Booking taxis for a group of five or more in Melbourne usually means splitting into two or three cars, coordinating arrival times and paying a separate flag fall for each. A maxi taxi, also called a maxi cab, removes that problem. Silver Taxi runs a maxi across Melbourne for group airport runs, family transfers, sports teams and corporate travel. One vehicle, one booking, one fare.
What Is a Maxi Taxi or Maxi Cab?
A maxi taxi is a licensed taxi approved by Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria (CPVV) to carry more passengers than a standard four seat taxi. In Melbourne the terms maxi taxi, maxi cab and maxicab all describe the same vehicle, and passengers often search for an 11 seater taxi when they mean the same thing. Most Melbourne maxis are vans or people movers with three or four rows of seats, carrying between 7 and 11 passengers. The fare is worked out at the same rates as a standard taxi, with one $17.80 maxi surcharge added to the total fare.
Standard taxis and maxi taxis are both licensed by CPVV. Drivers hold the same accreditation and vehicles pass the same inspection standards.
Our Maxi: Toyota HiAce, Up to 11 Passengers
Silver Taxi’s maxi is a Toyota HiAce van carrying up to 11 passengers, so a full group travels with its suitcases, prams or sports bags in one vehicle instead of two or three cars. It runs on the same rates as the rest of the fleet.
Bookings can be made for immediate departure or scheduled in advance for airport runs, events and business travel. For groups of six or more, or a trip that needs a set pickup time, book at least 24 hours ahead.
Which Vehicle Fits Your Group and Luggage
| Your Group | Luggage | Vehicle | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 4 passengers | 2 to 3 bags | Standard sedan | Standard fare |
| Up to 6 passengers, or 4 with full sized suitcases | 4 to 5 large bags | SUV or station wagon | The standard fare plus $17.80 |
| 5 to 11 passengers | Multiple large bags, prams and sports gear | Maxi (Toyota HiAce) | The standard fare plus $17.80 |
The SUV and the maxi carry the same $17.80 surcharge, so for five or six people the choice comes down to luggage. Tell us your passenger count and how many suitcases when you book and we match the vehicle to the group.
Maxi Taxi Pricing in Melbourne
Every trip is worked out at standard rates: a $9.90 flag fall plus $2.20 per km on weekdays, $2.30 per km Friday to Sunday and $2.34 per km every night from 10pm to 4am. The maxi adds one $17.80 surcharge to the standard total. It is a single charge for the vehicle, not a per person charge, so it applies once however many passengers are travelling. The minimum fare is $39.90, a $5.26 pickup fee applies when the trip starts at Melbourne Airport, and tolls are extra.
The website gives you a fare estimate before you book. Want the price agreed before you travel? Call 0412 456 588 or email book@silver-taximelbourne.com.au with your group size, luggage and pickup time, and we will give you a fixed quote for the maxi taxi. You can also send your trip details through our Get a Fixed Quote form.
Maxi Taxi to Melbourne Airport: Group Fares by Suburb
These are weekday estimates at our standard rates, from the suburb centre to Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine). The two sedan column is what the same group pays when it splits into two standard taxis, and the last column is one person’s share when eight people travel together in the maxi.
| Pickup Suburb | Maxi (up to 11) | Two Sedans (up to 8) | Each of 8 in the Maxi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dandenong | $159 to $175 | $282 | $20 |
| Clayton | $134 to $147 | $232 | $17 |
| Frankston | $202 to $222 | $368 | $25 |
| Cranbourne | $193 to $212 | $350 | $24 |
| Mulgrave | $148 to $163 | $260 | $19 |
| Rowville | $154 to $169 | $272 | $19 |
| Keysborough | $167 to $183 | $298 | $21 |
| Noble Park North | $149 to $164 | $262 | $19 |
| Mordialloc | $137 to $150 | $238 | $17 |
Actual fares depend on the exact pickup address, traffic, tolls and the time of day. On the night rate, the maxi from Dandenong to the airport comes to about $167 to $184. Trips to the airport carry no pickup fee.
Avalon Airport, the CBD and the MCG
The same maxi takes groups to Avalon Airport near Geelong, into the city and to the MCG on game day. These are weekday estimates at our standard rates.
| Route | Maxi (up to 11) | Two Sedans (up to 8) |
|---|---|---|
| Dandenong to Avalon Airport | $218 to $239 | $400 |
| Clayton to Avalon Airport | $192 to $212 | $350 |
| Frankston to Avalon Airport | $260 to $286 | $484 |
| Cranbourne to Avalon Airport | $251 to $276 | $466 |
| Dandenong to Melbourne CBD | $102 to $113 | $168 |
| Frankston to Melbourne CBD | $145 to $159 | $254 |
| Cranbourne to Melbourne CBD | $136 to $150 | $236 |
| Clayton to the MCG | $74 to $81 | $112 |
| Dandenong to the MCG | $99 to $109 | $162 |
| Frankston to the MCG | $141 to $155 | $246 |
| Melbourne Airport to Melbourne CBD | $82 to $91 | $130 |
The airport to CBD fares include the $5.26 pickup fee. For a match or concert, book the return pickup when you book the trip in, so we can plan the time and pickup point around the crowd.
