How much it will cost to travel to Melbourne Airport by train

A public transport expert is defending the proposed $18 surcharge to use the Melbourne Airport Rail Link.

If added to the price of a two-hour Myki fare, a trip to the airport would cost $22.50.

But Monash University’s Professor Graham Currie says it’s a reasonable figure.

“Sydney Airport the access charge there is $15 but it’s only 10 kilometres out of the city, and Melbourne Airport is 20 kilometres,” he told Emily Power and Jimmy Bartel, filling in for Ross and Russel.

“Access to the airport is user pays. SkyBus is commercial.”

With the route for the airport link taking a less direct route — via Sunshine — Professor Currie says it’ll struggle to compete with cars or SkyBus when it comes to travel times.

“I think SkyBus will still be competitive but we do need more options to get to the airport and it’s providing that,” he said.

Press PLAY below to hear more about the airport rail link