The main airport servicing the city of Melbourne is the Melbourne Airport, also known as Tullamarine Airport. Located about 14 miles away from the city center, it is the primary airport and the second busiest airport in Australia.

If you have not booked a private transfer through us you have a few options including taxi, buses and car rentals.

Taxis are a convenient and fast option to get from the airport to your hotel. There are designated taxi stands situated outside the terminals on the ground floor and a trip from the airport to the city center takes roughly 30 minutes without traffic. Prices vary based on the distance and time you are traveling with an approximate rate of AU$60. There is an additional AU$3.58 fee to take a taxi from the airport. Visit www.taxi.vic.gov.au/fares for more information on rates.

Skybus is a fast and frequent shuttle service that takes you from the airport to the Southern Cross Station in the city center. There is a complimentary shuttle from the station to your hotel that runs Monday through Friday 6:00 am until 10:30 pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. The bus stops and ticket booths can be found outside terminals 1 and 3. The bus runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and the ride takes around 20 minutes, with departures leaving every 10 minutes from the airport. A one-way ticket costs approximately AU$19 one way per adult and AU$9 for children. For more information visit www.skybus.com.au

The public bus from the airport is onboard Public Transport Victoria bus services. The bus stop is located at the transport hub in the T4 parking lot across the taxi ranks. The main routes from the airport are bus #901 to Frankston, which connects you to the Craigieburn line trains at the Broadmeadows Station. Please note: Broadmeadows is a high crime neighborhood and it is advised to avoid this area at night. For more information visit www.ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-around/airport-buses/

There is a Myki card that can be purchased from the SkyBus counter outside the terminals and onboard the buses. The card can be used on the Skybus and the public bus.

There are several car rental companies offered at the airport. The car rental offices can be found on the ground floor of the At Terminal T1, T2, T3 parking lots. Information desks can be found inside the terminals.

The main train station at Southern Cross Station is located on Spencer Street, on the western side of Melbourne`s CBD. The station is well connected to the city`s transportation systems including other train lines, tram routes and bus services. Taxis can also be found around the station.

The city of Melbourne runs an extensive public transportation system offering visitors several options to make their way around, including trains, trams, buses, and taxis.

The popular City Circle Tram operates daily and runs along a city circuit that passes by many of Melbourne`s attractions. The trams are brown `W-class`. Travel on board the tram is free, there is audio commentary announcing the points of interest along the route. You can hop off at any of the tram stops and visit attractions.

The tram runs clockwise and anti-clockwise from - Flinders Street - Harbor Esplanade - Docklands Drive - La Trobe Street - Victoria Street - Nicholson Street - Spring Street - Flinders Street and vice versa.

The tram system is the largest tram network in the world with an extensive network that covers the city. Tram services run until midnight from Sunday to Thursday and until 1 am on Fridays and Saturdays with six lines running through the night during the weekends.

Taxis are plentiful in the city center, with most taxis being yellow or silver. 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. A taxi can be hailed on the streets and from designated taxi ranks in Melbourne, there is a light on the roof and it will be on if the taxi is available.

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.

The Flinders Street Station is situated opposite Federation Square in the city center. 17 train lines depart from here and run through the City Loop which connects to Southern Cross station along with Parliament, Melbourne Central and Flagstaff Stations, all located around the CBD. Trains run frequently through the day but are crowded during peak hours in the mornings and evenings. The trains run from 5:00 am until midnight Sunday through Thursday, and run through the night on Fridays and Saturdays with departures every 10 - 20 minutes during the day and 20 - 30 minutes in the evenings.

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.

The city of Melbourne is a great place to take a boat ride, the Yarra River runs through the city and water taxis are a great way to travel. They depart from the Southbank area and travel to the Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Park and the Melbourne Cricket Grounds.

The Myki is a smart card for travel in the city on board the trains, trams, and buses. A stored value card that can be topped up at the blue Myki machines located in all the stations and bus stops. The initial costs are around AU$6 for adults and AU$3 for children.

There is a visitors pack available costing about AU$14, it provides AU$8 pre-loaded on a Myki smartcard, a public transport map, information on how to use Myki and discounts for up to 15 attractions in the city including the Skydeck, Aquarium and Puffing Billy.

