Trams in Melbourne are free at night, but only within the designated Free Tram Zone covering the CBD and Docklands, which operates 24/7. For travel outside this zone, or on the all-night Night Network outside the center, a validated myki card is required.
You can use trams for free within the Free Tram Zone map [PDF], which includes the CBD and Docklands. You don't need a myki when only travelling within the Free Tram Zone, including on the City Circle Tram route. If you accidentally tap on with a myki card, you'll be charged a 2-hour fare for Zone 1+2.
Trams operate in a clockwise direction approximately every 12 minutes between 9.30am and 5pm every day (except Christmas Day and Good Friday). The City Circle Tram is not wheelchair accessible.
The Night Network runs all-night services on select train, tram and bus lines throughout Melbourne. The Night Network also operates between Melbourne and regional cities including Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong.
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.
How do I know if I have a free tram zone in Melbourne?
The city's Free Tram Zone includes the city centre and extends from Queen Victoria Market to Docklands, Spring Street, Flinders Street Station and Federation Square. If you're only travelling in the city's Free Tram Zone you don't need a myki. Travel on the City Circle tram (Route 35) is also free.
Under Myki, your ticket is valid as long as you start your trip (that is, touch on at the station, or as you board the tram or bus) before the 2-hour travel time expires. This is only a problem when using trams and buses, because you only touch on as you board.
1. Board the Tram: Simply hop on any burgundy and gold tram operating within the designated Free Tram Zone area. 2. No Ticket Needed: You don't need to purchase a ticket or tap your myki card (Melbourne's public transport card) when riding trams within the Free Tram Zone.
Night service replaces day lines of trams and buses between midnight and 4:30, when the metro does not operate. Night tram routes 90–99 depart every 30 minutes.
Tap on when you take a tram trip that starts and ends in Zone 1. You don't need to tap off. Using the Free Tram Zone [PDF]? Don't tap on or off if your tram trip begins and ends within the Free Tram Zone.
Can I use a debit card instead of myki in Melbourne?
You need to use a Myki rather than a credit/debit card. If you have an Android phone that allows contactless/NFC payments then you should be able to add a Myki to your Android Wallet and avoid having to buy a physical card. Need either a myki or paper Vline ticket depending on the destination. You prob need a Myki.
It came into effect in 2015, as an initiative to boost inner-city vibrancy, largely benefiting city residents and tourists. Passengers are not required to have concession cards for travel in the free tram zone, making it easy for tourists to travel within the CBD without the hassle of cards or tickets.
Melbourne's free tram zone has just grown bigger, making it easier to move across the city without tapping your myki. From Wednesday, September 24, tram routes 48, 70 and 75 were added to the zone, meaning passengers can now ride fare-free from the CBD all the way to the MCG gates.
You'll want at least two full days and three nights, if possible, and could easily stretch this into 3 days in Melbourne if you want to have a bit more time to wander around. If you have around five days to a week in your Melbourne trip plan then you can do all of this plus go exploring beyond the city centre.
Find a dance floor for your best moves at Melbourne's most popular nightclubs. Glam up for celeb-laden superclubs or kick on past sunrise at city stalwarts. Whether it's deep house, electro or RnB that moves you, you'll find regular nights and special events with guest DJs aplenty to keep you on your feet.
The City Circle Tram service provides a free and convenient way to get around central Melbourne. Tourists, shoppers, families and city workers can use the City Circle Tram to travel to major attractions, restaurants, shops and city events.
Travel in Melbourne's Central Business District & Docklands is FREE on all* trams Trip within Free Tram Zone - myki ticket not required. Trip starts or ends outside Free Tram Zone | touch on myki.
It is perfectly legal for other people to use your Myki, provided that it only has Myki Money loaded on it. However you are not allowed to share your card if Myki Pass is loaded on it.
How do tourists pay for public transport in Melbourne?
No matter what form of public transport you use throughout Melbourne, you can pay for all of them with one payment method: a myki card. myki is plastic card used to 'touch on' when you start travelling and 'touch off' when you finish travelling.
