About SkyBus

Award winning airport transfer service

Offering a convenient, comfortable and cost effective travel solution to passengers for more than forty years, SkyBus is recognised as the best choice for traveling between Melbourne Airport into the centre of Melbourne’s CBD, Southbank Docklands, St Kilda, Frankston, Bayside and Melbourne's Western and Eastern suburbs.

Friendly SkyBus staff

Operating an express transit service 24/7, with departures every 5 - 10 minutes, SkyBus is a service passengers can rely on. SkyBus travellers consistently rate SkyBus services 8 or 9 out of 10 for overall satisfaction.

With continued investment in our customer experience, SkyBus offers free on board WIFI, value for money, frequency and modern fleet - which includes the new Australian built Double Decker vehicles, providing a high capacity solution with enhanced comfort.

There are currently twenty one Double Decker buses in the SkyBus fleet to date. Double Deckers offer a 37% increase in passenger capacity, while maintaining the same fuel usage as standard buses, meaning there is no negative environmental impact.

The SkyBus Double Deckers are Australian made and purpose built for airport travellers, with low floors and on-board luggage compartments for convenience and to cater to all passengers, including the elderly and those using a wheelchair.

SkyBus mobility enhanced buses

Airport Gateway

In April 2016, SkyBus opened a new Airport Gateway from Southern Cross Station. The Airport Gateway promotes greater comfort and connectivity for airport bound and arriving passengers.

Increased Service

Since 2015, SkyBus has increased daily services to an average of 350, providing a 5 minute frequency during peak periods.

Southern Suburbs Service

Following the aquisition of the Frankston and Peninsula Airport Shuttle in early 2016, SkyBus operates a dedicated Melbourne Airport to Melbourne Southern Suburbs service daily, with stops in the Southern suburbs and Mornington Peninsula.

St Kilda Express

In August 2016, SkyBus launched a St Kilda Express service. This increased service, frequency and comfort for SkyBus passengers coming to and from the St Kilda area.

SkyBus History and profile

Kinetic Group is owned by Canadian Pension Fund, OP Trust. Operating for over 41 years, SkyBus has a dedicated Airport Express Bus service out of Melbourne Airport, with an annual passenger growth averaging 6% per year.

Recognising a gap in traveller needs for a cost effective and reliable mode of transport accessing the airport, SkyBus first opened operations in 1978 as a small family business founded by the Cowen Family. SkyBus’ original coach depot was located on Franklin Street from which buses were deployed to Southern Cross Station for passenger pickups. From here, buses continued onto various CBD hotels before continuing onto the Airport. In 2000, the service evolved into an express service running directly from Southern Cross Station to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport and back again. This change in operation significantly reduced travel time to approximately 20 – 30 minutes. Hotel connections became a separate service with the introduction of minibuses implemented for the SkyBus complimentary Hotel Transfer Service.

In September 2014, SkyBus was purchased by a consortium that included Catalyst Direct Capital Management and OPTrust Private Markets Group. A new management team was introduced with the vision to be the world leader in airport mass transit, through development of safe, efficient and reliable services providing a world-class customer experience.

SkyBus-Southern-Cross-Station

Today, SkyBus’ continued growth has expanded operations to Auckland, New Zealand. In addition, with the recent acquisition of the Airport Eastside Bus, in early April 2019, SkyBus has proudly launched its Western Express, Byron Bay Express and Hobart City Express services in the last 12 months.

SkyBus is now recognised as one of the world’s most frequent airport bus transfers, currently moving 4 million people from Melbourne Airport to the Melbourne CBD annually. The iconic red buses run 24/7, on the most affordable airport transport service in Australia, when measured by cost/kilometres travelled. SkyBus pairs affordability with superior service, offering customers free WiFi, luggage racks, reliable running times, and online, mobile and kiosk ticketing options.

Free WiFi on board

Wurundjeri acknowledgement

We at SkyBus Acknowledge the Wurundjeri people who are the custodians of the land on which our office is based.
We pay our respect to Elders past and present.