melbourne city tourist shuttle

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Australia , Top Picks · July 27, 2015

Melbourne Visitor Shuttle: A 5AUD Hop on hop off bus you will love

The Melbourne Visitor Shuttle is the best way to get around Melbourne City. It’s basically a hop on hop off bus that will take you to major tourist attractions in the city for the entire day for only $5. My friend who is based in Melbourne said it used to be free but for a value of $5 it is surely an inexpensive and a great way to explore the city which doesn’t limit you from the city circle that the Free Tram is only accessible. There are 13 stops where you can hop on hop off, these stops are usually a short distance to the cities best attractions. The clever way to do this is you can combine this bus with the free city circle #35 tram and wanders off the entire city.

There are tourist brochures available on the bus and you can choose whatever stops that interest you the most. The interval is 30 minutes and you can get on and off as many times as you want.

The bus is comfortable, on-board commentary driver and not as crowded compare to the free city trams.

We started at Flinders Street without tickets on hand however, the driver was so friendly he took us to the next stop which is at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and purchase the $5 ticket at a small ticket dispensing machine.

Our first stop: Sports precinct @ Stop 3

Next Stop: Chinatown precinct @ Stop 4

The Chinatown is located at Little Bourke Street. A melting pot of Asian cultures, cheap foods, shops, and even museum. Unfortunately, the museum was closed when we visited. I noticed the lane dominates with an interesting asian restaurants. We walked along the collins street and strolled around Bourke Street Mall,Melbourne Central and QV Melbourne. Nearby was the Her Majesty’ Theatre known as the Melbourne’s home to the world greatest musicals where you can watch Les Miserables on a classic 19th century theatre.

Next: Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens

We skipped Lygon Street precinct at stop 6 because most of the shops there were closed due to Holy week Holiday. It’s just too bad to missed La Dolce Vita and La Mama. We also skipped stop 7 university of Melbourne because we were really hungry.

We headed to our next destination which is the Queen Victoria Market (Stop 8) . My eyes feasted to almost everything. It’s a shoppers paradise! They have cheap souvenirs compare to Sydney. I like the fact that it’s not only the place to shop clothes, fruits and veggies but also a foodie heaven too. The line at Bratwurst Shop was quiet intriguing. We queued for the sake of curiousity. Although the queue was long, the service was pretty quick. I had spicy bratwurst and ginger beer. There is something about the sausage that is so fulfulling. I really love it. No wonder why people line up. If i live there, I will have it every weekend. No pun intended.

Stop 9 Harbour Town & Stop 10 Victoria Harbour

Habour town was very quiet perhaps it was Holy week, Only a couple of shops were open. It’s like a mall near the dock, We’re not really shoppers so we just walked around with nothing much to see. We skipped William Street as we’re not really into Museums and Aquarium.

We headed to Stop 12 Southbank and Yarra River . This area is just overwhelming. Lot of people, shops, cafes, restaurants, bars and even some holy week events. In the streets artists, live music and tons of entertainment. You just have to walk and then there’s a lot of activities. It’s like people make the most of their lives to be happy. Love the buskers.

There were still some love locks attached to the sides of Southgate footbridge. Southbank is such a cool place. I love the views of the fabulous city skyline and the iconic Flinders street station. Despite the crowd, I really like the walk along the Yarra river.

Southbank is one thing I would love to see again. Truly vibrant. Full of life. Love the vibe. What a stroll!

Because the walk was so pleasant, we walked all the way to the Royal Botanic Gardens . Yes, as in walk! Good thing there is map in the Brochure. It’s a bit of a long walk. If you dont want to do this that’s fine, you can go back and take the shuttle bus and get off at stop 13.

The garden is such a great find. Good place to relax a bit. Not far from the  garden lies the Shrine of Remembrance, a memorial to Australian soldiers from all  kinds of war. The building architecture is pretty impressive. Wonderfully kept and  maintained. The panoramic view of the city here is also superb however you must go all the way to the top to see this incredible views. Dont worry they  won’t  charge you anything.

Well guess what, we walked back all the way to Flinders , our home in Melbourne.

