478 bus to Melbourne airport? [no more]

[PLANT]

Told to take 478 bus to Melbourne airport from essendon train station Monday morning.
Where is it located in relation to station?
Where does it finish at airport?

 

[MelUser]

One word: taxi

 

[serfty]

Told to take 478 bus to Melbourne airport from essendon train station Monday morning.
Where is it located in relation to station?
Where does it finish at airport?

I last used this on Saturday.

You would catch either the 478 or 479 bus Here's the combined timetable: 478/479 combined - Moonee Ponds - Melbourne Airport via Essendon, Airport West, Niddrie

The services run hourly.

It is well signposted, but it is to the East of the station. You head down the ramp following the U turn before going right at the subway T-junction. Walk along a little before heading up the ramp to the left. You will see the bus stops there.

There are only four services from Essendon weekday mornings, last being at 8:58am. If you miss those you can catch a train to Broadmeadows Station then the 901 bus to the Airport at no more cost.

 

[opusman]

The bus stop at the airport isn't at the terminal, from memory it's down Centre Rd a way - probably a 10 minute walk from there to QF.

 

[serfty]

The bus stop at the airport isn't at the terminal, from memory it's down Centre Rd a way - probably a 10 minute walk from there to QF.

The aiport bus stop has moved - it's right at the very north-east end of the terminal on the inner road, across from the "Business Parking" area.

 

[opusman]

The aiport bus stop has moved - it's right at the very north-east end of the terminal on the inner road, across from the "Business Parking" area.

Ah ok, that's a bit better than before then.

 

[Hvr]

Use the journey planner Home - Public Transport Victoria and you'll see if the time between train and bus is tight.

If the train arrives late at Essendon stay on it to Broadmeadows and get the bus from there to the airport.

Another route is to go to Sunbury and then get the 500 bus to the airport.

All of the above buses stop in roughly the same place just outside terminal three (go left) in the middle lane. You'll see a sign that says Public Buses and go left. There are the normal bus stop signs and timetables.

 

[coles525]

Use the journey planner Home - Public Transport Victoria and you'll see if the time between train and bus is tight.

If the train arrives late at Essendon stay on it to Broadmeadows and get the bus from there to the airport.

Another route is to go to Sunbury and then get the 500 bus to the airport.

All of the above buses stop in roughly the same place just outside terminal three (go left) in the middle lane. You'll see a sign that says Public Buses and go left. There are the normal bus stop signs and timetables.

Being bus 901 from Broady.

 

[tuapekastar]

Use the journey planner Home - Public Transport Victoria and you'll see if the time between train and bus is tight.

If the train arrives late at Essendon stay on it to Broadmeadows and get the bus from there to the airport.

Another route is to go to Sunbury and then get the 500 bus to the airport.

All of the above buses stop in roughly the same place just outside terminal three (go left) in the middle lane. You'll see a sign that says Public Buses and go left. There are the normal bus stop signs and timetables.

The buses stop outside T1 I thought?

 

[Hvr]

The buses stop outside T1 I thought?

Their stop has moved. I caught the route 500 on Wednesday and today.

 

[Austman]

Their stop has moved. I caught the route 500 on Wednesday and today.

Are you sure? T1 = Qantas/Jetstar Domestic and the PT planner still shows it there. To the left as you walk out of T1.

 

[tuapekastar]

Their stop has moved. I caught the route 500 on Wednesday and today.

Well they're certainly jumping all over the place then.
Looks like the only guarantee is that you'll end up somewhere at the airport!

 

[Hvr]

Are you sure? T1 = Qantas/Jetstar Domestic and the PT planner still shows it there. To the left as you walk out of T1.

Whoops you're right, T1. I confused myself with the numbering.

Bus Services - To and From the Airport - Melbourne Airport

 

[serfty]

Only caught the bus on Saturday - it stopped nearer to t1.

If is moved again to near t3 it is back near where it was before the advent if the 901 ...

 

[tuapekastar]

Whoops you're right, T1. I confused myself with the numbering.

Bus Services - To and From the Airport - Melbourne Airport

Come on Hvr, there are only 3 of them! (I'll discount Tiger). Too much diet coke methinks!
Though to be fair I've always thought the terminal numbering was cough about.

 

[PLANT]

Got it... All 3 people and only one to airport.... Just to add it's the closest stop to the train station to wait at. Shelters are handy as raining this morning.... He let me off at Virgin while waiting at crossing....

 

[PLANT]

Lifehacker

This link has pics: http://blog.ozbargain.com.au/2012/free-parking-public-transport-at-melbourne-airport/#.UoSMihqkxEs

 

[serfty]

Pics and article are old - the bus now drops off outside T1 as discussed upstream - that's getting up to a Km in distance from outside the old Toll depot (or "T4").

(Used the 478 on the 3rd - 10:55am on time, was at Essendon in time for the 11:29 train and another 15 minutes to Melbourne Central.)

 

[serfty]

Looks like the 478 / 479 buses no longer go to Essendon Railway Station (nor Moonee Ponds).

Information is hard to find, but Airport West now seems to be as close to the city as these services now go. From there you can still catch a #59 tram to/from the city, albeit a 50 minute+ trip.

So, the 901 bus is now the better option (Previously, if your timing was right, the 478/479 bus via Essendon would be 25 minutes or so quicker than the 901 via Broadmeadows R/S).

 

[PLANT]

Bugger..... Not happy Jan?