback about taxi services. Call 1800 638 802 or visit the Victoria Department of Transport with the taxi registration number, time and date of the incident.




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Last Updated: 13 Dec 2023