Hotels Near Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
Sunday 17 January 2027 Rod Laver ArenaUpdated Wednesday 7 October 2026
The short answer
24 hotels from our mapped pool sit within 6 km of Rod Laver Arena, 24 of them within a 40-minute walk. Closest are Mantra On Jolimont Melbourne (7 min), Adina Apartment Hotel Melbourne on Flinders (14 min), Punthill Manhattan (15 min). Next up at the venue: Australian Open | Session 1 - 1st Round - Day Session on Sunday 17 January 2027. For that night the cheapest listed room starts around $264 per night and the median is $389, +19% against a normal $327 night. Rates sampled 7 Oct 2026.
Rod Laver Arena sits at the heart of Melbourne Park, and for the Australian Open this is about as convenient as event travel gets. All 24 hotels listed here are walkable to the venue, with the closest just 0.42 kilometres away in East Melbourne. Melbourne CBD holds the bulk of the choice with 21 hotels ranging from 0.83 to 1.41 kilometres out, covering everything from three-star apart-hotels to five-star names. That spread suits most travellers: solo fans wanting a short stroll, families wanting CBD restaurants on tap, groups wanting a base that works for night sessions too. South Melbourne and Southbank each add a single four- and three-star option a little further out for those happy to walk a bit more for a quieter street. With eight sessions across four days of the first round, expect demand to build fast for the closest properties, especially on night session dates, so the earlier you look, the more of that walkable list is still open to you.
When to book
The Australian Open first round runs across four days, 17 to 20 January 2027, with day and night sessions each day. All 24 hotels near Rod Laver Arena are walkable, but the closest options in East Melbourne and inner Melbourne CBD are limited in number, so book those early if you want the shortest walk on session days.
Best areas to stay near Rod Laver Arena
Areas are the supplier zones our mapped hotels fall into, ordered by distance to the venue. Prices are the median event-night rate for the hotels we list in that area.
East Melbourne
1 hotel · 0.4–0.4 km · 1 walkable
East Melbourne has just one hotel on this list, a four-star property only 0.42 kilometres from Rod Laver Arena. It suits travellers who want the shortest possible walk to Melbourne Park and don't mind a quieter, mostly residential neighbourhood around match days.
- Event night
- $551
- Normal night
- $335
4-star hotels listed
Melbourne CBD
21 hotels · 0.8–1.4 km · 21 walkable
Melbourne CBD carries most of the choice, with 21 hotels between 0.83 and 1.41 kilometres of the arena, spanning three to five stars. This is the pick for anyone who wants restaurants, bars and transport links on the doorstep alongside an easy walk to every session.
- Event night
- $408
- Normal night
- $327
3–5 star hotels listed
South Melbourne
1 hotel · 1.2–1.2 km · 1 walkable
South Melbourne offers one four-star hotel, 1.2 kilometres from Rod Laver Arena and still an easy walk. It suits travellers happy to trade a few extra minutes on foot for a calmer base away from the CBD crowds.
- Event night
- $300
- Normal night
- $207
4-star hotels listed
Southbank
1 hotel · 1.4–1.4 km · 1 walkable
Southbank has a single three-star hotel on this list, 1.4 kilometres from the arena. It works for budget-minded fans who don't mind the longest walk of the group in exchange for a riverside neighbourhood feel.
- Event night
- $274
- Normal night
- $315
3-star hotels listed
Hotels near Rod Laver Arena, by distance
Event window 16 Jan 2027 → 18 Jan 2027 · 2 nights · 2 adultsPer-night prices are our lowest sampled rate for the event window versus a normal night three weeks out. Walking times assume 4.8 km/h with a 30% detour allowance.
