Fitzroy has no train station — and it doesn’t need one. The suburb is one square kilometre of flat, walkable grid served by two high-frequency tram routes and excellent cycling infrastructure. Most residents don’t own a car, and the ones who do rarely use it within the suburb.
Trams
Trams are Fitzroy’s public transport backbone.
Route 11 runs the full length of Brunswick Street from West Preston through Fitzroy to the CBD (Collins Street). Frequency: every 5–8 minutes during peak, every 10–12 minutes off-peak. Travel time from Brunswick Street/Johnston Street to Flinders Street: approximately 15 minutes.
Route 86 runs along Gertrude Street and High Street, connecting Bundoora to Docklands via the CBD. Frequency: every 6–10 minutes during peak. Travel time from Gertrude Street/Smith Street to Parliament: approximately 8 minutes.
Route 96 runs along Nicholson Street on Fitzroy’s western boundary, connecting East Brunswick to St Kilda Beach. Frequency: every 4–8 minutes — one of Melbourne’s busiest routes. Travel time to Bourke Street: approximately 10 minutes.
| Route | Street | Direction | CBD Time | Frequency (Peak) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Brunswick St | North–South | 15 min | Every 5–8 min |
| 86 | Gertrude St | East–West | 8 min | Every 6–10 min |
| 96 | Nicholson St | North–South | 10 min | Every 4–8 min |
Myki cost: Daily cap $10.60 (Zone 1). Weekly cap $53. Annual pass saves money if you commute daily.
Walking
Fitzroy is one of Melbourne’s most walkable suburbs. The grid between Nicholson Street and Smith Street is compact and flat. You can walk from one end of the suburb to the other in 15 minutes. Most residents walk to groceries (Piedimonte’s on Best Street, IGA on Brunswick Street), cafes, and pubs.
Walking to the CBD: 30–35 minutes from central Fitzroy to Bourke Street via Gertrude Street. A pleasant walk through Carlton Gardens past the Royal Exhibition Building.
Cycling
Fitzroy is flat, central, and well-connected to Melbourne’s cycling network.
Capital City Trail runs along the Merri Creek on Fitzroy’s eastern edge, connecting to the Main Yarra Trail. This takes you to the CBD, Docklands, or up to Coburg and beyond without touching a road.
Canning Street has a separated bike lane running north from Carlton through to Fitzroy North — a popular commuter route.
Brunswick Street and Smith Street don’t have dedicated bike lanes, which makes them less pleasant during peak traffic. Use parallel streets (George Street, Napier Street) instead.
Bike parking is available at most cafes and shops. Bike theft is a reality — use a D-lock and lock through the frame.
Driving and Parking
If you drive, know this:
- Street parking requires a City of Yarra permit ($89/year for the first vehicle). Most residential streets are 2-hour limits without a permit.
- Brunswick Street and Smith Street have metered parking — expensive and hard to find on weekends.
- Off-street parking is rare in older properties. If your rental or purchase doesn’t come with a car space, you’re relying on street parking.
- Driving to the CBD takes 10–15 minutes off-peak, 25–40 minutes during peak. Parking in the CBD costs $15–$30 per day.
Most Fitzroy households are one-car or no-car. The tram and cycling infrastructure makes it genuinely optional.
Nearest Train Stations
Fitzroy itself has no train station. The closest options:
- Parliament Station — 1.5 km south (20-minute walk, or Route 86 tram). All lines except Sandringham.
- Clifton Hill Station — 1.5 km northeast (20-minute walk). Hurstbridge and Mernda lines.
- Rushall Station — 1.8 km north. Mernda line.
For most destinations, the tram to the CBD and then connecting to trains at Flinders Street or Melbourne Central is the fastest option.
The Verdict
Fitzroy’s transport is excellent if you don’t rely on a car. The tram network gets you to the CBD in under 15 minutes, cycling infrastructure is strong, and the suburb is walkable enough that you can do most daily errands on foot. The lack of a train station is the only gap, and the trams more than compensate.
More from Fitzroy: Cost of Living · Rent Guide · Neighbourhood Guide
Commute times based on PTV data and local testing, March 2026.
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Getting Around Fitzroy
Fitzroy works best as a tram, walking and cycling suburb. It has no train station, but that matters less here than in larger middle-ring suburbs because most trips start within a compact grid bounded roughly by Alexandra Parade, Smith Street, Victoria Parade and Nicholson Street.
The two main tram spines are Route 11 on Brunswick Street and Route 86 on Gertrude Street/Smith Street. For the CBD, Route 11 is usually the clearest north-south option; for Collingwood, Docklands, Parliament, Bourke Street and the northern suburbs, Route 86 is often better. Nicholson Street services on the western edge also help if you are closer to Carlton Gardens.
Data-Backed Transport Analysis
Fitzroy had 10,431 residents at the 2021 Census, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics: ABS 2021 QuickStats. Packed into roughly 1.4 square kilometres, that gives Fitzroy a residential density above 7,000 people per square kilometre, far higher than Greater Melbourne’s broad suburban average.
That density changes the transport equation. In a suburb like Glen Waverley or Reservoir, a train station is the anchor because homes, shops and jobs are spread over several square kilometres. In Fitzroy, the main destinations are already close together: Brunswick Street, Smith Street, Gertrude Street, St Vincent’s Hospital, Carlton Gardens and the eastern CBD edge are all within a practical walking or tram distance.
A typical Fitzroy-to-Parliament trip is about 1.5 to 2.5 kilometres depending on the starting point. That is short enough for a 20-30 minute walk, a 7-12 minute bike ride, or a tram ride that can be very quick outside traffic but slower in peak street congestion. Compared with Richmond or South Yarra, Fitzroy lacks heavy rail, but it has better all-day local coverage for short inner-city trips because its tram corridors run through the middle of the suburb rather than around its edge.
Car ownership is less useful here than in outer suburbs. Narrow streets, paid parking, clearways and heavy pedestrian activity make driving practical for cross-town or weekend trips, but inefficient for daily CBD access. For most residents and visitors, the best transport stack is: walk first, tram second, bike third, car share or rideshare only when the trip genuinely needs it.
Step-By-Step Fitzroy Transport Guide
Find your nearest spine.
If you are near Brunswick Street, start with Route 11. If you are near Smith Street or Gertrude Street, start with Route 86.Check direction before boarding.
For the CBD, southbound trams generally take you toward Parliament, Collins Street, Bourke Street or Docklands. Northbound trams take you toward Fitzroy North, Northcote, Preston or Bundoora.For short trips, compare walking time.
If the destination is under 1.5 kilometres away, walking may be faster once waiting time is included.Use cycling for east-west gaps.
Trams are strongest north-south and CBD-bound. For trips to Carlton, Abbotsford, Clifton Hill or Richmond, a bike often beats public transport.Avoid driving into Brunswick or Smith Street at peak times.
Use perimeter parking or car share if you need a vehicle, then walk the final blocks.For airport access, connect through the CBD.
Take a tram to Southern Cross or a nearby CBD stop, then transfer to airport coach or other onward services.
FAQ
Does Fitzroy have a train station?
No. The nearest useful rail options are usually Parliament, Collingwood, Victoria Park or Clifton Hill, depending on where in Fitzroy you start.
Which tram is best for Fitzroy?
Route 11 is best for Brunswick Street and Collins Street. Route 86 is best for Gertrude Street, Smith Street, Bourke Street, Docklands and the northern corridor.
Can you live in Fitzroy without a car?
Yes. Fitzroy is one of Melbourne’s easier suburbs for car-free living because daily trips can usually be handled by walking, trams, cycling, car share or rideshare.
