Airport Transfers: There is no rail link from the airport to the city centre. Most travellers will find that the SkyBus is the best way to travel from the airport; groups and those with a lot of luggage may find benefit in using a taxi or rideshare.
SkyBus Express Bus Service runs a regular express service from Melbourne Airport to the City Centre every 10 minutes, almost 24/7 (barring 1-4am, when there is no service). The cost is $22pp one-way, $34 return.
Rideshare services available include uberX, UberBLACK, Ola, Didi and GoCatch. The cost is usually around $50, but this varies depending on the time of day. During busy periods, there may be a surcharge. You can check the rideshare app ahead of time for a fare estimate.
Public Transport: 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. 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.
Trains are a great way to visit attractions across the city and reach the surrounding suburbs. 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.
Driving: 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.
E-Scooters and E-Bikes: There are two companies participating in a trial of 1,500 e-scooters in Melbourne, Lime and Neuron. The lime scooters are white with green accents, and the Neuron are bright orange. To start scooting, you need to download the Lime app or the Neuron app (or both, which is probably the smart thing to do). When you find a scooter, scan the QR code with the in-app scanner. If the scooter is available and charged, it will then unhook the helmet for you and you can get on your way. You can use the Lime or Neuron apps to find available scooters near you, and you can reserve one for 15 minutes while you get to your ride. Both apps charge $1 to get them started and 45 cents per minute, or you can rent them for a day for $15. You can ride them anywhere in the municipalities of Melbourne, Yarra or Port Phillip, but the power will shut off if they go outside of those council areas. Scooters & Bikes are around $1 to start and between $0.35-$0.50/min
https://www.li.me/en-au/vehicles/scooter
Ride-Sharing: There are a number of taxi and ride-sharing options available in Melbourne, including:
- Blacklane: When you order a Blacklane car, a luxury vehicle with seating for 1-5 people will pick you up.
- Didi Express: This is Didi Chuxing's budget option. When you select an express car, an everyday car with seating for up to 4 people will arrive to pick you up.
- Ola Prime Sedan: Ola's luxury service. When you request an Ola Prime, a luxury sedan will pick you up and take you wherever you want to go.
- Shebah: When you order a Shebah car, a standard vehicle driven by a female with seating for up to 4 people will pick you up.
- Taxi: The traditional taxi cab. Taxis may be hailed on the street or called directly for pickup.
- Uber: The global taxi and ride-sharing app with a wide variety of options.
