Getting Here & Around for Free in Melbourne, Australia

Yarra River, Melbourne

Having a holiday at a metropolitan city can be very expensive if you do not know how to maximise your holiday expenditure.

Having this thought in mind, I did a lot of research on the total cost that was needed if I were to take myself on a vacation to Melbourne, Australia.

Besides surfing the internet on the entry fee of the major Melbourne attractions, I also contacted my best friend who studied in Melbourne to ask her about the cost of food and transport in Melbourne.

I was surprised when she told me that Melbourne actually provides free bus and tram services to tourists wishing to visit the attractions and landmarks in and around Melbourne's business district! To tell you the truth, when I got to know that, I was so relieved to find out that part of my transport cost would be taken care of by the Melbourne government.

Free Tram Services in Melbourne 

For free tourist tram services (called the City Circle), you can catch the tram at any of the specially marked stops on Flinders Street, Harbour Esplanade, Docklands Drive, La Trobe Street or Spring Street.

The City Circle offers its passengers with a historical tram experience. During the tram ride, an automated audio commentary will announce points of interest along the route.

The trams are also staffed with employees to assist passengers with any questions about Melbourne and the tram network.

The trams operate approximately every 12 minutes between 10am and 6pm from Sunday to Wednesday and 10am to 9pm from Thursday to Saturday.

They operate every day of the year except on Christmas Day and Good Friday.

Free Bus Services in Melbourne

Melbournes's free tourist bus services (called the Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle) travels around the city to Melbourne's favourite atractions and popular landmarks.

Tourists are free to hop on and off to visit these attractions along the bus route or sit and enjoy the ride. Like the free tram services, the free bus services also have an automated audio commentary that announces points of interest along the route.

During my trip, I took the free tourist bus and it helped me to save a lot of money! Also, the bus stop was near the hostel where I lived (nearby Queen Victoria Market)

For more information on the free tourist tram and bus services, you can visit http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/using-public-transport/explore-melbourne/free-city-services/#2

Hope this information will help you in your upcoming trip to Melbourne!