How to Book a Taxi in Melbourne

There are three ways to book a taxi in Melbourne: call by phone, book online, or walk to a taxi rank and take the next available car. Which one makes sense depends on what you need.

If you are booking an airport run, an early morning pickup, or anything where you need a driver confirmed in advance, phone or online is the right call. If you just need a car right now and you are near a rank, walk up and take one.

Booking by Phone

Call the taxi company directly and tell them your pickup address, the time you need to be picked up, and where you are going. For airport trips, give them your flight number so they can track delays.

For Book Melbourne Taxi, the number is 0422 333 880. The line is open 24 hours a day. When you call, have your suburb and street address ready. If you are booking a fixed fare to the airport, confirm that at the time of the call so you know exactly what the trip will cost.

You will receive a confirmation, and your driver will be assigned before the pickup time. For early morning bookings, the driver is usually confirmed the evening before.

Booking Online

The online form on the Book Melbourne Taxi website works the same way as calling, just without the phone call. Enter your pickup address, drop off address, date, time, and number of passengers. For airport pickups, there is a field for your flight number.

Once your booking is submitted, you receive a confirmation with the fare and your driver details. Most online bookings are confirmed within a few minutes during business hours and within the hour at other times.

Online booking suits people who want everything in writing or who prefer not to call.

Booking at a Taxi Rank

Taxi ranks are the designated stands outside major train stations, the airport terminals, the CBD, and large venues. Walk to the rank, take the next car in line, and tell the driver your destination. The meter starts when you get in.

This is fine for short city trips or when you do not need a specific pickup time. It is not suitable for airport runs where you need a guaranteed car at your door at a specific time.

How Far in Advance Should You Book?

For airport departures, book at least two hours before your pickup time. For very early morning flights (before 6 am), booking the night before is a good idea. Drivers fill up on early starts quickly.

For event nights at the MCG, Rod Laver Arena, or Marvel Stadium, book before you head in rather than trying to find a car after the event ends. Post-event demand in Melbourne is high and unbooked cars fill fast.

For regular point-to-point trips during the day, same-day bookings are usually fine. Call an hour or two ahead and you will have a driver.

What Information Do You Need to Book?

Have this ready before you call or fill in the form:

• Your full pickup address including suburb
• The date and time you need the car
• The number of passengers
• Any luggage that needs to go in the boot
• Your flight number if it is an airport pickup
• Whether you need a baby seat or a maxi cab

The more detail you give at the time of booking, the smoother the pickup will be.

Fixed Fares vs Metered Fares

When you pre-book an airport transfer with Book Melbourne Taxi, the fare is fixed at the time of booking. You know the cost before the driver arrives and it does not change in traffic. For other trips, the standard Melbourne taxi meter rates apply. Ask at the time of booking if you want to confirm which applies to your trip.

Frequently Asked Questions