Route 479 is the bus the airport staff actually use
Route 479 runs between Melbourne Airport and Sunbury, with stops through Gladstone Park and along Melrose Drive that line up with local commutes. It serves all four terminals (T1, T2, T3, T4) from the main forecourt bus bays, using the same roadside stops as other public routes like 478. This one tilts more to locals than tourists, so expect more hi-vis than suitcases in the morning peak.
The service is part of the standard PTV network, so fares use the normal myki Zone 2/Metropolitan caps; a single trip comes in at regular myki rates, not the higher SkyBus pricing. Buses generally run seven days a week with extra trips in weekday peak periods aimed at airport workers starting shifts around 6:00–9:00 and 14:00–17:00. If you already hold a myki pass, the airport leg on 479 usually costs you nothing extra.
Stops at Melbourne Airport sit on Airport Drive in front of T1–T3 and near T4, and all are signed with the green Public Transport Victoria pole and the route number 479. From the terminals, you’re looking at a 2–5 minute walk to the stop, depending on which terminal you land at and how crowded the forecourt is. If you’re coming from Sunbury Station, the trip to the airport on 479 typically runs about 35–45 minutes in normal traffic.
Compared with Route 478, 479 pulls further into the residential belt around Gladstone Park and along Melrose Drive before heading out toward Sunbury. That makes it handy if you’re staying in suburbs like Tullamarine or Gladstone Park and want a cheap hop to the airport instead of a taxi that can easily hit AUD 25–35 for a short ride. It also gives airport staff a reliable link to shift housing pockets that sit off the freeway.
Buses on 479 are standard low-floor suburban units with front-door boarding and myki readers by the driver, and you tap on and off like any other Melbourne bus. There’s room for a couple of full-size suitcases near the wheelchair area, but in peak worker times around 07:30–08:30 and 16:30–17:30 it can feel tight. If you’re hauling more than one large bag, aim for shoulders like 10:00–15:00 instead.
One practical tip: check the PTV app or website for “Route 479 Sunbury – Melbourne Airport via Gladstone Park” before you walk out to Airport Drive, then time your exit from baggage claim so you’re at the stop 5–10 minutes before the listed departure.