Transport

There are many ways you can get to where you need to go when you live in Melbourne. Your host family or international student coordinator will give you tips on:

• the simplest, quickest route
• the best ticket to buy
• how much it will cost
• how long it will take.
  

A network to take you in all directions

Melbourne's metropolitan transport system extends in all directions and makes it easy to move between trains, trams and buses.

Southern Cross Station is the public transport hub of Melbourne, serving over 1.2 million people per week,. This is the modern arrival point for international, interstate, regional and suburban visitors.

All metropolitan and V/Line trains and most coach (long-distance bus) services depart from and arrive into Southern Cross connecting metropolitan Melbourne with cities and towns all across Victoria.

Find a school and use the map to see how your choice links up with local public transport.

Ride your way around town

Use our extensive network of dedicated, safe bike paths when you're living in Melbourne. Mix and match a train trip with a bike ride – you can take your bike on the train.

One ticket for all public transport - Myki

You will need to purchase a 'myki' card to travel in Victoria.

This card enables you to travel on suburban buses, trains and tram services. You can top up your 'myki' card with money or credit card at most newsagents and convenience stores.

For ticketing purposes Melbourne's transport network, according to the distance from the city centre, has two 'zones':

• Zone 1 includes the Central Business District (CBD) and the inner suburbs
• Zone 2 encompasses the outer suburbs.

Your trip's price will depend on the:

• zone(s) in which you want to travel
• time period for your ticket (two hours, daily, weekly, monthly, annual).
  

Child Myki

You can purchase a Child myki if you are aged between 5 and 18 years (under 19) and pay a concession fare.

This applies to anyone aged 18 years and under, including international students and tourists.

If you're aged 17 and 18 you must carry government-issued proof of age identification, at all times when travelling on public transport:

For example:

• Drivers Licence
• Learner Permit
• Proof of Age card
• or passport
• or proof of another concession entitlement, for example a Public Transport Victoria (PTV), School Student ID or Health Care Card

If you're 16 years and under you're not required to carry proof of age.

For further information see PTV Concession.

Find out more about how to travel with myki

Our famous trams

Melbourne's trams are part of the city's unique character. They're a great way to explore the central business district and inner suburbs. We have the largest tram network in the world, with over 480 trams and 23 different routes. They travel along most of the city's major roads and their routes extend out into the suburbs.

Heritage trams run on the free City Circle route, especially for visitors to Melbourne. Trams run on many of the major roads in the inner suburbs with some operating in other Melbourne suburbs.

The central city train network

The city has a train system (the "City Loop") that is partly underground. There are five stations in the city centre: Flinders Street, Parliament, Melbourne Central, Flagstaff and Southern Cross - making it easy to get to different parts of Melbourne's city centre

There are 18 different train lines to the outer suburbs. Trains run from around 5am until midnight. On Friday and Saturday nights, trains and some trams operate throughout the night.

Trains to cities across Victoria

V/Line is Victoria's state-wide rail network connecting to cities and towns across Victoria and also to the other Australian states. Many of the popular Victorian tourist destinations can also be reached on V/line. You can use your myki to travel on V/Line or buy a paper ticket depending on the train line used.

A busy, well-connected airport

Melbourne international airport is the second busiest airport in Australia with flights to almost any location across Australia and all major international airports.