The Australian Open is one of the biggest events of the year in Melbourne. As such, the city takes great pride in providing a transport network that gives people as many options as possible to get to the venues. Below are some of the most common.
Melbourne is famous for its transport and getting around the city and inner suburbs is generally really easy. With a network of trams, trains and buses, there is almost always a service heading in the direction you want to go. Public Transport Victoria puts on extra and special services specifically for Australian Open match days, with regular departures from Flinders Street Station. The station is one of two main transport hubs for the city, the other being Southern Cross, and every metropolitan train services runs via Flinders Street. From Flinders Street Station, it is a simple one stop ride to Richmond or Jolimont Station just outside Melbourne Olympic Park. Flinders Street is also with walking distance of Melbourne Park, depending on how far you consider too far, and takes approximately 20-30 minutes along the banks of the Yarra River and through Birrarung Marr.
Fares are paid using the Myki card system and can be purchased at Flinders Street Station or 7Eleven stores and newsagents.
Visit ptv.com.au for timetable information.
The Melbourne CBD is well-serviced with Uber drivers and most time of the day, but there is always an increase during major events. Be aware of surge pricing during busy periods, such as rush hour at 8:00-9:30am and 4:30-6:00pm, as these are generally busy periods regardless of what else is happening in the city.
Cost varies depending on the length of the journey and demand at your chosen traveling time. Use the Uber app on your smartphone to access the service and find out more.
There are numerous taxi companies throughout Victoria and eight main ones in the Melbourne metropolitan area. These include Western District Cabs, West Suburban Taxis, Silver Top Taxi Service, Platinum Taxis, Crown Cabs Taxi Service, Black Cabs Combined, Arrow Taxi Services, and 13CABS. Taxis are a popular way to get around the Melbourne region and on match days and weekend evenings, they are harder to find at a moment's notice, so be sure to book ahead.
It is always recommended that people heading into the city use the public transport service. Many suburban train stations have free, unlimited parking to make it easy to use the train, regardless of distance. If you do choose or need to drive, it can be busy at night and care is required with the increase in people and vehicles, as well as trams to contend with.
Melbourne has many parking garages throughout the city and street parking can be found in the areas just outside the CBD. One of the parking garages closest to the Australian Open is Le Garage on Flinders Street. It is within walking distance of Melbourne Park, approximately 15-20 minutes, or a 5-10-minute walk to Flinders Street Station where a service can be caught to either Richmond or Jolimont Station.