Getting around Melbourne
Here's your guide to getting around Melbourne quick and easy.
Melbourne is an easy and inexpensive city to get around, with the metropolitan area servicing a great network of public transport, roadways and walking paths. This useful information will make moving around Melbourne’s different areas and attractions very simple. Our tip: travel like a local and save some money by using the free city tram services.
Public Transport Tickets
St Paul's Cathedral, Swanston Street, Melbourne, Victoria
Public transport is heavily used in Australia by locals, commuters and visitors alike. To use public transport outside of the free tram zone in Melbourne, recommend purchasing a myki card (which costs $6 plus travel fares), from retail outlets displaying the myki sign, visitor centres, and at train stations.
Initially, it'll need to be loaded with money to cover fares. And top it up at convenience stores and train stations as the balance runs low. To start a ride, tap the card on the reader when boarding the selected mode of transport and be sure to tap off when disembarking.
Free tram zones
Suggest taking advantage of the Free Tram Zone that operates in Melbourne city centre. If travel is within the free zone, there's no need to tap on or off with a myki card.
The City Circle Tram (number 35) is a great introduction to Melbourne with city loop services running every 12 minutes. The entire circuit takes about 48 minutes and provides historical commentary. This hop on/hop off service links with other bus and train routes, and passes major attractions stopping on Flinders Street, at Federation Square, the Harbour Esplanade, Docklands and Queen Victoria Market. And best of all, it doesn't cost a cent.
Suburban trams
Melbourne has an excellent tram service that operates through the inner suburbs. The routes run in two zones, with the cost using a myki card calculated according to the zones travelled. Most trams operate only within zone one, and sometimes the zones will overlap depending on the destination.
The trams also run to other Metropolitan areas including St Kilda Beach, the arts district of Fitzroy and the popular shopping and dining district of Chapel Street in South Yarra and Prahran. For more information on the tram network, visit Public Transport Victoria.
Trains
The trains are a great way to visit attractions across the city and reach the surrounding suburbs, with services running daily from early morning to late at night. Major stations in the city include Central, Flinders and the newly refurbished Southern Cross Station. Catch the train to reach attractions including Melbourne Aquarium, Etihad Stadium, and a range of destinations including South Yarra, Brighton and Richmond.
Trains to regional destinations including Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Seymour and Albury, operate on the V/Line services. A myki card can be used on all train networks.
Buses
The bus network is another efficient way of hopping around metro Melbourne and popular neighbourhoods. To reach Fitzroy by bus from the city, catch the 200 and 207 buses, Collingwood on the 302, 303, 305 and 318, and South Yarra and Prahran on the 216, 219, 220 services.
The night bus network operates Fridays and Saturdays, running every thirty minutes and stopping at six locations around the city centre.
Bikes
If feeling a little more adventurous, try Melbourne’s bike share service which starts from $3 a day. There are some great tracks around the city and along the Yarra River to explore.
Getting to and from the airport
For a convenient option, there's the SkyBus express service that runs 24 hours a day, stopping at terminals one, three and four. SkyBus also operate a service to and from Avalon Airport. Both airport services stop at Southern Cross Station on Spencer Street in the city. Note that the SkyBus services do not accept myki cards, and tickets are purchased online or at the airport.
There's also taxis and rideshare services. The Melbourne CBD is a short, 20-35 minute ride away and will cost about $56-$62 one way. Taxi ranks are located at the front of all terminals - simply follow the signs to the nearest ranks. Find out more on rideshare services and hire car options.
Accessible transport options
In Australia, airlines, trains, buses and ferries have accessible options for people using a wheelchair or mobility device. Melbourne Airport provides special assistance for people with disabilities and can help with baggage, getting around the airport, and getting on and off the plane. The majority of buses and trains have accessible options - check the Public Transport Victoria website for information on using public transport before a trip.