Flinders Street Station is one of Melbourne’s famous landmark. I love its classic monolithic architecture. Not only that its a train station, its a great meeting place too. I met an old friend under the clock and admired its majestic yellow facade. It’s in the heart of city surrounded with quaint shops and pubs. I love its busy streets. The area is so charming along with the federation Square and St. Paul’s cathedral.

We meandered to Hosier Lane – Melbourne’s coolest street art. I’m not a graffiti lover but I was really amazed how talented the street artists were. It’s interesting how they change it all the time. It’s such a great artwork. I haven’t seen anything like it. It makes me appreciate art. Vandalism or not, it’s still incredible and worth a look.

Another laneway that I find really fascinating is the Centre Place in Degraves St. I’m in love with this cool, quirky yet classy laneway. I’ve been ignoring this area the whole time I was in Melbourne. I’m glad I booked my hostel near here. It is absolutely not a tourist trap. I recommend to go here when you’re hungry. You’ll be surprised how lovely it is, I’m sure you’ll have a hard time to choose where to eat like I did. Issus was delightful though, I had Lamb Souvlaki and watched the world go by. The food choices here is endless!

And oh, we ended our day sitting at kronenbourg over a bottle of coopers.

Cheers mate!

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July 27, 2015 at 4:34 am

I hate you Riz. You make me want to fly to Melbourne now! May mga pinsan at tiyuhin tyahin ako doon! Visa pamasahe waley. Hahaha.

Husay ng blog at photos so crisp! ?

You’re blog has evolved. Naks!

September 18, 2015 at 10:47 am

I was wondering if I can sponsor your site for a client of mine that is based in the UK. It will be about travels, holidays, cruises or city breaks.

It really is simple work and, of course, the ad copy is upon your approval. We will make sure it will fit you and your readers’ taste.

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Thank you and looking forward to working with you.

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Melbourne Visitor Shuttle

Latest Update for Melbourne Visitor Shuttle

Melbourne Visitor Shuttle ceased its operations in August 2017

Funded by the State Government’s road congestion levy, Melbourne Visitor Shuttle is a subsidised tourist service operating in the city of Melbourne. The service runs daily at 30 minutes intervals between 9:30am and 4:30pm. The bus route encircles Melbourne CBD and Carlton in an anti- clockwise Direction stopping at 13 places, providing a running commentary on tourist attractions.

Details about the service

[su_box title=”Contact Info” style=”soft” box_color=”#f6f08b” radius=”7″]

Address : Corner of Swanston and Flinders streets, Melbourne, Victoria 3000

Phone : 03 9658 9658

Email : [email protected]

Web : melbourne.vic.gov.au/shuttle[/su_box]

$5 tickets for whole day. Children under 10 travel free.

Where to purchase tickets

Tickets are available from Melbourne Visitor Centre at Federation Square or from ticket machines at each stop. Ticket machines only accept credit cards or coins.

Operation Schedule

Melbourne operates every day from 9:30am to 4:30pm, except on

   ANZAC Day – 25 April 2015

   Run Melbourne – 26 July 2015

   Grand Final Parade – 2 October 2015

   Melbourne Marathon – 18 October 2015

   Melbourne Cup Parade – 2 November 2015

   Christmas Day – 25 December 2015

Route and stops

There are 13 stops along its route.

Stop 1 : Arts Precinct – National Gallery of Victoria (NGV International), Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, Malthouse Theatre, State Theatre and Hamer Hall

Stop 2 : Federation Square – Melbourne Visitor Centre, Australian Centre for the Moving Image and Birrarung Marr.

Stop 3 : Sports Precinct (except on MCG event days) – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Park, Olympic Park, Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and Fitzroy Gardens. This stop is not in service on MCG event days. A temporary stop on Lansdowne Street operates on these days. There are no ticketing facilities at the temporary stop

Stop 4 : Chinatown and Theatres District – Her Majesty’s Theatre, Princess Theatre and Comedy Theatre.

Stop 5 : Melbourne Museum & Carlton Gardens – Royal Exhibition Building and Old Melbourne Gaol

Stop 6 : Lygon Street Precinct

Stop 7 : University of Melbourne

Stop 8 : Queen Victoria Market – Flagstaff Gardens

Stop 9 : Waterfront City, Docklands – including Harbour Town

Stop 10 : Docklands Stadium & Victoria Harbour

Stop 11 : William Street – Immigration Museum and Melbourne Aquarium

Stop 12 : Southbank & Yarra River – Southgate, Eureka Skydeck, Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex, Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre and Melbourne Maritime Museum.

