Almost 5,000 extra trams are hitting the tracks for the Australian Open this month.
Victorian government has announced a massive boost to Melbourne public transport services across the three-week tournament, with almost 5,000 extra trams, around 400 extra trains and 150 special bus services running to help tennis fans get to Melbourne Park.
Main draw action kicks off on Sunday 12 January, with trams running every two to three minutes during peak times throughout the day. Route 70 and 70a trams will take you directly to the Garden Square or Grand Slam Oval entrances of Melbourne Park, so you can skip the walking and get straight to the action.
Melbourne public transport changes – Australian Open
- When: 12 January to 1 February
- Where: Melbourne Park
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
Best part? Australian Open ticket holders can travel to Melbourne Park for free on shuttle trams on the day of their tournament ticket. Free public transport continues for everyone on weekends until 1 February to celebrate the opening of the Metro Tunnel, and under 18s travel free every day of the week with their new Youth myki.
Arriving via the new Metro Tunnel means you’ll pop out at Town Hall Station, which connects to Flinders Street Station—just a short walk or tram ride to Melbourne Park. Travellers Aid will be available at the Rod Laver Arena and Olympic Boulevard tram stops, helping passengers with mobility needs get where they need to go.
Night owls and late match lovers will appreciate trains on all Metro lines running 30 minutes later than usual on Sunday to Thursday nights, including early on Monday 26 January. There’s even an additional service departing on all lines at approximately 1.30am for those marathon matches that go the distance.
Extra Metro trains will operate on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings when crowds are at their peak, with additional Sunday morning services supporting Australian Open workers and day pass holders who want to catch every minute of play.
Night buses will depart from Federation Square around 40 minutes after play wraps up, running on popular routes until no later than 4am Sunday to Thursday. Regular night network services take over on weekends, so you’re covered no matter when you’re heading home.
Train passengers arriving at Flinders Street Station can hop on a tram to Melbourne Park or take a scenic walk across the Tanderrum Bridge through Birrarung Marr to the Garden Square Entrance. Richmond and Jolimont stations are both a short walk via Olympic Boulevard and Yarra Park if you prefer a different route.
Bus fans can catch the Route 246 running between Elsternwick and Clifton Hill, stopping at Swan Street on Punt Road for easy access to the precinct.
Last year’s numbers show just how much Melburnians love taking public transport to the tennis—more than 500,000 trips were taken by tram, accounting for almost half of the record 1.2 million spectators across the tournament.
Main draw of the 2026 Australian Open runs between 12 January and 1 February.
For more information, head here.
