World City Guide

Getting Around

Public Transport
Melbourne’s public transport system is called The Met and it incorporates buses, trams and trains with interchangeable tickets available. The Met was privatised in August 1999 and each separate bus, tram and train company uses individual names, although fares are standard throughout the network.

The bus network is extensive and is operated by different private companies on varying routes, operating 0500-2400 Monday to Saturday; 0700-2300 Sunday. On weekends there is also a limited night bus service.

The City Circle Tram is a free tram service that runs in both directions around the city centre, 1000-1800 daily, with extended hours on weekends from the last Sunday in October to the Saturday before the last Sunday in March. Trams operate every ten minutes – the entire route takes 40 minutes and passes many of Melbourne’s attractions, with commentary provided. M> Tram (tel: (1800) 800 120; website: www.movingmelbourne.com) and Yarra Trams (tel: (1800) 800 166; website: www.yarratrams.com.au) both operate until approximately 0100.

The main train station in Melbourne for suburban routes is Flinders Street Station. Two rail companies covering suburban Melbourne are Connex (website: www.connexmelbourne.com.au) and M> Train (tel: (1800) 800 120; website: www.movingmelbourne.com). Services run approximately 0500-2400 Monday-Saturday and 0700-2400 on Sunday.

Metcard tickets allow travel on Melbourne’s buses, trains and trams, using a single ticket. These are available for purchase at retail outlets that show the Metcard flag, at station booking offices and from ticket vending machines on tram and rail stations. Ordinary tickets for short journeys (zone 1) cost A$2.60 and are valid for two hours – an all-day Metcard is better value for a number of journeys, costing A$5.10. Weekly passes cost A$22.10 and are ideal for a longer stay in Melbourne. Higher rates apply for zones 2 and 3.

VicTrip (tel: 131 638, Australia only; website: www.victrip.com.au) provides further information on all forms of transport within Melbourne.

Taxis
Taxis are available for hire on the street or are found waiting at train and bus stations. Operators include Arrow (tel: 132 211, Australia only) and Black Cabs (tel: 132 227, Australia only). Tipping is not expected. The initial charge is A$2.80 and rates increase at A$1.31 per kilometre and A$0.45 per minute waiting time.

Limousines
Lygon Limousines (tel: (03) 9773 2788) have chauffeur-driven cars for hire at A$65 per hour or stretch limousines at A$100 per hour. The chauffeurs can act as guides as well and can provide detailed information for their clients.

Driving in the City
Driving around Melbourne is fairly straightforward, as many roads are wide, with two or three lanes, although care has to be taken where there are tram routes. Special road rules exist – cars may only overtake trams on the left and must queue on the left in order to turn right at intersections marked by ‘Safety Zone’ signs, in order to accommodate the trams. The rush hours are 0700-0930 and 1700-1900, although there is also notorious ‘footy traffic’ near the Melbourne Cricket Ground, on weekends during the AFL season (April to September).

There are numerous car parks and parking meters all over the city. City Centre Car Park, 22 Little Collins Street (tel: (03) 9654 7818) is open daily 0730-2400. Cars parked illegally in no-parking zones are towed away. The City Centre Car Park charges A$4 per hour or A$22 per day on weekends.

Car Hire
The minimum age for car hire is 21 years and drivers must have possessed a national driving licence for at least one year. It is usually requested that the hire be paid for with the driver’s credit card. Young drivers aged 21-24 years are subject to a surcharge of A$27.50 per day. Compulsory third party insurance is required in Victoria and this is often included in the hire price.

Major car hire companies include Avis (tel: (03) 9663 6366; website: www.avis.au), Budget (tel: (03) 9241 6366; website: www.budget.com) and Hertz (tel: (03) 9338 4044; website: www.hertz.au). Daily hire rates start at around A$54 per day.

Bicycle Hire
Bicycles are available for hire from Hire A Bicycle, located at Yarra Bank by Princes Bridge (tel: 0412 616 633). Prices start at A$8.80 for one hour.