Richmond is one of the best-connected suburbs in Melbourne. Five train lines, four tram routes, dedicated cycling infrastructure, and a 3km distance to the CBD make transport one of the main reasons people choose to live here.
Train Network
Richmond has three train stations, with Richmond Station being a major interchange.
Richmond Station — The main hub. Serves five Metro lines:
- Sandringham line — to South Yarra, Prahran, Windsor, Balaclava, St Kilda (Balaclava), Sandringham
- Frankston line — to South Yarra, Caulfield, Cheltenham, Frankston
- Cranbourne line — to South Yarra, Caulfield, Dandenong, Cranbourne
- Pakenham line — to South Yarra, Caulfield, Dandenong, Pakenham
- Glen Waverley line — to Kooyong, Tooronga, Glen Waverley
Commute to CBD: Flinders Street Station is 2 stops and approximately 8 minutes. During peak hours (7–9am, 4:30–6:30pm), trains run every 3–5 minutes across the combined lines. Off-peak services run every 10–15 minutes.
East Richmond Station — One stop east of Richmond on the Glen Waverley, Frankston, Cranbourne, and Pakenham lines (depending on the stopping pattern). Useful if you live closer to Victoria Street or the northern end of the suburb. Less crowded than Richmond Station during peak.
Burnley Station — On the Glen Waverley and Alamein lines. Serves the eastern pocket of Richmond near the Yarra River. Quieter station, good for residents in the Burnley Park area.
Tram Network
Four tram routes cover Richmond’s main streets:
Route 70 — Runs along Swan Street from the CBD (Flinders Street) to Wattle Park. The most used route in Richmond, connecting the dining strip directly to the city. Frequency: every 6–8 minutes during peak, every 10–12 minutes off-peak.
Route 78 — Runs along Church Street from the CBD (Flinders Street) through Richmond to Prahran and Chapel Street. Connects Richmond to South Yarra and the Chapel Street precinct. Frequency: every 8–10 minutes during peak.
Route 109 — Runs along Bridge Road from the CBD (Collins Street) to Box Hill. One of Melbourne’s longest tram routes and a direct connection from Bridge Road’s dining strip to the city. Frequency: every 5–8 minutes during peak.
Routes 48 and 75 — Also service Bridge Road, running from the CBD to North Balwyn (48) and Vermont South (75). These routes share the Bridge Road corridor with the 109, giving Bridge Road residents excellent frequency during peak hours.
Commute to CBD by tram: Approximately 15–20 minutes from Swan Street or Bridge Road to the city centre. Trams run in dedicated lanes on some sections but share road space on others, so times vary with traffic.
Cycling
Richmond is genuinely cycleable. The terrain is flat, the distance to the CBD is under 5km, and there are protected cycling lanes on several key routes.
Capital City Trail — Runs along the Yarra River through Cremorne and Richmond. A dedicated cycling and pedestrian path that connects Richmond to the CBD, Hawthorn, and Abbotsford without riding on roads. The most popular commuter cycling route in the inner east.
Swan Street bike lanes — Shared and separated lanes run along sections of Swan Street. Usable but not fully protected — be alert at intersections.
Bridge Road — Bike lanes exist but share space with parked cars and trams. Experienced cyclists handle it fine; newer riders may prefer the Capital City Trail.
Bike parking: Secure bike hoops are available at Richmond Station, East Richmond Station, and along the main commercial strips. Bike theft is a known issue — use a quality U-lock and lock through the frame.
Commute to CBD by bike: 10–15 minutes via the Capital City Trail. A flat, largely off-road ride that’s one of the best cycling commutes in Melbourne.
Driving and Parking
Driving in Richmond: Manageable on weekdays but genuinely unpleasant on MCG event days. Punt Road is chronically congested during peak hours and grid-locked on match days. Swan Street, Bridge Road, and Church Street carry steady traffic but are navigable.
Parking:
- Residential streets: Most require City of Yarra resident permits. Annual permits cost approximately $50–$80. Apply through the City of Yarra website.
- Main strips (Swan St, Bridge Rd, Victoria St): Metered parking, typically $4–$6/hour with 1–2 hour limits during business hours.
- MCG event days: The MCG car parks charge $25–$40. Surrounding streets fill by 2pm for evening events. Residential permit zones are enforced.
- If your rental doesn’t include a car space: Budget $150–$250/month for off-street parking, or resign yourself to the permit zone system.
The honest advice: If you live in Richmond and work in the CBD, sell the car. The train is faster than driving in peak hour, parking at either end is expensive, and the money saved on registration, insurance, and fuel covers a lot of Uber rides for the occasions you actually need a car.
Getting Around on Event Days
MCG events (AFL matches, cricket, concerts) significantly impact Richmond’s transport network:
- Richmond Station becomes extremely crowded post-event. Consider walking to East Richmond or Burnley stations for a calmer experience.
- The 70 tram along Swan Street runs additional services on event nights but will be packed.
- Rideshare surge pricing kicks in hard after major events ($20–$35 to the CBD). Walk to Church Street or Victoria Street for faster pickups and lower prices.
- Cycling is often the fastest way out of the suburb on event nights — the Capital City Trail bypasses all the road congestion.
Commute Time Summary
| Destination | Train | Tram | Cycling | Driving (non-peak) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne CBD (Flinders St) | 8 min | 15–20 min | 10–15 min | 10–15 min |
| South Yarra | 3 min | 15 min (78 tram) | 8 min | 10 min |
| Hawthorn | 5 min | – | 12 min | 10 min |
| Collingwood | 10 min (change) | 15 min (78 tram) | 8 min | 8 min |
| Box Hill | 25 min | 45 min (109 tram) | – | 25 min |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Richmond Station safe at night? Richmond Station is well-lit and has protective services officers during evening hours, particularly on weekends and event nights. The station is staffed until last service (approximately 1am on weekends). Myki barriers and CCTV coverage operate at all times.
Can I live in Richmond without a car? Yes, and many residents do. The combination of five train lines, four tram routes, cycling infrastructure, and walkable commercial strips means a car is genuinely optional for most daily needs. Grocery deliveries and occasional rideshare trips cover the gaps.
How late do trains run from Richmond? Last trains depart Richmond Station around midnight on weeknights and approximately 1am on Friday and Saturday nights. Night Network services run on weekends with limited all-night options. Check PTV.vic.gov.au for current timetables.
What’s the Myki cost for a daily commute? A full-fare Myki daily cap is $10.60 (Zone 1+2). The weekly cap is $42.40. Monthly cost for a daily commuter: approximately $176. Seniors Card holders travel free off-peak (weekdays 9am–4pm and all weekend).
Verdict
Transport is one of Richmond’s strongest selling points. The convergence of five train lines at Richmond Station alone puts it ahead of most inner suburbs. Add four tram routes, the Capital City Trail cycling path, and a flat 3km distance to the CBD, and you have a suburb where car-free living isn’t a compromise — it’s a genuine advantage.
Read More
- Richmond Neighbourhood Guide — the full suburb breakdown including getting-around tips
- [Richmond Rent Report 2026](/richmond/rent-report/) — transport costs factored into the rental affordability picture
- Richmond for Young Professionals — commute reality for the working crowd
Explore More of Richmond
- Richmond History
- Richmond Things To Do This Weekend
- Richmond Cheap Eats
- Richmond Rent Guide
- Richmond Date Night Guide
- Richmond Victoria Street Vietnamese
- Richmond New Openings
- Richmond Things To Do
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