TRANSPORTATION:
Getting to Melbourne
Melbourne airport (Tullamarine) is 25 km (25-45 mins) from the city and there are three main transport options for getting you from the airport to the CBD. You can either take the SkyBus shuttle service (AUD$16 one-way; $26 return), a taxi (approx. AUD$45), or a rental car.
SkyBus runs between Melbourne Airport and Melbourne’s city centre, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service runs every 10 minutes and takes 20-25 minutes to get from the airport to the city centre. Pick up/drop off points at the airport are at the South/Virgin Blue terminal (T3) and the Qantas domestic terminal (T1). The pick up /drop off point in the city is the coach terminal at Southern Cross Station, and from there SkyBus minibuses are available to several hotels. SkyBus tickets can be bought from the driver, at ticket kiosks within the airport or through Metlink.
The other airport close to Melbourne is Avalon Airport, located 55 km (40 min) from the CBD. Some Jetstar flights to Melbourne use this airport. Transfers are available between Avalon Airport and the Melbourne CBD. City stops are at Southern Cross Station coach terminal, corner Little Bourke and Spencer streets (Firefly Coaches sales booth) and outside Hotel Bakpak at 167 Franklin Street. Hotel pick ups can be arranged if organized and pre-booked at least 48 hours in advance.
Taxis
All of Melbourne’s taxis are yellow and several major companies operate, including:
- 13 CABS 13 22 27 Arrow 13 22 11
- Embassy Taxis 13 17 55 Silver Top Taxis 13 10 08
- Wheelchair accessible taxis 1300 364 050
You can also hail a taxi in the street – if the rooftop light is illuminated, it means the taxi is available for hire. Taxi meters are usually clearly visible, so you can keep check of your fare. Late night taxi trips must be paid for in advance. Between 10pm and 5am in Victoria, the driver will ask you for an up-front deposit, based on a table of point to point estimates.
Getting around Melbourne
Melbourne city is easy to navigate thanks to a fantastic train and tram network as well as excellent taxi and bus services. Trains and trams run from 5am until midnight, Monday to Saturday, with extended hours to around 1.30am on Friday and Saturday nights. On Sunday, trains and trams operate 7am – 1pm.
Trains
Melbourne’s train network includes both over ground and underground services, all of which begin or end at Flinders Street Station, on the corner of Flinders and Swanston streets in the heart of the city. The underground train system, the City Loop, services five major stations: Southern Cross Station, Flagstaff, Melbourne Central, Parliament and Flinders Street. The over ground train system includes 16 different train lines that service the outer suburbs and are all linked to bus or tram services. Flinders Street Station is the hub for all metropolitan train services, whilst Southern Cross Station is the hub for catching regional and interstate trains.
Trams
Melbourne has the world’s largest tram network, with 27 major routes covering a distance of 249 kilometres. The fleet of 501 trams ranges from the iconic W-Class trams right through to modern low-floor trams. For a map of Melbourne’s
City Circle Tram
A free tram service operates along the perimeter of Melbourne’s CBD, taking in many of Melbourne’s landmarks. The City Circle route uses the iconic W-Class trams, which provide an audio commentary announcing points of interest along the route. City Circle Trams operate every 12 minutes between 10am – 6pm Sunday – Wednesday, and 10am – 9pm Thursday – Saturday. For a map of the City Circle Tram route.
Buses
Several bus services operate throughout metropolitan Melbourne, and many of the routes now run 6am – 9pm Monday to Friday, 8am – 9pm Saturday and 9am – 9pm Sunday. Late night bus services, called NightRider buses, offer a safe, easy and inexpensive way of getting home in the early hours of Saturday or Sunday morning. NightRider buses travel from the city to the suburbs, departing Swanston Street (between Collins and Flinders streets) every 30 minutes from 1.30am – 4.30am on Saturday and between 1.30am – 5.30am on Sunday mornings. For detailed route information and timetables call Metlink on 131 638, or visit the Metlink website.
Tickets
Melbourne currently uses paper tickets called Metcards that are interchangeable for use on all metropolitan public transport. Metcards can be purchased on trams and buses (coin only), but must be pre-purchased for train travel. Click here for details on where to purchase tickets. Ticket inspectors frequent all services and will issue on-the-spot fines for passengers caught not carrying a valid ticket. A new ticketing system is due to be introduced at the beginning of 2010. The Myki system, which uses electronic, reusable cards will replace Metcards and V/Line train tickets for use on all of Melbourne’s public transport network.
Melbourne currently uses paper tickets called Metcards that are interchangeable for use on all metropolitan public transport. Metcards can be purchased on trams and buses (coin only), but must be pre-purchased for train travel. Click here for details on where to purchase tickets. Ticket inspectors frequent all services and will issue on-the-spot fines for passengers caught not carrying a valid ticket. A new ticketing system is due to be introduced at the beginning of 2010. The Myki system, which uses electronic, reusable cards will replace Metcards and V/Line train tickets for use on all of Melbourne’s public transport network.
