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Melbourne Accessible City
Getting to Melbourne is easy. Hundreds of international and domestic flights arrive and depart daily at Melbourne Airport, with more than 25 million passengers passing through the airport in 2009. Melbourne is also linked to major centres by rail and major highways, and even a ferry to Tasmania. The city is a key centre for business, education and major events and is a favoured destination for international visitors and Australians alike.
Qantas offers an extensive global network providing around 750 flights a week to Australia from around the world. And not only can we fly you to Australia, but right around the country with over 50 domestic destinations. So To Experience Australia, choose the airline that knows Australia best. The Spirit of Australia.
International Air Access
Melbourne Airport is the gateway to Southern Australia, with an average of 520 international flights operating every week to and from major destinations. More than 25 international carriers currently operate direct services to Melbourne. More recently, V Australia commenced operations between Melbourne and Los Angeles, and Melbourne and Johannesburg; Qatar Airways introduced daily services to Doha; and Viva Macau now flies between Melbourne and Macau.
View Flying Time InformationFlying Within Australia
Melbourne Airport offers more than 500 flights daily, to and from major cities and regional areas around Australia. Five domestic airlines operate at Melbourne Airport: Qantas, Regional Express and low-cost carriers Jetstar, Virgin Blue and Tiger Airways. Melbourne Airport offers a curfew free, 24 hour single terminal precinct and was named the 'Low Cost Airport of the Year' in 2009 by the Centre for Asia-Pacific Aviation. With domestic and international services within the one building, transfers are hassle free and quick.
Getting into the City
SkyBus links Melbourne Airport to the centre of the city 24 hours a day, seven days a week, departing every 10 minutes - over 230 trips a day. With wheelchair access, on-board baggage storage, air conditioning and an average travel time of just 20 minutes and no reservations required, SkyBus is a cost-effective and low carbon way to travel between Melbourne Airport and the city. From 0600 to 2130, SkyBus provides a complimentary hotel transfer service to and from the city base to over 200 hotel properties in and near the city centre.
View SkyBus Information or www.skybus.com.au
Integrated Public Transport
Melbourne is progressively moving to a new ticketing system called myki. While this is happening, two types of ticketing equipment will operate across the train, tram and bus networks.
The myki and Metcard systems will work in parallel for a period, so passengers will be able to use either a myki or a Metcard travelling in Zones 1 and/or 2.
Conference and convention organisers can buy discounted tickets in bulk for their delegates. Metlink - a partnership of Melbourne's train, tram and bus operators, giving visitors and locals one ticket that can be used across all systems - invites event organisers to discuss opportunities to promote public transport during an event in Melbourne.
For information on Melbourne's trains, trams and buses, call Metlink on 131 638 within Australia (6am to midnight daily), +61 3 8608 5010 for international callers, or visit www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au.
Metlink Journey Planner
Metlink's online journey planner helps passengers plan their journey. Enter the origin and destination and receive a customised trip plan and map detailing all services and connections. Many of the city's attractions are in the journey planner, making planning a trip even easier.
The journey planner is available at the Melbourne Visitor Centre at Federation Square, The MetShop (corner Swanston and Little Collins streets), or at www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au.
View Melbourne Train Network Information
View Melbourne Tram Network Information
Hours of Operation
Metropolitan train and tram services operate between 5am and midnight, Monday to Saturday, with extended hours to around 1.30am on Friday and Saturday nights, and 8am to 11pm on Sundays.
Many of Melbourne's buses have been upgraded and run 6am to 9pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 9pm Saturday and 9am to 9pm Sunday.
NightRider buses run from 1.30am to 4.30am on Saturday and 1.30am to 5.30am on Sunday mornings.
Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle
The free shuttle bus is a great way to see some of Melbourne's best attractions. Hop on and off at any of the 13 stops along the route at key city locations. The complete trip takes approximately an hour and a half and includes an informative audio commentary. The bus runs every 30 minutes between 9.30am and 4.30pm daily excluding Good Friday and Christmas day. Visit thatsmelbourne.com.au/shuttle to view the route and stops.
City Circle Tram
Free City Circle trams travel the perimeter of Melbourne's Central Business District, taking in many of Melbourne's landmarks. 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 route uses iconic W-Class trams offering passengers an historical experience, while automated commentary announces points of interest along the route. The City Circle Trams operate approximately every 12 minutes, 10am-6pm Sunday to Wednesday, and 10am-9pm Thursday to Saturday.
Travelling to Regional Victoria
Exploring regional Victoria by train and coach is relaxing and easy. V⁄Line is Victoria's largest regional transport operator and provides regional communities with rail and coach services.
For more information about travel in regional Victoria and to plan a trip, visit www.viclink.com.au or call 136 196.