| Hotel | Area | Distance | Stars | Event night | Normal night | Cancellation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Mantra On Jolimont Melbourne Closest option to Rod Laver Arena, an East Melbourne apart-hotel just seven minutes' walk away. 8.6/10 guest score · 4 reviews | East Melbourne | 7 min walk 0.4 km | 4 | $551 | $335 | See rates | View rates |
 Adina Apartment Hotel Melbourne on Flinders Melbourne CBD apart-hotel 0.83 kilometres from the arena, about a fourteen minute walk. Apart-hotel | Melbourne CBD | 14 min walk 0.8 km | 4 | $689 | $389 | Free cancellation available | View rates |
 Punthill Manhattan Four-star CBD apart-hotel, 0.89 kilometres and roughly fifteen minutes' walk to Rod Laver Arena. Apart-hotel | Melbourne CBD | 15 min walk 0.9 km | 4 | $457 | $342 | See rates | View rates |
 Sofitel Melbourne On Collins Five-star CBD hotel on Collins Street, a sixteen minute walk to Melbourne Park. 9.7/10 guest score · 2 reviews | Melbourne CBD | 16 min walk 0.9 km | 5 | $792 | $468 | See rates | View rates |
 Quay West Suites Melbourne Five-star CBD apart-hotel suites, 0.95 kilometres and about sixteen minutes on foot to the arena. Apart-hotel | Melbourne CBD | 16 min walk 0.9 km | 5 | $681 | $418 | Free cancellation available | View rates |
 Holiday Inn Express Melbourne Southbank Four-star CBD hotel one kilometre out, roughly a seventeen minute walk to Rod Laver Arena. 9.1/10 guest score · 2 reviews | Melbourne CBD | 17 min walk 1.0 km | 4 | $408 | $277 | Free cancellation available | View rates |
 Flinders Landing Apartments CBD apartment stay 1.01 kilometres from the arena, about seventeen minutes' walk away. Apartment | Melbourne CBD | 17 min walk 1.0 km | 4 | $288 | $216 | See rates | View rates |
 The Langham Hotel, Melbourne 10.0/10 guest score · 3 reviews | Melbourne CBD | 18 min walk 1.1 km | 5 | $1,190 | $1,830 | See rates | View rates |
 Mantra 100 Exhibition Melbourne Four-star CBD apart-hotel, 1.09 kilometres out, around an eighteen minute walk to Melbourne Park. Apart-hotel | Melbourne CBD | 18 min walk 1.1 km | 4 | $436 | — | See rates | View rates |
 Sheraton Melbourne Five-star CBD hotel 1.11 kilometres from Rod Laver Arena, about nineteen minutes on foot. | Melbourne CBD | 19 min walk 1.1 km | 5 | $487 | $986 | Free cancellation available | View rates |
 Mercure Melbourne Southbank Four-star hotel in the CBD, 1.12 kilometres and roughly nineteen minutes' walk to the arena. 8.9/10 guest score · 11 reviews | Melbourne CBD | 19 min walk 1.1 km | 4 | $323 | $295 | See rates | View rates |
 Adelphi CBD four-star hotel, 1.13 kilometres from Rod Laver Arena, about a nineteen minute walk. | Melbourne CBD | 19 min walk 1.1 km | 4 | $555 | $343 | Free cancellation available | View rates |
 Next Hotel Melbourne, Curio Collection by Hilton Five-star CBD hotel, 1.14 kilometres out, roughly nineteen minutes' walk to Melbourne Park. | Melbourne CBD | 19 min walk 1.1 km | 5 | $496 | $405 | Free cancellation available | View rates |
 Adina Apartment Hotel Melbourne Southbank Four-star CBD apartment hotel, 1.15 kilometres away, around a nineteen minute walk to the arena. | Melbourne CBD | 19 min walk 1.1 km | 4 | $322 | $242 | Free cancellation available | View rates |
 The Hotel Windsor Historic five-star CBD hotel, 1.15 kilometres from the arena, about nineteen minutes on foot. 8.8/10 guest score · 4 reviews | Melbourne CBD | 19 min walk 1.1 km | 5 | $386 | $212 | Free cancellation available | View rates |
 Stamford Plaza Melbourne 9.5/10 guest score · 1 reviews | Melbourne CBD | 19 min walk 1.2 km | 5 | $369 | $327 | Free cancellation available | View rates |
 City Square Motel Mini-hotel | Melbourne CBD | 20 min walk 1.2 km | 3 | $264 | $99 | Free cancellation available | View rates |
