Melbourne Transporation Overview
Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport is 22 kilometres (14 miles) north-west of the
city centre.
There is a shuttle bus service running at half hour intervals throughout the
day and a taxi stand outside the main terminal building. It is cheaper for
two people to travel by taxi as the shuttle service is quite expensive.
The standard taxi fare is between 15 and 20 AUD, depending on traffic. Spencer
Street Train Station and the main metropolitan Flinders Street Station are
both in city centre whilst the national bus terminal is slightly north of the
centre and easily accessible.
Once in the city centre, a network of trams, trains and buses run along the
broad streets to all places of public interest. Tickets are interchangeable
between services as they all come under the MET transport system.
As the city is very flat, cycling is a popular way to get around and there
are many hire shops hiring cycles on an hourly or daily basis. The inner city
shopping areas are designed purely with pedestrians in mind and are contained
enough to explore on foot.
Public Transport
Melbourne has an excellent public transport system, which is called The Met.
When you arrive in Melbourne, the International Centre will provide you with
detailed information about the system. Unfortunately, international students
(with the exception of exchange students) are not allowed to apply for student
concession fares at present.
Metcard tickets can be purchased from railway stations, retail outlets such
as newsagents & chemists, trams (trams accept coins only) & buses.
With your Metcard you can change from tram to train to bus, all on the one
ticket. Which ticket you buy is determined by two things, the zone you are
travelling in and the amount of time you need. Private buses operate on many
routes but you can treat them the same as Met buses.
Zones Melbourne is divided into three transport zones. Zone 1 comprises the
inner city and suburbs surrounding the inner city. Zones 2 & 3 refer to
the outer suburbs of Melbourne.
Time
The other variable to consider when purchasing a ticket is the amount of time
that you will be travelling for. The majority of international students would
require a short trip ticket ($1.70 and available on trams and buses only),
or a 2 hour Zone 1 ticket ($2.60) or a daily Zone 1 ticket ($5.00). Except
for the short trip ticket, all other tickets can be used on trains as well
as on buses and trams. The Met uses an automated ticketing system called MetCard.
The cost of public transport ranges from $1.70 for a short trip to $9.50 for
a daily ticket for Zones 1, 2 and 3.
You must always have a valid ticket when travelling. Ticket inspectors regularly
patrol trams and trains and will issue fines to people who do not have a valid
ticket.
More information on public
transport in Melbourne
Driving in Melbourne
If you plan to drive in Melbourne while you are here on a student visa, your
own national driver's licence is valid to drive on in Australia for the period
of your visa. You must carry your licence with you at all times when you are
driving. If your driver's licence is in a language other than English, you
must also carry an official translation.
The only bodies allowed to issue this translation are the Department of Immigration
and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) and translators who are accredited at the
Translator level (formerly level 3) by the National Accreditation Authority
for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI - Ph: +613 9642 3301).
You are also able to apply for a Victorian driving licence at any time. An
International Driver's Licence is valid in Australia until its expiry date.
Further information about driving in Victoria may be obtained from the Royal
Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) on (+613) 9790 2211. The Melways Street
Directory of Greater Melbourne is a comprehensive street directory which may
be purchased for about $30.00.
Information about where to purchase bicycles and secondhand cars may be obtained
from the University student noticeboards. "The Melbourne Trading Post" is
a weekly publication used to buy and sell a wide range of goods including bicycles,
cars and household items. It is available at all newsagents.
It is illegal to ride a motorcycle or bicycle without a helmet in Victoria.
If you are riding in the night you must ensure that you have the necessary
lights.
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