Getting around Adelaide by tram

Adelaide's tram network is small and simple, which is exactly what makes it useful. There is one main line, running from the beach at Glenelg through the city, with branches that carry it along North Terrace and out to the west. Once you know that shape, you know most of what you need.

Where the trams go

From Glenelg, trams run through the southern suburbs and into the city along King William Street, the main north–south street of the grid. In the city, the network splits: one branch continues west past the railway station towards the Entertainment Centre, and another turns east along North Terrace, past the cultural institutions, to the Botanic Garden. Route patterns change from time to time, so check the destination on the front of the tram before you board.

Free travel in the city

Tram travel through the city centre is free, with no ticket needed, and a free section also runs along Jetty Road at the Glenelg end. It covers the stops most visitors use — King William Street, North Terrace and the stops towards the Entertainment Centre. The exact limits of the free section are shown on stop signs and on the Adelaide Metro website; if your trip goes beyond them, you need a valid ticket for the whole journey.

Tickets outside the free section

Beyond the free section, you pay with a metroCARD or another ticket option accepted by Adelaide Metro, and you validate it each time you board — including when you change services. Fares and ticket options are revised periodically, so check the current details with Adelaide Metro rather than relying on an old guide.

Small habits

Trams stop only at marked platforms, and several city stops sit in the middle of the road: cross at the lights. Move down the carriage rather than crowding the doors, and give up the priority seats when someone needs them. The trip to Glenelg takes a little over half an hour from the city, so allow for it if you are heading to the beach for sunset.