The distance between Melbourne and Sydney is around 860km (534 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 8h 60m.
We've found 4 different ways to get from Melbourne to Sydney by train, bus and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Sydney → Melbourne if you're planning a return trip.
Take the bus to Liverpool.
Firefly Express
1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Take the train to Central Station.
XPT
There are several options for getting from Melbourne to Sydney by train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around A$80 ($54) and will take around 11hrs. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 8h 60m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately A$115 ($77).
The distance between Melbourne and Sydney is around 860km (534 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 703km (437 miles)
It takes around 11h 10m to get from Melbourne and Sydney by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 8h 60m to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Melbourne to Sydney is to drive which takes around 8h 60m and will set you back approx A$115 ($77).
The cheapest way to travel between Melbourne and Sydney, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around A$80 ($54) for a standard one-way ticket.
Yes there is a train service that runs between Melbourne and Sydney. It typically takes around 11h 10m and departs once daily.
Yes there is a direct train service that runs between Melbourne and Sydney with no changeovers required. The train runs once daily and takes 11h 10m.
XPT run train services between Melbourne and Sydney. Trains depart once daily and will take around 11h 10m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.
Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Melbourne and Sydney. It typically takes around 11hrs and departs 4 times a week.
Yes there is a direct bus service that runs between Melbourne and Sydney with no changeovers required. The bus runs once daily and takes 12hrs.
Firefly Express and Greyhound Australia run regular bus services between Melbourne and Sydney. Buses run 4 times a week and take around 11hrs on average but will vary depending on you book with.
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Melbourne to Sydney. We recommend that you take the train to Central Station. instead which will take 11h 10m.
The closest major airport to Sydney is Sydney Airport (SYD) (SYD) which is approximately 28km (17 miles) from Sydney. Newcastle Airport (NTL) (NTL) and Orange Airport (OAG) (OAG) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.
Yes it is possible to drive from Melbourne and Sydney. The distance is around 860km (534 miles) by road and it will take around 8h 60m in normal traffic conditons.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Melbourne to Sydney is to take the train which takes, on average, 11h 10m and will usually cost around A$95 ($65).
Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bus + 1 similar | 11hrs | A$80($54) | 4 times a week | 863km (536 miles) |
Bus to Sydney | 12hrs | A$165($110) | once daily | 934km (580 miles) |
Train | 11h 10m | A$95($65) | twice daily | 938km (583 miles) |
Drive | 8h 60m | A$115($77) | on demand | 860km (534 miles) |
Regional Express
Virgin Australia
Qantas
XPT
Firefly Express
V-Line
Murrays Coaches
The following major airports near Sydney offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Australia and internationally.