Maxi Taxi vs Two Sedans, Three Sedans or SkyBus
A standard taxi carries four passengers. A group of eight needs two sedans, which means two flag falls, two fares and the risk of one car arriving well before the other. Nine to eleven people need three. One maxi carries the same group for one flag fall, one fare and one $17.80 surcharge, and everyone arrives together.
| Dandenong to Melbourne Airport | Weekday Estimate, From | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| One maxi (up to 11) | $159 | One vehicle, one fare, the group arrives together |
| Two sedans (up to 8) | $282 | Two cars, two meters, two arrival times |
| Three sedans (up to 12) | $423 | Three cars, three meters, three arrival times |
SkyBus runs its city service between Southern Cross Station and the airport and charges each adult a separate fare, so a group from the south east first has to get itself and its luggage into the city. The maxi collects the whole group at the door and drops it at the terminal.
When a Maxi Taxi Makes Sense
Maxi taxis are the right call for:
- Family airport trips with multiple suitcases, a pram and young children
- Group sports travel between Melbourne suburbs and venues in the CBD or city fringe, including footy groups heading to the MCG, Marvel Stadium or AAMI Park
- Corporate groups moving between a hotel, office or conference centre and an airport
- Extended families attending an event who want to travel in one vehicle
- Hen’s days and bucks nights where the group wants to arrive and leave together
- Winery day tours to the Yarra Valley or Mornington Peninsula, where the group travels together with no designated driver
- Late night groups after 10pm, when one maxi is cheaper than two standard cabs on the night rate
For a group of five or six, splitting the maxi fare means each person often pays less than a solo standard taxi would cost.
Medical and Rehabilitation Trips
We cover trips to hospitals, rehabilitation centres, day programs and medical appointments across Melbourne, including Dandenong Hospital, Monash Medical Centre in Clayton, Peninsula Private Hospital in Frankston and Casey Hospital in Berwick.
Recurring bookings for weekly therapy or program transport can be arranged on a regular schedule. Call 0412 456 588 to discuss.
How to Book a Maxi Taxi in Melbourne
Call 0412 456 588 or email book@silver-taximelbourne.com.au to book. Tell us:
- Number of passengers
- Amount of luggage (bags, prams, equipment)
- Pickup suburb and address
- Destination (including the terminal if it is an airport)
- Preferred pickup time
We cover Melbourne including Dandenong, Frankston, Cranbourne, Springvale, Clayton, Carrum and surrounding suburbs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people fit in a maxi taxi?
Our maxi, a Toyota HiAce van, carries up to 11 passengers. Maxi taxis in Melbourne seat between 7 and 11 depending on the vehicle, so tell us your exact passenger count when you book. For more than 11 people we send two vehicles. If the group has a lot of luggage, prams or sports gear, mention it at booking so we can match the vehicle. Call 0412 456 588 to confirm.
Do maxi taxis cost more than a regular taxi?
Yes, by one $17.80 surcharge on the standard fare for the whole vehicle. From Dandenong to Melbourne Airport on a weekday a standard taxi comes to about $141 to $156 and the maxi about $159 to $175. For six or more people the maxi usually costs less in total than two sedans, which start from $282 for the same trip.
How much is a maxi taxi to Melbourne Airport?
Weekday estimates in the maxi to Melbourne Airport: from Dandenong $159 to $175, from Clayton $134 to $147, from Frankston $202 to $222 and from Cranbourne $193 to $212. Every night from 10pm to 4am the night rate of $2.34 per km applies. A $5.26 pickup fee is added on trips that start at the airport, and tolls are extra. For a fixed quote, call 0412 456 588 or email book@silver-taximelbourne.com.au with your pickup suburb and travel time.
Can I book a maxi taxi to Avalon Airport?
Yes. On a weekday the maxi to Avalon Airport comes to about $218 to $239 from Dandenong and $260 to $286 from Frankston. Tolls are extra. Book at least 24 hours ahead and give us the flight time so we can plan the pickup.
What is the difference between a maxi taxi and a regular taxi?
A regular taxi is a sedan carrying up to four passengers with two or three bags. A maxi is a larger vehicle, in our case a Toyota HiAce van, with more rows of seats and room for luggage and prams. Both run on the same rates, including the night rate from 10pm to 4am, and the maxi adds $17.80 for the whole vehicle. Both are licensed by Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria. To book a maxi taxi in Melbourne, call 0412 456 588.