VIC · Victoria
Ballarat taxi & cab fares · 2026
Ballarat taxi fare calculator
Enter your pickup and destination for an exact Ballarat taxi estimate on the 2026 Victoria meter — the same regulated rate a Ballarat cab charges.
Ballarat taxi fares are set by Victoria’s Essential Services Commission under the Large Regional schedule — the same meter used in Geelong and Bendigo. One standard rate applies at all times: a $4.50 flagfall plus $2.308 per kilometre, with flat fees for late-night and public-holiday trips rather than a higher after-hours per-kilometre rate.
In Ballarat, "cab" and "taxi" refer to the same regulated vehicle — same Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria (CPVV) meter, same maximum tariff. The calculator above applies the 2026 schedule for sedan, maxi (5+ passengers) and wheelchair-accessible trips, and detects Uber-comparison scenarios automatically.
How much is a taxi in Ballarat?
A typical metered taxi in Ballarat costs about A$16 for a short 5 km trip and around A$32 for a 12 km cross-town run on the Victoria daytime meter, which starts with a A$4.50 flagfall. After hours the night tariff lifts the same 5 km trip to about A$16. These are the regulated maximum rates set by Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria (CPVV); use the calculator above for an exact fare on your route.
Popular Ballarat routes
Melbourne Airport (MEL)
Ballarat has no commercial airport of its own. Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) is about 105 km east — a metered taxi is roughly A$250, so almost everyone takes the V/Line train to Melbourne and connects to the airport, or uses a booked airport-shuttle service. The calculator will still price the full metered run if you want the taxi figure.
How much is a taxi from Melbourne Airport to Ballarat CBD?
A metered Ballarat taxi from Melbourne Airport to the Ballarat CBD is typically A$220 – A$285 on the day rate (typical A$250), running on the regulated Victoria meter set by Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria (CPVV). The night, late-night and public-holiday tariffs add to that figure; tolls and airport access fees are passed through on top.
Night, weekend & peak rates in Ballarat
The Large Regional meter is a single rate at all times ($4.50 + $2.308/km); a flat $4.30 late-night fee (Fri/Sat 7pm–6am, midnight–6am other days) and a $5.25 public-holiday surcharge are added on top — the two never stack. A 4% card surcharge may also apply.
Where to find a Ballarat taxi rank
- 01Bridge Mall (Bakery Hill) — the main city-centre rank
- 02Ballarat Station (Lydiard Street) — for V/Line arrivals from Melbourne
- 03Sturt Street — near the cafés, theatres and Town Hall
- 04Stockland Wendouree — the main suburban shopping-centre rank
- 05Ballarat Base Hospital (Drummond Street) — reliable rank near the CBD
- 06Sovereign Hill — handy for the region’s top tourist attraction
What's different in VIC
Ballarat runs on Victoria’s Large Regional meter — one rate at all times, with the night and holiday premiums charged as flat add-on fees rather than a higher per-kilometre rate. The nearest airport is Melbourne (Tullamarine), a long metered trip, so the train is the usual choice. Uber operates in Ballarat as an alternative to the taxi rank.
Ballarat taxi fares · frequently asked
How much does a taxi cost in Ballarat?
Ballarat taxis run on Victoria’s Large Regional meter: a $4.50 flagfall plus $2.308 per kilometre, at the same rate all day. A short 5 km trip is roughly A$16. A flat $4.30 late-night fee (Fri/Sat 7pm–6am and midnight–6am other days) or a $5.25 public-holiday surcharge is added on top when it applies.
Is it easy to get a taxi in Ballarat?
Ranks at the Bridge Mall and Ballarat Station usually have cars through the day, but the fleet is regional in size, so late nights and event days (e.g. around Sovereign Hill or the Begonia Festival) can mean a wait. Booking ahead by phone or app — or using Uber, which operates in Ballarat — is the reliable option after hours.
How much is a taxi from Ballarat to Melbourne Airport?
It is a long trip — about 105 km — so a metered taxi is roughly A$250 on the Victorian Large Regional rate. Most travellers instead take the V/Line train to Melbourne and connect to the airport, or book an airport shuttle, both far cheaper than a taxi the whole way.
Is a taxi or Uber cheaper in Ballarat?
Ballarat has both. On short trips the regulated taxi meter and Uber are usually close; Uber tends to be cheaper off-peak, and a taxi can win when Uber surge pricing is active. The taxi rate does not rise at night (only a flat $4.30 fee), so late fares stay predictable.