City Circle Tram

The Basics

Use the City Circle Tram just as you would a hop-on hop-off bus service. The service, which follows route number 35, covers top Melbourne attractions such as Flinders Street Station, notable for its grand Victorian facade; Federation Square, a contemporary space home to several sculptures and modern museums; and the ornate State Library of Victoria, to name but a few. Audio commentary provides historical and cultural context for each attraction the tram passes.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The City Circle Tram is an ideal way for first-time visitors to orient themselves in Australian’s second city.
• Onboard each City Circle Tram, you’ll find information leaflets and maps that detail each of the stops covered by the route.
• Due to the old-fashioned design of the carriages, the City Circle Tram is unfortunately not wheelchair accessible.

How to Get There

Route number 35 takes a circular route that starts at stpp D11, located on Docklands Drive, and terminates at the intersection of Spencer Street and La Trobe Street, the commercial hub of the city. You can board or alight at any of the 24 stops along the route.

When to Get There

The service runs in both directions approximately every 12 minutes between 10am-6pm Sunday-Wednesday, and until 9pm on the other days. Free commentary is provided relating to the sights along the route. During morning and evening rush hour, the tram is typically standing room only.

The Best of Route Number 35

Some of the best stops to disembark at during your ride on the City Circle Tram are Melbourne Aquarium, the largest of its kind in the state of Victoria; the neo-classical Parliament House, the seat of parliament; and Flagstaff Gardens, a 19th-century parkland that’s home to ancient elm trees, sculptures, and electric barbecues that are free to use.

How long does the City Circle Tram take?

Melbourne’s City Circle Tram takes just under one hour to complete one loop of its route around the Central Business District (CBD), which starts and ends at stop D11—Waterfront City in Docklands. That’s because the tram makes frequent stops along its route, generally every two to three minutes.

What do you see on the city circle tram?

On the City Circle Tram passengers can see a range of the CBD's attractions and landmarks, including Federation Square, the Docklands area, Parliament House, the State Library, and Flinders Street Station. These landmarks fall on both sides of the tram route, so you can sit on either side.

When is the best time to ride the city circle tram?

The best times to ride the City Circle Tram are outside of the morning and evening commute, when most public transport in Melbourne gets very busy. If you wish to see Melbourne illuminated at night, you should take advantage of the extended operating hours on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Is the city circle tram accessible?

Unfortunately, the City Circle Tram isn’t accessible for visitors using wheelchairs or scooters, as this line uses heritage trams that have steps at their entrances. In Melbourne, only several trams’ routes are currently exclusively serviced by low-floor trams designed for passengers using mobility aids.

Can you bring food on the city circle tram?

Yes, you’re allowed to bring food and eat on board the City Circle Tram, but it’s common courtesy to avoid eating smelly or messy food. While food and drinks are permitted on the tram, drinking alcohol isn’t as it’s illegal to consume alcohol in public spaces in the state of Victoria.

Can you hop on and off of the city circle tram?

Yes, you can hop on and off at the City Circle Tram’s stops as much as you like. This is a free tram service, so it won't cost you anything to take the tram multiple times, and the service runs frequently enough that you can use it at your leisure.