Moving to Australia – Public Transportation in Melbourne
When you are planning on moving to Melbourne, Australia, you will be pleased to know that the city has a very sophisticated public transportation system. If you are shipping your car to Australia, IntlMOVE Australia will take care of the details. The freeway network is well-developed and is actually the largest in any Australian city. Getting wherever you need to go will be a breeze.
If you are relying on public transportation when you arrive in Australia, you will be able to get around town very easily. To use the public transportation system, you will need to obtain information on the Metlink network and purchase tickets using the Metcard ticketing system. With this, you can use most bus, tram and railway services.
IntlMOVE Australia has put together a basic guide to prepare you for moving to Melbourne and using the public transportation.
Tram
Melbourne, Australia has the world’s largest tram network. There are about 245 kilometers of track. The tram system includes: 500 trams, 28 routes and two light-rail routes. The trams run extensively in the city and the inner suburbs. There are over 1,800 stops on the system.
Busses
There are more than 300 bus routes in Melbourne to take you to where you need to go. If you like to go out on the weekends, there is a Nightrider system that operates on Friday and Saturday night so you don’t have to worry about driving. When traveling by air for work or pleasure, you can take the Skybus Super Shuttle to the airport so you don’t have to worry about parking at the airport.
Railway
The metro railway is very convenient if you live outside of the downtown area. There are 16 lines that make up this service. You can easily travel into the downtown area for work or other activities. There are trains available within the city as well. If you want to travel to other major cities or states within Australia, the extensive train system also facilitates interstate travel.
Taxi
Taxis and private cars are more expensive than public transportation but are a fantastic option if you are in a hurry.
Air Travel
There are two major airports in Melbourne. The Melbourne airport located in Tullamarine, is a major international airport, and is actually the second busiest airport in Australia. More than 30 airlines operate out of this airport. Avalon Airport mostly services domestic flights, but is also located near Melbourne for your convenience.
Bikes/ Walking
Melbourne’s warm climate makes it perfect for walking or riding a bike for transportation purposes. There is even a bike sharing program, so you can rent bicycles to get around the city.
When moving to Melbourne, Australia, you can have the security in knowing it is very easy to get around the city with public transportation. However, roughly 90 percent of local travel is still made by private vehicle. So, if you are shipping your car to Australia, IntlMOVE Australia can add your car in your shipment of household goods from the U.S. to Australia. IntlMOVE Australia will provide you with a free online international shipping quote.
