Thousands of extra public transport services will run throughout this year’s Australian Open to help tennis fans get to and from Melbourne Park.
Almost 5,000 additional tram services, around 400 extra trains and 150 special bus services will operate across the three-week tournament, making public transport the easiest way to access one of the biggest sporting events in the Southern Hemisphere.
Minister for Public and Active Transport Gabrielle Williams said the expanded services follow last year’s record attendance of 1.2 million spectators, with the aim of making travel to Melbourne Park as seamless as possible. She said thousands of extra services are being added to the network to ensure public transport remains the most convenient option for fans, including free travel on shuttle trams along Flinders Street for all ticket holders.
The main draw of the Australian Open begins on Sunday, 18 January. During peak times, trams will run every two to three minutes, with Route 70 and 70a services taking spectators directly to the Garden Square and Grand Slam Oval entrances at Melbourne Park.
Australian Open ticket holders will be able to travel free on shuttle trams on the day of their ticket. Free public transport will also continue for everyone on weekends until 1 February to mark the opening of the Metro Tunnel, while under-18s will travel free every day of the week using their Youth myki.
Williams said the additional services across the network are designed to ensure major events such as the Australian Open can cater for record crowds while giving fans a smooth, world-class experience getting to and from Melbourne Park.
For those arriving via the new Metro Tunnel, Town Hall Station connects to Flinders Street Station, from where Melbourne Park is a short walk or tram ride away. Travellers Aid services will be available at Rod Laver Arena and Olympic Boulevard tram stops, offering assistance and connecting services for passengers with mobility needs.
Across the rail network, trains on all Metro lines will run 30 minutes later than usual from Sunday to Thursday nights, including early Monday 26 January, with an extra service departing on all lines at around 1:30am. Additional Metro services will also operate on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, along with extra Sunday morning trains to support Australian Open workers and day pass holders.
Night buses will depart from Federation Square about 40 minutes after play finishes on a range of popular routes. Services will run until no later than 4:00am from Sunday to Thursday, with regular night network services operating over the weekend.
Spectators travelling by train to Flinders Street Station can connect to a tram or walk across the Tanderrum Bridge through Birrarung Marr to the Garden Square entrance. Richmond and Jolimont stations are also within easy walking distance via Olympic Boulevard and Yarra Park. Route 246 buses, running between Elsternwick and Clifton Hill, will stop at Swan Street on Punt Road for those heading to the precinct by bus.
Last year, more than 500,000 trips to the Australian Open were made by tram, accounting for almost half of the record 1.2 million spectators who attended the tournament.
The 2026 Australian Open main draw runs from 18 January to 1 February.
For more information on transport services to the Australian Open, click here.
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