Guide to Free Public Transport for Seniors Week 2026
From 3 to 11 October 2026, Victorian Seniors Card holders can expect nine days of free travel across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria. This includes travel across all metropolitan services, V/Line train and coach services, and selected regional bus services outside of the myki-enabled area.
This special offer is part of the Victorian Seniors Festival and is a fantastic opportunity to explore new destinations or revisit your favourite spots.
Read also: Free Weekend Travel for Seniors Year-Round in Victoria: Your Handy Guide
How to Travel During the Free Travel Period
To make the most of the free travel period, make sure you have both your Seniors myki card and Victorian Seniors Card with you at all times when using public transport.
Here’s what you need to do:
- On Metro Services (Trains, Trams, and Buses): Touch on and off as usual with your Seniors myki card, but don’t worry—you won’t be charged for your trip.
- On Regional Services (Trains, Coaches, and Buses): Simply show your Victorian Seniors Card to the conductor or bus driver if you’re travelling on services that don’t use myki. Reservations are required on some long-distance V/Line trains and coaches — look for an ‘R’ on the timetable. No booking needed on Ballarat/Wendouree/Ararat, Bendigo/Eaglehawk/Echuca, Geelong/Marshall, Traralgon or Seymour services. Reservations are required for Albury/Wodonga, Bairnsdale, Shepparton, Swan Hill and Warrnambool services.
Related reading and useful guides:
- How to Navigate Southern Cross Station with Confidence
- A Useful Guide to Melbourne’s New Metro Tunnel Stations
- 10 Best Restaurants Near Southern Cross Station (Within 500m)
- Using Your Seniors myki and Navigating Public Transport in Melbourne (2026)
- Day Trips from Melbourne by Public Transport: reader-tested ideas
Where You Can Go
During the free travel period, you can travel for free on all public transport across Victoria. This includes:
- Melbourne’s Trains, Trams, and Buses: Explore the vibrant city and its suburbs without any travel costs.
- Regional Trains, Coaches, and Buses: Discover the beautiful landscapes and towns throughout regional Victoria, including free local town bus travel in Ararat, Bacchus Marsh, Bairnsdale, Ballarat, Beaufort, Bellarine Peninsula, Benalla, Bendigo, Churchill, Cobram, Colac, Drouin, Echuca/Moama, Geelong, Gisborne, Hamilton, Horsham, Kilmore, Korumburra, Kyneton, Lakes Entrance, Maryborough, Mildura, Moe, Mornington Peninsula, Morwell, Portland, Rochester, Sale, Seymour, Shepparton-Mooroopna, Stawell, Swan Hill, Traralgon, Wangaratta, Warragul, Warrnambool, Wonthaggi and Yarrawonga.
To make your journey more comfortable, especially on popular routes, it’s recommended to travel during off-peak hours when there are usually more seats available.
Be inspired to explore regional Victoria with our guide to what’s on during the Seniors Festival.
Useful Information for Booking Travel in Regional Victoria
For those planning to travel on long-distance V/Line trains or certain coach services, reservations are required. Here’s how to book your seat:
- Reservations Open: From 10am Tuesday 1 September 2026, you can reserve seats for services requiring bookings.
- Booking Options: Visit your nearest V/Line station or authorised agent, or call V/Line on 1800 800 007 to reserve your seat.
- Ticket Collection: Once you book, remember to collect your tickets within 48 hours to confirm your reservation.
- Travel Class: Free travel is only available in economy class.
Group Travel Bookings
For travelling with a group, here’s what you need to know:
- Small Groups: For groups of less than 19 passengers on a V/Line train or 11 or more on a V/Line coach, you can make a group booking at your nearest station or authorised agent. Group sizes are capped at 45 passengers per train and 20 passengers per coach.
- Large Groups: For larger groups, a booking request form is available online. You can submit this form from 10am on Tuesday, 1 September at www.vline.com.au/grouptravel.
