There are 6 ways to get from Melbourne to Townsville by plane, night train, train, 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
-
Fly from Melbourne (MEL) to Townsville (TSV)
5 alternative options
Night train, train
-
Take the night train from Southern Cross to Central Station
-
Take the train from Central Station to Brisbane
-
Take the train from Brisbane Roma Street to Townsville
Train
-
Take the train from Southern Cross to Central Station
-
Take the train from Central Station to Brisbane
-
Take the train from Brisbane Roma Street to Townsville
Bus
-
Take the bus from Melbourne to Sydney
-
Take the bus from Sydney to Brisbane
-
Take the bus from Brisbane to Townsville
Bus via Campbellfield
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Take the bus from Campbellfield to Sydney
-
Take the bus from Sydney to Brisbane
-
Take the bus from Aspley Gympie Road 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 14m and covers a distance of around 3240 km. This includes an average layover time of around 2h. Operated by 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 - $410 and takes 4h 36m.
The quickest way to get from Melbourne to Townsville is to fly which costs $150 - $410 and takes 4h 36m.
No, there is no direct bus from Melbourne to Townsville. However, there are services departing from Melbourne and arriving at Townsville via Sydney, King George Square, 1E and Brisbane. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 2 days 7h.
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 14m.
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 14m and costs $310 - $750.
It takes approximately 4h 36m to get from Melbourne to Townsville, including transfers.
Melbourne to Townsville bus services, operated by Greyhound Australia, depart from Melbourne station.
Melbourne to Townsville train services, operated by XPT, depart from Southern Cross station.
The best way to get from Melbourne to Townsville is to fly which takes 4h 36m and costs $150 - $410. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $310 - $750 and takes 45h 22m, you could also bus, which costs $320 - $950 and takes 2 days 7h.
- Distance: 2070.1 km
- Duration: 4h 36m
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, Brisbane, and Brisbane Roma Street in around 45h 22m.
- Website
- qantas.com
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 3h
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $210 - $700
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 30m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $290 - $850
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville via Sydney
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 10m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $290 - $850
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville via Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 5m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $290 - $850
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville via Adelaide
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 15m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday and Friday
- Estimated price
- $290 - $850
- Website
- virginaustralia.com
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 10m
- When
- Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $210 - $950
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville via Sydney
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 10m
- When
- Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $210 - $950
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 40m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $210 - $950
- Website
- jetstar.com
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 3h
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $130 - $600
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 20m
- When
- Monday to Saturday
- Estimated price
- $130 - $600
- Phone
- 132 232
- Website
- transportnsw.info
Night train from Southern Cross to Central Station
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 9m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $75 - $250
- Website
- XPT
- 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
- NSW TrainLink Train
- Economy
- $95 - $140
- First Class
- $130 - $200
- Phone
- 1300131722 (+61736066630 for international calls)
- reservations@qr.com.au
- Website
- queenslandrailtravel.com.au
Train from Brisbane Roma Street to Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 17h 53m
- Frequency
- 5 times a week
- Estimated price
- $140 - $350
- Book at
- Queensland Rail Travel
- Economy-B-Quick fare
- $140 - $200
- Economy-A-Choice Fare
- $200 - $290
- BQuick
- $210
- AChoice
- $350
Greyhound Australia is the country’s only long-distance bus operator running services in all states and territories. Greyhound Australia has been operating for 110 years and is the leading bus company in Australia. The extensive network now covers most of the Australian mainland, although service is limited in Western Australia with just a single route to Broome. Buses are equipped for long journeys, with free WiFi, air-conditioning, full disability access, USB chargers, reclining seats and an onboard bathroom.
Contact Details
- Phone
- 1300 473946
- Website
- greyhound.com.au
Bus from Melbourne to Sydney
- Ave. Duration
- 12h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $130 - $250
- Book at
- Greyhound.com.au
- Early Bird
- $130 - $200
- Advantage
- $150 - $230
- Premium
- $170 - $250
Bus from Sydney to Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 17h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $140 - $270
- Book at
- Greyhound.com.au
- Early Bird
- $140 - $210
- Advantage
- $170 - $250
- Premium
- $180 - $270
Bus from Brisbane to Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 23h 45m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $220 - $420
- Book at
- Greyhound.com.au
- Early Bird
- $220 - $330
- Advantage
- $270 - $390
- Premium
- $280 - $420
- Phone
- 1300 730 740
- Website
- fireflyexpress.com.au
Bus from Melbourne to Sydney
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 35m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $60 - $65
- Website
- fireflyexpress.com.au
Bus from Campbellfield to Sydney
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 10m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $60 - $65
- Website
- fireflyexpress.com.au
- Phone
- +61244235233 (call 13 34 10 within Australia)
- reservations@premierms.com.au
- Website
- premierms.com.au
Bus from Brisbane to Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 23h 50m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $120 - $220
- Website
- Premier Motor Service
Bus from Sydney to Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 18h 35m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $85 - $120
- Website
- Premier Motor Service
Bus from Aspley Gympie Road to Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 23h 30m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $120 - $220
- Website
- Premier Motor Service
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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 288+ 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 30 min and costs $18.