Getting from the Yarra Valley to Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) takes most people between 45 minutes and 1 hour 40 minutes depending on where they live. For many residents, the question before a trip is not just how long it takes but what the taxi will cost.
Local taxi trips run on the meter, and the rate does not surge with demand. What does change is which tariff is active: Tariff 1 applies during the day (6am to 6pm on weekdays) and Tariff 2 (higher) applies at night, on weekends and on public holidays.
How the metered fare is worked out
The current Victorian taxi meter rates are a flag fall of $4.20, then $1.949 per kilometre on Tariff 1 or $2.434 per kilometre on Tariff 2. A time rate applies when the vehicle travels below 21 km/h, adding to the fare in heavier traffic. Freeway and tunnel tolls are charged as the meter clocks them during the journey.
When you are picked up from the airport terminal, a $4.40 airport booking fee is added to the fare. This does not apply when the taxi is picking you up from your home or accommodation.
Estimated fares by area
These are approximate daytime Tariff 1 fares for typical conditions via the Eastern Freeway:
- Croydon to Tullamarine: approximately $75 to $95, around 45 to 50 minutes
- Lilydale to Tullamarine: approximately $90 to $110, around 50 to 60 minutes
- Yarra Glen to Tullamarine: approximately $115 to $135, around 1 hour 10 minutes
- Healesville to Tullamarine: approximately $130 to $155, around 1 hour 20 minutes
- Warburton to Tullamarine: approximately $155 to $185, around 1 hour 40 minutes
Night fares for early morning departures run on Tariff 2 for the entire journey, adding roughly 20 to 25 per cent to the above estimates. A 4am pickup from Healesville for a 6am flight is a Tariff 2 trip from start to finish.
What is included with an advance booking
When you book in advance, we call or text you to confirm before the day. For airport pickups, the driver tracks your inbound flight in real time: if your flight lands late, the pickup time adjusts and there is no additional charge for the wait. There is no cancellation penalty if the airline changes or cancels your flight.
Payment is accepted by Cabcharge, MPTP, EFTPOS, Visa, Mastercard and American Express. NDIS participants and corporate account holders can arrange their preferred payment method at the time of booking.
Is it cheaper than rideshare?
At standard times, metered taxi fares and rideshare pricing are broadly comparable on the Eastern Freeway run. The difference shows at peak demand periods and early mornings: rideshare surge pricing can push fares 1.5 to 2.5 times higher than the metered rate. A 4am airport departure from Healesville on a busy long weekend is considerably more predictable with a booked taxi than an unconfirmed rideshare booking.
How to book
Bookings are taken online or by phone. For airport trips, booking the night before gives enough time for us to confirm a driver and let you know. For very early morning flights, bookings can be made several days in advance and the driver is allocated ahead of time.
Want a fixed price instead of a metered fare? Call 0404 506 728, email yarravalleytaxi@gmail.com or send a fixed quote request and we will agree a fixed fare with you before you travel.
Ready to book?
Every booking is confirmed by a call or text from our office before the day.