Transportation in Melbourne
Spoiled by an abundance of space, Melbourne is very spread out. Most attractions are within walking distance of the city centre. Further afield, trains, trams and bikes are the way to travel. In inner Melbourne, the central business district (CBD or city) is well served by public transport. Nearby are cosmopolitan Carlton, punky Collingwood, hipster Fitzroy and arty North Melbourne. Visitors based in beachside St Kilda in the south-east will find themselves making the most of the trams. Travel west to the emerging Footscray and Yarraville neighbourhoods, while affluent eastern suburbs of note include Prahran, Toorak and Hawthorn.
Read more about transport from and to the airport
Foot
Melbourne is a city designed for sightseeing on foot, and it has the climate to boot. Provided you're of moderate fitness, you should be able to get just about everywhere, except St Kilda, by foot.
Taxi
Melbourne's taxis are plentiful and canary yellow. Taxi drivers are supposed to sit a test but if your destination is out of the ordinary, the chances are you'll be giving them directions.
Train
Less important to visitors is the train system, designed mainly for suburban commuters. Visitors to Richmond, Prahran and Windsor will find the train a much quicker alternative to the tram.
Bus
The bus network is designed to complement Melbourne's train and tram networks. Services are concentrated in the outer suburbs and it's unlikely that visitors will need to use them. Bus tickets can also be used on trams and trains. The privatised Skybus links the city and the airport.
Boat
Melbourne's one of Australia's busiest ports, but strangely it's not really a maritime town. Tourist ferries ply the Yarra river – which marks a significant dividing line between east and west – but they're not a serious transport option.
Tram
Melbourne is one of the few cities in the world to have held on to its trams which have become city icons. There's no better way of getting around the inner suburbs – there's even a free service circumnavigating the city called the City Circle tram.
Rent your car
You’ll have to drive on the left in Melbourne, but with wide roads, a grid layout and clear signs, driving is a breeze. There’s no shortage of parking spaces, either on the street by parking meters or in one of the city’s car parks, which charge up to A$40 for the day.
Transportation Tips
Metcard tickets are valid from two hours or a day to a week, month and even a year. The system is zoned, but most visitors will only need to buy a Zone 1 ticket. The tickets can be used on all public transport services. Users are encouraged to pre-buy their tickets (they're available online), although a limited range is available on trams and buses. Remember to start collecting coins for the tram ticket machines.
