How to Navigate Southern Cross Station with Confidence
It will probably always be Spencer Street to most of us — but knowing your way around today’s Southern Cross makes every Melbourne journey a whole lot easier.
For many Melburnians, the name change back in 2005 never quite stuck. Southern Cross Station is officially what the signs say, but “Spencer Street” still slips out in conversation — and nobody’s judging you for it. What has changed, though, is the station itself. The sprawling transport hub that sits under that famous undulating roof is a very different beast from the old Spencer Street of decades past. If you haven’t been through recently, or you’re planning a V/Line trip and want to feel prepared, this guide will help you get your bearings.
We spoke with Karen Lovell, Site Supervisor at Travellers Aid Australia, who works at Southern Cross every day. Her practical tips are woven throughout.
Getting Into the Station
Southern Cross sits on the western edge of Melbourne’s CBD, bordered by Spencer, Collins and Bourke Streets. There are three main public entrances, each with its own advantages.
Spencer Street Entrance
This is where most long-time Melburnians still instinctively head. It sits beside the Spencer Outlet Centre and gives you direct access to the Metro and V/Line platforms, the food court, the PTV Hub, luggage services and SkyBus connections.
Collins Street Entrance
Handy if you’re arriving from Docklands or stepping off a tram along Collins Street. Lifts and escalators are right there, and there’s good seating nearby. The cafés upstairs at the Collins Street end of the station are also accessible from this side.
Bourke Street Entrance
This entrance works well for catching SkyBus to Melbourne Airport or connecting with Bourke Street trams. It’s also the side to know if someone is picking you up or dropping you off.
Karen points out that there’s a dedicated accessible drop-off and pick-up zone on the corner of Spencer and Bourke Streets, near Hungry Jack’s. If you have mobility considerations or are travelling with someone who does, this is the easiest place to enter and exit the station. Trams run directly across the road from all the main entrances, so wherever you come out, you’re well connected.
Parking
The station car park is operated by Care Park and is open 24 hours, seven days a week. You’ll find the entry and exit on Spencer and Lonsdale Streets.
A few things worth knowing about rates:
- Early bird flat rate applies on weekdays if you enter between 6am and 9:30am and exit between 1:30pm and 6:30pm — a good option if you’re dropping someone at the station or coming in for a day out
- Evening and weekend rates are available for arrivals after 4pm on weekdays or from 6am on Saturdays
- Spencer Outlet Centre discount — spend $30 or more at Spencer Outlet and you can get 50% off parking for stays under three hours. Redeem at the Customer Service desk next to TK Maxx, or at the Centre Management office on Level 1
Rates do change, so it’s worth confirming current pricing before you travel at carepark.com.au or by calling Care Park on (03) 9926 6600. The car park fills quickly on AFL match days, concert nights and other major events at nearby Marvel Stadium, so earlier is always better on those days.
Understanding the Platforms
This is the part that trips people up most often, so here’s the simple version:
- Platforms 1–8 and 15-16 are generally used by V/Line regional services
- Platforms 9–14 are generally Metro Trains platforms
That said, platform allocations can change, so don’t rely on memory alone. The best habit is to go straight to the large electronic departure boards at each station entrance as soon as you arrive. They show departure times, platform numbers and service updates in real time.
One thing many travellers don’t realise: arrival information is not shown on the main boards. If you’re meeting someone coming in on a V/Line service, you’ll need to ask V/Line staff directly, or pop into the Travellers Aid office, where Karen and her team can look up arrival information and help with tram connections too.
Lifts, Escalators and Accessible Pathways
The station is considerably more accessible than it used to be. Throughout the building you’ll find lifts, escalators, stairs and wide accessible pathways. On the Metro platforms specifically (platforms 9–16), there are lifts and escalators at both the Bourke Street and Collins Street ends, so you can usually avoid a long walk regardless of where you enter.
For anyone who finds the station tiring to navigate — particularly if you’re carrying luggage or have limited mobility — Travellers Aid runs a buggy service that can transport you around the station. It’s a genuinely useful option that many travellers don’t know exists until they need it.
Download a Southern Cross Station map here.
Where to Eat, Drink and Sit at Southern Cross Station
If you’ve arrived with time to spare, there are a few comfortable spots to settle in.
Spencer Outlet food court — next door in the Spencer Outlet Centre, this has the most seating and a good range of casual dining options. Good if you want somewhere to sit down properly before a journey. There are also comfortable public toilets here.