 Seasons Botanic Gardens Apart-hotel | South Melbourne | 20 min walk 1.2 km | 4 | $300 | $207 | Free cancellation available | View rates |
 Punthill Flinders Lane 9.0/10 guest score · 1 reviews | Melbourne CBD | 20 min walk 1.2 km | 4 | $346 | $169 | See rates | View rates |
 The Victoria Hotel Melbourne 8.3/10 guest score · 2 reviews | Melbourne CBD | 21 min walk 1.3 km | 3 | $275 | $185 | Free cancellation available | View rates |
| Melbourne CBD | 22 min walk 1.3 km | 4 | $389 | $335 | See rates | View rates | |
| Melbourne CBD | 22 min walk 1.3 km | 4 | $420 | $283 | Free cancellation available | View rates | |
| Melbourne CBD | 22 min walk 1.4 km | 4 | $363 | $327 | Free cancellation available | View rates | |
| Southbank | 23 min walk 1.4 km | 3 | $274 | $315 | See rates | View rates |
Map: Rod Laver Arena and the listed hotels
Getting to Rod Laver Arena
Richmond and Jolimont are the nearest railway stations, each about a ten to eleven minute walk from Melbourne Park, with Flinders Street also close by and linked by tram or a riverside walk. Tram route 70 stops right outside Rod Laver Arena at Stop 7B, and can be caught from Flinders Street or Richmond Station. The 246 bus, between Elsternwick and Clifton Hill, stops at Olympic Boulevard and Punt Road. Rideshare pick up and drop off is outside John Cain Arena on Olympic Boulevard. On-site parking is at Eastern Plaza Car Park via Entrance D, with online bookings closing at midnight the night before. From the CBD it is roughly a ten minute walk across Tanderrum Bridge through Birrarung Marr. Extra late trains and trams run after event nights, and SkyBus connects the airport to Southern Cross Station for onward travel.
Richmond and Jolimont stations are the nearest to Melbourne Park
Richmond and Jolimont railway stations are within easy walking distance of Melbourne Park, with Richmond around a ten minute walk and Jolimont around an eleven minute walk to the entrances. Flinders Street station is also close by and connects to Melbourne Park by a short tram ride or walk.
Source: transport.vic.gov.au, ausopen.com
Tram route 70 stops right outside the arena
Tram route 70 running between Waterfront City Docklands and Wattle Park can be boarded at Flinders Street or Richmond station and stops directly at Rod Laver Arena at Stop 7B, with John Cain Arena at Stop 7C and AAMI Park at Stop 7D nearby. Route 70a shuttle trams also run between Melbourne Park and the city during major events at Melbourne Park.
Route 246 bus stops at Olympic Boulevard and Punt Road
The 246 bus, which runs between Elsternwick and Clifton Hill, stops at the corner of Olympic Boulevard and Punt Road within walking distance of Rod Laver Arena. This gives spectators from the eastern and south eastern suburbs a direct bus link to Melbourne Park.
Rideshare pick up and drop off is outside John Cain Arena
The designated rideshare drop off and pick up point for services such as Uber is located outside John Cain Arena on Olympic Boulevard rather than at the Rod Laver Arena doors. Spectators are asked not to order their rideshare until they have walked to that pick up point to help avoid congestion along Olympic Boulevard.
Eastern Plaza Car Park is the main on site option
On site parking for Rod Laver Arena is available at the Eastern Plaza Car Park, accessed via Entrance D on Olympic Boulevard. Pre booking is strongly recommended because drive up spaces are limited and online bookings close at midnight the night before the event.
Extra late night trains run after big events
On event nights extra train services are added and journey times are extended, with an additional late departure added on all metro lines to help spectators get home after the show finishes. Trams also run extra return services from Melbourne Park to the city about an hour after the end of play.
