Answer first
- Operators
- Greyhound Australia and FlixBus Australia
- Cheapest known fare
- From $52 with FlixBus Australia, seen when we last checked on 18 Oct. This operator prices by demand, so confirm it on their site.
- Journey time
- About 25h 53m
- Distance
- 1,656 km by road
- Booking
- Booking is direct with the operator, not through AusBus.
The route at a glance
The Brisbane–Melbourne corridor.
Brisbane to Melbourne is around 1,750 km down the east coast, and no operator runs it as a single direct coach. The journey is made as a connecting trip, down the Pacific Highway to Sydney and then along the Hume Highway to Melbourne. FlixBus sells the full trip as one booking with a change of coach at Sydney Central, so you hold a single ticket even though you change vehicles partway. Use the journey search to see the current connecting options and fares for your dates.
Journey essentials
- Onboard
- Wi-Fi · Toilet · USB charging · Wheelchair access
- Luggage
- 1 × 40kg checked bag
- Overnight option
- Available on this corridor
Compare operators
Who runs this route.
FlixBus Australia
Wi-FiToiletUSB chargingEco-friendly40kg luggageConnecting service, change at Sydney Central Station.
Bookon FlixBus AustraliaFrom$52Services
Depart Arrive Runs 6:15 AM 11:50 AM+1 Daily Greyhound Australia
Overnight serviceWi-FiToiletUSB chargingWheelchair accessEco-friendly40kg luggageSold as a single ticket; the journey involves a change of coach at Sydney.
Bookon Greyhound AustraliaFrom$184Services
Depart Arrive Runs 2:00 PM 5:30 AM+1 Daily
Fares are indicative. Live pricing may vary by date and availability. AusBus earns a small commission on some bookings at no extra cost to you.
Spotted an error or a missing operator on this route? Let us know.
Day bus or night bus?
Choosing your departure.
Daytime coaches let you watch the country roll past and break the trip at meal stops. FlixBus Australia runs a daytime service on this route.
Board in the evening, sleep through the drive and arrive the next morning, saving a night's accommodation. Overnight services here are run by Greyhound Australia. Bring a neck pillow and layers, as the air-conditioning runs cool.
Travel tips
What to know before you go.
Book as early as you can, since advance fares on both the Brisbane to Sydney and Sydney to Melbourne corridors sit well below walk-up prices. The FlixBus through fare is one booking with a change of coach at Sydney Central, so check the layover length when you pick a departure. Many travellers break the trip with an overnight stop in Sydney rather than sitting through close to 30 hours of coach travel in one go.
Worth timing your trip for
What's on in Melbourne
OctoberMelbourne, VICMelbourne FringeEarly-to-mid October (approx. 18 days)
OctoberMelbourne, VICMelbourne Cup CarnivalLate October or early November: four race days from the Saturday before the first Tuesday of November (Derby Day, Melbourne Cup Day, Oaks Day, Stakes Day)
DecemberMelbourne, VICBoxing Day Test26-30 December
Route FAQs
Brisbane to Melbourne, answered.
- No. No operator runs a single direct Brisbane to Melbourne coach. FlixBus sells the trip as one booking with a change of coach at Sydney Central, and you can also book the two legs separately with different operators.
- Allowing for the change of coach in Sydney, the full journey is around 27 to 30 hours of travel depending on the connection. Many travellers split it with an overnight stop in Sydney.
- The simplest option is the FlixBus connecting service, which is a single booking with a change at Sydney Central, from $52. Otherwise book the Brisbane to Sydney and Sydney to Melbourne legs separately and leave a comfortable buffer between them.
Keep going
Onward from Melbourne.
Continuing past Melbourne? These coach corridors carry on from your arrival city.
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