Ground floor cafés — coffee shops and takeaway options are dotted throughout the station concourse. Handy for a quick cup before boarding. Our favourite for coffee is Puzzle Coffee near the corner of Collins and Spencer Street.
Collins Street upper level — there are cafés upstairs at the Collins Street end, reached by lift or escalator. These tend to be a bit quieter than the main concourse and are worth knowing about if you want somewhere to sit without being in the thick of the foot traffic.
Seating is more plentiful than first impressions suggest. The quieter spots are generally upstairs or away from the departure boards. Unfortunately, most seating options are stools without back support.
Related reading: 10 Best Restaurants Near Southern Cross Station (Within 500m)
Woolworths Metro: Groceries and Grab-and-Go at the Station
Not many people think of Southern Cross as a place to do a grocery run, but there’s a surprisingly well-stocked Woolworths Metro right at the station — and it’s genuinely useful, especially if you’re arriving into the city, heading off on a trip, or simply need something before boarding.
The store is located on the corner of Collins and Spencer Streets, at the Collins Street entrance to the station.
What’s there
This isn’t a full-size supermarket, but it covers a lot more than a corner store. You’ll find:
- Fresh produce and groceries for those travelling to a holiday home or stocking up before a V/Line trip
- Ready-to-eat meals and prepared foods — good for a quick lunch before boarding or something easy for the train
- A bakery with fresh bread, pastries and snacks
- A coffee counter if you need a proper coffee rather than a takeaway chain
- A BWS liquor store attached, useful if you’re heading to a gathering or away for the weekend
The store is clean and well laid out, with staff who are friendly and helpful. The wide aisles make it easy to navigate with luggage, and it doesn’t feel cramped the way some city convenience stores do.
Opening hours
Woolworths Metro at Southern Cross is open Monday to Friday from 5:30am to midnight, Saturday from 6:00am, and Sunday from 7:00am. Those early opening times make it handy for travellers catching early morning V/Line services or the first SkyBus of the day.
It can get busy during weekday lunchtime and the afternoon peak, so if you want a relaxed browse, mid-morning or early afternoon on a weekday is the quieter window.
Managing Crowds
Southern Cross gets busy — there’s no getting around it. Peak times to be aware of include weekday mornings and afternoons, Friday afternoons, AFL match days, major concerts and school holiday periods.
Karen’s advice is straightforward: arrive early and be patient. Giving yourself an extra 20–30 minutes means you can find your platform calmly, use the bathroom, grab a coffee, and avoid any sense of rushing through crowds. If you haven’t been through the station in a few years, that buffer makes the whole experience much more relaxed.
Helpful Apps and Information
Karen recommends downloading the PTV app before you travel. It gives you live departure times, platform information, tram routes, journey planning and service disruptions — all in one place. You can also use Google Maps for transport routes, but this is more detailed and more accurate.
Inside the station, the PTV Hub is useful for Myki-related questions: top-ups, concession enquiries, seniors Myki assistance and general public transport advice.
The Travellers Aid office also has maps, friendly staff who can help you work out which tram to catch, and can point you towards accommodation or other destinations. Don’t hesitate to ask.
Lockers and Luggage Storage
If you need to store bags while you explore the city, there are a couple of good options at or near the station.
Station lockers are located throughout Southern Cross and accept both card and cash. Expect to pay from around $12 for a small to medium locker, with larger lockers running up to around $26. They’re a straightforward option if you just need somewhere secure for a few hours — though it’s worth noting that availability can be patchy, so don’t rely on them if you have an early or inflexible schedule.
Smarte Carte at Spencer Outlet Centre is the more reliable staffed option. Located inside Spencer Outlet Centre next to the station, they offer short and long-term baggage storage, open daily from 8 am to 6 pm. You can pre-book online at smartecarte.com, or simply walk in on the day. Pricing starts from around $12 per bag — check their website or call ahead on +61 427 116 021 to confirm current rates, as these can change.
Smarte Carte also offers an airport bag transfer service, which means you can drop your luggage with them and have it sent directly to Melbourne Airport — useful if you want to explore the city on your last day without dragging bags around. They also sell SkyBus tickets with cash, which is handy if you don’t have a card (see the SkyBus section below).