Stop 13 : Shrine of Remembrance and Royal Botanic Gardens – Kings Domain, Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Government House and La Trobe’s Cottage

The stop2 is the nearest stop from Melbourne Visitor Centre at Federation Square.

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Flinders Street Station, Melbourne, Victoria © Josie Withers Photography

Getting around Melbourne

Whether you self-drive or take advantage of Melbourne’s efficient public transport system, you’ll find it easy and efficient to get around the city.

By Mark Sariban

Australia’s cities all offer clean, efficient and affordable public transport options, allowing visitors to explore with ease and comfort. Known for its historic suburban tram system, Melbourne is no exception to this rule. Jump on board any of these great transport options and discover how easy it is to get around Melbourne.

Transport in Melbourne

St Paul's Cathedral, Swanston Street, Melbourne, Victoria © Josie Withers Photography

• Airport Transfers
• Accessibility

Melbourne offers free tram rides within the city centre. To use public transport outside of the free tram zone, you need to purchase a myki card . You can purchase a myki card from retail outlets displaying the myki sign, visitor centres and at train stations.

• Use your myki card on trains, trams and buses. You’ll need to load your card with some money to cover your fares. You can top it up at convenience stores and train stations as your balance runs low. 
• You can also purchase a  myki Explorer kit, which includes a myki card loaded with a full day of unlimited travel on trains, trams and buses in metropolitan Melbourne, handy maps and discounts on tickets to major attractions.
• To start your ride, tap your myki card on the reader when you board your selected mode of transport and be sure to tap off when you disembark.

Melbourne is serviced by two airports, Melbourne Airport (MEL) and Avalon Airport (AVV). There are several public transport options available for reaching the city from either airport.

• SkyBus express services run between 4am and 1am daily from Melbourne Airport and from early morning to evening from Avalon Airport. Both SkyBus services stop at Southern Cross Station on Spencer Street in the city. Tickets can be purchased either online or at the airport.
• You’ll find taxi ranks and rideshare pick-up areas at the front of each terminal – simply follow the signage. The journey to the city from Melbourne Airport takes around 30 minutes, or 50 minutes from Avalon Airport.

Tip:  If you’re in a group, it will be less expensive to travel from Melbourne Airport to the city by taxi or rideshare.

In Australia, airlines, trains, buses and ferries have accessible options for people using a wheelchair or mobility device.

• Melbourne Airport provides special assistance for people with disabilities and can help with baggage, getting around the airport, and getting on and off the plane. 
• The majority of buses and trains have accessible options – check the Public Transport Victoria Accessibility page for information on using public transport before your trip.

Tip: Download the City of Melbourne’s  mobility map  to easily locate accessible toilets and car parks in the city.

Getting around Melbourne on public transport

Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria © Josie Withers Photography

Trains are a great way to visit attractions across the city and reach the surrounding suburb. Major stations in the city include Central, Flinders and Southern Cross Station. Use the Journey planner tool to find your route.

• Trains to regional destinations including Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and Albury operate on the V/Line services. You can use your myki card on all train networks.

Catching a tram is a great way to get around Melbourne while getting a feel for the city. Use the Journey planner tool to find your route.

• A Free Tram Zone operates in Melbourne city centre. If your travel is within this zone you don’t need to tap on or off with your myki card.
• The free hop-on, hop-off City Circle Tram (number 35) is a great introduction to Melbourne, with city loop services running every 15 minutes. 
• Melbourne’s suburban tram routes run in two zones, with the cost using your myki card calculated according to the zones you travel in.

The bus network is another efficient way of hopping around metro Melbourne and popular neighbourhoods. Use the Journey planner tool to find your route.

• Night Network trains, trams and buses operate throughout the night on Fridays and Saturdays.

Getting around Melbourne by car

Flinders Lane, Melbourne, Victoria © Josie Withers Photography

Driving in Melbourne is easy and safe, but you may want to check whether your hotel charges a daily parking fee.

