Melbourne is an easy city to explore using public transportation. The city of Melbourne has an excellent, integrated system of trains, trams and buses that extend from the central business district in all directions. The city’s public transportation system is one of the best in the world and extremely punctual.
The Metcard
Public transportation in Melbourne involves the Metcard. A Metcard ticket enables you to travel on trams, trains and buses throughout the metropolitan area. Metcards can be pre-purchased from vending machines at train stations or at more than 900 retail agents displaying blue Metcard signs including the Melbourne Visitor Centre at Federation Square. Some trams and buses sell tickets on board. Visit our Metcard section for further information.
Suburban Trains
The city has a small underground train system, with five stations servicing Melbourne’s central business district, and 16 different train lines servicing the outer suburbs. Trains run from 5am until midnight. Bicycles can be carried free on board trains, except at peak periods. Melbourne’s suburban train system has the Flinders Street Station as its hub. The Flinders Street Station is located on the corner of Flinders and Swanston streets.
Trams
Trams are part of Melbourne’s distinctive character and provide a scenic way to explore the city and inner suburbs. New, low-floor trams and superstops in the central business district are accessible for people using wheelchairs or with limited mobility. Tickets must be validated each time you catch a different tram. Trams operate by zones. Zone 1 tickets include the city and surrounding inner suburbs.
The Free City Circle Trams
The Free City Circle Tram is a convenient way to see the sights of central Melbourne while experiencing a ride on one of the city’s iconic, historical trams. The Free City Trams travel around the city’s edge every day from 10am to 6pm. Their route includes the Docklands Waterfront precinct. Stops include Flinders Street Station opposite the Melbourne Visitor Centre, Carlton Gardens & Docklands. The Free City Circle Tram Operates approximately every 12 minutes from 10am to 6pm Sunday to Wednesday and 10am to 9pm Thursday to Saturday (excluding Good Friday and Christmas Day).
Buses
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The Free Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle
The free Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle bus is another great way to see Melbourne while you listen to the on-board commentary. Hop on and hop off the bus at any of the 13 stops at key city attractions. The shuttle runs every 30 minutes between 9.30am and 4.30pm daily and the complete trip takes approximately an hour and a half. There is a stop opposite the Melbourne Visitor Centre at Federation Square