The route at a glance
The Melbourne–Ballarat corridor.
Melbourne to Ballarat is a 115-kilometre commuter and tourist run along the Western Freeway, taking around 1 hour 30 minutes. V/Line dominates the corridor with high-frequency train services from Southern Cross supplemented by coach connections, particularly on weekends and during track maintenance. The corridor is also a major commuter route into Melbourne for Ballarat-based workers.
Typical calling points
- MelbourneVIC
- Deer ParkVIC
- MeltonVIC
- Bacchus MarshVIC
- BallaratVIC
Typical stops on this corridor. Actual calling points vary by operator and service.
Journey essentials
- Onboard
- Wi-Fi · Toilet · USB charging · Wheelchair access
- Luggage
- 1 × 45kg checked bag
Compare operators
Who runs this route.
- Bookon V/LineFrom$6
Services
Depart Arrive Runs 12:16 AM 1:42 AM Sat 1:10 AM 2:55 AM Fri–Sat 2:10 AM 3:55 AM Fri–Sun 5:13 AM 6:42 AM Mon–Fri 5:51 AM 7:23 AM Mon–Fri 6:31 AM 8:08 AM Mon–Fri 7:11 AM 8:42 AM Mon–Fri 7:15 AM 8:41 AM Sat & Sun 7:53 AM 9:21 AM Mon–Fri 7:55 AM 9:21 AM Sat & Sun 8:00 AM 9:27 AM Daily 8:35 AM 10:01 AM Sat & Sun +49 more services. See the operator’s booking page
Firefly Express
Wi-FiToiletUSB chargingWheelchair accessEco-friendly45kg luggageBookon Firefly ExpressFrom$60Services
Depart Arrive Runs 8:15 PM 10:00 PM Mon–Thu, Sat 8:15 PM 9:42 PM 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.
Travel tips
What to know before you go.
V/Line trains are usually the better choice on this corridor; they run every 30 to 60 minutes and are faster than coaches. Coaches operate as replacement services during track work and as scheduled fill-in services on weekends. Book a Myki card for V/Line travel; paper tickets are no longer the default. Friday evening westbound from Southern Cross is the busiest period; weekday morning peak eastbound is similarly busy. Window seats on the right-hand side give you the best of the Werribee and Bacchus Marsh sections of the freeway.
Worth timing your trip for
What's on in Ballarat
All major Australian events
Route FAQs
Melbourne to Ballarat, answered.
- About 1 hour 30 minutes via the Western Freeway. V/Line trains take a similar time and run more frequently.
- Fares start from around $6 one-way with V/Line. The same fare applies to trains.
- The train is usually the better choice: more frequent timetable, similar journey time. Coaches operate primarily on weekends and during track work.
- Ballarat railway station, in the city centre and on the Tourist Tramway route to Sovereign Hill.
- Yes, V/Line coaches and trains both accept Myki. Tap on as you would on Melbourne Metro.
Keep going
Onward from Ballarat.
Continuing past Ballarat? These coach corridors carry on from your arrival city.
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