Introducing travel in Melbourne with Skybus and Myki

In this post, we will introduce how to travel from the airport to the city using Skybus and how to travel in the city using the (very confusing) Myki card. Skybus - Let's start with traveling into the city using Skybus. The advantages are that it is economical, has many bus schedules, and is convenient. The Melbourne City Express bus line ends at Southern Cross Station. - We recommend buying a round trip ticket online before you arrive (32 AUD for a round trip). It is cheaper than buying it at the event. When you want to get on the bus, open the link in the email you received and have the officer scan the QR code. - The bus ride takes about 20-30 minutes. There is free wifi on the bus and luggage storage, which is very convenient. - When you arrive at Southern Cross Station, exit the station on the opposite side, which will be a tram sign. You can take the free tram to the CBD zone. Myki Card - The Myki Card is a card that we use to travel on trams/buses/trains in Melbourne. You can buy it at the automatic machines. There are machines at the airport, Southern Cross Station, or at some tram signs. Some stations have machines that look like the ones in the picture. (The picture shows a booth at the airport near the exit to get on the Skybus.) - For the first purchase, press Buy myki --> Myki card fee = 6 AUD. I recommend topping up the card for the first time with 10 AUD (total payment for the first time = 16 AUD). - The card we use is called Myki Money, similar to our Rabbit card in that you have to top up the card and then the money will be deducted continuously. There is also another type called Myki Pass, which is a fixed price, such as 7 days / 30 days, etc. - You can pay with cash or credit card (or Travel card), but if you use a card, you have to set a PIN code first. For example, we use a SCB Planet card, so we have to set a 6-digit PIN code first (you can set it from the app. I recommend doing it while you are in Thailand because you have to use an OTP to confirm it). When you pay with the card, the machine will ask you to enter a PIN code. - After you get the card, I recommend registering the card online according to the details on the back of the card. This will allow you to check the remaining balance and top up online. When traveling, you will be able to plan how much to top up. How to use Myki card - If you travel only in the Free Tram Zone, you don't have to tap your card when getting on and off. - If your destination is outside the Free Tram Zone, tap your card when getting on (Touch On), but don't tap your card when getting off, except if you won't be getting on any other type of vehicle that day. Just tap off when you get off. (The advantage is that if the Touch On and Touch Off periods are no more than 2 hours, you'll be charged the 2-hour fare.) - If you use a train, bus, or tram to travel only in Zone 2, tap on when getting on and off every time. The fare is calculated by zone and by time period, divided into: 2hr Fare: 4.60 AUD (Zone 1+2) and 3.10 AUD (travel only in Zone 2) Daily Fare (travel time using the card is more than 2 hours per day): 9.20 AUD (Zone 1+2) and 6.20 AUD (travel only in Zone 2) From experience If you are not sure how much you will use the card for that day, just Touch On, Touch Off every time you get on and off. The system will calculate for you. If it exceeds 2 hours, it will calculate the daily rate instead of calculating 2 hours 2-3 times. But try to plan your trip well because the fare is not cheap. For example, we try to arrange our attractions to be in the same zone or if we have to travel on any day, we can use the car to its full potential because we will have to pay the daily fare anyway. **Note: The exchange rate during this period (August 2022) 1 AUD is approximately 25 baht.** #Melbourne #TravelAbroadByYourself