Editing Melbourne (section)

=== '''Getting to and from the Airports Cheap!''' ===

Melbourne is served by two airports. Melbourne (Tullamarine) is the largest and most popular, and is home to Melbourne's International terminal. Melbourne (Avalon) is the base for some JetStar flights, as well as being a Qantas maintainence base and training runway. NOTE: You can follow this thread for more illumination on [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=707&post=8547939#gpid8547939 transport from the airport!]

'''Melbourne (Tullamarine Airport)''' 

Several Couch Surfers have been told at Tullamarine Information there is no public bus. THIS IS INCORRECT!

* BUS ROUTE 901! It's possibly the longest metropolitan bus route in the world but the 901 'smart' bus from Frankston to Melbourne Airport runs frequently every day from 5am to midnight. You will need a Zone 2 met ticket (plus Zone 1 if going to city via train) or sufficient funds on your Myki card. Stops regularly at Broadmeadows/ Epping Station, and starts and finishes near the Tiger Terminal 4. While it will take longer depending on where you're travelling from and may require you to use connecting public transport, it will save you $10-$13 each way by not taking skybus. Here's the [http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/route/view/3185 Timetable] and [http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/maps-stations-stops/metropolitan-buses/bus/3185 Route Map].

* Skybus : Approximately 20 min from the city center ($16 one way, $26 return) takes you to Southern Cross Station (on Spencer Street), with free transfers to City hotels & backpackers accommodation. At the Skybus ticket counter you can pick up a free copy of the Melbourne in Spring/ Summer/ Autumn/ Winter magazine that contains a city map, tram & train map and a few vouchers.

* You could catch a taxi, which would usually cost around $40 to $70, depending on the driver, weather, time of day, traffic and other factors.

* There are other bus rotes to consider (478, 479, 500) from the airport. To locate the bus stop: As you leave the airport terminal, go down to the concourse, where all buses leave from and look for the yellow 'VLine' sign indicating both the '477' and the '478' bus numbers. The sign is normal bus sign sized and attached to one of the steel poles holding up the overhead shelter itself. It is furthermost of the two dedicated lanes for buses. The sign itself is about in line with the big blue words that say 'INTERNATIONAL' over the terminal itself. For timetable & route information visit [http://ptv.vic.gov.au/ Public Transport Victoria].

'''Showers'''

For information about showers at the airport, check [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=707&post=10013328 this thread].

'''Melbourne (Avalon Airport)'''
 
* The [http://www.sitacoaches.com.au/avalon/ Sunbus Shuttle] takes approximately 1 hour to get to Melbourne & costs about $19-25 AUD depending on where you want to go on the fixed route, from there you can take public transport to your final destination. 

* A taxi from Melbourne - Avalon is way too much to even consider on the average traveler's budget.

* You can also take the train from Spencer Street Station to Lara Station (on Geelong Vline route), then catch a short taxi ride to Avalon.