In Melbourne, it’s easy to get around efficiently, whether you’re traveling by car or using efficient public transport. Almost all cities in Australia offer clean, efficient, and inexpensive public transport options to get you around easily and comfortably. Melbourne is no exception and is known for its historic suburban tram system. The right mix of these transport options will certainly facilitate your trip to Melbourne. Here’s a guide to Melbourne’s public transport.
Public Transport in Melbourne
Ticketing
Melbourne offers free trams in the city center. To use public transport in areas where trams are not free, you can purchase a Myki card. Myki cards are available at retail outlets, visitor centers, and train stations.
- You can use your Myki card to travel on trains, trams, and buses. You must put some money on your card to pay for your ticket. When you don’t have enough money left on your card, you can top it up at top-up points in convenience stores and railway stations.
- You can also buy a Myki Explorer pack, including a Myki card for unlimited travel on Melbourne’s trains, trams, and buses throughout the day, handy maps, and discounted tickets to major attractions.
- When you get off the train, you must swipe your Myki card over a reader and then swipe it again.
Airport Transfers
Melbourne has two airports: Melbourne Airport (MEL) and Avalon Airport (AVV). Both airports are easily accessible by various modes of transport to the city.
- Melbourne Airport’s SkyBus operates from 4 am to 1 am daily, and Avalon Airport’s buses run from early morning until late at night. Buses from both airports stop at Southern Cross Station on Spencer Street in the city. You can buy airport bus tickets online or at the airport.
- There are taxi and carpool waiting areas in front of each terminal; just follow the signs. It takes about 30 minutes to get to the city from Melbourne Airport and 50 minutes from Avalon Airport.
Tip: For tour groups traveling from Melbourne Airport to the city, it is cheaper to take a taxi or carpool.
Accessibility
In Australia, planes, trains, buses, and ferries are accessible to people who use wheelchairs and assistive mobility devices.
- Melbourne Airport offers special services for people with disabilities, including assistance with luggage, getting in and out of the airport, and getting on and off planes.
- Most buses and trains have accessibility features. You can find out about using public transport before you go by visiting the Accessibility page on the Public Transport Victoria website.
Tip: Download the City of Melbourne’s mobility map to find accessible toilets and car parks around the city easily.
Getting around Melbourne by Public Transport
Train
The train is a great way to see the city’s sights and surrounding suburbs. The main stations in the city are Central Station, Flinders Station, and Southern Cross Station. You can use the Journey Planner to plan your route.
If you want to visit regional attractions such as Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, and Albury, you can take the V/Line intercity train. The myki card can be used on all trains.
Trams
Take a tram tour of Melbourne and get a deeper feel for the city. You can use the Journey Planner to plan your route.
- Melbourne has a free tram zone in the city center. You don’t need to use your myki card to travel in this zone.
- You can also travel around Melbourne on the free City Circle tram (number 35), which runs every 15 minutes.
- In Melbourne’s suburbs, there are two areas with trams, and when you use your myki card, it will charge you the rate for the area you are traveling in.
Buses
You can also explore Melbourne by bus to more efficiently explore the metropolis and its popular neighborhoods. Use the Journey Planner to plan your route. On Fridays and Saturdays, Night Network trains, trams, and buses run overnight.
Getting around Melbourne by Car
Self-drive Tour
Melbourne is easy and safe to drive around, but you should ask your hotel if they charge for parking. Melbourne is the only city in Australia that allows ‘hook turns’ (right turns from the left-hand lane), so you should familiarise yourself with this traffic rule if you plan to drive here. If you plan to visit some of the gorgeous places outside of Melbourne, then a self-drive tour may be appropriate, but you can also book tours to these places so you don’t have to drive yourself.
Taxis
There are many taxi companies in Melbourne. You can get a taxi on the street or at taxi stands in built-up areas (when you get a taxi on the street, look out for a light on the car’s roof, which means it’s empty). You can also call a taxi company or download an app from 13cabs or GoCatch to book a taxi.
Tip: If you take a taxi after 10 pm, you may need to pre-pay the estimated fare.
Carpooling
Melbourne is home to most major carpooling platforms, including Uber, Ola, DiDi, and local operator GoCatch.
Tip: Female travelers can also book a carpool through Shebah, which offers female-only carpooling from driver to passenger. (Adult males with children can also use the service if they need to use a taxi with a child safety seat.)
Sightseeing Tours
Take a guided tour to see Melbourne more efficiently. Many Melbourne tour operators offer half- and full-day tours in and around the city, including Show Me Melbourne and Melbourne Private Tours. Enjoy a green tour of Melbourne on one of Green Cabs’ pedicabs.
Other Transport Options in Melbourne
Cruise ships
Williamstown Ferries offers a two-hour cruise from Southbank to Williamstown, a harbor at the mouth of the Yarra River.
Water Taxis
If you want to catch a sporting event or stadium concert, take a water taxi from Southbank to Melbourne’s stadium.
Bicycle and Scooter Riding
Melbourne is flat and has extensive cycle paths, making it ideal for biking exploration. Download the Neuron app, pick one of the many shared electric scooters, and get on to explore Melbourne.
Conclusion
In short, the Melbourne Public Transport Guide aims to give residents and visitors a comprehensive overview of Melbourne’s extensive and efficient transport network. Melbourne ensures seamless connections between different neighborhoods by integrating various modes of transport, such as trams, trains, and buses. The guide highlights key routes, timetables, and ticketing information, enabling users to explore the city with ease and confidence. Whether a daily commute or an adventure trip, Melbourne’s public transport system is a testament to the city’s mobility and accessibility, providing convenience and sustainability for all passengers.
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FAQ
Is Melbourne's public transport good?
With a well-planned and efficient system, public transport in Melbourne is both easy and affordable.
What public transport is free in Melbourne?
Free tram travel
Travel on the City Circle Tram is also free. Hop on and off the historic trams as often as you like. You don’t need a myki if you’re only travelling in the city’s Free Tram Zone or on the City Circle Tram.
Why is public transport in Melbourne so expensive?
According to Public Transport Victoria, the fare rise is in line with the annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) rise and will contribute to the operation of the state’s trains, trams, and buses. The last fare increase was in July 2023, which was delayed from January of that year.
How to pay for a bus in Melbourne?
No matter what public transport you use throughout Melbourne, you can pay for all of them with one payment method: a Myki card. myki is a plastic card used to ‘touch on’ when you start traveling and ‘touch off’ when you finish traveling.