Melbourne is the only city in Australia with a ‘ hook turn ’ (a right-hand turn you make from the left-hand lane), so be sure to familiarise yourself with this manoeuvre if you’re planning to drive in the city.

Having a car for part of your trip may be beneficial if you plan to visit some of the stunning destinations outside of Melbourne, but you can also book tours to many of these places and leave the driving to someone else.

Tip: If you’re hiring an electric vehicle, you’ll find a map of charging stations here.

Melbourne is served by numerous taxi companies. 

• You can hail a taxi on the street (a taxi is available if its rooftop light is on) or at taxi ranks in built-up areas.
• You can also book a taxi by phoning individual companies, or by downloading an app from 13cabs or GoCatch .

Tip: You will be asked to pre-pay an estimated fare when riding in a taxi after 10pm.

Most major ridesharing platforms operate in Melbourne, including Uber , Ola and DiDi , as well as local operator GoCatch .

Tip: Female travellers can also book a ride with Shebah , a rideshare service with all-women drivers catering to women. (Adult men can use the service if they need to transport a child who requires an approved child safety seat.)

Make the most of your time in Melbourne with a guided tour . Many tour operators offer half-day and full-day driving tours of the city and surrounds, including Show Me Melbourne and Melbourne Private Tours . 

• Enjoy an emissions-free sightseeing tour of Melbourne by pedicab with Green Cabs .

Where to stay in Melbourne

Other forms of transport in Melbourne

Southbank, Melbourne, Victoria © Josie Withers Photography

• Water taxis
• Cycling & scooting
• Williamstown Ferries offers two-hour cruises from Southbank to Williamstown, a seaport at the mouth of the Yarra River.

If you’re in town for a sporting event or a stadium concert, you can catch a water taxi from Southbank to Melbourne’s sports precinct .

Melbourne is mostly flat and has an extensive network of bike paths, making it easy to cycle around the city.

• Download an app from Neuron to access a pool of shared e-scooters across Melbourne.

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Getting Around Melbourne: A Guide to Public Transportation

Marina is a freelance writer who began contributing to TripSavvy in 2019. She set off with a one-way ticket to Asia in 2017 and has been living and traveling abroad ever since.

Don’t underestimate the size of Melbourne, Australia. Travelers may only stick to Central Business District and its surrounding neighborhoods—but the city extends so much further than that, stretching around Port Phillip Bay for 3,857-square miles.

Melbourne is kind of like New York City , in a geographical sense, because a lot of Melburnians live in the outer suburbs and travel into the city for work. The daily commute isn’t ideal by car, so people in the city opt to use the Public Transport Victoria train, tram, and bus system instead. Sixteen regular service train lines run north, south, east, and west into and out of the city. It’s an impressive and efficient system for such a big city. 

Here’s what you should know about getting around Melbourne.

How to Ride the Metro Melbourne Train Lines

Most people who use public transportation in Melbourne hop on the train. There are 16 Metro train lines that jut out of the city center and into the outer suburbs. The two main stations are Flinders Street and Southern Cross. Riding the train is a convenient alternative to driving, although a train ride could take just as long (if not longer) to get you where you want to go due to frequent stops.

