School student travel
School student travel
Using public transport (PT) to and from school helps build a kid’s independence and gives parents and carers flexibility too. Here is all you need to know to make your kid’s PT experience safe and simple.
myki concession fares
School students aged 5 to 18 can travel on a Child myki with fares capped at $2.65 concession for 2 hours, $5.30 unlimited daily travel and it's even cheaper on weekends, capped at $3.60.
Go further and save money with an annual student pass!
PTV offers yearly and half yearly Metro student passes for unlimited travel on all train, tram and bus services within Victoria up until 28 February 2025. A one-off cost of $720 takes the headache out of student travel costs while your kid takes advantage of free travel across the entire Victorian network for more than a year!
Regional school students can also purchase a half or full year student pass in their chosen area.
PT essentials
Download the PTV app
The PTV app is easy to use and has all your kid’s transport needs covered. Top up your myki instantly, view travel information, safeguard your kid’s myki balance and more.
Register your kid's myki
If you register your kid’s myki, you can recover their myki balance if their phone or card are stolen.
If you have a big family, you can register up to 10 mykis through one account.
Read more on how to register your myki in the PTV app.
PT journey planner
Find the right route, mode and whether there are disruptions planned to allow enough time to and from school. It’s also worth planning the path your kid will walk, crossings they’ll make and general street safety along the way.
myki tips and tricks
Purchase a myki travel card in real time or online!
A physical Child myki card costs $3 and can be purchased at any manned station, myki machine or participating 7-Elevens, online with an Android phone using Google Wallet or by calling 1800 800 007 (Please allow seven days for delivery of a myki)
Regional customers can buy a pre-loaded myki card at some staffed V/Line stations outside the myki area - beyond Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Traralgon and Seymour, or from a V/Line conductor if boarding at an unstaffed station, cash only.
Top up in person or online
Your kid can top up using myki machines at select stations and stops or manned stations.
If you have downloaded the PTV app, you can save the worry of your kid topping up at the station giving them more time to spend on the fun stuff, like catching up with their friends, by following these easy steps. Please note: allow around 90 minutes for online top ups.
Set and forget with auto top up!
Much like direct debit, this PTV feature works by automatically topping up your kid’s myki when the balance is getting low. Best of all, you decide the minimum balance amount to automatically top up – it can be as little as $5, $10, $20 or more while PTV takes care of the rest.
Handy travel tips
Free early bird travel
Touch on and touch off within two hours and before 7:15am on a weekday with a $0 or positive myki balance to receive the free Early Bird fare on your metropolitan train journey. Please note: V/Line train services are not eligible for the Early Bird fare, except for travel between Pakenham or Sunbury and Melbourne.
Lost or stolen myki
The PTV app puts you in control of your kid’s travel information and keeps a myki balance record history if a myki card becomes lost or stolen. If you have registered your kid’s myki or your smartphone with a Mobile myki is lost or stolen, you can report it online or call us on 1800 800 007 to block your myki. For physical myki smartcards we'll transfer your balance to a replacement myki at no cost.
Priority seating
Priority seats are usually closest to aisles and doors and will have a priority seating sticker above the designated seats. These seats are available to students with a disability, impairment, or extra needs.
Read more about priority seating here
How to report bad behaviour
Everyone has the right to feel safe on PT. If your kid experiences any form of unwelcome behaviour, text STOPIT to notify Victoria Police of non-urgent incidents. STOPIT is a non-urgent, text-based notification service for the discreet reporting of anti-social behaviours across the transport network.