Route guide

Sydney Melbourne by bus

Compare Sydney to Melbourne bus services. Greyhound, FlixBus and NSW TrainLink from $61. Overnight options, Wi-Fi and no booking fees.

See today's services865 km10h 20m3 operatorsfrom $61

Answer first

Operators
Greyhound Australia, NSW TrainLink and FlixBus Australia
Cheapest known fare
From $61 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 10h 20m
Distance
865 km by road
Booking
Booking is direct with the operator, not through AusBus.

The route at a glance

The Sydney–Melbourne corridor.

The Sydney to Melbourne coach route is one of Australia's busiest long-distance corridors, connecting the two largest cities over 878 km of the Hume Highway. Greyhound Australia, FlixBus and NSW TrainLink all run daily services, giving you a genuine choice on price, timing and comfort. Journey times range from 11 to 12 hours depending on the operator and number of stops, with rest breaks at Goulburn and Gundagai along the way. Overnight coaches, departing in the evening and arriving the following morning, are especially popular because they effectively replace a night's accommodation, making them the cheapest way to travel the route in real terms. Book at least a week ahead for the best fares, and up to three weeks during school holidays.

Typical calling points

  1. SydneyNSW
  2. CanberraACT
  3. AlburyNSW
  4. MelbourneVIC

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

    Overnight service
    Wi-FiToiletUSB chargingEco-friendly40kg luggage
    From
    $61
    Book

    Services

    DepartArriveRuns
    12:15 AM11:50 AMDaily
    10:30 AM10:35 PMDaily
    10:55 AM10:35 PMDaily
    7:00 PM7:00 AM+1Daily
    7:30 PM7:00 AM+1Daily
    9:00 PM8:05 AM+1Daily
    9:30 PM8:05 AM+1Daily
    11:45 PM11:50 AM+1Daily

  • Greyhound Australia

    Overnight service
    Wi-FiToiletUSB chargingWheelchair accessEco-friendly40kg luggage
    From
    $90
    Book

    Services

    DepartArriveRuns
    5:30 PM5:30 AM+1Daily

  • NSW TrainLink

    ToiletWheelchair access40kg luggage
    From
    $99
    Book

    Services

    DepartArriveRuns
    7:30 AM7:50 PMFri–Sun
    7:40 AM7:50 PMFri–Sun
    8:05 PM8:25 AM+1Fri–Sun
    8:20 PM8:30 AM+1Fri–Sun

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 services

Daytime coaches let you watch the country roll past and break the trip at meal stops. NSW TrainLink runs a daytime service on this route.

Overnight services

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 and FlixBus Australia. Bring a neck pillow and layers, as the air-conditioning runs cool.

Travel tips

What to know before you go.

Fares move with demand on all three operators, so compare Greyhound, FlixBus and NSW TrainLink before you book. Overnight services typically depart Sydney between 19:30 and 22:00 and arrive at Melbourne's Southern Cross Station by 07:00 to 09:00, leaving you a full day at your destination. For daytime travel, mid-week departures (Tuesday to Thursday) are consistently cheaper than Friday afternoons or Sunday evenings when demand spikes. The Gundagai rest stop is the main break on the route, so pack snacks in case the roadhouse options do not suit. Sitting on the right-hand side of the coach heading south gives you the best views of the Southern Highlands escarpment as you leave Sydney.

Worth timing your trip for

What's on in Melbourne

All major Australian events

Route FAQs

Sydney to Melbourne, answered.

  • Typically 11 to 12 hours depending on the operator and number of intermediate stops.

Travelling the other way? See the Melbourne to Sydney guide

Keep going

Onward from Melbourne.

Continuing past Melbourne? These coach corridors carry on from your arrival city.

Related routes

More through Sydney and Melbourne.