Getting to the Airport: SkyBus from Southern Cross
If you’re flying out of Melbourne — or picking someone up who’s just flown in — SkyBus is the most straightforward way to connect Southern Cross Station with Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine). It’s been running this route for over 45 years and, for most travellers, it’s considerably less stressful than driving or waiting for a rideshare.
What is SkyBus?
SkyBus is a dedicated airport express coach service running between Southern Cross Station and Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine), seven days a week including public holidays. The coaches are large, comfortable and equipped with free Wi-Fi, and there’s no need to pre-book — it operates as a turn-up-and-go service, which removes a lot of stress if you’re travelling with flexible plans.
The journey takes around 35 minutes, depending on traffic.
Services and frequency
SkyBus runs daily from 4am to 1am, with departures every 10 minutes during peak times and every 15 minutes outside peak hours. In practice, that means you’re rarely waiting long.
Beyond the main city-to-airport route, SkyBus also operates services to:
- St Kilda, Frankston and bayside suburbs (Peninsula Express)
- Box Hill, Doncaster and Watsonia (Eastern Express)
- Sunshine Station (Sunshine Express)
- Avalon Airport via Werribee (Avalon City Express)
So if you’re travelling from the inner suburbs or need a connection beyond the CBD, it’s worth checking whether there’s a SkyBus route that suits you at skybus.com.au.
Fares
Adult one-way tickets for the Melbourne City Express are $24.60, with a return fare at $41.20. If you buy a return, the per-trip cost comes down to around $20.60 each way. Concession fares are available, and SkyBus does offer a Senior fare — you’ll need to present a valid Australian state-issued Seniors Card when boarding.
Tickets can be purchased online at skybus.com.au, via the SkyBus app, or at the self-serve e-kiosks at the station.
Book SkyBus tickets online here.
Related reading: Our Practical Guide to Using Melbourne Airport
Where to board at Southern Cross
SkyBus departs from Bay 75 in the coach terminal at Southern Cross Station, with e-kiosks located near the Bourke Street entry to the station.
Important: ticket machines are card-only
This catches people out more often than you’d think. The SkyBus e-kiosks at Southern Cross are card payment only. There is no staffed SkyBus ticket office at the station.
If you only have cash, the Baggage Storage shop inside Spencer Outlet Centre can sell you a SkyBus ticket in person. It’s a small detail worth knowing before you find yourself at the machine without a card.
Travellers Aid at Southern Cross Station
Travellers Aid Australia is one of the best-kept secrets at Southern Cross — and one of the most genuinely useful services in the building. Their team is there specifically to help travellers navigate the station, and their range of services goes well beyond pointing people in the right direction.
Karen Lovell, Site Supervisor at Southern Cross, and her team operate out of a dedicated lounge at the station, open seven days a week from 6:30am to 9:30pm.
What Travellers Aid offers
Buggy service — if you find the station tiring to walk, are carrying luggage, or need to move between distant platforms, the buggy can take you there. It’s a practical option that many travellers simply don’t know exists.
Lounge with seating, water and toilets — a quiet, comfortable space to sit and wait away from the busy concourse. There are books to browse, drinking water available, and toilet facilities on site.
Accessible toilets and adult change table — the accessible toilet includes an adult change table with a ceiling hoist, an important facility for travellers with high support needs that isn’t easy to find elsewhere in the station.
Wheelchair hire and mobility equipment — if you or someone travelling with you needs a wheelchair or other mobility aid for getting around the station or beyond, Travellers Aid can help.
Shower facilities — available at a small cost, which includes a towel and soap. Useful if you’ve arrived on an overnight train or have a long wait between connections.
Personal care assistance and companion service — available by booking, for travellers who need additional support during their journey.
Stroller hire and baby change tables — handy if you’re travelling with grandchildren or meeting family with young ones.
Getting in touch
For Travellers Aid, bookings are recommended for personal care and companion services, and many services are available on a walk-in basis.
Phone: 03 9670 2072 Email: scs@travellersaid.org.au Hours: 6:30am – 9:30pm, seven days a week
Suppose you’re uncertain about anything at the station — which platform, which tram, where to go — the Travellers Aid team can help with that too. They have timetable information, maps, and can advise on getting to accommodation and other destinations around the city. It’s worth knowing where they are before you need them.
Don’t Navigate Alone
Between station staff, the PTV Hub and Travellers Aid, there’s always someone nearby who can answer a question or point you in the right direction. Southern Cross is a big station, but it’s a well-supported one. The more you know before you arrive, the easier the whole experience becomes.
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