If you’ve landed in Melbourne without a car and you’re worried that means missing things, stop worrying - Melbourne has the largest tram network in the world and it routes you within 400 metres of almost every major attraction in the inner city. This is a four-day plan that uses no car, no Uber, and barely any taxi. Trams, trains, and walking, the way Melbourne was designed.
How the System Works
Three networks. Trams (yellow-and-green), trains (Metro suburban + V/Line regional), and buses. Most tourists need only the first two. Pay with a Myki card - get a Visitor Myki for $14 (includes $9 credit) at the airport or main stations. Daily caps mean you’ll never spend more than $11/day in zone 1 (CBD and most inner suburbs). The CBD Free Tram Zone covers the entire central grid plus Docklands and Queen Vic Market - no Myki needed inside it. PTV’s trip planner is the only app you need.
Day 1: CBD Walk-and-Tram
Start at Flinders Street Station - every tram and train runs through it. Walk Federation Square, Hosier Lane, Chinatown, Bourke Street Mall - all inside the free zone. Tram 35 (City Circle, free, runs every 12 minutes both directions) does a CBD heritage loop in 50 minutes - useful for orientation. Afternoon: tram 96 from Bourke Street to St Kilda, beach walk, return same line. Total transport cost: $0.
Day 2: Northside
Tram 86 to Smith Street/Northcote (Collingwood and Northcote run along this single tram line) or tram 96 (Brunswick Street/Fitzroy). Both are 12-minute rides from the CBD. Walk between Smith and Brunswick - they’re 600 metres apart at the Johnston Street junction. Afternoon: push to Brunswick on the 19 (Sydney Road) or 1 (Lygon Street) tram. Evening tram back is $0 incremental - daily cap already hit on the morning tap.
Day 3: Day Trip Without a Car
Two car-free day trips work well. Geelong via V/Line train (1h15 from Southern Cross, $9 each way off-peak, walking access to the waterfront from Geelong Station). Or Bellarine Peninsula by V/Line plus local bus to Queenscliff. The Yarra Valley is harder without a car - bus tours from the CBD ($120-$180 for a wineries day) are the realistic option. Phillip Island also runs day-tour coaches from the CBD ($90-$140) - book a few days ahead.
Day 4: Bayside and Beach
Train to Sandringham, walk the bay trail back through Brighton, Hampton, and Elwood - about 12km of beach, several swimmable bays, two stations to bail at if you’re tired. Or train to Williamstown for the maritime village vibe and the Williamstown ferry (passenger-only, runs to the CBD, gives you a Yarra River entry). Both options are train + walk + train, all on Myki, no car required.
What You Actually Miss Without a Car
Honestly, not much. The three things you can’t easily do car-free: the Great Ocean Road (12 Apostles, sea cliffs), Mornington Peninsula hot springs, and the inner-rural drives. All three are accessible by full-day organised tour from the CBD ($120-$180 each). The rest of Melbourne - every museum, beach, gallery, restaurant, sports venue, and most day-trip towns - is reachable on public transport in under 90 minutes from Flinders Street.
What This Means for You
Four days, $44 in transport (Visitor Myki + four daily caps), no parking stress, no rental fees, no city-driving anxiety. Walk a lot, tram when tired, train for day trips. This is how locals do it; there’s no reason a tourist shouldn’t. For airport pickup details, see the Melbourne airport-to-city guide; for Myki specifics, the Myki guide for tourists.
Jack Carver covers Melbourne food, drink, and city life for MELBZ.