Where to Stay in Melbourne: Chinatown or Southern Cross?

Start with two CBD areas

For a Melbourne city-centre stay, compare Southern Cross Station with Chinatown. Southern Cross is on the western side of the CBD around Spencer Street; Chinatown is a distinct precinct along Little Bourke Street. Melbourne Central is at the La Trobe and Swanston Street intersection, with a train station beneath the shopping centre. If a hotel listing says it is “near Melbourne Central,” check its actual position and route to Chinatown rather than assuming the areas are interchangeable.

When Southern Cross may suit you

If you have bulky luggage, are staying for only a night or two, or plan to use SkyBus to and from the airport, start by looking near Southern Cross. The city SkyBus stop is in the station’s coach terminal. Compare the walk from the stop to the hotel’s actual entrance, including crossings and any stretches that may be awkward with luggage.

This article refers to the SkyBus Melbourne City Express between Melbourne Airport (MEL) and the city; Avalon Airport (AVV) has a separate service to check. The Melbourne City Express boards at MEL Terminals 1, 3 and 4; the Terminal 4 stop is for boarding only. For the trip back to MEL, board at Bay 75 in the Southern Cross coach terminal. SkyBus lists the service as operating daily from 04:00 to 01:00 the following day, but check the current timetable for the specific direction, date and stop. For a late arrival, allow extra time for immigration and baggage collection.

When Chinatown may suit you

If much of your daily plan is built around eating and shopping in Chinatown, begin your hotel search nearby. Mark the restaurants and attractions you want to visit, then compare hotel locations against them. Both areas have dining options; the better fit depends on where you plan to spend your time. If you stay in Chinatown, also plan how you will get from the airport-bus drop-off to your hotel.

Check transport and tour meeting points

Melbourne’s Free Tram Zone applies to tram travel only. Tram journeys made entirely within the zone are free; trips that cross its boundary follow the usual fare rules. Trains and buses are not free simply because a stop is within the zone. Check tram routes and zone boundaries for your planned journeys, and with luggage, consider the walk to the stop as well as boarding and space for bags onboard.

For an early-start day tour, check the meeting address, arrival time and pickup area in your booking confirmation before choosing a hotel. Confirm both where the tour departs and where it returns.

A simple way to narrow your search

• Airport transfers are the priority? Start near Southern Cross.
• Chinatown meals and shopping are central to your plans? Start near Chinatown.
• You have early tours? Start near the confirmed meeting point.

Once you have a preferred area, check the hotel entrance and walking route, room type, recent reviews mentioning noise, and cancellation terms. Which would you choose for your Melbourne trip: Chinatown or Southern Cross?

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