Route 482 hits Airport West and Keilor Park, not the CBD
Public Bus Route 482 runs between Melbourne Airport’s T4 and Airport West, with stops through Keilor Park and the local suburbs. It’s a standard suburban bus, not an express city service, and it does not go to Southern Cross Station or the CBD. Think of it as a link for locals within about 5–8 km of MEL rather than an airport–city transfer.
The 482 stop sits near T4 at the ground transport zone used by local buses; allow around 5–10 minutes to walk over from T1, T2, or T3. You’ll pay the normal myki fare for Zone 1/2, currently cheaper than the SkyBus by a wide margin. Buses generally run every 20–30 minutes in daytime, with reduced frequency at night and on weekends, so check the PTV timetable before you rely on it.
Route 482 connects the airport to Airport West Shopping Centre, which sits roughly 4–5 km south of MEL and links to other bus routes and the 59 tram into the city. The ride from T4 to Airport West usually takes around 15–20 minutes depending on traffic on Airport Drive and Matthews Avenue. If you’re staying in Airport West, Keilor Park, or nearby streets off Matthews Avenue, this bus can drop you within a few hundred metres of your accommodation.
Fares use the standard myki system; you need either a myki card or myki Money on your phone before you board, as drivers on 482 do not sell tickets. Zone 1/2 caps apply, so multiple rides in a day hit the daily maximum, which can make 482 good value if you’re already in the myki system. Touch on when boarding at T4 and touch off when you leave at Airport West or your intermediate stop.
Step-by-step using Public Bus Route 482 from MEL:
- 1. After landing at T1, T2, or T3, follow signs toward T4 and “Buses/Groups”; from T4 arrivals, head directly to the bus bays outside.
- 2. Walk 5–10 minutes to the local bus stands near T4 and look for the stop marked “Route 482 Airport West”.
- 3. Make sure your myki or phone wallet has credit for at least one Zone 1/2 trip before the bus arrives.
- 4. Board through the front door, tap on with myki, and confirm the front display shows “482 Airport West”.
- 5. Ride 15–20 minutes to Airport West Shopping Centre or your chosen intermediate stop through Keilor Park.
- 6. Tap off when you exit, then transfer to other buses or tram 59 if you’re heading further toward Essendon or the CBD.
One tip: if your final destination is central Melbourne, skip 482 and go straight for SkyBus or a rideshare from T1–T4; use Route 482 mainly when you actually need Airport West or the nearby suburbs.