Melbourne Free Tram Zone: Routes, Map & Travel Rules (2025)

Photo of author

Written by Michelle

Updated

Free-Tram-Zone-Melbourne

What is the Melbourne Free Tram Zone?

In Melbourne, the Free Tram Zone is an area where you can ride trams for free. It covers the central part of Melbourne’s CBD (Central Business District) and some surrounding areas.

You don’t need to pay a fare if you travel within this zone on a tram. It’s handy for getting around and exploring the city without worrying about tram fares. However, if you travel outside this zone, you’ll need to pay for your tram ride.

Where Does The Melbourne Free Tram Zone Start and End?

The Free Tram Zone in Melbourne starts at the intersection of Flinders Street and Spring Street, which is near Flinders Street Station.

From there, it extends throughout the central area of the CBD, including popular stops such as Melbourne Central Station, Queen Victoria Market, and Docklands.

The zone ends at the intersection of Spring Street and La Trobe Street, near Parliament Station.

Do You Need Myki Cards in Melbourne’s Free Tram Zone?

In the Free Tram Zone in Melbourne, you don’t need to touch your myki card when boarding or exiting trams. Since travel within the Free Tram Zone is free, there’s no need to touch on or off with your myki card.

However, if you’re traveling outside of the Free Tram Zone, such as when leaving the CBD, you’ll need to touch on and off as usual to pay for your journey.

So, while riding within the Free Tram Zone, you can simply hop on and enjoy the ride without worrying about touching your myki card.

Melbourne Free Tram Zone Routes

The Melbourne Free Tram Zone includes Route 35 (City Circle) and parts of Routes 11, 12, 48, and 109 between Docklands and Spring Street; Routes 86 and 96 between Docklands and Bourke Street; and Routes 70 and 75 between Flinders Street Station and Stop 6 near Melbourne Museum. It also covers Routes 1, 3/3a, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67, and 72 along Swanston Street between Flinders Street and Bourke Street. Travel is free only if you board and exit entirely within this zone.

The Melbourne Free Tram Zone are listed below.

  • Route 35 (City Circle) – entire route is free
  • Route 11, 12, 48, 109 – free between Docklands and Spring Street
  • Route 86, 96 – free between Docklands and Bourke Street
  • Route 70, 75 – free between Flinders Street Station and Stop 6 (Melbourne Museum)
  • Route 1, 3/3a, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67, 72 – free between Flinders Street and Swanston/Bourke intersection

Free travel applies only when boarding and exiting within the Free Tram Zone.

Free Tram Zone Melbourne Map

Below is the image of the Free Tram Zone taken from ptv.vic.gov.au. The full pdf version of the map can be downloaded at ptv.vic.gov.au.

Free-Tram-Zone-Map-Melbourne

Melbourne Free Tram Zone Attractions

If you’re travelling within the Free Tram Zone, there are plenty of attractions you can visit without paying for transport. From Federation Square to Queen Victoria Market and Docklands, many of Melbourne’s top spots are right along these tram routes.

Explore the full list of Free Tram Zone attractions in Melbourne.

Get Melbourne updates, offers, discounts & more!

Limited Time Offer - FREE Subscribtion Available

About the author

3 thoughts on “Melbourne Free Tram Zone: Routes, Map & Travel Rules (2025)”

  1. Hi Michelle, Hope you are well. I use a foldable walker for walking. So will the free tram be ok for me? Any hotels that are just a min away from the free tram, pl advise. Thanks very much. Shilpa

    Reply
  2. Hello, what is close for others, is not close for me. Pl suggest reasonable hotels closest to teh tram stops in CBD. Thanks very much.

    Reply

Leave a comment

en_AUEnglish (Australia)