Myki Card Explained: Getting Around Melbourne

Melbourne moves to the rhythm of its trams, trains, and buses. From street art-streaked laneways to bayside boardwalks, the city opens up when you ride like a local. The key is the myki card, the tap-on ticket that unlocks the entire network. Whether you are here for a caffeine-fueled city break or a week of day trips, this guide explains exactly how to use myki to glide around Melbourne with ease.

You will find what myki is, where to buy it, how fares work, and how to use it on trams, trains, and buses, plus insider tips, airport advice, and popular itineraries. By the end, you will be ready to ride confidently and make the most of every tap.

What Is the Myki Card?

Myki is Melbourne’s reusable, contactless smartcard for public transport across the metropolitan area and select regional corridors in Victoria. It stores either a dollar balance (called myki Money) or a time-based travel product (myki Pass), then you simply tap on and tap off to pay your fare.

You can use myki on:

• Trams across Melbourne, including the famous heritage W-class cars on City Circle
• Metropolitan trains and the City Loop
• Metropolitan buses
• Some V/Line commuter trains and regional buses within myki zones

Myki is not accepted on certain privately run services, such as SkyBus airport express. For those, you buy a separate ticket.

Myki Money vs Myki Pass

Choosing between myki Money and myki Pass depends on how long you are in town and how much you plan to travel.

• Myki Money

  • Best for short stays, occasional trips, or flexible travel
  • You top up with a dollar amount and pay as you go
  • The system calculates your 2-hour fare and daily cap automatically
  • Great for visitors who will mix walking and riding, use the Free Tram Zone, or take a couple of tram hops and one train ride each day

• Myki Pass

  • Best for commuters or visitors staying a week or more who will travel daily
  • Buy an unlimited travel pass for 7 days or anywhere from 28 to 365 consecutive days
  • Choose zones based on where you will travel (most visitors only need Zone 1, which covers central Melbourne and most attractions)

Many travelers start with myki Money, then switch to a Pass if they realize they are riding a lot. You can hold both a Pass and Money on the same card. Money will be used for any travel outside your Pass zones.

Mobile myki and Digital Wallets

Good news if you prefer to travel light. You can set up myki on your phone.

• Android: Mobile myki is available through Google Wallet on eligible Android devices. You can buy, top up, and touch on with your phone. Topping up is instant when you add value in the app.
• iPhone and Apple Watch: Mobile myki is available on Apple Wallet on eligible devices. Add a card to Apple Wallet, top up digitally, and tap your device on the readers.

Always check the official Public Transport Victoria website for the latest instructions and compatible devices. You can still use a physical card if you prefer a traditional option.

Note on contactless bank cards: Victoria has been upgrading the ticketing system and trialing broader contactless options. Availability can change, so check the latest status before you travel if you hope to tap in with a bank card directly.

Where and How to Buy a Myki

You have plenty of options to get a myki before your first ride.

• Myki machines at all metropolitan train stations and many major tram stops and bus interchanges
• PTV Hubs and staffed ticket windows at select stations
• 7-Eleven stores and other authorized retailers around the city
• Online through the PTV website, then collect the top up on a card reader when you next travel
• Mobile myki on your phone through Google Wallet or Apple Wallet

Tip: If you are heading straight into the city, you can usually buy myki at Southern Cross, Flinders Street, or Melbourne Central stations, as well as at 7-Eleven stores near the arrivals area if you are coming from the airport by bus and tram.

Myki Explorer for Visitors

The myki Explorer is a handy bundle for tourists. It typically includes a physical myki card preloaded with myki Money, a visitors map, and special offers. You can buy it at select locations like PTV Hubs, some hotel concierge desks, and visitor centers. Exact inclusions and price can change, so check the PTV website before you arrive.

Topping Up and Managing Your Balance

Keeping your myki topped up is simple. Pick whichever method suits your travel style.

