Itinerary · Australia
Melbourne for the first time: airport to city, and how many days?
SkyBus or taxi from Melbourne Airport, the Free Tram Zone and myki, a 4 to 6 day plan, spring and autumn climate normals, and daily budgets.
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How many days for Melbourne? 4 to 6
Melbourne is a cultural city in Australia's southeast, packed with graffiti lanes, cafes, galleries and parks, and easy to explore by tram. It's also the base for day trips to the Great Ocean Road and Phillip Island's little penguins.
The guide suggests 4 to 6 days, including day trips. Its 4-day route spends two days in the city, one on the Great Ocean Road, and one at St Kilda Beach plus either a Phillip Island penguin tour or city shopping.
Most visitors need an electronic travel authority or visa for Australia. Check requirements and how to apply on official Australian government information.
- Suggested stay: 4 to 6 days (including day trips)
- City: graffiti laneways, Flinders Street Station and Federation Square, Queen Victoria Market, Royal Botanic Gardens, NGV
- Day trips: Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island
- Entry: check official Australian government information
Airport to the city: SkyBus or taxi
The main way from Melbourne Airport (MEL) into the city is SkyBus, an airport express to Southern Cross Station. It takes about 20-40 minutes depending on traffic and costs about A$22-26; a return ticket is cheaper per trip, but check fares officially.
At Southern Cross Station, change to a tram or train for your accommodation. Part of the central city is a Free Tram Zone, so if you stay inside it, the tram ride costs nothing.
With lots of luggage or a late arrival, a taxi or ride-hailing is easiest. Use the designated pickup areas; it's about 30-45 minutes to the city and about A$60-90. Many flights from North Asia involve a connection, so compare connection points and total travel time with airlines.
- SkyBus: about 20-40 min to Southern Cross Station, about A$22-26 (check official)
- Taxi or ride-hailing: about 30-45 min to the city, about A$60-90
- Change to trams or trains at Southern Cross Station
Getting around: the Free Tram Zone and myki
Trams are Melbourne's icon and cover the city densely. Part of the central city is a Free Tram Zone where rides are free. The central city (CBD) sits inside it, which makes it an easy base for a first visit.
Outside the Free Tram Zone, use a myki card or the new tap-and-go option (contactless bank card, phone or smartwatch) on trams, trains and buses. Bus rollout is progressive, so check official information. Always tap on; inspectors check fares.
Trains run from Flinders Street and Southern Cross stations to the suburbs and beaches. The central city's grid is ideal for exploring laneways and cafes on foot, and St Kilda is about 30 minutes by tram from the city.
- Free Tram Zone: part of the central city
- Outside it: myki card or tap-and-go; always tap on
- Trains: from Flinders Street and Southern Cross stations
- Day trips: tour or rental car; Australia drives on the left
A 4-day route: two days in the city, two beyond
Day 1: take SkyBus into the city and start at Flinders Street Station and Federation Square, where the yellow historic station faces a modern square. Then walk graffiti laneways such as Hosier Lane and their cafes, and spend the evening at Southbank on the Yarra River.
Day 2: Queen Victoria Market in the morning. It opens Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and is closed Monday and Wednesday, so plan around that and check official hours. In the afternoon see the free Royal Botanic Gardens and the NGV (permanent collection generally free, special exhibitions ticketed), then have dinner in Fitzroy.
Day 3 is a Great Ocean Road day trip with an early start and a late return. On day 4, walk St Kilda Beach in the morning, then take a Phillip Island penguin tour or go shopping in the city. Phillip Island needs tickets, and photos and video are not allowed during the Penguin Parade.
- Day 1: SkyBus → Flinders Street Station and Federation Square → graffiti laneways and cafes → Southbank
- Day 2: Queen Victoria Market (open Tue, Thu-Sun) → Royal Botanic Gardens and NGV → dinner in Fitzroy
- Day 3: Great Ocean Road day trip (early start, late return)
- Day 4: St Kilda Beach → Phillip Island penguin tour or city shopping
When to go: spring (September-November) and autumn (March-May)
Spring (September-November) and autumn (March-May) are mild and great for walking. Summer (December-February) is hot, with occasional heatwaves; winter (June-August) is cool. Rain is fairly even through the year (about 33-60 mm a month). Weather changes quickly in a single day, so carry a layer.
On average, October has a high of 20°C, a low of 9°C and 49 mm of rain, and April a high of 21°C, a low of 10°C and 42 mm. January has a high of 27°C and a low of 14°C; July a high of 13°C and a low of 6°C. These are the 1991–2020 normals for Melbourne Airport station from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology's submission to the WMO normals collection (NOAA NCEI). Check the official forecast before you go for this year's weather.
UV levels are very high; wear sunscreen and a hat even on cloudy days. Swim only between the flags on patrolled beaches.
- Spring (September-November) and autumn (March-May): best for walking
- October normals: high 20°C, low 9°C, 49 mm
- April normals: high 21°C, low 10°C, 42 mm
- January high 27°C / July high 13°C
Budget and things to know
Daily budgets per person: about A$100-150 for a hostel, groceries and public transport; about A$250-350 for a city hotel, cafes and restaurants; about A$600+ for a luxury hotel, fine dining and private tours.
Melbourne is famous for its cafe culture. A flat white is about A$5-6, a brunch plate at a laneway cafe about A$20-35, and a meat pie, a quick meal, about A$6-10. Migrant neighborhoods serve Italian, Greek, Vietnamese food and more.
Tipping isn't required. Some restaurants add a Sunday or public holiday surcharge, noted on the menu. Day trips cover long distances, so check departure times and whether meals are included, and take a tour rather than driving to wineries in regions like the Yarra Valley.
- Per person per day: about A$100-150 / A$250-350 / A$600+
- Flat white about A$5-6, brunch about A$20-35
- Tipping: not required; check Sunday and public holiday surcharges
- Entry: check official Australian government information
Plan your Melbourne trip
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FAQ
How many days do I need in Melbourne?
The guide suggests 4 to 6 days including day trips: two days in the city, one for the Great Ocean Road, and one for St Kilda Beach and Phillip Island.
How do I get from the airport to the city?
SkyBus runs to Southern Cross Station in about 20-40 minutes for about A$22-26 (check official). A taxi or ride-hailing takes about 30-45 minutes and costs about A$60-90.
Are Melbourne's trams free?
Only inside the Free Tram Zone in part of the central city. Outside it, ride with a myki card or tap-and-go, and always tap on; inspectors check fares.
When is the best time to go?
Spring (September-November) and autumn (March-May) are best for walking. October's normals are a high of 20°C and a low of 9°C (Bureau of Meteorology via WMO normals, 1991–2020).
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