Getting Around Melbourne, Australia

Major cities in Australia offer visitors clean, fast, and reasonably priced public transportation options, and Melbourne is no exception with its well-preserved suburban tram network. Take advantage of these excellent transport options to discover how easy it is to get around Melbourne.

Most visitors choose to stay in the city center, Melbourne’s bustling commercial district, which features numerous attractions like restaurants, bars, and shops. The city’s grid layout and compact design make it easy to explore. You can use the train, tram, bus, or bike! On weekends, the Night Network offers after-hours transportation to various destinations.

myki Cards

myki is the electronic ticket used for traveling on trains, trams, and buses throughout Melbourne. This reusable smartcard is made of plastic and comes preloaded with value, which can be topped up as needed.

If you're in Australia, you can buy your myki by calling 1800 800 007, ordering online from the PTV website, or purchasing it at premium train stations, retail stores displaying the myki sign (such as 7-Eleven), or participating retail outlets.

myki Explorer

You can obtain a myki Explorer pack at select hotels and at SkyBus ticket counters located in Melbourne Airport and Southern Cross Station. The PTV Hub is also found at Southern Cross Station, at the intersection of Swanston Street and Little Collins Street.

The packs come with a pre-loaded myki card that has enough value for one day of travel across Zones 1 and 2, along with instructions for using myki, maps for trains, trams, and the city center, and discounts for various attractions in Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Trains

Melbourne's metro trains link the outer suburbs to Flinders Street Station in the central business district. Within the CBD, there are five key stations: Southern Cross, Flagstaff, Melbourne Central, Parliament, and Flinders Street, all connected by the city loop, which operates as the underground transport system.

Southern Cross Station serves as Melbourne's main transportation hub for trains operating within and between states. You can plan your journey using the Public Transport Victoria journey planner.

Trams

Passengers can board trams at designated stops, which display route maps, numbers, and schedules. The front of each tram also shows its route number. Riding the trams is free within Melbourne's central business district.

However, a myki card is necessary if your journey starts or ends outside this central business district. For information about the Free Tram Zone and to download a map, visit the Public Transport Victoria website.

Bus

Melbourne's buses operate frequently to most of the city's major hubs, including shopping centers, schools, hospitals, recreational facilities, and some of the top tourist attractions. For more information, visit ptv.com.au. If you’re looking to travel further, you can utilize Victoria’s V/Line service, which connects you to a variety of beautiful cities and destinations across the state.

Taxi

Melbourne taxis are easily identifiable by their bright yellow, silver, or white colors and the lamp on top of each vehicle. You can either pre-book a taxi for a specific pickup location or hail one directly from a designated taxi stand. It’s also possible to flag down a taxi from the street if preferred.

If the lamp on the roof is illuminated, it signifies that the taxi is available for hire. You can also use ridesharing services like Uber, Taxify, and DiDi through their mobile apps, which provide estimated fares, the driver's photo, vehicle details, and the option to track your journey on a map.

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Ferries

The ferry service connecting Tasmania, Melbourne, and Victoria is efficient and accessible. The Spirit of Tasmania I and II, which transport both vehicles and passengers, are permanently docked at Melbourne’s Station Pier, just four kilometers from the city center in Port Melbourne. Throughout most of the year, travelers can make the journey between Melbourne and Devonport either during the day or overnight (to Tasmania).

Taxis are available for pick-ups at the pier, and Tram 109 runs directly from the pier into the city. This tram connection also provides access to Southern Cross Station and the airport Sky Bus.

Car Rental

Driving in Melbourne is relatively easy and safe; however, you should check if your hotel charges a daily parking fee. As Melbourne is the only city in Australia that permits a “hook turn”—a right turn from the left lane—you’ll need to become familiar with this technique if you plan to drive in the city.

If you wish to explore stunning destinations further from Melbourne, renting a car for part of your trip can be beneficial. Alternatively, you can book tours to these places and have a driver take you there instead.

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Are you excited for an amazing trip to Melbourne? Remember to book your car rental options through Mytour while you’re there. Let’s make the most of your travel experience with Mytour!