• Passes: First, you’ll need to buy a myki card for AU$6. It gets you onto trains, trams, and buses throughout Melbourne and regional parts of Victoria. You can purchase one at 7-Eleven stores, a ticket booth at a premium train station, or on myki machines. Next, load the card with money to get from one stop to the next. You can do this at the ticket booth or at the myki machine. 
• Fares: The lowest amount of money you can add to your myki card is AU$10. That will get you two rides as the default fare for the train is $4.50 one way. Children, seniors, and students are eligible for discounted tickets. However, keep in mind that the price for each train ride is different, depending on how far you travel and when you travel. A smart thing to do if you’re visiting for a week is to buy a seven-day myki pass for AU$44. This will save you from continually topping up your card. You can check fares using the myki fare calculator .  
• How to Ride: Once you’ve purchased and loaded a myki pass, you must tap your card onto the center of the reader as you enter the railway platform. When you get off at your desired stop, simply tap off the same way you tapped on. Metro police conduct random checks on every train to see if passengers paid for their ride. If you don’t tap on before entering the platform and an officer catches you, it could result in a hefty fine. 
• Hours of Operation: The train lines operate from 5 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Thursday. The night network runs Friday through Sunday, with trains operating every hour after 12 a.m. 
• Service Changes: It’s typical for the Metro train to have periodic service changes. Delays may happen due to construction on the tracks, public events, or disorderly conduct by passengers. In the event of a service change, there will be announcements made throughout the station and written on the monitors. Sometimes, buses replace trains between specific stops, but there is always clear signage to help you navigate your way. You can check to see if your train line is running on time using the Public Transport Victoria journey planner . 
• Transfers: Transfers are relatively easy to complete when using the Metro train. You can hop off one train and onto another without re-tapping your myki card. If you get confused about a transfer, ask a Metro train station employee (you’ll spot them in neon orange jumpers). They’re usually on the platforms during hours of operation to help passengers with their journey.  
• Accessibility: PTV train stations are accessible to people with disabilities. Ramps, designated seating, and a combination of audio and visual announcements are available at larger stops. If you have hearing difficulties, you can use the National Relay Service . For more information about accessibility and mobility aid specifications, check out the Public Transport Victoria website . 

You can use the journey planner on the PTV website or app to plan your route and find out real-time departure and arrival information.

Riding the Melbourne Metropolitan Bus Network

The public buses in Melbourne are another standard mode of transportation. There are 346 routes within Melbourne and regional Victoria, so it covers more than the train. You can get to shopping centers, hospitals, sporting venues, and other Melbourne attractions via bus. This map shows the different bus routes within Melbourne. You can use the Public Transport Victoria journey planner to help you find the specific stop you’re looking for. 

The public bus takes the myki card as a bus pass, so make sure it’s loaded with money before you get on the bus. Fares are the same as the train. Note that riding the bus will take significantly longer than the train. Traffic, stop lights, and stops will add an extra 10–20 minutes to your journey. 

Airport-Specific Shuttles

Melbourne has a fast, frequent, and cheap airport shuttle called the SkyBus . It’s a big red bus with WiFi onboard and plenty of seating. From Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, there are six SkyBus services: Melbourne City Express, Southbank Docklands Express, St Kilda Express, Peninsula Express, Western Express, and Airport Bus Eastside. The Melbourne City Express bus, for instance, departs every 10 minutes and transfers passengers directly from the airport to Southern Cross Station (and vice versa). It takes about 30–40 minutes and costs AU$19.75 one way.

Melbourne city trams are convenient for traveling to a specific destination within the city and the surrounding neighborhoods. The best part? It’s free within Melbourne CBD . Outside of this free tram zone, the tram takes the myki card, with fares the same as the train. Keep in mind that you cannot purchase a myki card on a tram or at a tram stop. 

Use the Metropolitan tram network map to help you get to where you want to go. Locate the area where you want to go, then check the route number and destination on the front of the tram.  

Taking the ferry in Melbourne is a great way to get on the water and travel across the peninsula. From Melbourne CBD, you can take a one-hour cruise to Williamstown, an outer suburb known for being the city's first seaport. It costs AU$24 one way and departs at various times, depending on the season. There’s also a 90-minute cruise from the city to Portarlington , a historic little town on the Bellarine Peninsula. This costs AU$16 for an adult one-way ticket.

Melbourne sits along the Yarra River, where you can hop on a water taxi to shuttle to different stops along the waterway. It operates seven days a week and departs every 15 minutes from 9 a.m. to midnight. It’s a popular way to get around during the summer, so it’s recommended to book a water taxi ticket in advance.

Taxis and Ride-Sharing Apps

If you’re in a hurry, taxis and ride-hailing services are available throughout Melbourne. Local cabs, such as 13cabs , are white cars with bright orange writing on the sides. Ride-railing services such as Uber, DiDi, and Ola operate all over the city, including the surrounding suburbs. It’s a common and quick way to get around.

Car Rentals 

Renting a car to use within Melbourne CBD may not be the best idea. The city is dense with traffic, parking can get pricey, and the town has something called “ hook turns ,” which, if you’re not familiar with, are very tricky to navigate.

