There are 5 ways to get from Melbourne to Townsville by plane, 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 • 5 h 10 min
$153 - $323
4 alternative options
Train • 44 h 43 min
$280 - $545
Bus • 2 days 5 h
$243 - $391
Train, bus • 2 days 8 h
$304 - $454
Drive • 29 h 51 min
$220 - $340
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Melbourne to Townsville is to fly which costs $210 - $460 and takes 5 h 10 min.
The quickest way to get from Melbourne to Townsville is to fly which costs $210 - $460 and takes 5 h 10 min.
No, there is no direct bus from Melbourne to Townsville. However, there are services departing from Melbourne and arriving at Townsville via Sydney and Brisbane. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 2 days 5 h.
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 44 h 43 min.
The distance between Melbourne and Townsville is 2070 km. The road distance is 2572.4 km.
The best way to get from Melbourne to Townsville without a car is to train which takes 44 h 43 min and costs $390 - $800.
It takes approximately 5 h 10 min to get from Melbourne to Townsville, including transfers.
Melbourne to Townsville bus services, operated by Firefly Express, 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 5 h 10 min and costs $210 - $460. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $390 - $800 and takes 44 h 43 min, you could also bus, which costs $340 - $550 and takes 2 days 5 h.
- Distance: 1293.8 miles
- Duration: 5 h 10 min
What companies run services between Melbourne, VIC, Australia and Townsville, QLD, Australia?
Jetstar, Airnorth and two other airlines 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 44 h 43 min.
- Website
- virginaustralia.com
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 5 h 19 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $180 - $600
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville via Sydney
- Ave. Duration
- 5 h 10 min
- When
- Monday to Saturday
- Estimated price
- $180 - $600
- Website
- qantas.com
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 3 h
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $150 - $600
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 5 h 15 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $190 - $650
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville via Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 5 h 50 min
- When
- Sunday
- Estimated price
- $190 - $650
- Website
- jetstar.com
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 3 h
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $150 - $600
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville via Sydney
- Ave. Duration
- 5 h
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $150 - $600
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 5 h 35 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $150 - $600
- Website
- flyairnorth.com
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville via Toowoomba
- Ave. Duration
- 4 h 35 min
- When
- Monday, Tuesday and Friday
- Estimated price
- $310 - $850
- Phone
- 132 232
- Website
- ptv.vic.gov.au
Train from Southern Cross to Central Station
- Ave. Duration
- 11 h 8 min
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $60 - $170
- Website
- transportnsw.info
- Economy
- $60 - $80
- First
- $80 - $110
- Sleeper
- $140 - $170
- Phone
- 131 500
- Website
- transportnsw.info
Train from Central Station to Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 14 h 12 min
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $90 - $130
- Schedules at
- tp.transportnsw.info
- Economy
- $90 - $130
- 1st Class
- $120 - $180
- Phone
- 1300 131 722
- reservations@qr.com.au
- Website
- queenslandrailtravel.com.au
Train from Brisbane Roma Street to Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 17 h 23 min
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $130 - $250
- Book at
- Queensland Rail Travel
- A-Choice
- $249
- B-Quick
- $137
V/Line is the largest provider of passenger rail and coach services in regional Victoria, Australia. Train and coach services cater to destinations across regional areas from Southern Cross Station in the heart of Melbourne city. Myki is used for travel to and from V/Line stations located between Melbourne and Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Traralgon and Seymour, while paper tickets must be used on long distance services to Bairnsdale, Albury, Shepparton, Echuca, Swan Hill, Ararat, Maryborough and Warrnambool. First Class carriages have meal trays, larger reclining seats with more leg room, and approximately 52 seats in each carriage, compared to 88 in Economy Class.
Contact Details
- Phone
- 1800 800 007
- Website
- vline.com.au
Train from Southern Cross to Wodonga
- Ave. Duration
- 3 h 32 min
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $19 - $27
- Schedules at
- ptv.vic.gov.au
- Phone
- 1300 730 740
- Website
- fireflyexpress.com.au
Bus from Melbourne to Sydney
- Ave. Duration
- 11 h 35 min
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $40 - $55
- Website
- fireflyexpress.com.au
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 and services more than 5 million passengers every year. Buses are equipped for the long journeys, with free WiFi, air-conditioning, full disability access, USB chargers in every seat and an on-board restroom.
Contact Details
- Phone
- 1300 473946
- Website
- greyhound.com.au
Bus from Sydney to Brisbane Roma Street
- Ave. Duration
- 16 h 45 min
- Frequency
- 5 times a day
- Estimated price
- $80 - $140
- Book at
- Greyhound.com.au
- Saver
- $80 - $120
- Flexifare
- $95 - $140
Bus from Brisbane to Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 23 h 25 min
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $120 - $200
- Book at
- Greyhound.com.au
- Saver
- $120 - $170
- Flexifare
- $140 - $200
- Phone
- +61 2 4423 5233
- reservations@premierms.com.au
- Website
- premierms.com.au
Bus from Sydney to Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 17 h 35 min
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $95 - $130
- Schedules at
- premierms.com.au
Bus from Brisbane to Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 23 h 50 min
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $140 - $190
- Schedules at
- premierms.com.au
Bus from Aspley Gympie Road to Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 23 h 30 min
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $150 - $200
- Schedules at
- premierms.com.au
V/Line is the largest provider of passenger rail and coach services in regional Victoria, Australia. Train and coach services cater to destinations across regional areas from Southern Cross Station in the heart of Melbourne city. Myki is used for travel to and from V/Line stations located between Melbourne and Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Traralgon and Seymour, while paper tickets must be used on long distance services to Bairnsdale, Albury, Shepparton, Echuca, Swan Hill, Ararat, Maryborough and Warrnambool. First Class carriages have meal trays, larger reclining seats with more leg room, and approximately 52 seats in each carriage, compared to 88 in Economy Class.
Contact Details
- Phone
- 1800 800 007
- Website
- vline.com.au
Bus from Wodonga to Jolimont Centre/Northbourne Ave
- Ave. Duration
- 4 h 35 min
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $22 - $35
- Schedules at
- ptv.vic.gov.au
- Phone
- (61) 13 22 51
- reservations@murrays.com.au
- Website
- murrays.com.au
Bus from Canberra to Sydney
- Ave. Duration
- 3 h 30 min
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- $30 - $45
- Book at
- Murrays Coaches
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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 3 h.
Melbourne to Townsville bus services, operated by Greyhound Australia, arrive at Townsville station.
Townsville is 1 h behind Melbourne. It is currently 3:51 PM in Melbourne and 2:51 PM in Townsville.
Melbourne to Townsville train services, operated by Queensland Rail Travel, arrive at Townsville station.
Yes, the driving distance between Melbourne to Townsville is 2572 km. It takes approximately 29 h 51 min to drive from Melbourne to Townsville.
Airnorth, Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia offer flights from Melbourne Airport to Townsville Airport.
There are 239+ hotels available in Townsville. Prices start at $78 USD per night.
The best way to get from Melbourne to Melbourne Airport is to bus which takes 20 min and costs $18.