The Myki smartcard is a necessary purchase for all visitors using public transportation (trains, trams, and buses) while in Melbourne. A plastic smartcard with stored value that can be topped up and re-used, the cards can be purchased online or from the train stations, tram stops, retail stores and 7-Eleven stores that have the Myki sign on display. Visit www.ptv.vic.gov.au/ or call 1-800-800-007 for more information.

The city of Melbourne is laid out in a grid pattern, similar to Manhattan. It is also a fairly compact city making it a very easy city to navigate on foot. Most of the attractions in the city center are within walking distance. The city has several other areas and outdoor attractions that are the perfect place to take a stroll such as the Riverfront, Fitzroy Gardens, the Botanic Gardens, Yarra Valley and St Kilda.

Renting a car while in Melbourne is a good idea if you plan on exploring the outlying areas of Victoria. Several rental car companies are available at the airport and throughout the city. However driving in the city can be difficult with traffic and the trams and parking in the city can be hard to find as well as expensive.

The Melbourne trams are an icon of the city, there is a free tram zone (FTZ) run by City Circle Tram (Route 35) in the city center providing visitors with a Hop-on, Hop-off service to some of the major attractions around the city perimeter with audio commentary on board. The free tram runs between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm daily (except Christmas day and Good Friday), trams depart every 12 minutes.

The trams are a prominent feature and a major part of the public transportation system in Melbourne with the largest network anywhere in the world. The official tram network is run by Yarra Trams, trams run every 8 - 12 minutes during the day and 20 - 30 minutes in the evening time.

Services generally operate Monday - Saturday from 5:00 am until Midnight, Sunday service begins after 8:00 am and a limited night network is provided on Friday and Saturday nights.

Trains in the city are operated by Metro Trains Melbourne identified with their blue branding. The trains run frequently and all suburban trains departing from the Flinders Street Station in the city center. There is a City Loop, an underground system that connects to Southern Cross Station and five stations including Parliament, Melbourne Central and Flagstaff situated around the perimeter of the central business district. Trains run every 10 - 20 minutes and can be crowded during the peak hours. Services generally operate Monday - Saturday from 5:00 am until Midnight, Sunday service begins after 8:00 am and a limited night network is provided on Friday and Saturday nights.

The bus system in Melbourne runs frequently and links to the train and tram stations as well as major destinations around the city including shopping centers, sports venues, and major tourist attractions. The NightRider bus is a service that runs late at night on the weekends, covering around 300 stops with nine routes that cover the city and outer suburbs. The buses depart from 12:30 am until 4:30 am, tickets can be purchased on board from the driver. Services generally operate Monday - Saturday from 5:00 am until Midnight, Sunday service begins after 8:00 am and a limited night network is provided on Friday and Saturday nights.

Taxis in Melbourne are bright yellow and offer visitors a convenient and reliable way to get around the city. Taxis are available 24/7, a taxi can be caught at the taxi ranks in the CBD, hailed from the street, and found outside the train and tram stations, shopping centers, hotels and major attractions; or can also be ordered over the phone. Look for the light on top of the car, if it is lit the taxi is available. The major companies that run in the city are 13CABS and Silver Top. Taxis are metered and rates start at AU$3.20 and then go up to AU$1.67 every 0.64 miles. Fares are 20% higher between midnight to 5:00 am with fares being prepaid during this time. Booking by the phone and taking a taxi from the airport costs and additional AU$2.

Uber is also available in Melbourne, download the Uber app and set up your account with a credit card. No funds are exchanged by hand all your information goes through the app including your pick up and drop off locations, making Uber an easy, convenient way to travel in the city.

Riding a bike in Melbourne is very popular and there are several bike rental places throughout the city with plenty of paths and outdoor spaces that are perfect for a bike ride. Bike sharing is available in the city, a convenient way to rent a bike for as little as AUD$2.50 for the day, you have to return to bike to one of the docking stations every 30 minutes but can continue this process all day long. Bike tours are also available in the city and surrounding areas.

Getting on a boat and taking a river cruise down the Yarra is an excellent way to see the city of Melbourne and its attractions. There are ferries, river cruises, dinner cruises and sunset cruises available as well as The Yarra River Shuttle that runs from November to March and is a Hop-on, Hop-off option on board a boat. Most of the cruises depart from the Southbank area and travel to the Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Park and the Melbourne Cricket Grounds.