How to get to St Kilda Beach by train and tram
Station, line, walk and the honest last leg — the complete guide.
Take the train to Balaclava station (Balaclava is on the Sandringham line). From there it is a ~20-minute walk (or a short tram leg) to St Kilda Beach, Luna Park and the foreshore.
Luna Park, the Palais Theatre and Acland Street's cake shops are all clustered at the beach end of the tram line.
Alternatively: Windsor station (see line).
Overview
St Kilda is Melbourne’s classic bayside playground — a broad beach on Port Phillip Bay, the historic Luna Park, the Esplanade and the cake shops of Acland Street. Here honesty matters: no suburban train reaches the St Kilda foreshore any more, because the old St Kilda railway was converted to light rail decades ago. The nearest heavy-rail station is Balaclava on the Sandringham line, about a 20-minute walk (or a short bus) down Carlisle Street to the sea. Most visitors instead take tram 96, which runs straight from the city centre to the St Kilda foreshore.
Getting there from key points
| Starting point | Route |
|---|---|
| City centre | Tram 96 from Bourke Street to St Kilda (Acland St) — the easiest way, ~25 min |
| Flinders Street | Sandringham line to Balaclava, ~12 min, then ~20-min walk or a connecting bus |
| South Yarra | Sandringham line to Balaclava, ~8 min, then walk/tram to the beach |
Step by step
Board a Metro train toward the city and get off at Balaclava station (Balaclava is on the Sandringham line).
Follow the signs to the correct exit and touch off your myki.
After about 20 minutes on foot (or a tram leg) you reach St Kilda Beach, Luna Park and the foreshore.
Useful information
Frequently asked questions
What is the nearest station to St Kilda Beach?
Balaclava station (Balaclava is on the Sandringham line) is the closest. From there it is about a 20-minute walk. For the easiest arrival many visitors use a tram for the final leg.
Do I need a myki, and how much is the fare?
Yes — you touch on and off with a myki card or Mobile myki. A 2-hour metropolitan fare is $5.70 (full) or $2.85 (concession), and the daily cap is $11.40. The whole metro area is one flat zone, and the CBD Free Tram Zone is fare-free.
How do I get there from City centre?
City centre: Tram 96 from Bourke Street to St Kilda (Acland St) — the easiest way, ~25 min.
Is Balaclava station accessible?
Most Melbourne stations have step-free access, tactile guidance and accessible myki readers, but not every station has lifts. Check the PTV station page for the exact facilities and any boarding-ramp assistance before you travel.
Where can I find more attractions near the metro?
See all Melbourne attractions near the metro for the full list of landmarks by station.
Contents
Updated: August 2026