Melbourne Park is a short walk from the CBD
Melbourne Park is roughly a ten minute walk from the Melbourne CBD across the Tanderrum Bridge and through Birrarung Marr. Spectators arriving by train at Flinders Street can also cross via Federation Square and this riverside path directly to the Garden Square entrance.
SkyBus links the airport to the city for onward transfer
Melbourne Airport does not have a direct service to Rod Laver Arena, so spectators typically catch the SkyBus Melbourne City Express to Southern Cross Station and then continue by train to Flinders Street or Richmond before walking or tramming to the venue. A Myki card is needed for the onward metro and tram legs since it cannot be used on SkyBus itself.
Source: www.skybus.com.au, www.rome2rio.com
Richmond Station is the closest train station
Richmond Station is the nearest railway station to Rod Laver Arena and Melbourne Park, roughly a ten minute walk to the precinct. Jolimont Station is also within easy walking distance, around eleven minutes away.
Tram 70 stops right at the arena
Tram route 70, running between Waterfront City Docklands and Wattle Park, can be caught from Flinders Street or Richmond Station and stops directly outside Rod Laver Arena at Stop 7B. The same tram continues to Stop 7C for John Cain Arena and Stop 7D for AAMI Park.
Route 246 bus serves the precinct
The 246 bus, which runs between Elsternwick and Clifton Hill, stops at the corner of Olympic Boulevard and Punt Road near Melbourne Park. This service has been highlighted as an alternative for tennis fans heading to the Australian Open.
Uber pick up and drop off is outside John Cain Arena
The designated drop off and pick up point for rideshare services such as Uber is located outside John Cain Arena on Olympic Boulevard. Guests are asked not to order their ride until they have reached the pick up point to avoid congestion.
What hotels cost on the event night
Based on 24 hotels within 6 km that returned a rate for 16 Jan 2027 → 18 Jan 2027 (2 adults) compared with the same hotels three weeks from today. The lowest event-night rate we found was $264 per night. Sampled 7 Oct 2026; live rates at checkout may differ.
Upcoming at Rod Laver Arena
Frequently asked questions
Which hotels are within walking distance of Rod Laver Arena?
24 of the 24 hotels we list are within a 40-minute walk. The closest are Mantra On Jolimont Melbourne (7 min, 0.4 km), Adina Apartment Hotel Melbourne on Flinders (14 min, 0.8 km), Punthill Manhattan (15 min, 0.9 km).
How much do hotels near Rod Laver Arena cost on the event night?
Across 24 hotels within 6 km, the median rate for 16 Jan 2027 is $389 per night for two adults, compared with $327 on a normal night (+19%). The lowest listed rate is $264 at City Square Motel.
When is Australian Open | Session 1 - 1st Round - Day Session at Rod Laver Arena?
Australian Open | Session 1 - 1st Round - Day Session is scheduled for Sunday 17 January 2027 at 11:00 local time (Australian Open (Grand Slam)). Suggested hotel dates are the night before and the night of the event (16 Jan 2027 → 18 Jan 2027).
Which area is best to stay in for Rod Laver Arena?
Stay as close as your budget allows: 24 listed hotels are walkable, which removes the post-event transport crush. Hotels further into Melbourne are usually cheaper on the event night and still a short ride away. The areas section above lists each zone with its distance band and median event-night price.
Can I book a hotel near Rod Laver Arena with free cancellation?
14 of the 24 listed hotels returned at least one free-cancellation rate for the event window. Refundable rates are usually a little higher than the lead rate; the hotel page shows both.
Can I book hotel and event tickets together?
Yes. Event Escapes sells tickets and hotels for Melbourne events, and packages combine the two with pay-weekly instalments where available.
Keep planning
Hotel distances are straight-line from the venue; walking times are estimates. Event-night and normal-night prices are the lowest rates our systems sampled for two adults on the dates shown and include our service fee; live availability and prices at checkout may differ. Event details come from the ticketing feed.