Getting Around Melbourne: Your Ultimate Transportation Guide
As a progressive metropolis that regularly tops rankings of the world’s most livable cities, you might expect Melbourne to be a breeze to navigate—and you wouldn’t be wrong.
Although Greater Melbourne is a sprawl that can take hours to cross without a car, most major attractions are concentrated in the city center (also known as the central business district or CBD) and its surrounding neighborhoods.
This part of the city is well-serviced by public transportation, including the world’s longest tram network. Moreover, these areas are highly walkable and bikeable, a quality aided by relatively flat terrain and the availability of bike rentals. For attractions further afield, trains, trams, buses, and even boats carry you to them with ease.
Use a Myki Card to Get Moving
To collect fares, Melbourne’s trains, trams, and buses utilize the Myki system, a touch-on, touch-off method with card readers located aboard trams, buses, and on train station platforms.
This card is essential for public transit and should be one of your first purchases on arrival. Standard Myki cards cost $6 and can be purchased and topped up at convenience stores, staffed train stations, or from dedicated vending machines at stations and major tram stops. There are also Myki vending machines within Terminals 2, 3, and 4 at the Melbourne Airport.
If you have an Android phone, you can use your device to tap on and off via Myki in the Wallet app. An app for iPhone users is not currently available.
The standard two-hour fare across Melbourne is $5, with a daily fare cap of $10 on weekdays and $7.20 on weekends. You can pay as you go from your credit balance or purchase a seven-day unlimited travel Myki Pass for $50.
Note that there are substantial fines for traveling without having tapped on a valid Myki card, and ticket inspectors are rigorous and sometimes undercover.
Catch an Iconic Tram through Eclectic Neighborhoods
Trams serve as both a practical means of transport and a quintessential Melbourne experience. They operate approximately every 10 to 12 minutes during the day (more frequently in peak periods) and every 15 minutes in the evening. Services continue until around 12:30 AM Sunday to Thursday and 1 AM Friday and Saturday on most lines. A night service operates (every 30 minutes) on Friday and Saturday on select lines.
All Aboard for a Free Introduction to the City Center
Trams are free to ride within the Free Tram Zone in the city center, which is clearly signposted on tram stops with announcements made as you approach its limits.
One tram route entirely within the Free Tram Zone is the City Circle (route 35), where retro W-class trams follow a delightful clockwise circuit around the CBD and Docklands.
Ride the Train Network to Speed Across the City
Melbourne’s suburban trains are the fastest and most comfortable way to travel long distances across the city. Flinders Street Station and Southern Cross Station are the main downtown hubs for Melbourne’s 17 train lines, which radiate out to the suburbs.
Trains begin operating at around 5 AM on weekdays, running until after midnight from Sunday to Thursday, and all night on Friday and Saturday evenings. Typically, trains run every 10 to 20 minutes during the day and every 20 to 30 minutes in the evening, with increased frequency during peak periods.
Take the Bus or Night Bus to Reach Your Destination
Melbourne boasts an extensive bus network, covering over 300 routes to areas that trains and trams do not reach. Most routes run from 6 AM to 9 PM on weekdays, 8 AM to 9 PM on Saturdays, and 9 AM to 9 PM on Sundays. Night bus services are available after midnight on weekends to many suburbs. Be sure to hail buses as they approach your stop, so the driver knows you would like to board.
Explore Melbourne’s Parks and Streets on Two Wheels
Melbourne is recognized as one of the most cycle-friendly cities in Australia, with continual improvements to its infrastructure. Bikes can be rented from various outlets, including Blue Tongue Bikes, BikeNow, and Port Melbourne Cycles. Although conventional bikes can be taken on trains (excluding the first carriage), only folding bikes are permitted on trams or buses. Additionally, helmets are mandatory for cyclists.
Many of Melbourne’s cycle paths traverse through lush parklands, follow shaded creeks, and hug riverbanks. Detailed cycle maps are available from the Melbourne Visitor Hub at the Melbourne Town Hall.
Since 2022, Melbourne has initiated a trial of an e-scooter share scheme in the city center and surrounding neighborhoods. Helmets must be worn while using e-scooters, and they should be ridden solely on roads. To access one, download the Lime or Neuron apps.
Car Rentals are Best Left for Adventures Further Afield
Cars can be a hindrance rather than a help when exploring Melbourne, as parking is often difficult to find and expensive, even at hotels. Furthermore, you’ll contend with trams sharing the road and the distinctive road rules that apply to them.
For instance, Melbourne’s infamous “hook turn” requires cars wanting to turn right across a tram line to first position themselves on the far left of the street, avoiding obstruction to trams. Unless you plan to venture into the countryside—such as along the Great Ocean Road—you may prefer public transportation. If you decide to drive, you can refer to Vic Roads for more information on local road rules.
Summon Taxis and Ride-Hailing Services if You’re Short on Time
Melbourne’s taxis are metered and may require an estimated prepaid fare when hailed between 10 PM and 5 AM; a reliable taxi rank is located next to Flinders Street Station on Swanston Street.
Two of the largest taxi companies are Silver Top and 13 Cabs, both of which have booking apps. Additionally, several ride-hailing services operate, such as Uber, DiDi, and Shebah, the latter of which features an all-female fleet of drivers catering specifically to women and children.
Set Sail to See Melbourne from the Water
While boats are a less-frequented form of transport, they offer an enjoyable way to discover the city. Melbourne Water Taxis transport clients along the Yarra and Maribyrnong Rivers, while other passenger boats connect the Southbank promenade and Williamstown’s Gem Pier multiple times each day. The charming Westgate Punt carries pedestrians and cyclists across the Yarra between Port Melbourne and Spotswood.
Accessible Transportation in Melbourne
All trains and most buses are accessible via ramps. Look to position yourself at the front of the platform when using trains so the driver can assist with the ramp.
Trams, however, vary in accessibility; many vehicles and stops are low-floor and wheelchair-accessible, but this is less reliable outside the CBD. The free tramTRACKER app indicates approaching low-floor trams with a wheelchair icon. The journey planner on the PTV website includes a filter for wheelchair-accessible services and stops.
13 Cabs provides wheelchair-accessible taxis, but be prepared for potential wait times, especially during peak hours and evenings.
Holders of valid interstate or overseas disability parking permits may occupy reserved disability parking spaces for specified durations, and can also park in regular bays for double the allotted time upon payment of applicable fees. Often, fees are waived for permit holders—be sure to check the parking meters for confirmation.
In general, sidewalks are well-maintained and curb cuts are commonplace, along with tactile paving markers. Pedestrian crossings are equipped with sound cues and accessible buttons.
Travellers Aid centers inside Flinders Street Station and Southern Cross Station provide vital support for those with mobility challenges, featuring accessible toilets, wheelchair/scooter recharging facilities, and rental options.
This article was first published on June 15, 2021, and updated on November 22, 2023.
