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 • 4h 27m
$154 - $1,137
5 alternative options
Night train, train • 45h 14m
$308 - $763
Train • 45h 22m
$308 - $763
Bus • 2 days 2h
$245 - $600
Bus via Aspley • 2 days 3h
$258 - $526
Drive • 29h 46m
$330 - $480
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Official Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for AustraliaQuestions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Melbourne to Townsville is to drive which costs $330 - $480 and takes 29h 46m.
The quickest way to get from Melbourne to Townsville is to fly which costs $150 - $1,200 and takes 4h 27m.
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 2h.
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 2584.1 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 $300 - $800.
It takes approximately 4h 27m 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 4h 27m and costs $150 - $1,200. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $300 - $800 and takes 45h 22m, you could also bus, which costs $240 - $600 and takes 2 days 2h.
- Distance: 2070.1 km
- Duration: 4h 27m
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 45h 22m.
- Website
- qantas.com
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 3h
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $130 - $310
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville via Toowoomba
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 30m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday and Friday
- Estimated price
- $550 - $650
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 32m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $350 - $900
- Website
- virginaustralia.com
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 33m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $140 - $750
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville via Sydney
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 15m
- When
- Monday to Saturday
- Estimated price
- $130 - $750
- Website
- jetstar.com
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 3h
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $130 - $310
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville via Sydney
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 25m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $130 - $310
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 55m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $130 - $310
- Website
- flyairnorth.com
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville via Toowoomba
- Ave. Duration
- 4h 30m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday and Friday
- Estimated price
- $550 - $650
- 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
- Book at
- XPT bookings
- Economy
- $75 - $100
- First
- $100 - $140
- Sleeper
- $210 - $250
Transport for NSW manages public transport for Australia’s New South Wales region, including metro, train, bus, ferry, light rail and coach. Hubs include Sydney, Byron Bay, Newcastle and Wollongong. Use an Opal card for cheapest fares in greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, the Hunter and the Illawarra. Tickets for regional train and bus services need to be booked before travel (Opal cards are not accepted).
Contact Details
- Phone
- 131 500
- Website
- transportnsw.info
Train from Central Station to Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 14h 12m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $90 - $170
- Schedules at
- Transport NSW
- Economy
- $90 - $120
- First Class
- $120 - $170
- Phone
- 1300 131 722
- 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
- A-Choice
- $350
- B-Quick
- $192
- Phone
- 1300 730 740
- Website
- fireflyexpress.com.au
Bus from Melbourne to Sydney
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 35m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $60 - $70
- 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, 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 Sydney to Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 13h 40m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- $120 - $210
- Book at
- Greyhound.com.au
- Early Bird
- $120 - $160
- Premium
- $150 - $210
- Advantage
- $160 - $190
Bus from Brisbane to Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 23h 10m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $180 - $320
- Book at
- Greyhound.com.au
- Early Bird
- $180 - $230
- Premium
- $230 - $320
- Advantage
- $240 - $290
- Phone
- +61 2 4423 5233
- reservations@premierms.com.au
- Website
- premierms.com.au
Bus from Sydney to Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 18h 35m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $75 - $110
- Website
- Premier Motor Service
Bus from Brisbane to Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 23h 50m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $110 - $220
- 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 2584 km. It takes approximately 29h 46m to drive from Melbourne to Townsville.
Airnorth, Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia offer flights from Melbourne Airport to Townsville Airport.
There are 347+ 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 21 min and costs $18.