Fares for children

Children under four years of age may travel free on public transport in Victoria, but they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Children aged four to 14 years inclusive are eligible for concession fares. They do not need a concession card to travel on a concession fare.

Primary and Secondary Student Passes offer better value for students who travel regularly and are available for holders of Victorian Public Transport Student Concession Cards. See Concessions for more information.

Children on V/Line services

Children under 10 years of age

Children under 10 cannot travel alone on any V/Line service. They MUST travel with a parent or guardian, except when travelling with other children to and from school.

Children 10-15 years of age

At all times V/Line reserves the right to decline travel to any child if unaccompanied by a parent or a guardian.

V/Line discourages children between 10-15 years old from travelling alone, particularly on long distance services, as we cannot guarantee that they will be supervised by V/Line staff and/or coach drivers.

However, in the event that a parent or guardian elects to have a child between 10-15 years travel alone, conditions apply (see below) and the full responsibility for the child’s safety and well-being remains with their parents or guardian.

Long distance services

An unaccompanied child must have a reservation for all long distance journeys and, as a result, will sit in a reserved train carriage.

Long distance services include:

• Train services travelling beyond the boundaries of Traralgon, Bendigo, Ballarat, Seymour and Geelong
• Interstate Link services (including the overnight Mildura services)
• Any coach service operating between (10pm to 5am),

You can make this reservation by calling 136 196 or by visiting your local V/Line station.

For a child between 10-15 years old travelling alone on long distance services, V/Line must be advised of the following details at least 24 hours in advance:

Child’s name and age;

Date / time of the journey;

Origin and destination, including any connection point where a change of service will occur; and

The name, address and telephone number of:

• the person placing the child on the service
• the person who will meet the child at the destination
• any person meeting the child at a connection point.

V/Line will allocate an authorisation number that is recorded on the ticket as proof that this information has been provided.

The parent or guardian must be present when the ticket is purchased.

Short distance services

A child between 10-15 years old can travel on a short distance service (i.e. those between Melbourne and Traralgon, Bendigo, Ballarat, Seymour and Geelong) without making a reservation or providing passenger information.