Getting Around Melbourne | Guide to City Circle Tram & Public Transport

Situated along the south western coast of Australia, Melbourne is the capital of the State of Victoria, and getting around Melbourne is vital for more than 5 million full-time residents each day! Learn how to navigate the City Circle Tram, city buses and other popular modes of public transport to find the best fine dining restaurants, major shopping centers and world-class attractions in Melbourne.

A Guide for Getting Around Melbourne

Planning a trip to Melbourne and wondering how you are going to get to all of the places on your itinerary? Read on to learn more about all of your transportation options.

The City Circle Tram

For those who want to check out all of the attractions Melbourne has to offer, the City Circle Tram is a great option – and its free! The City Circle Tram travels in a square formation, hitting 24 of the hottest attractions in the city. City Circle Tram makes frequent trips around the city between the hours of 10am to 6pm and connects with other public transportation systems. It is the perfect transportation solution for those who are on a budget.

Melbourne Metro Buses

Just like in other major metropolitan cities around the world, Melbourne has its own public bus system that provides service to the popular destinations around the city. Whether you are headed to the mall or would like to check out the sports venues in town, the metro bus will get you there. The bus system around Melbourne is extensive, offering over 340 different routes. Buses run day and night and the average fare is approximately $1.50 AUD per ticket.

Melbourne Trains

Mimicking the subway systems found in some metropolitan cities, Melbourne has an underground train system that runs between the main city station out to the suburbs. The train system has five routes that include service to the downtown district, the business district, Central Melbourne, the parliament district, and to Flinders street. The trains run from 5am to Midnight during the workweek and then transition to the Night Network system on the weekends. The average price per ticket to ride the train is approximately $4.50 AUD for full-fare and $2.25 AUD for concession tickets.

Rideshare Services in Melbourne

Car and driver services, like Uber, are in abundance in Melbourne and provide an affordable way to get around the city. The benefit of securing a rideshare is that you can travel around the city on your terms and get picked up and dropped off at the exact location you want to instead of walking to and from public transportation terminals. As long as you have the rideshare service app of your choice downloaded to your smartphone, you can score a ride simply by pressing a couple of buttons. The good thing about rideshare service programs is that the drivers are vetted and so you can be assured you will be in safe hands along your route.

Taxi Services in Melbourne

Looking to go the more traditional route and take a taxi around town? Melbourne has several private taxi services available to visitors and you can hail a ride for an affordable price. Taxis can be hailed along the street curb or you can head over to one of the cab ranks located in the busy areas of town. Taxi services are required by law to post rates and meters in highly visible locations within each cab so you will have a clear understanding of what your fare will be by the time you reach your destination. Most taxi services charge about $2.90 AUD per mile and fares for late night trips need to be paid in advance.

Car Rentals in Melbourne

For those who prefer to drive themselves around, there are dozens of car rental companies located in Melbourne. Car rentals can be booked at the airports or at car rental depots located throughout downtown. Depending on what type of car your book, the average daily rental fee is approximately $30.00 AUD.

If you plan to drive yourself around Melbourne, here are some laws and rules of the road you should be aware of before getting behind the wheel:

• Using a cell phone is strictly prohibited while you are driving around Melbourne. The exception to this is if you are using GPS, but you should have your route pre-programmed so that you do not need to touch your phone while you are en-route from point A to point B.
• Be on the lookout for trams while you are driving. Some intersections in Melbourne have hook turns where trams pass through the turn lanes. There are signs posted to indicate when a hook turn lane is approaching.
• In Melbourne, people drive on the left side of the road.
• Foreign driver’s licenses are permitted. As long as you have a valid driver’s license from your home country, you are permitted to drive in Melbourne for up to three months. If you plan to stay longer, you will need to get an Australian driver’s license.

Get a Myki Smartcard

The public transportation system around Melbourne is easy to navigate and you can take advantage of multiple modes of transportation in a single day. For those who plan to use the public transportation system while visiting this city, consider getting the Myki Smartcard to make paying for fares seamless. The Myki Smartcard is like a debit card where you load money to it and use it to pay for all public transportation fares as you go. The card is valid for use on the trams, trains, and metro buses. The Myki Smartcard makes it easy to budget your public transportation fares and keep your credit cards in your wallet.

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Popular Hotels in Melbourne

Melbourne is home to some amazing hotels and many of the hotels in the downtown area are within walking distance to the city’s restaurants, shopping centers, and main attractions. Here is a look at the most popular hotels in Melbourne.

Mercure Welcome Melbourne

Mercure Welcome Melbourne is your gateway to Melbourne and rooms can be booked for as little as $61 AUD per night. This cozy high-rise hotel is located less than a mile from the Flinders Street Railway Station, making it a convenient lodging option for those who want to explore while visiting the city.

Check In to Mercure Welcome Melbourne, Step Out to Federation Square

The Victoria Hotel

Boasting beautiful views and easy access to all of the attractions in the city, The Victoria Hotel is a warm and relaxing hotel where rooms can be reserved for as little as $45 AUD per night. This spacious high-rise hotel offers everything from a contemporary lounging area to a heated indoor pool. The Victoria Hotel is situated within walking distance to Collins Street, which is the city’s hub of entertainment and fashion.

Check In to The Victoria Hotel, Step Out to Bourke Street Mall

Arise Australia 108

Newly built in 2018, Arise Australia 108 is a state-of-the-art lodging option that was designed with comfort and luxury in mind. Rooms at this hotel can be reserved for as low as $61 AUD per night, and there are several floor plans to choose from. This hotel is located within walking distance to the railway and metro stations and provides quick access to all of the best attractions in Melbourne. Amenities at Arise Australia 108 include complimentary Wi-Fi in all rooms, a high-tech fitness center, an indoor swimming pool and sauna, and breathtaking views of the city from all rooms.

Check In to Arise Australia 108, Step Out to Collins Street

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