What is Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best?
This award is our highest recognition and is presented annually to those businesses that are the Best of the Best on Tripadvisor, those that earn excellent reviews from travelers and are ranked in the top 1% of properties worldwide.
Learn more
Melbourne
Melbourne
Hotels
All Melbourne HotelsMelbourne Hotel DealsLast Minute Hotels in MelbourneBy Hotel Type
By Hotel Class
By Hotel Brand
Popular Amenities
Popular Neighborhoods
Popular Melbourne Categories
Near Landmarks
Near Airports
Near Colleges
Popular Hotel Categories
Things to DoRestaurantsFlightsVacation RentalsTravel StoriesCruisesRental CarsTripadvisor PlusMore

Plan Your Trip to Melbourne: Best of Melbourne Tourism

The vibrant coastal capital of Victoria
Colorful, lively Melbourne has broad appeal for every type of traveler, from cozy cafes to local art to Australian and Aboriginal history to spectator sports. Start your day with a "flat white" coffee before hopping on the the free City Circle Tram loop to check out singular attractions like the Royal Botanical Gardens and the Healesville Sanctuary, where animal friends await. Melbourne is also a great starting point for daytrips to explore the Great Ocean Road and Phillip Island.

Travel Advice

Essential Melbourne

Melbourne Is Great For

Crazy good coffee

Hip street art

Bustling markets

Melbourne Travel Guide

Travelers' pro tips for experiencing Melbourne

ColingUnther
Vegetarian and Vegan are well catered for especially in Fitzroy Carlton for Italian, and Chinatown is several blocks. Down at Flinders Lane queuing is common but De Graves st and Hardware Lane are not to be missed.
bukbuk51
Prepare for variable weather; 4 seasons in one day is common and occasionally 4 seasons concurrently. But that is part of the charm. Any sporting event at the MCG = Melbourne Cricket Ground is full-on crowd engagement, whether that is cricket, football or any other event. Add a visit to the great museum.
Jeffry b
A car is not necessary in central Melbourne. You can catch a tram almost everywhere you want to go. The city is laid out on a very simple grid system. Get a simple map and you will soon find your way around.

In the words of those who've been there before ...

snuff82Melbourne
Melbourne has so many things to offer; from the sporting scene, to the arts, to the nightlife and finally the food, there is something for everyone. I love to explore my city and to play tourist - there is always something new to experience and discover.
bukbuk51
… Older buildings blend with contemporary architecture to help define The World's Most Liveable City. Wide streets show off the major museums, theatres, galleries and major department stores but it is the lane-ways that lead to boutique shops, funky restaurants and Chinatown. Home to 4 million folk from most nations in the world, locals love to eat and enjoy some of the best cuisine in the world. Shopaholics have a feast of choices. Grand Theatres with great shows plus festivals galore. A garden city but Sport is King!
LeonieshorncliffeQLD
Originally coming from Melbourne, I love going back. Melbourne is the Paris of Australia with lots to see and do. You will never be bored, but more than that Melbourne is a vibrant, exciting city that inspires and fulfills.

What is the best way to get there?

Flying:

Melbourne is served by two major airports, Tullamarine (MEL) and Avalon (AVV), which is closest to the city of Geelong.

Bus:

Greyhound Australia offers service to Melbourne; the bus terminal is located next to Southern Cross station. Airport buses also arrive and depart from here.

Driving:

If you’re arriving in Melbourne by car, you’ll likely come via the Princes Highway.

Do I need a visa?

If you’re visiting from overseas, see if you need a visa.

When is the best time to visit?

The streets and parks of Melbourne lend themselves well to wandering, so visit March-May or September-November for weather that’s mild and dry and for the lowest concentration of crowds. Expect average daily temperatures those times of year to be highs of 24-17 C (76-63 F) and lows of 14-9 C (58-49 F).

During the summer months, the Royal Botanic Gardens hosts events such as concerts and an outdoor cinema, while spring sees an abundance of cultural events focused on comedy, fashion, and coffee.

Find more information on Melbourne’s weather and when to go.

Trams

Trams service most of Melbourne CBD and its suburbs. The City Circle tram—which covers popular Melbourne attractions such as Docklands, State Library Victoria, and Federation Square—is free.

In addition to the route 35 City Circle, there are more than 20 other tram routes operating within Melbourne. To access routes outside of the CBD free zone with ease, purchase a rechargeable Myki card at tram stops, train stations, or 7-Eleven stores.

Taxis

All of Melbourne’s taxis operate on a meter system and a prepaid system comes into effect after 10:30 p.m.

Rideshare

Uber, Ola and Bolt rideshare services are also readily available.

Trains

The City Loop light railway connects the five inner city stations of Southern Cross Station, Flagstaff, Melbourne Central, Parliament, and Flinders Street. Melbourne also has an overground train system that connects the city to the suburbs. Check timetables and routes.

On the ground
What is the timezone?
Australian Eastern Time (GMT+11)
What are the voltage/plug types?
The standard voltage in Melbourne is 230V and the standard frequency is 50Hz. Associated plugs are type I, which have two flat metal pins shaped like a V. For plug types, you can reference the international guide: https://www.iec.ch/worldplugs/
What is the currency?
Australian dollar (AUD)
Are ATMs readily accessible?
Yes.
Are credit cards widely accepted?
Yes.
Is it easy to find a bank?
Yes.
How much do I tip?
Tipping is not expected in Australia, however, a tip for exceptional service is always appreciated.

Are there local customs I should know?

Drinking
The federal legal age for buying and drinking alcohol is 18 years old.
Public transport
Allow others to disembark before boarding, don’t take up more than one seat, and stand to offer seating to pregnant women or someone with a disability.
Walking
Walk to the right of the sidewalk and step off to the side of the sidewalk if you want to stop to check your phone, look up directions, or want to take in a view.
Frequently Asked Questions about Melbourne

We recommend staying at one of the most popular hotels in Melbourne, which include:

Some of the most popular restaurants in Melbourne include:



If you're a more budget-conscious traveler, then you may want to consider traveling to Melbourne between June and August, when hotel prices are generally the lowest. Peak hotel prices generally start between December and February.