Ringwood & Croydon to Melbourne Airport: How Early to Leave

Ringwood is about 45 km from Melbourne Airport and Croydon about 52 km. Both use EastLink north to the Eastern Freeway, then CityLink and the Tullamarine Freeway. Off-peak that is 40 minutes from Ringwood and 45 from Croydon. In the morning peak it can be ninety.

Departure windows

The practical rule from the outer east: for any flight departing before 10am, leave before 6am. The difference between a 5:45am and a 6:45am departure from Ringwood is routinely half an hour of your morning.

Tolls and route

EastLink and CityLink are both tolled and both are worth it on this run — the untolled alternative through Maroondah Highway and the inner north adds twenty-five minutes and dozens of traffic lights, which on a metered fare costs more in per-minute charges than the tolls save.

Fare expectations

Regulated Victorian rates apply: flag fall, per-kilometre above 21 km/h, per-minute below it, plus tolls and the airport pickup fee on inbound trips. Because this is a long, mostly-freeway journey, an early departure keeps almost the entire fare on the cheaper distance rate.

Vehicles for the outer east

• Two travellers, two cases: Premium Sedan.
• Family of five or six with big luggage: Premium SUV — the extra boot space matters on a long run.
• Seven to eleven passengers: 11-seat Maxi, which for a family group is far cheaper than two separate cars over 45 km.

SE Premium Cabs covers Ringwood, Croydon, Mitcham and the outer east 24 hours a day with pre-booked pickups and flight tracking. Call 0493 100 265 or book online.