• At myki machines: Use card or cash, and the value is available immediately
• At retailers: Ask staff to top up any amount you choose
• On mobile myki: Add value digitally and it is instant
• Online: Top up via the PTV website or app. Allow time for the value to reach a physical card. You must touch on a reader for the value to load
• Auto top up: Set a trigger level and a top-up amount. Your card will automatically top up when it drops below the trigger

How to check your balance:

• Tap at any reader and watch the screen
• Use a myki machine or station gate to view details
• Open your mobile wallet if you are using mobile myki
• Log in to your myki account online if you have registered

Pro tip: Register your myki. If you lose a registered card, you can block it and transfer the balance to a new card. Unregistered cards cannot be blocked.

Zones, Fares, and Caps Explained

Melbourne’s metropolitan area is divided into Zone 1 and Zone 2. Most visitor highlights are in Zone 1, including the CBD, Docklands, Fitzroy, Carlton, Southbank, South Yarra, St Kilda, and Williamstown. Some suburbs and attractions sit in Zone 2, such as Dandenong and the far reaches of the eastern and western lines.

The basics:

• Two-hour fares: When you touch on, myki Money deducts a 2-hour fare for the zones you travel in. You can take unlimited trips within that time window in those zones
• Daily caps: Once you pay the equivalent of the daily cap for your zones, further travel that day in those zones is free
• Weekend and public holiday caps: A reduced daily cap often applies on weekends and public holidays. Always check current prices because fares are reviewed periodically
• Passes: With a myki Pass for the zones you need, you can travel as much as you like during the validity period

To plan your spend, use the Fare Calculator and Journey Planner on the PTV website. They show current 2-hour fares, daily caps, and the best product for your itinerary.

The Free Tram Zone in the CBD

Melbourne’s Free Tram Zone is a gift for city explorers. Within this clearly marked area around the CBD and Docklands, tram travel is free.

What to know:

• You do not need to touch on inside the Free Tram Zone
• If your journey begins or ends outside the zone, you must touch on. The entire trip becomes a paid trip
• Free Tram Zone stops are signed with distinctive artwork and maps
• The City Circle Tram (Route 35) loops around the CBD and is free, with commentary about nearby attractions

The zone covers popular stops near Flinders Street Station, Federation Square, Queen Victoria Market, Docklands, State Library, and Parliament. It is perfect for sightseeing, lunch breaks, and short hops between galleries and gardens.

How to Use Myki on Trams, Trains, and Buses

Using myki is easy. Tap on at the start of your journey and, for most modes, tap off at the end.

• Trams: Touch on when you board. Do not touch off
• Trains: Touch on at the station gate, then touch off when you exit at your destination
• Buses: Touch on when you board, touch off as you exit

Listen for the beep and watch the screen. A green light confirms a successful tap. If you see a red light or error message, try again or use another reader. If you still have issues, ask station staff or the driver.

Riding Trams with Myki

Trams are Melbourne’s heartbeat and easiest for visitors.

• Board at any door unless signs indicate otherwise
• If your entire trip is within the Free Tram Zone, do not touch on. If you will go beyond the zone, touch on as soon as you board
• No need to touch off
• To request a stop, press the red stop button or pull the cord in older trams
• Keep an eye on the digital display for the next stop name

Iconic routes for visitors:

• Route 96 to St Kilda for beach vibes and cakes on Acland Street
• Route 11 or 86 to Fitzroy and Collingwood for galleries, cafes, and street murals
• Route 48 or 75 to Richmond for match day adventures at the MCG

Riding Trains and V/Line Commuter Services

Trains are fastest for longer trips across the city.

• Tap through the gates when entering the station
• On arrival, tap off at your destination. This ensures you are charged the correct fare
• During peak hours, trains can be busy. Off-peak travel often means a smoother ride
• For V/Line commuter services in myki zones, follow the same tap on and off rules. Some longer regional trips still use V/Line paper tickets, so check your route

City Loop tips:

• Melbourne Central, Flagstaff, and Parliament serve the CBD in different directions
• Flinders Street and Southern Cross are major interchanges and great navigation anchors
• When the Metro Tunnel opens, new CBD stations such as Town Hall and State Library will improve cross-city travel. Plan to use myki at the gates just like existing stations

Riding Buses

Buses fill the gaps between tram and train lines and reach many suburban attractions.