On the other hand, if you want to explore the Great Ocean Road or other outer suburb attractions, it might be a good idea to rent a car for the freedom to explore. Melbourne has car rental companies such as Budget, Hertz, Enterprise, and Avis. You can rent a car from the airport or within the city. Don’t forget, Aussies drive on the left side of the road! 

Tips for Getting Around Melbourne

Getting around Melbourne isn’t very difficult. The city has an impressive amount of public transportation options with informative signs and friendly employees to help you navigate your way around.

• Be wary of rush hour: Traveling during rush hour can be a bit of a headache. Peak traffic on public transportation and the roads is Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. During this time, the roads leading into and out of the city will be jam-packed with people traveling to and from work. If you’re traveling by train, be attentive towards the express services.
• Melbourne CBD is very walkable: Melbourne CBD is easy to walk around because the streets are set up like a grid. If you’re following a map, it’s very straightforward, and sometimes quicker to walk than take the tram. 
• If given the option, choose the train over the bus: The train is a bit more reliable without the traffic and quicker without so many stops. 
• Download the Public Transport Victoria app: This will help with planning your journey throughout the city and the surrounding suburbs. It is available on both Google Play and the Apple Store .

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Just like a regular ‘Hop-on, Hop-off... - Melbourne Visitor Shuttle

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• Melbourne Visitor Shuttle

The Melbourne Visitor Shuttle was a great way to see the city. I don't know why it has now stopped... read more

Value for money way to see other areas of Melbourne City not covered by the Inner Circle tram... read more

Just like a regular ‘Hop-on, Hop-off’ tour bus – FREE

We found out about this free tourist shuttle from the front desk employee at our hotel in Sydney, and definitely wanted to check it out. We set out from the Melbourne hotel around 9:00 and walked toward the city hoping to catch the first (or 2nd) shuttle of the day (they start running at 9:30). As we got to the Gallery/Arts Centre on St Kilda, we saw the bus parked in front of the building. Although it wasn’t the official stop, we were allowed to board the bus. The driver was very nice and told us he liked Canadians. Being first on the bus, we got the best seats in the house (the driver suggested we sit at the elevated portion of the bus for a better view). We took a copy of the shuttle itinerary located close to the driver’s seat, and got ready to enjoy the ride. A few minutes later we realized that stop #1 was actually about 100 metres farther, but the driver didn’t seem to mind. We did the entire 13 stops on our first drive, and captured the driver’s commentary on our voice recorder. We planned to visit some of the sights during the remainder of our visit to Melbourne, particularly The Shrine of Remembrance and the Botanic Gardens. After the tour, we got off at stop #1, and walked back to the Federation Square, to check out the Melbourne Visitor Centre. What a great way to see Melbourne's best attractions free of charge! Highly recommended!

This free shuttle runs every 30 mins from 9.30am till 4.30pm, The full Journey takes 90mins but you can get off and on, at any of the 13 Stops. Maps are available at Visitor Center Federation Square or from the driver on the bus. We got on at Federation Square stop 2 (A very busy Stop) and off at Dockland stop 9 (Harbour Town) and have coffee and got the next bus to the Art Precinct, (Stop 1).

What a fantastic idea. AND IT"S FREE. The free hop on, hop off bus takes you around Melbourne's major attractions in the CBD including Federation Square, the arts and sport precinct, Docklands Stadium and Victoria Harbour, the Shrine and Royal Botanic Gardens and much more. There are 13 stops. We were happy to stay on the bus. The entire circuit took approximately 90 minutes. The bus was very comfortable. We were in Melbourne in July so the bus was not at all crowded. I imagine this would be a very popular attraction during peak periods and special events. The driver was very friendly courteous and knowledgeable. I would encourage visitors to take full advantage of this free service.

I would have liked to take this bus again if I had more time as my first ride was disrupted by phoning with our daughter who was with her friend. This shuttle was more likely for 'tourist' as all people seemed to be tourist. The bus driver who took over from the first one was speaking really clearly and normal speed. The first one was speaking way too fast. The shuttle bus service is very good!

This is a fantastic idea! it is often packed, but people get on and off often, so you don't stand long. The bus operated every 25 minutes, and is a fantastic free tour!!

