All Public Transport Will Be Free on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve 2021

Finding a designated driver on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve is not an easy feat — nan is stuck into the boozy pud, dad has pulled a dusty one out of the cellar and you don't really want to carpool with that weird uncle. Public Transport Victoria understands and is easing the pain of commuting on the two big days (slightly) by offering all public transport for free.

Over Christmas Day, all trains, trams, buses and V/line services will be free from 3am on Saturday, December 25, till 3am on Sunday, December 26. All public transport services will be running on the regular public holiday timetable. If you are planning to catch a reserved V/line service you still need to book ahead but you'll be provided your ticket free of charge.

A few days later, over New Year's Eve, the same public transport services will be free from 6pm on Friday, December 31 until 6am on Saturday, January 1. And, the first V/Line train services departing Melbourne that morning will also be free, even if they leave after 6am.

If that's now made your NYE plans easier — and cheaper — metro trains will be running every 15 minutes from midnight till 1am, every 30 minutes between 1am and 2am and every hour after 2am. Most tram services will also be running every all night, every 15–20 minutes from midnight to 2am and every 60 minutes from 2am.

On both days, you won't need to touch on (or be carrying) your Myki — if you do, you won't be charged. You do still need to check in, though, and wear a mask.

For more information on the free travel periods, and for updates to services, head to the PTV website.