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 Firefly Express 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
- SydneyNSW
- ParramattaNSW
- LiverpoolNSW
- Sutton ForestNSW
- GoulburnNSW
- YassNSW
- GundagaiNSW
- 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 × 45kg checked bag
- Overnight option
- Available on this corridor
Compare operators
Who runs this route.
- Bookon FlixBus AustraliaFrom$57
Services
Depart Arrive Runs 12:15 AM 11:50 AM Daily 10:30 AM 10:35 PM Daily 10:55 AM 10:35 PM Daily 9:00 PM 8:05 AM+1 Daily 9:30 PM 8:05 AM+1 Daily 11:45 PM 11:50 AM+1 Daily - Bookon Firefly ExpressFrom$60
Services
Depart Arrive Runs 7:00 PM 5:20 AM+1 Daily 8:00 PM 7:15 AM+1 Daily NSW TrainLink
ToiletWheelchair access40kg luggageBookon NSW TrainLinkFrom$99Services
Depart Arrive Runs 8:05 PM 8:25 AM+1 Sun 8:20 PM 8:30 AM+1 Sun Greyhound Australia
Overnight serviceWi-FiToiletUSB chargingWheelchair accessEco-friendly40kg luggageBookon Greyhound AustraliaFrom$135Services
Depart Arrive Runs 5:30 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. NSW TrainLink 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, Firefly Express and FlixBus Australia. Bring a neck pillow and layers, as the air-conditioning runs cool.
Travel tips
What to know before you go.
Firefly Express is often the lowest-priced operator on this corridor and runs dedicated overnight coaches with reclining seats. Always compare against Greyhound and FlixBus 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
SeptemberMelbourne, VICRoyal Melbourne ShowLast week of September into early October (11 days)
SeptemberMelbourne, VICAFL Grand FinalLast Saturday of September (typically)
OctoberMelbourne, VICMelbourne FringeEarly-to-mid October (approx. 18 days)
Route FAQs
Sydney to Melbourne, answered.
- Typically 11 to 12 hours depending on the operator and number of intermediate stops. Firefly's overnight express services often run on the faster end; Greyhound daytime services with more stops can take closer to 12 hours.
- Fares start from around $57 to $59 with FlixBus and Firefly for advance bookings, rising to $80 to $120 on Greyhound for last-minute tickets. Booking 2 to 3 weeks ahead will generally get you the lowest price.
- Greyhound Australia, FlixBus Australia and Firefly Express all operate regular services. Firefly runs overnight services only; Greyhound and FlixBus offer both day and night departures.
- Yes. Firefly Express, Greyhound and FlixBus all run overnight coaches. Departures are typically between 19:30 and 22:00 from Sydney, arriving in Melbourne between 07:00 and 09:00 the following morning.
- Most services depart from Sydney Coach Terminal on Eddy Avenue, adjacent to Central Station. Firefly Express uses a separate terminal, so confirm your specific pick-up address when booking.
Keep going
Onward from Melbourne.
Continuing past Melbourne? These coach corridors carry on from your arrival city.
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