Melbourne is a big city that has lots to offer. It is an extremely popular spot for overseas visitors to settle for that very reason.
But there are some important things to know about Melbourne’s transport links to help you navigate your way around the city and stay out of trouble during your stay.
Check out my guide to public transport in Melbourne and the easiest ways for getting around the city and surrounding areas without a car.
For more extensive travel advice about particular areas of Australia, check out gov.uk website Australia travel advice.
Trams
This is something that I have been having to get used to as we don’t have a tram system where I live in the UK.
The tram is absolutely great, it can get you basically anywhere you want to go and there’s even a free tram zone in the CBD (Central Business District). It is a great alternative way of travelling if you have missed your train or there isn’t a train running at the time you want to go.
It’s worth noting though that these trams are not the same as cars on the road and will not brake for you if you step out in front of it. As they pull away from a stop they make a ‘ding’ noise to alert you that it’s moving and to get out of the way. This is another reason why it’s best to wait for the green man signal before you cross.
Another thing worth noting is that some of the tram stops around the city and the surrounding suburbs are quite literally in the middle of the road. So, when getting off the tram at one of these stops make sure to look before you step off in case there are any cars coming alongside the tram.
Equally, while waiting for the tram at a tram stop, be careful not to walk into the middle of the road until the tram is stopped and again, make sure to check before you step out onto the road. It sounds like a crazy system at first but it works really well once you get the hang of it!
How to Pay for Trams
As I’ve mentioned, the tram system is super useful in and around the city. However, this system only works if everyone is honest and pays to use it.
The public transport system operates on the use of a Myki card. These cards are akin to Oyster cards in London as you top them up with credit and then tap on and off the public transport at each end of your journey.
There is also an app you can use to help plan your journey and see when the next available tram or train will arrive. It’s called PTV (Public Transport Victoria). This will tell you the quickest way to get your destination and will tell you where the tram stop or train station is in comparison to your location.
If you take a regular journey, like I take to work, you will start to remember which station or stop your journey starts at and then there tend to be screens in the train stations and at major tram stops which tell you how long the next train/tram will be.
There is a daily spend cap in Melbourne of $10.60 which means you can make as many journeys as you like, as far away as you like for that amount. This is incredibly good value for money as some of the journeys included in the area can be up to 3 hours away on the train.
In most train stations there will be barriers, as there are in the UK, so you will be forced to tap your Myki to even get onto the train. However, on the tram, it is up to each customer to be honest.
There is a free tram zone which doesn’t require you to tap on or off with your Myki, but once you are outside of that zone you do need to tap on.
Being caught without tapping on can result in a large fine. When the public transport is so handy and such good value, it’s really not worth trying to cheat the system.
Trains
The train system in Victoria is extremely extensive which means it is easy for you to move around. There are frequent city loop trains which take you around the 5 major stops in the city. Melbourne Central, Parliament, Flagstaff, Southern Cross and Flinders Street.
Most trains will go through Flinders Street and many of the further afield journeys start from there so having the city loop to take you to Flinders Street is really helpful.
The City Loop is also really helpful if you live on the other side of the city and don’t fancy the walk. Often I will get the train home from work to Southern Cross (as that’s the route it takes) and then just hop on a City Loop train to take me to Flagstaff.
When it’s cold and wet (which does happen) this is a great option! There’s so much to see in Melbourne so the train system really allows you to get around and make the most of it if you are travelling without a car.
Sightseeing City Tours
Some travel companies and also local guides offer city sightseeing tours where you can learn more about the history of Melbourne and get guided to the best locations in the city.
Tours are a great option if you are visiting Melbourne for the first time and want to improve your knowledge and see top rated local hotspots.
Some tours are completely free, whilst others you’ll need to pay a fee although this is usually not that expensive.
Walking, Scooters & Bikes
One of the best ways to experience Melbourne, and also get off the beaten track is to walk. This is a completely free and in the city centre most of the main attractions and places to see are located nearby.
Another option is to rent a scooter or bike, which are available throughout the city. You will get to see popular tourist landmarks, shopping malls, the river, hidden lesser known shopping streets and street art.
Important to Know: J-Walking
Admittedly, this is something I had only ever heard of on American TV shows and movies, and I wasn’t entirely sure that it was a real thing. But rest assured, it is. It is illegal to J-walk in the city of Melbourne and being caught doing so can result in a large fine.
The roads in the city are taken up by a mixture of car, buses and trams which are constantly flowing. So, it isn’t really worth risking the j-walk anyway.
The city is flooded with pedestrian crossings and with the roads being so large and so wide, its worth waiting for that green man, for both your safety and your conscience.
Exploring Victoria
If you want travel out of Melbourne city centre, discover the highlights of the state of Victoria or further afield, there are lots of options available. You could rent a car, travel by train, ferry, bus, booking a tour or a flight.
Some of the best places to see near Melbourne include the spectacular Great Ocean Road, Bendigo, High Country, Phillip Island, Mornington Peninsula, Gippsland, Ballarat and The Grampians. For the ultimate road trip you could start in Melbourne and plan a trip up the east coast of Australia.
Plan a City Break to Melbourne
Melbourne is one of the best cities to visit Down Under and an essential place to visit on any holiday or gap year in Australia.
Overall, the system is super useful for tourists and the residents of Victoria and there’s always a way to get where you want to go. Just make sure to tap on your Myki and you’re good to go!
There is more in-depth information about specific travel routes and potential route changes on the Public Transport Victoria website if you are planning a particular trip or just want some more information.
If the idea of moving to Melbourne appeals to you then check out this guide to finding work in Melbourne.
By Amy Salmon