Metcard is the brand name for the ticketing system that is used on all trains, trams and buses in the metropolitan area of Melbourne.

No, Weekly Metcards do not have to start on a Monday. Weekly tickets are valid for 7 days from the day of first validation. Similarly, Monthly Metcards are valid for one calendar month from the first validation.

Weekly and Monthly Metcards can be purchased from nearly 1000 Metcard retail outlets across the metropolitan area. See Where to buy Metcards to search for retail outlets in your area.

Weekly and Monthly Metcards can also be purchased online. Your Metcards will be delivered free to your home or office. Visit the online store to order.

If your Yearly Metcard is unable to be validated:
With Metcards purchased at a station, you must take the defective Metcard back to the station from which it was purchased and complete a declaration form. The station will issue one Monthly Zone 1 + 2 Full Fare Metcard. Paperwork and the defective Metcard will be forwarded to OneLink, c/o The Station Master’s Office Flinders Street Station. Replacement tickets are then mailed to you – taking into account the Monthly Metcard already provided.

With Metcards purchased through a Commuter Club, you should contact your Commuter Club coordinator or visit the Stationmaster’s office at Flinders Street Station to arrange a replacement.

For all other Metcard refunds:
Metcard Refund Application Forms are available from Premium Stations and the MetShop (located at Melbourne Town Hall, corner of Swanston and Little Collins streets).

Alternatively, call the Metcard Helpline on 1800 652 313 to request a form be posted to you, or download the form via the following link:

For details on how to apply for a Yearly Metcard refund due to the implementation of the Early Bird initiative, please see Early Bird: frequently asked questions.

If your 10 x 2 Hour Metcard or 5 x Daily Metcard does not validate, please return it to your nearest Premium Station. A faulty 10 x 2 Hour Metcard will be replaced with single 2 hour Metcards. A faulty 5 x Daily will be replaced with single Daily Metcards.

Alternatively, you may apply for a refund or replacement by obtaining a Metcard Refund Application Form from your nearest Premium Station or you can download the form via the following link:

If you require further information, please call the Metcard Helpline on 1800 652 313.

Refunds or replacements are available on periodical Metcards of 3 months or more, subject to the completion of a statutory declaration and payment of an administration fee.

Refunds or replacement are not allowed on other types of lost tickets.

OneLink manages the operation of all ticket machines. They can be contacted by phone on 1800 652 313 to report the fault.

Yes, children under four years old can travel free, however the child must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

If you hold a valid Weekly, Monthly or Yearly Metcard, you may extend this ticket beyond the zone for which it is valid by buying and validating a 2 hour or Daily Metcard for the additional zone you will be travelling in.

The 'extension' ticket must be purchased and validated before the journey. If this is not possible by taking all reasonable steps before the journey, the ticket must be purchased as soon as there is a reasonable opportunity during the journey or, if there is no reasonable opportunity during the journey, as soon as is achievable by taking all reasonable steps after the journey.

If the ticket is a Metcard, then it must be validated as soon as there is a reasonable opportunity during the journey, or as soon as taking all reasonable steps will permit after the journey.

On Saturdays and Sundays, Weekly, Monthly and Yearly Zone 1 or Zone 2 Metcards can be used for travel in Zones 1 and 2, irrespective of the Zone shown on the ticket.

Examples:

• If you have a Daily (Zone 1) Metcard and want to travel into Zone 2, you cannot extend the ticket and must buy and validate a 2 Hour (Zone 1+2) Metcard or Daily (Zone 1+2) Metcard before travelling.
• If you have a Yearly (Zone 1) Metcard and want to travel into Zone 2, you may extend the Yearly ticket by buying a 2 Hour (Zone 2) Metcard or Daily (Zone 2) Metcard and validating it as soon as possible during or after your journey.

For more information, see the Victorian Fares and Ticketing Manual.

Yes. A 10 x 2 Hour or a 5 x Daily Metcard may be suitable for your travel needs. Please see Metcard types for further information.

Yes. Metcards can be purchased directly from our online store.

All orders are despatched within two business days and will be sent to your home or office free of charge. Please note, you will require a credit card and the total value of your order must be greater than $10 and cannot exceed $500.

Validation allows transport operators to monitor the number of passengers on a particular route. It provides information about the time and date of journey.

The information is used to determine passenger travelling needs and helps identify where extra services are required. Please assist us by remembering to validate your Metcard for every journey.

Before you travel you need to validate your Metcard in the validator located at the station entrance, near the doors on trams and near the driver on buses.

Using the directional arrows on the both the validator and your Metcard as a guide, simply insert and remove your ticket and you are ready to travel.

Remember to always check the expiry details on the back of your Metcard after validating.

The Victorian Fares and Ticketing Manual is available online and contains everything you need to know about the ticketing conditions for metropolitan and regional public transport services.