The city of Melbourne is laid out in a very orderly grid pattern, a compact city that is very easy to navigate and a great place for walking around and exploring the sights on foot. Visitors can pick up a free map of the city at the Visitors Center located in Federation Square and Bourke Street Mall. Many of the major attractions are within walking distance from the city center.

Riding a bike in Melbourne is a great option due to the flat terrain and the extensive bike paths around the city. The city offers a bike sharing program with bike docks set up throughout the city with instructions and prices listed. Prices for the bike sharing cost around AU$2.50 a day as long as you return the bike every 30 minutes; helmets are required by law and can be rented at 7-Eleven stores for AU$5 with an AU$3 refund when returned.

There are several bike trails around the city, cycle along the Yarra River or Bay Trail around Port Phillip Bay or the Capital City Trail through the inner city suburbs and the Docklands.

Renting a car in Melbourne is a good idea if you are looking to explore the outlying areas, driving is easy but can get complicated in the city center with the trams and tram lines. Keep an eye out for the Hook turns, where you actually have to pull to the left when turning right due to the tram tracks. Major car rental companies are available at the airport. Parking in the city is available and metered but it can be expensive running around $5.50 an hour. If you have a car it is best to leave it at your hotel and use the public transport while in the city.

The Great Ocean Road is a 155 mile stretch of road that runs along the southeastern coastline of Australia, between Torquay and Allansford. This journey offers spectacular sights and surroundings including the area of Port Campbell National Park where the Twelve Apostles rock formations are located.

Melbourne is an excellent place for shopping and the city is renowned for its markets including Queen Victoria, South Melbourne, and Rose St. Artists` where shoppers can purchase everything from produce to fashion and arts and crafts and street food.

Melbourne is known as the fashion capital of Australia and features shopping malls, high-end fashion stores, designer boutiques and vintage shops. Some of the best areas for shopping in the city are Collins Street, Flinders Lane, Brunswick Street, Chapel Street and the spectacular Bourke Street Mall.

Shopping hours are normally 9:00 am until 5:30 pm during the week with some stores extending until 7:00 pm with some stores open late (9:00 pm) Thursday and Friday. Many supermarkets are open at 7:00 am and open until midnight with some staying open 24 hours.

Melbourne is filled with some amazing eateries including one of the world`s 50 best restaurants `Attica`. The city is one of the best destinations for food in the world with a wide range of international cuisine. There is such a large variety of options for dining in the city including high-end dining, world-renowned chef-owned restaurants, quaint cafes, and waterside dining with a view, well-known food markets and the growing food truck industry. Visitors can try anything from Italian to Vietnamese food along with English Fish and Chips.

Melbourne created the rooftop bar scene and has plenty of them to choose from in areas such as Fitzroy and Carlton, the perfect place to sit back after a busy day, enjoy a drink and watch the sunset.

Other nightlife options in the city include bars, pubs, cafes, nightclubs with a huge live music scene as well as being a popular festival city, featuring electronic music events.

Most of the hotspots can be found in the CBD down hidden alleyways and lanes, with other popular areas such as Fitzroy and Collingwood in the northern suburbs and Prahran in South Yarra.

Melbourne is known as the sports capital of Australia with some of the most spectacular sports venues in the world including the Melbourne Cricket Grounds where visitors can enjoy a game of cricket or Australian Football. The Melbourne Cup is held on the first Tuesday in November, offering spectators an opportunity to watch the horse races and the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park.

The Australian dollar (Au$) is the official currency of Australia. The airport and local banks are the best places to exchange cash or traveler`s checks and is also available at bank and hotels. ATMs are widespread in the city but may be limited in more remote towns and the Outback.

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Melbourne has been ranked as the world`s most livable city and is number 9 on the top 10 safest cities in the world list. Just like any other major city in the world, travelers should use caution and street smarts during the stay and always be aware of your surroundings, especially at night. There are certain areas you should avoid after dark including Flinders Street Station, Gray Street and Bourke Street where drug dealers and prostitutes have been sighted.

In the case of an emergency (fire, police, and ambulance) dial 000 or 112 if using an international phone.

Hospitals:

Royal Melbourne Hospital tel. 61 3 9342 7000

St Vincent`s Hospital Melbourne Tel. 61 3 9231 2211

The Royal Children`s Hospital Tel. 61 3 9345 5522