Public Transport

Once in the city, buy a Metcard and you’ll be able to use public transport in and around the city for just a few hours or all day. 

Where do I buy a Metcar ticket?
Tickets may be obtained from:
ticket offices at premium stations
the Met Shop and Metcar Retail Outlets
Metcard ticket machines at railway stations
A limited selection of Metcards is available from coin-only ticket machines on trams for passengers who have not pre-purchased tickets.
Bus drivers also sell a limited selection of Metcards.
A range of tickets can also be purchased by calling the Metcard Helpline 1800 652 313

Children under 4 years travel free on all services.

Validating your Metcar
You need to validate your Metcard before entering a train platform or each time you board a tram or bus. Validators are conveniently located at entrances to stations and near the doors on board trams and buses.
Using the directional arrows on the both the validator and your Metcard as a guide, simply insert and remove your ticket and you're are ready to travel.
When purchasing a Metcard from a ticket machine onboard a tram, it is automatically validated for that journey only. You will need to re validate your ticket on each subsequent journey.
Remember to always check the expiry details on the back of your Metcard after validating.

Fares & Zones
It's easy to travel on Melbourne's extensive transport network. One ticket can give you flexible travel between trains, trams and buses. Just buy a ticket, validate it and travel.

How can I look after my Metcard?
Please remember that it’s your responsibility to look after your ticket, just as you would a credit card, cash or other valuable items. It is worth taking a little extra care using and storing your Metcard. Metcards should be stored in a clean and dry location that keeps the ticket straight at all times.

Don’t damage your Metcard by:
Folding, bending or twisting your Metcard
Cutting or tearing your Metcard
Allowing it to become dirty with grime or other foreign substances
Washing or immersing your Metcard in water
Removing or tampering with the magnetic stripe or any trip detail
Leaving your Metcard in the sun or next to a heat source
Exposing your Metcard to strong magnets.  

Faulty Ticket Machines
Improvements to software and the installation of additional sensors mean that most faults involving vending machines are now automatically detected. Faults that are detected automatically include machines that are ‘Not In Service’, in ‘Exact Fare Mode’ or machines with coin blockages.
To report another malfunction with a Metcard ticket machine, please call 1800 652 313.