If You Can’t Travel
If you book a seat and later find you can’t make the trip, please inform V/Line as soon as possible. This allows the seats to be reallocated to other seniors who may wish to travel.
Plan Your Journey
For more information about free travel during the Seniors Festival, visit seniorsonline.vic.gov.au, or plan your trip using Transport Victoria’s journey planner.
Travellers Aid Melbourne
Need a hand getting around Melbourne? Travellers Aid is here to make sure nothing stands in your way. From rest areas to mobility equipment, they’ve thought of everything so you can focus on the adventure! Read more here.
More Free and Discounted Travel, All Year
The Seniors Festival free travel period isn’t the only time to save. Victorian Seniors Card holders already enjoy free travel every weekend, all year round. And until 1 January 2027, the Victorian Government’s 50% fare discount for all Victorians means Seniors Card holders get a further 50% off their weekday travel too.
Read also: Free Weekend Travel for Seniors Year-Round in Victoria: Your Handy Guide
Be Inspired With Our City Outing Ideas
Looking for inspiration on where to go during your free travel week? Here are our top picks for city day trips:
- Royal Botanic Gardens – Hop on The Explorer minibus tour for a guided journey through Melbourne’s beautiful gardens. Book your tour.
- City Art & Heritage Collection at Town Hall – Discover the rich history and art housed in Melbourne’s Town Hall. Read more here.
- Immigration Museum – Learn about the stories of those who have made Victoria their home at this fascinating museum. Free entry for pension card holders! Read more here.
- Royal Exhibition Building Dome Promenade Tour – Take a guided tour of one of Melbourne’s most iconic landmarks and enjoy stunning views from the dome promenade. Find details here.
- MCG Guided Tour & Australian Sports Museum – Explore the Melbourne Cricket Ground with a guided tour and visit the Australian Sports Museum. Book your tickets here.
- NGV International French Impressionism Exhibition Highlights Tour – Dive into this fascinating collection featuring Monet, Renoir, Degas and more at the National Gallery of Victoria. Read more here.
- Koorie Heritage Trust – Experience Aboriginal culture and heritage through exhibitions, workshops, and cultural programs. Open daily with free entry. Find out more here.
- Melbourne Museum – Explore the natural and cultural history of Victoria, including the stunning Forest Gallery and the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre. Pension card holders can enter for free! Find more here.
- State Library Victoria – Wander through this historic library and explore its exhibitions, including the iconic La Trobe Reading Room. Find a free guided tour.
- Shrine of Remembrance – Pay your respects and learn about Australia’s military history at this iconic Melbourne landmark. Read about our recent visit here.
- Fitzroy Gardens – Stroll through these historic gardens and visit Captain Cook’s Cottage for a touch of history. Plan your visit.
- Queen Victoria Market – Enjoy fresh produce, unique gifts, and delicious food at this bustling iconic market. Read it all here.
- Old Treasury Building – Explore Melbourne’s history with a visit to this grand building that once stored gold bullion. Free entry, more details here.
- Athenaeum Library – Step back in time at one of Melbourne’s oldest subscription libraries, with its rich collection of books and periodicals. Free for visitors, read more here.
- NGV Australia – Collection Highlights Tour – Discover the rich collection of Australian art, from colonial to contemporary, at the NGV Australia in Federation Square. Read about the tour here.
Find more city outing inspiration here.
- For our list of Festival events happening in Metropolitan Melbourne head here.
- For our list of Festival events happening in Regional Victoria head here.
- Details on Celebration Day at Fed Square on Saturday 3 Oct 2026, can be found here.
- The full list of 3,000+ events as part of the Victorian Seniors Festival official program is here.
Enjoy your adventure and make the most of your free travel during Seniors Week!
Heading off on your own Melbourne adventures? Join our Facebook Group and share your stories, ask questions and connect with others for further inspiration.
Disclaimer: Seniors in Melbourne is an independent platform and is not affiliated with the Victorian Seniors Festival, the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH), or the Victorian Government. All content is created and published independently.
