The route at a glance
The Melbourne–Canberra corridor.
The Melbourne to Canberra coach route covers around 650 km of southeastern Australia, linking Victoria's capital with the national capital in approximately eight hours. V/Line, Greyhound and Murrays operate services on this corridor, with V/Line connecting Southern Cross Station in Melbourne to the Jolimont Centre in Canberra. The journey passes through regional Victoria and the tablelands before descending into the Australian Capital Territory. Multiple departures throughout the week make it a practical option for business travellers, students and weekend visitors heading to the nation's capital.
Typical calling points
- MelbourneVIC
- AlburyNSW
- CanberraACT
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 × 40kg checked bag
- Overnight option
- Available on this corridor
Compare operators
Who runs this route.
FlixBus Australia
Wi-FiToiletUSB chargingEco-friendly40kg luggageBookon FlixBus AustraliaFrom$69Services
Depart Arrive Runs 9:00 AM 5:00 PM Daily 9:45 PM 5:55 AM+1 Daily Greyhound Australia
Overnight serviceWi-FiToiletUSB chargingWheelchair accessEco-friendly40kg luggageBookon Greyhound AustraliaFrom$123Services
Depart Arrive Runs 10:00 PM 6:00 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. V/Line and FlixBus Australia run daytime services 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 well ahead for long weekends and major Canberra events such as Floriade (spring) and Enlighten (late summer), when demand from Melbourne is at its highest. An early morning departure from Melbourne allows a full day in Canberra before an afternoon or evening service back. For travellers in regional Victoria or southern New South Wales, V/Line's network of connecting services can make the journey easier than travelling via Sydney.
Worth timing your trip for
What's on in Canberra
SeptemberCanberra, ACTFloriadeMid-September to mid-October (approx. 30 days)
JanuaryCanberra, ACTSummernatsFirst weekend of January (4 days)
FebruaryCanberra, ACTNational Multicultural FestivalThird weekend of February (3 days)
Route FAQs
Melbourne to Canberra, answered.
- Approximately 7 to 8 hours depending on the service and stops.
- Fares vary by service and booking time. Check the operator's website for current pricing and availability.
- V/Line, Greyhound, Murrays and FlixBus run coach services between Melbourne and Canberra.
- Some services stop at Albury-Wodonga, making it a useful boarding point for travellers in regional Victoria and southern New South Wales. Check your specific service timetable.
- V/Line, Greyhound and Murrays run direct coach services between Melbourne and Canberra. Check the operator's timetable for current departure times.
Keep going
Onward from Canberra.
Continuing past Canberra? These coach corridors carry on from your arrival city.
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