Beginner's guide

Getting around Melbourne and Victoria using public transport is easy. Just follow these simple guidelines:

 

  1. Planning your journey
  2. Purchasing your ticket
  3. Starting your journey
  4. Travelling
  5. Ending your journey

 

 1. Planning your trip

Options to help you plan your journey

This tool helps you plan your trip from A to B using various modes of transport (metropolitan train, tram, bus, V/Line and other regional services).

If you know the metropolitan train, tram, bus, V/Line or regional bus route you want to travel on, simply select the mode of transport to access the timetable you need.

 There are various types of network and route maps and local area profiles available. 

 before you travel to check the latest service alterations which may affect your journey.

 

 

 2. Purchasing your ticket

Travelling within metropolitan Melbourne

View metropolitan fares and tickets for information including:

 

myki

  

  • myki money and
    myki pass: 

myki is a reusable smart card that can store either a myki pass (consecutive travel days) or myki money (dollar value) and these are used to pay for your journey. When your myki money balance gets low or when your pass runs out, you just top up your myki to keep travelling.

Melbourne’s public transport network is divided into two zones. Find out which zone(s) you will be travelling in

  • Buying your myki:

You can buy a myki:

  •  online at myki.com.au

  • at the myki discovery centre at Southern Cross Station, from customer service centres at Premium Stations,

  • at the MetShop at the Melbourne Town Hall

  • or by calling 13 6954 (13 myki).

  • Where to top up:

You can top up your myki:

  • online at myki.com.au
  • at selected retailers
  • where you see the myki sign at myki machines at metropolitan train stations and selected accessible tram stops and bus interchanges
  • or by calling 13 6954 (13 myki)
  • At the MetShop
  • Touching on and touching off: 

Each time you enter the paid area of a train station, or board a tram or a bus, you must touch on at a myki reader. Train and bus users need to touch off at the end of each trip for the lowest myki money fare. When travelling on a tram, you only need to touch off to get the lowest myki money fare if your whole trip is in Zone 2.

Remember to look after your myki and ensure it is valid for your trip. Fines exist if you are not carrying a valid ticket.
   

Metcard

  

A variety of fares are available, from single trip fares, to better value fares, such as weekly, monthly and yearly fares

Melbourne’s public transport network is divided into two zones. Find out which zone(s) you will be travelling in

Metcards can be purchased from customer service centres at Premium Stations, from Metcard ticket machines at train stations and trams, on buses, and from retail outlets displaying blue Metcard signs. Metcards can be purchased at the MetShop. You can also buy public transport tickets online. For more information, visit the online store.

 

A typical Metcard will look like this.

Remember to look after your ticket and ensure it is valid for your trip. Fines exist for those who are not carrying a valid ticket.

 

 

Travelling in regional Victoria

View V/Line fares and tickets for for information about travelling on rail and road coaches in regional Victoria.

View regional town bus ticketing for information about travelling on local bus services in Victorian regional town and cities.

 

 3. Starting your trip

A few tips when you are starting your trip:

Allow plenty of time to get to the train station, tram or bus stop. We recommend getting to the station or stop at least five minutes before the scheduled departure.

You are required by law to always validate your Metcard before entering a train platform and each time you board a tram or bus. Validation involves inserting your Metcard into a validator machine. However, when purchasing your Metcard from a ticket machine on a tram, it is automatically validated for that journey only. Remember to always check the expiry details printed on the back of your Metcard after validation. The arrow on your Metcard shows which way to insert it into the validator. For more information see validating your Metcard.

If you have special needs and require assistance while using public transport, refer to Accessible transport.

 

 

 4. Travelling

While waiting at stations and stops or on board trains, trams and buses, there are some important things to remember:

  • View travelling safely for tips on how to make your journey on public transport as safe as possible, including tips on how to board, travel and get off public transport safely.
  • Understanding signage at stations and stops is important, especially those regarding safety. View symbol meanings and glossary.
  • Always vacate priority seating for disabled, elderly or less mobile passengers.
  • If there are no seats available, hold on to a grab rail at all times.
  • Passengers with special needs should also view accessible transport and travelling safely for further information.

 

 

 5. Ending your journey

Remember to take all your belongings with you. If you do misplace something you will need to contact the relevant public transport operator for assistance.

→ Lost property: provides details on how to report of and hand in lost property.