There are 6 ways to get from Melbourne to Townsville by plane, night train, train, night bus, bus or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Recommended option
Fly
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Fly from Melbourne (MEL) to Townsville (TSV)
5 alternative options
Night train, train
-
Take the night train from Southern Cross to Central Station
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Take the train from Central Station to Brisbane
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Take the train from Brisbane Roma Street to Townsville
Train
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Take the train from Southern Cross to Central Station
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Take the train from Central Station to Brisbane
-
Take the train from Brisbane Roma Street to Townsville
Night bus, bus, train
-
Take the night bus from Southern Cross Stop 1 to Central Station, Forecourt, Coach Bay 1
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Take the bus from Sydney to Brisbane
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Take the train from Brisbane Roma Street to Townsville
Bus
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Take the bus from Southern Cross Stop 1 to Central Station, Forecourt, Coach Bay 1
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Take the bus from Sydney to Brisbane
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Take the bus from Brisbane to Townsville
Drive
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Drive from Melbourne to Townsville
Melbourne to Townsville by night train and train
The journey time between Melbourne and Townsville is around 45h 33m and covers a distance of around 3239 km. This includes an average layover time of around 2h. Operated by NSW TrainLink XPT, NSW TrainLink and Queensland Rail Travel, the Melbourne to Townsville service departs from Southern Cross and arrives in Townsville. Typically five services run weekly, although weekend and holiday schedules can vary so check in advance.
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Melbourne to Townsville is to fly which costs $150 - $600 and takes 4h 31m.
The quickest way to get from Melbourne to Townsville is to fly which costs $150 - $600 and takes 4h 31m.
No, there is no direct bus from Melbourne to Townsville. However, there are services departing from Southern Cross Stop 1 and arriving at Townsville via Sydney, King George Square, 1e and Brisbane. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 2 days 6h.
No, there is no direct train from Melbourne to Townsville. However, there are services departing from Southern Cross and arriving at Townsville via Central Station and Brisbane Roma Street. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 45h 33m.
The distance between Melbourne and Townsville is 2070 km. The road distance is 2462.8 km.
The best way to get from Melbourne to Townsville without a car is to night train and train which takes 45h 33m and costs $310 - $750.
It takes approximately 4h 31m to get from Melbourne to Townsville, including transfers.
Melbourne to Townsville bus services, operated by NSW TrainLink, depart from Southern Cross Stop 1 station.
Melbourne to Townsville train services, operated by NSW TrainLink XPT, depart from Southern Cross station.
The best way to get from Melbourne to Townsville is to fly which takes 4h 31m and costs $150 - $600. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $310 - $750 and takes 45h 41m, you could also bus, which costs $350 - $1,700 and takes 2 days 6h.
- Distance: 2070.1 km
- Duration: 4h 31m
What companies run services between Melbourne, VIC, Australia and Townsville, QLD, Australia?
Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia fly from Melbourne to Townsville hourly. Alternatively, you can take a train from Melbourne to Townsville via Central Station and Brisbane Roma Street in around 45h 41m.
- Website
- qantas.com
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 2m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $250 - $900
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville via Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 5m
- When
- Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
- Estimated price
- $360 - $1,000
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville via Sydney
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 5m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $360 - $1,000
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 45m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $360 - $1,000
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville via Adelaide
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 50m
- When
- Friday
- Estimated price
- $360 - $1,000
- Website
- virginaustralia.com
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 56m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $300 - $1,000
- Website
- jetstar.com
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 3h
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $130 - $800
- Phone
- 131 500
- Website
- transportnsw.info
Night train from Southern Cross to Central Station
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 9m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $75 - $250
- Website
- https://transportnsw.info/regional
- Book at
- https://transportnsw.info/regional/regional-train-coach-facilities/xpt-regional-trains
- Economy
- $75 - $100
- First
- $100 - $140
- Sleeper
- $210 - $250
- Phone
- 131 500
- Website
- transportnsw.info
Train from Central Station to Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 14h 12m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $95 - $140
- Website
- https://transportnsw.info/regional
- Economy
- $95 - $140
- First Class
- $130 - $200
- Phone
- 1800 872 467
- Website
- queenslandrailtravel.com.au
Train from Brisbane Roma Street to Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 18h 12m
- Frequency
- 5 times a week
- Estimated price
- $140 - $350
- Book at
- https://queenslandrailtravel-booking.opendestinations.com/BookingSite/rail/search
- Website
- https://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/Pages/Timetable.aspx
- Economy-B-Quick fare
- $140 - $200
- Economy-A-Choice Fare
- $200 - $290
- BQuick
- $210
- AChoice
- $350
- Phone
- 131 500
- Website
- transportnsw.info
Night bus from Southern Cross Stop 1 to Central Station, Forecourt, Coach Bay 1
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 40m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $80 - $120
- Website
- https://transportnsw.info/regional
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- Phone
- 13 34 10
- reservations@premierms.com.au
- Website
- premierms.com.au
Bus from Sydney to Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 17h 35m
- Frequency
- 3 times a week
- Estimated price
- $100 - $150
- Website
- https://premierms.com.au/
Bus from Brisbane to Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 23h 50m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $150 - $240
- Website
- https://premierms.com.au/
- Phone
- 1300 473946
- Website
- greyhound.com.au
Bus from Melbourne to Sydney
- Ave. Duration
- 12h
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $120 - $400
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/timetables
- Advantage
- $120 - $220
- Early Bird
- $150 - $400
- Premium
- $190 - $270
Bus from Sydney to Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 16h 30m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $140 - $460
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/timetables
- Advantage
- $140 - $250
- Early Bird
- $170 - $460
- Premium
- $220 - $310
Bus from Brisbane to Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 24h 10m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $200 - $750
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/timetables
- Advantage
- $200 - $390
- Early Bird
- $260 - $750
- Premium
- $330 - $460
- Phone
- 1300 730 740
- Website
- fireflyexpress.com.au
Bus from Melbourne to Sydney
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 10m
- Frequency
- 6 times a week
- Estimated price
- $60 - $150
- Website
- http://www.fireflyexpress.com.au
Want to know more about travelling around Australia
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Read the travel guideMore Questions & Answers
The quickest flight from Melbourne Airport to Townsville Airport is the direct flight which takes 3h.
Melbourne to Townsville bus services, operated by Greyhound Australia, arrive at Townsville station.
Melbourne to Townsville train services, operated by Queensland Rail Travel, arrive at Townsville station.
Yes, the driving distance between Melbourne to Townsville is 2463 km. It takes approximately 29h 20m to drive from Melbourne to Townsville.
Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Qantas offer flights from Melbourne Airport to Townsville Airport.
There are 541+ hotels available in Townsville. Prices start at $150 AUD per night.
The best way to get from Melbourne to Melbourne Airport is to bus which takes 25 min and costs $18 - $22.