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
$292 - $569
Bus, train • 2 days 4 h
$321 - $487
Bus • 2 days 6 h
$245 - $403
Drive • 29 h 51 min
$220 - $340
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Melbourne to Townsville is to fly which costs $210 - $450 and takes 5 h 10 min.
The quickest way to get from Melbourne to Townsville is to fly which costs $210 - $450 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 6 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 $400 - $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 - $450. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $400 - $800 and takes 44 h 43 min, you could also bus, which costs $330 - $550 and takes 2 days 6 h.
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.
- Distance: 1293.8 miles
- Duration: 5 h 10 min
What companies run services between Melbourne, VIC, Australia and Townsville, QLD, Australia?
Jetstar, Tigerair Australia and three 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
- 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 14 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $190 - $650
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville via Toowoomba
- Ave. Duration
- 5 h 20 min
- When
- Monday, Wednesday and Friday
- Estimated price
- $310 - $850
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville via Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 5 h 30 min
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $190 - $650
- Website
- virginaustralia.com
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville via Sydney
- Ave. Duration
- 5 h 7 min
- When
- Monday to Saturday
- Estimated price
- $180 - $600
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 5 h 16 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $180 - $600
- 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 25 min
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $150 - $600
- Website
- tigerair.com.au
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 3 h 5 min
- When
- Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $140 - $240
- Website
- flyairnorth.com
Flights from Melbourne to Townsville via Toowoomba
- Ave. Duration
- 5 h 20 min
- When
- Monday, Wednesday and Friday
- Estimated price
- $310 - $850
- 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
- $85 - $110
- Sleeper
- $150 - $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 - $140
- Schedules at
- tp.transportnsw.info
- Economy
- $90 - $140
- 1st Class
- $120 - $190
- 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
- 5 times a week
- Estimated price
- $140 - $260
- Schedules at
- queenslandrailtravel.com.au
- A-Choice
- $255
- B-Quick
- $141
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 Melbourne to Central Station
- Ave. Duration
- 12 h
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $75 - $130
- Schedules at
- Greyhound.com.au
- Book at
- Greyhound.com.au
- Saver
- $75 - $110
- Flexifare
- $95 - $130
Bus from Sydney to Brisbane Roma Street
- Ave. Duration
- 16 h 45 min
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $80 - $140
- Schedules at
- Greyhound.com.au
- Book at
- Greyhound.com.au
- Saver
- $80 - $120
- Flexifare
- $100 - $140
Bus from Brisbane to Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 23 h 25 min
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $120 - $210
- Schedules at
- Greyhound.com.au
- Book at
- Greyhound.com.au
- Saver
- $120 - $180
- Flexifare
- $140 - $210
- Website
- premierms.com.au
Bus from Aspley Gympie Road to Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 23 h 30 min
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $150 - $210
- Schedules at
- 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 - $200
- Schedules at
- premierms.com.au
- Phone
- 1300 730 740
- Website
- fireflyexpress.com.au
Bus from Melbourne to Sydney
- Ave. Duration
- 12 h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $45 - $55
- Website
- fireflyexpress.com.au
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