SkyBus is a quick, affordable, and efficient way to reach major airports around Australia and New Zealand. The company’s eye-catching red buses service airports in Melbourne, Hobart, along the Gold Coast, and Auckland. Founded in 1978, SkyBus has built a reputation for providing travellers with a great option to go to or from the airport. Whether you want to save money or need a quick transfer, SkyBus can provide you with the transport you desire. Moreover, we’ve prepared the ultimate Skybus guide to help you travel with ease.
Along with transporting travellers to airports in Australia and New Zealand, SkyBus takes travellers to various ferry terminals. For now, we will focus on SkyBus’s airport transportation services which operate in five locations and offer multiple routes to most of those destinations. The company’s bus service can be the best way to travel, but you need to know where its fleet of vehicles pick up and drop off passengers. With buses operating at five major airports in Australia and New Zealand, SkyBus is likely to be one of the best – if not the best – options for travel.
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Melbourne
Melbourne City Express (MEL)
Melbourne City Express (MEL) is a shuttle service that provides transportation between Melbourne’s Tullamarine Airport and the city’s central business district. It offers a reliable and convenient way for passengers to travel to and from the airport, with frequent departures throughout the day.
The bus picks up and drops kerbside at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport T1, T3, T4 and in the heart of Melbourne at Southern Cross Station.
Peninsula Express
Peninsula Express is a shuttle and private transfer service that operates between Melbourne Tullamarine Airport and the Mornington Peninsula. The route includes stops at popular destinations such as Frankston, Rosebud, Rye, Sorrento, Portsea, and Blairgowrie. The service runs seven days a week, with multiple departure times throughout the day.
The Peninsula Express picks up and drops off at Terminal 4 and picks up and drops off passengers at 17 locations around town.
Avalon City Express
Avalon Airport services international and domestic travellers throughout the day. It is one of Australia’s busiest airports in terms of passengers and SkyBus’s fleet offers two options to travellers going to and from the airport.
The service travels between Avalon Airport (AVV) and Southern Cross Station in Melbourne’s CBD, with a stop en route in Werribee.
Southbank Docklands Express
Southbank Docklands Express is a reliable and convenient shuttle bus service that operates between Southbank and Docklands in Melbourne. It offers a frequent and efficient service, providing commuters and visitors with a hassle-free way to travel between these two popular areas. The route covers several key locations including Crown Casino, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Southern Cross Station, and the Docklands precinct.
Southbank Docklands Express picks up and drops off at Terminal 4 and drops off at Terminal 1 along with eight convenient locations in the Southbank and Docklands areas.
Note: This service is currently suspended.
St. Kilda Express
St. Kilda Express is a reliable and affordable airport shuttle service that provides transportation to and from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport and St. Kilda area. The shuttle service operates 7 days a week with a regular timetable that is designed to suit the needs of travellers.
The St. Kilda express drops off and picks up at Terminal 1. Travellers can be picked up or dropped off at four St. Kilda locations: Barkly Street, Carlisle Street, The Esplanade, and Fitzroy Street.
Note: This service is currently suspended.
Western Express
Western Express is a reliable and affordable airport transfer service for those living in Melbourne’s western suburbs. With comfortable and spacious coaches, passengers can travel to the airport without the hassle of driving, parking or navigating public transport.
The bus service provides travellers with transfers from the city’s western suburbs to and from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport. You can travel from Werribee and Tarneit and Melbourne Tullamarine Airport. It picks up and drops off in three locations: Tarneit Station, Pacific Werribee, and Werribee RSL.
Note: This service is currently suspended.
Eastern Express
Eastern Express is a popular airport transfer service that offers efficient and affordable travel options for those travelling to and from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport.
The bus service provides travellers with transfers from six spots around Melbourne’s eastern suburbs including Watsonia Station, Doncaster Shopping Centre, Box Hill Central, Blackburn Station, Ringwood Station, and Croydon Station, stopping off at Terminal 1 and 4 at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport.
