Melbourne has one of the most extensive public transport networks in the Southern Hemisphere, and once you know how it works, it becomes one of the best ways to see the city. Trams criss-cross the CBD and inner suburbs at no cost within the Free Tram Zone. Trains push out to the suburbs and connect you to regional Victoria via the Metro Tunnel’s new stations. Buses fill in the gaps. One card (Myki) handles all of it.
Arriving by air? You have more options than you might expect, from the SkyBus to shared rideshare and private transfers. Heading somewhere beyond Melbourne? V/Line coaches and regional trains serve most of the state, and our day trip guides break down every route by car, train, bus, and sometimes ferry.
If you prefer to drive, Melbourne is straightforward once you learn the hook turn (yes, it’s a real thing, and yes, you’ll do a double-take the first time). Car rental, campervans, and even bike hire give you full flexibility for exploring. Whatever your style (spontaneous day-tripper, meticulous planner, or somewhere in between), this section has the practical detail you need to move around Melbourne and Victoria with confidence.
Start with the essentials below, then pick the guide that matches your next move.
Start Here: The Essentials
- Myki Explained for Tourists: The Melbourne Transport Essential – how to get a card, load it up, and tap on without holding up the queue.
- Must-Have Apps for Transport Services in Melbourne – the apps that actually get used, from real-time tram tracking to parking finders.
Getting to and from the Airport
- Melbourne Airport to CBD: Every Transport Option Compared – SkyBus, taxi, rideshare, and private transfers with honest time and cost comparisons.
- Bus 901 Melbourne Airport – for solo travellers, it offers a huge discount
- Avalon Airport to Melbourne – SkyBus, taxi, rideshare, and the new bus/train connection
Getting Around the City
- Melbourne Trams: Route Maps and Getting Around – navigating the world’s largest tram network, including the free zone and the routes worth riding.
- Melbourne Trains: Route Map, Metro Tunnel, Myki and the Full Network Guide – the full metro rail network including the new Metro Tunnel stations.
- Regional Trains and Buses from Melbourne: V/Line MAP and Guide – getting out of the city to regional Victoria by rail and coach.
- Melbourne Public Buses – including route maps and guides to the city buses and night network buses.
- Melbourne Ferries – the four routes locals actually use
Taxis, Rideshare and Private Hire
- Taxis – ranks, apps, and what to expect on fares across Melbourne.
- Ride Share – Uber, DiDi, and the other apps operating in Melbourne right now.
- Limousines – private car and chauffeur services for airport runs, events, and transfers.
Drive or Self-Drive
- Car Rental – the main operators, pickup locations, and tips for driving in Melbourne (yes, the hook turn section is in here).
- Car Sharing – short-trip car share services for when you need wheels for a few hours, not a few days.
- Campervan Rental – hitting the road around Victoria with a home on wheels.
- Bike Rental – cycling options across the city, from share bikes to full-day hire.
Day Trips from Melbourne
- Melbourne to the Dandenong Ranges – a short ride east into the ferns by car or train.
- Melbourne to the Yarra Valley – wine country an hour from the CBD, with all transport options laid out.
- Melbourne to the Mornington Peninsula – beaches, hot springs, and wineries by car or train.
- Melbourne to the Bellarine Peninsula – by car, ferry, train, and bus – plus how to link it with the Mornington Peninsula.
- Melbourne to Lorne via the Great Ocean Road – the route options for one of Australia’s great coastal drives.
- Melbourne to Geelong – by car, train, or ferry, with journey times and costs.
- Melbourne to Ballarat – goldfields history an hour from the city, accessible by car, bus, or train.
- Melbourne to Bendigo – regional art, food, and architecture by car, train, or coach.
- Melbourne to Macedon Ranges – rolling hills, gardens, and country towns within easy reach by car or train.
- How to Get from Melbourne to Echuca – the Murray River paddle steamer town: drive, bus, and train options covered.
- Melbourne to Grampians National Park – by car, bus, train, or guided tour, with practical planning tips.
- Melbourne to Mansfield – gateway to the High Country, via car and coach.
- Melbourne to Bright – the Alpine town famous for autumn colour, by car, bus, and train.
- Melbourne to King Valley – a wine and food valley off the usual tourist track, by car or train.
- Melbourne to Mildura – the far northwest of Victoria by car, train, bus, or plane.
- Melbourne to Mount Buffalo – a national park with year-round appeal and a scenic drive to match.
- Melbourne to Mt Buller – ski season transport by car or coach to Victoria’s most popular snowfield.
- Melbourne to Falls Creek – by car, train, coach, or plane for the snow season.
- Melbourne to Mount Hotham – accessing the Alpine resort by car and coach.
- Melbourne to Swan Hill (coming soon)
Interstate and International
- Melbourne to Sydney – the Hume Highway drive in full: distances, stops, fuel, and timing.
- Flying Melbourne to Sydney – one of the world’s busiest air routes: airlines, airports, and what the ticket actually costs.
- Flying from Melbourne to New Zealand – routes, airlines, and what to know before you book the Tasman crossing.
- Melbourne to Canberra (coming soon)
- Melbourne to Gold Coast (coming soon)