When google maps can’t be your friend, you know you’re in some kind of trouble. Oh-no. But fret not, that’s the whole point of this post. 😉 Unlike Sydney, Melbourne’s public transport system is still not linked to google maps and people have been asking for years, so it can get a little daunting because google maps would either ask you to drive 15 minutes or walk 1.5 hours.
Before you think about going around, you’d first have to get yourself a myki card! It’s their version of Singapore’s ezlink card, Hong Kong’s octopus card, Japan’s pasmo card, Taiwan’s you you card (that’s gonna link with Singapore’s one soon!) and Chicago’s ventra card. Ok, you got the drift. And like some other countries, this transport card is only for Melbourne‘s public transport, which extends to 6 surrounding towns.
You can get it and add value immediately from any 7-eleven, the ticket office window at Premium Stations, staffed V/Line Commuter Stations, myki machines at all train stations, major tram and bus interchanges. You can also buy them online or call 1800 800 007 (6am – midnight daily).
Cost: $6 for full fare cards (visitors), or $3 for senior citizens or children.
Tips:
- The card is totally non-refundable so do not top up so much money at one go. Their rides (trams, trains, buses) are approximately $3 one way, but the good thing is the expenses are capped at $6.06 (within 2 hours) or $12.12 the entire day on weekdays, and $6 on weekends for full fare cards. So the trick is to go further places (say, Brighton Beach and St Kilda) during the weekends and just chill around the city centre (say, Degraves St and Flinders St Station) during the weekdays. You can read more about Melbourne from my previous posts (here, here and here).
- They have a 7-days pass for $60.60, so you may want to consider that if you’re going for a week. But I’d suggest you do your math, because if you’re only going to use it for some days then it may not be worth it after all.
- The card has an expiry date which you can check online (mine is about 4 years). So if you know people who’ve been to Melbourne recently, you could buy/rent from them instead if you’re just going for a short trip.
- Take the free circle city tram 35 instead on weekdays! (route map above // source)
Now that you’ve gotten the card ready, you’d need some other apps to help you get around instead.
1. tramTracker
2. PTV (Public Transport Victoria)
They’re pretty useful and it takes awhile to learn how to manage them concurrently. But PTV has the Google maps function that we all wanted – all the possible ways to get from one destination to another (it’s called Journey Planner). So for that, I’d say it’s good enough! Both apps are available in Google Play Store and iPhone App Store. Details of how to use the app are also available on their websites (tramTracker and PTV).
Point to note: Both apps do not function offline so you’d require mobile data. However if you’re coming out from a cafe/hostel/hotel with wifi, you still can track them using their websites (same as the links given above).
And this is your Melbourne train map updated as of 2013. The City Loop (almost similar to The Loop in Chicago) is where all the major attractions are, and where the free city circle tram loops at.
p/s This post is true to the time of update. There may be future changes to deem this post useless, but till then, hope this helps! 🙂
p/s Every amount stated are in Australian dollars.
keep travelling,
J
Y O U T O P I A 