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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

  1. Fly from Melbourne (MEL) to Townsville (TSV)

5 alternative options

Night train, train

  1. Take the night train from Southern Cross to Central Station
  2. Take the train from Central Station to Brisbane
  3. Take the train from Brisbane Roma Street to Townsville

Train

  1. Take the train from Southern Cross to Central Station
  2. Take the train from Central Station to Brisbane
  3. Take the train from Brisbane Roma Street to Townsville

Night bus, bus, train

  1. Take the night bus from Southern Cross Stop 1 to Central Station, Forecourt, Coach Bay 1
  2. Take the bus from Sydney to Brisbane
  3. Take the train from Brisbane Roma Street to Townsville

Bus

  1. Take the bus from Southern Cross Stop 1 to Central Station, Forecourt, Coach Bay 1
  2. Take the bus from Sydney to Brisbane
  3. Take the bus from Brisbane to Townsville

Drive

  1. 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.

5 Weekly Services
45h 33m Average Duration
$313 Cheapest Price
See schedules

Questions & Answers

The cheapest way to get from Melbourne to Townsville is to fly which costs $150 - $600 and takes 4h 31m.

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The quickest way to get from Melbourne to Townsville is to fly which costs $150 - $600 and takes 4h 31m.

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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.

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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.

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The distance between Melbourne and Townsville is 2070 km. The road distance is 2462.8 km.

Get driving directions

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.

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It takes approximately 4h 31m to get from Melbourne to Townsville, including transfers.

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Melbourne to Townsville bus services, operated by NSW TrainLink, depart from Southern Cross Stop 1 station.

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Melbourne to Townsville train services, operated by NSW TrainLink XPT, depart from Southern Cross station.

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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.

Mode details

Map of how to get from Melbourne to Townsville.
Launch map view
  • 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.

Airlines
Qantas
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
Virgin Australia
Website
virginaustralia.com
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville via Brisbane
Ave. Duration
5h 56m
When
Every day
Estimated price
$300 - $1,000
Jetstar
Website
jetstar.com
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville
Ave. Duration
3h
When
Every day
Estimated price
$130 - $800
Train operators
NSW TrainLink XPT
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
NSW TrainLink
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
Queensland Rail Travel
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
Bus operators
NSW TrainLink
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
Premier Motor Service
Phone
13 34 10
Email
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/
Greyhound Australia
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
Firefly Express
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

Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Filled with useful and timely travel information, the guides answer all the hard questions - such as 'How do I buy a ticket?', 'Should I book online before I travel? ', 'How much should I expect to pay?', 'Do the trains and buses have Wifi?' - to help you get the most out of your next trip.

More Questions & Answers

The quickest flight from Melbourne Airport to Townsville Airport is the direct flight which takes 3h.

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Melbourne to Townsville bus services, operated by Greyhound Australia, arrive at Townsville station.

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Melbourne to Townsville train services, operated by Queensland Rail Travel, arrive at Townsville station.

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Yes, the driving distance between Melbourne to Townsville is 2463 km. It takes approximately 29h 20m to drive from Melbourne to Townsville.

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Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Qantas offer flights from Melbourne Airport to Townsville Airport.

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There are 541+ hotels available in Townsville. Prices start at $150 AUD per night.

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The best way to get from Melbourne to Melbourne Airport is to bus which takes 25 min and costs $18 - $22.

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