Spent a day hopping on and off this tourist shuttle. Would recommend it as a way to tour the places of interest around Melbourne on first arriving in the city. The bus is punctual and comfortable, with good seating, and runs every half an hour. In addition the bus stops have the approximate time of arrival so that you can plan your stop at each place. Starts at 9.30am and the only drawback is that it stops at 4.30pm, but then there are trams or buses to return to your accommodation.

Melbourne Visitor Shuttle

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MELBOURNE VISITOR SHUTTLE - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Melbourne Visitor Shuttle

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Melbourne Visitor Shuttle - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

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This great city has often been ranked as one of the most liveable cities in the world and the ease of finding your way around is a part of what makes this city so appealing. The following is a brief overview of a variety of transportation you may use while on your stay in Melbourne.

Melbourne's public transport system is very easy to use and called "Metlink" offering tram, train and bus transport all on the one ticket. The system is divided into three zones, zone 1 (being the inner city area), zone 2 (the outer suburbs), or both. They are sold as a 2hr or a full day ticket and either full fare or concession (child tickets up to 16 y.o. are considered concession).There are also 10X2hr and 10X full day,  weekly, monthly, and yearly tickets. Metlink's website provides a simple timetable, listing stations and stops, to guide you to your destination.

Melbourne's train system is also very convenient. All Metlink Trains arrive and depart from Flinders St. Station and use the same met card as the trams and buses. The train network is extensive and includes lengthy suburban routes and an underground city loop.

The bus network generally fills in the gaps left between the tram and train services. Buses are a little more difficult but are easy when you use the online trip itinerary. They also use the same Metcards as trams and trains. There is also a Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle it operates every 30 mins. From 9:30am to 4:30pm excluding Christmas Day. On Labour Day and Anzac Day, the service does not start until 1 pm. The route takes in 13 stops which are hop on, hop off.

Bike Riding

Taxis are numerous alas expensive. Melbourne Taxis are yellow in colour. It is always helpful to have your intended address written for the driver. Taxi ranks are clearly signposted and usually in obvious places such as outside major hotels or important locations like Flinders Street Station. You can hail a taxi in Melbourne. If the roof top light is on the taxi is available. Alternatively you can book a taxi by phone. After 10pm in Melbourne fares must be paid in advance.

Car-rental operators range from the usual international and nationally familiar names to the rent-a-bomb variety. You can find a lot of the major dealers at both the domestic and international arrival terminals as well as around town in the CBD and surrounding areas.  As mentioned earlier driving in Melbourne is easy as it was laid out in a grid, however be aware of the hook turns necessary in a city with trams. Traffic turning right must often do so from the left lane to avoid blocking tram tracks. This is only necessary in the city centre and Clarendon Street in South Melbourne. All these turns are marked with over head signs. Make yourself aware of Victoria's road rules and obey all traffic signals. If you are an international traveller a helpful tip is that left turning traffic at an intersection with lights must wait for the lights to signal you to allow you to turn.

Water Taxis

Airport transfers.

A public transportation bus service, which runs between the airport and city center, making a loop through the city before terminating at Spencer Street Train Station. The trip takes 20 minutes. There are two airport pickup locations. The buses leave from outside terminal 1 & 3. The shuttle depart about every 15 minutes from 06:00 am to midnight, then every half hour afterward. Airport-bound buses depart from Spencer Street at half-hour intervals from 06:00 am to midnight then at hourly intervals after that. They also run a connection service between the terminal and central hotels throughout the day Monday to Friday 06:00 am to 08:00 pm, Saturday & Sunday 08:00 am to 06:00 pm. Book hotel pick-up three hours ahead. Bookings are not needed for travel from the airport to hotels. If there are more than three in your party it becomes more economic getting a taxi.

To book online transfers click here

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Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle

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Cnr Swanston and Flinders Sts

Melbourne Victoria 3000

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Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle

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1 review of Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle

The "Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle" is a modern and free bus that runs through the city of Melbourne showing you the highlights of the city. The driver livens up ride with his own comments which are often funny, if you come to understand his Australian accent. Highly recommended, the full tour lasts about an hour and a half. It is perfect for when you're tired.

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