Australian Grand Prix ⋅ Getting to Albert Park

Arrival in Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix

Most international and domestic visitors to the Australian Grand Prix will arrive at Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine), though some domestic flights land at Avalon Airport. Melbourne Airport is located about 20km from the city centre and takes about 30 minutes to an hour by taxi or public transport.

Getting From Melbourne Airport to the City Centre

Shuttle Bus

Shuttle bus services by Skybus and Greenbus offer a nice balance of convenience and affordability. Skybus tickets cost $18 for adults and are available from the Skybus booth at Terminals 1 and 3. Services run about every 10 minutes and terminate at southern cross station (about a 30 minute journey). Greenbus runs services to 5 destinations in the city centre for $14 for an adult ticket.

Regular Bus

The cheapest option, and also usually the slowest, are regular city buses. Grab a Myki Card (see below) and hop on route 901 departing from the bus zone across from the taxi rank at Terminal 1. Get off at Broadmeadows station and continue your journey by train, tram or bus. Expect the trip to take just over an hour in clear traffic.

Taxi

Be aware that taxis in Melbourne aren’t cheap and you’ll pay AU$60-80 for the trip to the city centre depending on traffic.

Getting Around in Melbourne

Getting from A to B in Melbourne is usually easy and comfortable. Some routes get a bit congested over the Grand Prix weekend and at peak times of the day.

To travel anywhere in Melbourne on bus, tram or train you’ll first need to get a Myki card for $6 and top it up. You then just touch on and touch off when entering and exiting a vehicle and the money will be automatically deducted from your balance.

Trips cost AU$3.76 for trams and trains and that allows you to travel for up to 2 hours anywhere in Zones 1 and 2.

Myki cards are available all over Melbourne from the Skybus terminal, convenience stores and newspaper stands all over the city as well as station vending machines and ticket booths.

Public Transport Victoria (PTV) is the transport authority responsible fro public transport including trains, trams and buses in Melbourne and the state of Victoria. Their website has detailed info on transport in the city including timetables, fares, routes and information on how to use and top up your Myki card.
	ptv.vic.gov.au		1800 800 007
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Tram

Some tram services in Melbourne are always free to use making it more easily traversable for tourists. Visitors to the Grand Prix can also use certain lines for free after presenting their race tickets.

The City Circle line follows a route clockwise and anti-clockwise around the city centre, stopping at various attractions and connecting with other services.

Since 2015 a dedicated free tram zone exists in Melbourne city centre comprising the area from Queen Victoria Market, across to Victoria Harbour in Docklands, and from Spring Street to Flinders Street Station and Federation Square. You can feel free to hop on and off any tram in this area and keep your Myki card in your pocket as long as your journey starts and finishes in that zone.

Train

For F1 fans staying outside of the city centre during the Grand Prix weekend you might find yourself making use of Melbourne’s Metro train network. These services are frequent for the most part, but allow plenty of extra travel time over peak periods and on the day of the Grand Prix on lines going to and from the centre.

Taxi

Taxis in Melbourne are quite expensive with fares starting at AU$3.20 and an additional AU$1.62 per kilometre thereafter. Peak time is Midnight to 5am where the fare is 20% more expensive. Don’t be perturbed if you’re asked to pay your fare in advance. This is normal after 10pm and the difference will be refunded to you on arrival at your destination.

Walking

Walking around the central areas of Melbourne is easy to do following the grid style street layout. Walking maps are available for the city’s tourist information centres.

Getting to the Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park

Free Tram Service

Free trams for all Grand Prix ticket holders service the gates of the circuit via 3 routes available from Spencer Street and Swanston Street. Trams run on a normal schedule for Thursday though are more frequent from Friday to Sunday, departing every 1 – 3 minutes during peak times.

• For gates 1 and 2, hop on the Light Rail GP Express at the corner of Spencer Street and Collins Street.
• Gate 3 is serviced by the Clarendon Street GP Express at the corner of Spencer street and Collins Street.
• Gates 5, 8, 9, & 10 are covered by the St Kilda Road GP Shuttle available at Swanston Street (Federal Sq).

Driving

Driving to the circuit is not advised and no parking will be provided at the circuit. Your best option is to park elsewhere in the city and avail of a free tram.

Shuttle Bus

In 2016 a free shuttle bus was provided for Grand Prix ticket holders operating between Clarenden Street entrance (Crown Casino) and Gate 1 during peak periods over the weekend. It hasn’t been confirmed if this service will operate this year.