• Touch on when you board at the front door, then touch off as you exit
• Press the stop button before your stop so the driver knows to pull in
• Google Maps and the PTV Journey Planner both provide accurate bus departure times and stop locations

Melbourne Airport to the City with Myki

Melbourne Airport is north of the city. There are two main ways to reach the CBD.

• SkyBus: The express shuttle to Southern Cross Station. Frequent departures, luggage-friendly, and a dedicated stop in the city. SkyBus uses its own tickets, not myki
• Myki option: Take public buses using myki Money. The most common route is 901 SmartBus from Melbourne Airport to Broadmeadows Station, then a train on the Craigieburn line to the CBD. This option is cheaper than SkyBus, although it is slower and less direct. Check schedules in the PTV Journey Planner

Other bus routes link the airport to Airport West for tram connections, and to nearby rail hubs. Travel times vary with traffic, so plan a comfortable buffer if you have appointments or reservations.

Sample Myki Itineraries for Visitors

Here are two easy itineraries that pair Melbourne’s highlights with effortless myki travel.

1-Day City and Waterfront Highlights

• Morning: Start at Flinders Street Station, then walk over to Federation Square and cross the Yarra River to Southbank for coffee
• Late morning: Use the Free Tram Zone to reach Queen Victoria Market for a gourmet snack
• Lunch: Hop back on a free tram to Docklands and take a waterfront stroll
• Afternoon: Take tram 96 to St Kilda. Wander the pier, visit Luna Park, and relax on the beach
• Evening: Tram 16 or 96 back toward the city for dinner in the CBD or along Flinders Lane

Fare strategy: This plan uses the Free Tram Zone for city hops, then a paid tram ride to St Kilda and back using myki Money. Your day will likely hit the daily cap, which keeps costs predictable.

3-Day Urban Culture and Coastal Escapes

• Day 1: CBD museums and laneways
  • Use free trams to reach State Library Victoria, ACMI, and NGV International
  • Walk Hosier Lane and Degraves Street for street art and espresso
• Day 2: Fitzroy, Collingwood, and Richmond
  • Tram 11 or 86 to Fitzroy for boutiques and brunch
  • Walk to Collingwood galleries, then tram to Richmond for dinner or a night match near the MCG
• Day 3: Brighton Beach and Williamstown
  • Train to Brighton Beach for the colorful bathing boxes
  • In the afternoon, train to Williamstown for historic maritime streets and sunset views over the city skyline

Fare strategy: Consider a 7-day myki Pass if you are riding daily. Otherwise, use myki Money and let the daily cap do its job.

Practical Tips to Travel Like a Local

• Always touch on. On trams within the Free Tram Zone, you can skip touching on. Otherwise, tap as you board. Touch off on trains and buses
• Keep your card ready. Have myki or your phone out before the gate to keep queues moving
• Move down the tram. Step inside to make room for others, especially at busy city stops
• Expect inspections. Authorised officers do spot checks. You must present a valid ticket when asked
• Transfers are seamless. You can change between tram, train, and bus within your valid 2-hour window at no extra charge
• Mind the doors. Do not block doors while the chime is sounding. On buses and some trams, only certain doors open at certain stops
• Avoid rush hour if you can. Midday and late evening rides are calmer
• Accessibility: Most stations and low-floor trams offer step-free access, plus priority seating. Check the PTV accessibility information for details

Myki for Day Trips Beyond the CBD

You can use myki for popular day trips along Victoria’s commuter rail corridors. Check that your destination is within myki zones, then tap on and off as usual.

Great day trip ideas:

• Geelong waterfront for seaside strolling and cafes (myki on V/Line within the commuter zone)
• Ballarat for Sovereign Hill and grand Victorian-era streets (myki zone applies on V/Line commuter services)
• Bendigo for the Golden Dragon Museum and art scene (myki coverage applies in the commuter belt)
• Mornington Peninsula via train to Frankston then local buses
• Dandenong Ranges via train to Belgrave, then heritage Puffing Billy Railway requires its own ticket

For destinations beyond myki zones, you will need a V/Line paper ticket. Use the PTV Journey Planner to confirm the right ticket for your trip.

