Kew’s biggest transport limitation is the one thing most real estate listings gloss over: there is no train station in Kew. The suburb runs on trams, buses, driving, and the fact that most things you need daily are within walking distance of High Street. Here is the honest picture.
Transport Scorecard
| Mode | Available | Quality | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train | No | N/A | Nearest station: Glenferrie (Hawthorn), 15 min walk |
| Tram | Yes | Good | Routes 48 and 109 along Cotham Rd / High St |
| Bus | Yes | Average | Fills gaps, lower frequency |
| Cycling | Yes | Good | Yarra trails excellent, road cycling mixed |
| Driving | Yes | Fine | Eastern Freeway nearby, parking tight near Junction |
Getting to the CBD
By tram: Tram 48 runs along Cotham Road from Kew to the CBD in approximately 25-30 minutes. Tram 109 runs along Cotham Road and High Street connecting through to Box Hill in one direction and the city in the other. Both run every 8-12 minutes during peak, less frequently after 9pm.
By car: 20-30 minutes outside peak. During morning rush hour, the Eastern Freeway on-ramp and Hoddle Street bottleneck can push this to 45-60 minutes. If you drive to the city daily, factor in parking costs ($20-$40/day in the CBD) or park-and-ride at an outer station.
By bicycle: Kew to the CBD via the Yarra River trails takes approximately 30-40 minutes. The route through Studley Park and along the Main Yarra Trail is largely off-road and scenic. Practical for fair-weather commuters.
The Train Gap
Kew does not have its own train station. This is the single biggest transport drawback. The nearest options:
- Glenferrie station (Hawthorn) — 15-minute walk or short tram 48 ride from Kew Junction. Belgrave/Lilydale/Alamein lines. Trains to Flinders Street in 10-12 minutes.
- Kew station (despite the name, technically in Kew East) — Belgrave/Lilydale lines. Less convenient for most of Kew proper.
If you commute daily by train, the reality is a tram-to-train transfer or a walk to Glenferrie. This adds 15-20 minutes to your total commute compared to living in Hawthorn directly.
Tram Routes
Route 48 — The workhorse. Runs along Cotham Road from North Balwyn through Kew Junction to the CBD via Bridge Road, Richmond. Frequency: every 8-12 minutes peak, every 15-20 minutes off-peak.
Route 109 — Runs along Cotham Road and High Street, connecting Box Hill to Port Melbourne via the CBD. Useful for reaching Kew’s commercial strip and for east-west travel.
Cycling
The Yarra River trails are Kew’s cycling advantage. The sealed paths through Studley Park and Yarra Bend connect to the Main Yarra Trail, which runs all the way to the CBD and beyond. This is one of Melbourne’s best cycling commute corridors — largely off-road, tree-lined, and flat.
Road cycling within Kew is mixed. High Street and Cotham Road lack dedicated bike lanes and carry tram traffic. The residential back streets are quieter and safer for cycling.
Parking
Street parking near Kew Junction is time-limited and competitive. Residential streets require Boroondara Council parking permits ($50-$150/year). If your rental does not include a dedicated car space, check the parking situation before signing the lease.
FAQ
Can I live in Kew without a car? Yes, if you work in the CBD and live near a tram stop. Daily errands are walkable from most of the suburb. A car helps for weekend trips and accessing anything not on the tram network.
How long is the commute from Kew to the CBD? 25-30 minutes by tram. 35-45 minutes by tram-to-train via Glenferrie. 20-30 minutes by car outside peak.
Why does Kew not have a train station? The Outer Circle railway line once served Kew but closed in stages between 1893 and 1943. The former rail corridor is now the Anniversary Trail, used for walking and cycling.
Verdict
Kew gets a B- for transport. The tram network covers the basics, the cycling infrastructure along the Yarra is genuinely excellent, and driving is viable if you accept the Eastern Freeway congestion. The lack of a train station is the clear weak point — it adds friction to the daily commute and limits options for those who want to give up driving entirely. If train access matters to you, neighbouring Hawthorn (Glenferrie station) offers the same inner-east lifestyle with better rail connections.
Commute times based on PTV data and local testing, March 2026. [email protected]
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