Eastern Express is an ideal choice for those seeking a convenient, comfortable and reliable transport option to and from the airport.
Note: This service is currently suspended.
Hobart
Hobart City Express
Located on the gorgeous Australian island of Tasmania, Hobart is one of the top tourist destinations in the country. It was ranked as one of the top 10 must-visit travel destinations according to Lonely Planet and thanks to its laid-back atmosphere and artesian producers, it is an ideal place to spend a holiday. Just one service is offered to travellers going to or from Hobart Airport.
The express bus offered by SkyBus picks up and drops off kerbside at Hobart Airport. Travellers are provided six stop-offs around town: Grand Chancellor Hotel, Brooke Street Pier, Visitors Information Centre, 157 Collins Street, Hobart Apartment Hotel, and the Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel.
Gold Coast
Byron Bay Express
Whether you’re visiting for the weekend or looking for a convenient way to get to and from work, the SkyBus is a great choice. The bus picks up and drops passengers from Gold Coast Airport and the incredible beaches of Byron Bay. It runs from 6 am to 11 pm daily and operates from Central Station in Byron Bay to Tweed Heads and Gold Coast Airports.
Gold Coast Airport Shuttle
The bus picks passengers up kerbside at Gold Coast Airport just outside of domestic arrivals and takes them to three locations: Ewingsdale Road, Shirley Street, and Mercato in Byron Bay. Passengers can also be picked up from those locations and transferred to the airport.
Note: This service is currently suspended.
Auckland
Auckland City Express
The Auckland City Express service is ideal for anyone headed into the heart of the city. Sixteen stops are offered to passengers with many of them being downtown and near the waterfront. One of the popular pick-up and drop-off locations is Mt. Eden, which has four stop-offs.
Note: This service is currently suspended.
North Harbour Express
North Harbour Express is a reliable and convenient shuttle service that offers transportation for passengers to Akoranga, Smales Farm, and Albany (Westfield) in Auckland. The service provides comfortable and safe transfers, making it an ideal option for those who prefer not to drive.
The North Harbour Express also offers convenient pick-up and drop-off points in areas outside of the city. With a commitment to punctuality, reliability, and excellent customer service, the North Harbour Express is the perfect option for those who need to travel in and around Auckland.
Note: This service is currently suspended.
Service Details
Buying tickets
Buying tickets for SkyBus couldn’t be easier. You can purchase tickets online for the routes or purchase them upon arrival at the airport. Each airport in which SkyBus operates has a ticket kiosk to collect pre-purchased tickets and a ticket counter to buy tickets directly from an attendant. When purchasing tickets for SkyBus, you can either buy them online and print them off at home and use them to board. You can also download the ticket to your smartphone and present it when hopping on SkyBus. The self-serve kiosks at airports or at Southern Cross Station allow you to purchase tickets on the day you travel.
Luggage Storage
If you have luggage with you, have no fear as SkyBus vehicles possess onboard luggage storage compartments. The luggage allowance is the same as the checked and carry-on luggage allowance of the airline in which you will fly. Other items such as bicycles, surfboards, and additional luggage may be allowed but depend on the availability of space onboard the SkyBus vehicle.
This is a great way to make sure that your belongings are safe while you travel without having to lug them around with you. So, if you’re travelling with a lot of luggage, take advantage of the storage options offered by SkyBus to make sure your items are safe and secure while you travel.
SkyBus app
SkyBus’s app is the quickest, easiest way to purchase tickets to use the transfer service. The app can be downloaded for iOS and Android devices. SkyBus’s app allows you to purchase tickets on the go and find the route that suits you.
SkyBus makes it possible to travel to and from some of the biggest airports in Australia and New Zealand. The convenience provided by the service means you won’t break the bank hiring a taxi or need to park your vehicle at an overpriced, insecure airport carpark. SkyBus’s services are also efficient, so you won’t spend all day in traffic and miss your flight.