Getting To and Around Collingwood
Collingwood sits 3km east of Melbourne’s CBD in the City of Yarra (postcode 3066). For a suburb its size, the transport connections are strong — train, tram, cycling, and walking all work here. Most residents treat car ownership as optional.
Train
Collingwood station is on the Hurstbridge and Mernda lines. Trains run to Flinders Street and the CBD loop in about 7 minutes during peak times, with services every 5-10 minutes on weekday mornings and evenings. Weekend frequency drops to every 15-20 minutes.
The station is on Gipps Street, close to Smith Street and within walking distance of most of the suburb. It is a smaller station without full accessibility features — stair access only to platforms. If accessibility matters, North Richmond station (one stop south on the same lines) has better facilities.
From Collingwood station you can also reach:
- Clifton Hill (one stop north) for connections to the Hurstbridge line
- Flinders Street (about 7 minutes south) for connections to all metro lines
- Southern Cross (about 12 minutes) for regional V/Line and airport bus services
Trams
Trams are the backbone of Collingwood’s public transport.
Tram 86 runs along Smith Street, connecting Collingwood directly to the CBD (via Bourke Street) and north to Bundoora. This is the most useful tram route for residents — it runs right through the middle of the suburb’s main commercial strip. Smith Street stops are frequent and well-placed near cafes, shops, and venues like Stomping Ground and Polyester Records.
Tram 12 runs along Victoria Parade on the southern edge of Collingwood. It connects to the CBD and provides access to Victoria University and RMIT campuses by tram. Useful if you live or work at the Victoria Parade end of the suburb.
Tram services run approximately every 6-10 minutes during peak times and every 10-15 minutes off-peak. Tram 86 runs until around 1am on Friday and Saturday nights. Both routes fall within the Myki system — touch on and off.
Cycling
Collingwood’s flat terrain and grid layout make it one of Melbourne’s better inner suburbs for cycling.
Capital City Trail runs along the Yarra River near the southern edge of the suburb, providing a traffic-free route to the CBD (about 20 minutes by bike) and east toward Abbotsford, Kew, and beyond. You can pick it up near the Collingwood Children’s Farm.
On-road cycling is manageable along Smith Street and Johnston Street, though both get busy. Wellington Street and Langridge Street are quieter alternatives that run parallel and work well as cycling routes.
Bike parking is available at Collingwood station and along Smith Street. Secure your bike properly — bike theft is common in inner Melbourne.
Walking
Collingwood is highly walkable. The suburb is compact enough that you can walk from one end to the other in about 20 minutes.
Key walking routes:
- Smith Street (north-south) — the main strip, well-lit and busy most hours
- Johnston Street (east-west) — connects to Fitzroy and toward Abbotsford
- Wellington Street to Easey Street — a quieter residential walk past Aunty Peg’s cafe, Easey’s burgers, and neighbourhood streets
- South to Abbotsford Convent — about 15 minutes from Smith Street through Abbotsford to the Convent and Children’s Farm on the Yarra
Driving and Parking
Collingwood is bordered by Hoddle Street (east), Victoria Parade (south), and is close to the Eastern Freeway via Hoddle Street. Driving to the CBD takes 10-15 minutes outside peak times, but Hoddle Street congestion during peak hours can double that.
Parking along Smith Street is time-limited (mostly 1-2 hour) during business hours. Side streets like Gipps Street, Langridge Street, and Easey Street have resident permit zones. If you are visiting, the shopping centres on Johnston Street offer some off-street parking, and there are paid options near Hoddle Street.
Most residents who own cars find a spot eventually, but competition for on-street parking is real, particularly in the Smith Street and Johnston Street precinct.
Getting to Nearby Suburbs
- Fitzroy — walk west along Johnston Street or Gertrude Street (10-15 minutes)
- Abbotsford — walk south along the Yarra or take the train one stop from Collingwood station
- Richmond — tram 12 along Victoria Parade or train from Collingwood station (one stop)
- CBD — tram 86 from Smith Street (15-20 minutes), train from Collingwood station (7 minutes), or cycle the Capital City Trail (20 minutes)
- Clifton Hill — walk or train one stop north
Getting to the Airport
Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) is about 25km from Collingwood. Options:
- SkyBus from Southern Cross Station (train to Southern Cross, then SkyBus — about 50-60 minutes total)
- Rideshare/taxi direct from Collingwood (about 30-40 minutes depending on traffic, $50-70)
- Driving via CityLink (about 30 minutes off-peak)
FAQ
What is the closest train station to Collingwood? Collingwood station on the Hurstbridge/Mernda line. It is on Gipps Street, close to Smith Street.
Which tram goes through Collingwood? Tram 86 runs along Smith Street (the main commercial strip). Tram 12 runs along Victoria Parade on the southern edge of the suburb.
Can you live in Collingwood without a car? Yes. Most residents manage easily with trams, trains, cycling, and walking. The suburb is compact and well-connected to the CBD.
Is cycling safe in Collingwood? Manageable. The Capital City Trail is traffic-free and the quieter streets (Wellington, Langridge) work well. Smith Street and Hoddle Street are busier and require more confidence.
Verdict
Collingwood’s transport is one of its strongest selling points. The combination of Collingwood station, tram 86 on Smith Street, tram 12 on Victoria Parade, and the Capital City Trail means you can reach the CBD in under 20 minutes by almost any mode. The flat terrain and walkable grid layout make car ownership genuinely optional for most residents. It is one of Melbourne’s most connected inner suburbs.
More on Collingwood: Collingwood suburb guide | Living in Collingwood | Things to do in Collingwood
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