Melbourne tolls in a hire car
Melbourne has three electronic toll roads: CityLink, EastLink and the West Gate Tunnel. A rental car may already have an agency toll arrangement, so check that first. Then calculate the exact route and ask what the supplier adds to the operator toll before choosing a tolled airport or city drive.
Updated
Key facts
- Tolled roads
- CityLink, EastLink and the West Gate Tunnel are separate Melbourne toll roads
- Airport approach
- CityLink connects Melbourne Airport and the city; your chosen airport route determines whether you use it
- EastLink trip pass
- One pass covers one EastLink trip in one direction; a return journey needs another
- Rental vehicle
- Ask whether the car has an agency toll program or tag before purchasing an EastLink pass
- Timing
- A temporary pass can be bought before or up to three days after travel, subject to the rental vehicle arrangement
- Trip estimate
- Melbourne toll cost varies by entry, exit, vehicle class and payment product
Which Melbourne drives might use a toll road?
A route from Melbourne Airport into the city may use CityLink, which connects the Tullamarine Freeway, CBD, Monash and West Gate freeways. EastLink runs through the eastern suburbs towards the Mornington Peninsula. The West Gate Tunnel links Melbourne’s west with the city and port network. An airport pickup does not itself mean every journey uses a toll road.
Choose the actual airport or city depot in your rental search, then compare a tolled and untolled route for where you will stay. Calculate both directions if you will return to the airport, because entry points and traffic choices can change.
How do you pay CityLink, EastLink and West Gate Tunnel tolls?
First confirm the rental company’s arrangement and whether the car has a valid tag. Do not buy an EastLink trip pass for a car with a valid tag: the trip is charged to that tag. If the agency has no toll program, ask it which pass or account can be used with the actual plate.
CityLink and West Gate Tunnel are handled by Linkt; EastLink is a different operator. A CityLink-only pass does not cover EastLink. EastLink offers a one-direction trip pass, while an active tag account can work across Australian toll roads. Product fees and rental-company charges are separate, so check the agreement before using a personal account.
What will a Melbourne hire-car toll trip cost?
Use the Melbourne toll calculator for the chosen entry and exit, direction, vehicle class and account or pass. EastLink also has its own calculator. Do not substitute a single airport-to-city amount for the route you will actually drive. Tolls and payment-provider fees can change; the rental agency may also charge for its toll service.
Ask whether the supplier applies a daily charge only on days you use toll roads, a charge for each trip, or a processing amount. Check when it is charged to your card after return. Keep your rental dates and plate details until the toll charges settle.
What if you have already travelled?
Check with the rental company before buying a retrospective pass. EastLink can charge the agency account if the vehicle was already linked, and a separate pass may not replace that charge. If no arrangement covered the car, Victoria permits eligible passes up to three days after the trip.
If a toll invoice arrives, identify whether it concerns CityLink, the West Gate Tunnel or EastLink and follow that operator’s instructions. An unpaid toll can add operator charges and a rental-company charge under the contract.
Compare cars at Melbourne Airport
Prices are shown in Australian dollars. Check the pickup point and what the agreement allows on the roads in this guide before you book.
Preparing live car hire search
Questions people ask
Does Melbourne Airport to the CBD always have a toll?
No. CityLink is one route between the airport and city, but the toll depends on the road you choose. Compare the actual entry and exit points.
Does an EastLink pass cover CityLink?
No. An EastLink trip pass is for EastLink. Confirm any rental-company program before buying a pass for either road.
Can I buy an EastLink pass after driving a rental car?
EastLink allows passes up to three days after travel in general, but rental cars may already be billed through an agency account. Ask the rental company first.
How do I estimate Melbourne tolls?
Use the Melbourne toll calculator for each direction and the selected vehicle class. Add any payment-product and rental-company charges shown in your agreement.