Common Questions About Myki

• Do I need to touch off on trams?
  • No. Touch on when required, then relax. Trams do not need a touch off
• What happens if I forget to touch off on a train or bus?
  • The system may charge a default fare, which can be higher than your normal trip. Always touch off to get the correct fare
• Can two people share one myki?
  • No. Each passenger needs their own myki
• What if I lose my myki?
  • If your card is registered, log in to block it and transfer the balance to a replacement. Unregistered cards cannot be blocked
• How long does a myki card last?
  • Physical myki cards have an expiry date. You can usually replace an expiring card and transfer any remaining value
• Are there concession fares?
  • Yes. Children, seniors, and other eligible concession holders can travel at reduced fares. You must carry valid proof of eligibility and use the correct myki type
• Can I use myki on all regional trains?
  • Not all. Myki works on specific commuter corridors that extend from Melbourne. Longer regional routes require V/Line paper tickets

Costs and Budgeting Your Transport

Fares are reviewed periodically, so consider the following guidelines rather than fixed amounts.

• Most city visitors ride in Zone 1, and many days reach the daily cap through a few tram and train trips
• Weekends and public holidays often have a lower daily cap, which is ideal for sightseeing
• Myki Money is perfect if you plan to mix walking with a few rides. Myki Pass can be better value if you ride twice daily for a week or longer
• Use the PTV Fare Calculator to compare your likely costs. Plug in your zones and number of days, then choose the product that saves you the most

Tip: If you are exploring mostly within the Free Tram Zone, you may only need myki for a couple of paid trips each day. That flexibility is where myki Money shines.

Latest Updates to Watch

Melbourne’s network is improving. Keep an eye on:

• Mobile myki enhancements on Apple and Android devices
• Contactless bank card trials and rollouts
• Network changes associated with the Metro Tunnel opening, including new CBD stations that reduce transfers
• Periodic fare adjustments and any updates to caps or concession rules

Plan to check the official PTV website a few days before your trip for the latest.

Step by Step: Your First Myki Trip

1. Get a myki. Buy a physical card, set up mobile myki, or grab a myki Explorer
2. Top up. Load myki Money with a comfortable amount or buy a myki Pass if you have a packed schedule
3. Plan your route. Use the PTV Journey Planner or Google Maps
4. At the stop or station, look for a myki reader. Hold your card or phone to the reader until you hear a beep and see a green light
5. Ride. Enjoy the view, and watch the stops. On buses and some trams, press the stop button before your stop
6. Touch off on trains and buses. On trams, there is no touch off
7. Check your balance as needed. Top up at machines, retailers, or on your phone
8. Travel more, pay less. Once you hit the daily cap, extra rides in your zones are free for the rest of the day

Essential Links and Resources

• PTV official website: ptv.vic.gov.au
• Journey Planner and real-time information: ptv.vic.gov.au/journey
• Fares and myki information: ptv.vic.gov.au/tickets/myki
• Free Tram Zone map: ptv.vic.gov.au/tickets/myki/free-tram-zone
• Myki Explorer: ptv.vic.gov.au/tickets/myki/buy-a-myki/myki-explorer
• SkyBus airport service: skybus.com.au

If you are already in Melbourne, you can also download the PTV app for live departure times and disruption alerts.

Conclusion: Tap In, See More, Spend Smarter

The myki card is your passport to Melbourne’s best experiences. Tap into the Free Tram Zone to hop between galleries and gardens, tap onto a train to reach Brighton Beach for those postcard-perfect bathing boxes, then tap onto a tram for sunset drinks in St Kilda. With simple caps that keep costs predictable, and easy top ups at stations, shops, or on your phone, myki lets you spend less time figuring out fares and more time exploring.

Pack your curiosity, pick up a myki, and let Melbourne’s network carry you to the city’s secrets. The laneways, markets, beaches, and leafy suburbs are waiting at the next stop.