Half-price trains, trams and buses: what you’ll pay, and how to tap with your bank card
Public transport across Victoria is half price for everyone until 1 January 2027. Here’s the new daily maximum, how tap and go works, and what concession holders need to do first.
Public transport fares in Victoria have been half price since 1 June, and the discount runs until 1 January 2027, according to Transport Victoria. You don’t need to sign up for anything: the half-price fare is charged automatically when you touch on.
What’s covered, and what isn’t
The discount applies to metropolitan trains, trams and buses, and to regional trains, coaches and buses, including town bus services. It does not apply to SkyBus, ferries or regional buses that aren’t subsidised by the government. Concession fares, for students and seniors for example, are halved again.
No myki? Use your bank card or phone
You can now pay with a Visa or Mastercard debit or credit card, or a phone or smartwatch, on trains, trams and myki-enabled buses. Transport Victoria says tap and go fares are the same as myki fares.
- Tap on and off with the same card or device.
- Take your card out of your wallet before tapping, so the reader doesn’t pick up the wrong one.
- Charges can take up to three days to appear in your bank account. You may see a pending amount first.
If you have a concession card
Don’t just tap your bank card. Transport Victoria says concession holders must first link a contactless payment method to their concession entitlement. Until you’ve done that, keep using your concession myki so you’re charged the right fare.
Already free, still free
- Early Bird: metro trains are free if you touch on and off before 7am.
- Under 18s travel free with a Youth myki.
- Seniors travel free on weekends.
Why it matters to you
If you’ve just arrived in Melbourne, or you’re a student, every trip now costs half the normal fare. Half-price fares end on 1 January, so it’s a good time to visit family across town or take a regional trip.
Sources: Transport Victoria, Public transport now half price for everyone (22 May 2026) and Tap and go, accessed 15 October 2026. Includes information © State of Victoria (Department of Transport and Planning), used under CC BY 4.0. Fares and rules can change: check transport.vic.gov.au before you travel.