Getting There and Away

Written by Callum Taylor, Camille Laurent, Marika Maslanka
21/08/2025
A scenic view of Melbourne's modern skyline along the Yarra River featuring a vibrant cruise boat.
John Simmons, Pexels

Melbourne is well-connected by air, rail, and road, with its primary transport hubs being Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) for air travel and Southern Cross Station for an extensive network of train and coach services.

Flights:

One typically arrives at Melbourne Airport (MEL), which serves both domestic and international flights. Direct flights from major Australian cities like Sydney can start from approximately AUD $45-50 one-way, with a travel time of around 1.5 to 2 hours. International return flights, for instance from London, may range from £451-£504, while those from Los Angeles or Seattle can be around $814-$859. Melbourne also has Avalon Airport (AVV), primarily used by Jetstar, with SkyBus transfers to the city taking about 50 minutes for approximately AUD $25 one-way.

Trains:

Southern Cross Station acts as the central hub for regional and interstate train journeys. NSW TrainLink XPT services connect Melbourne to Sydney, with indicative fares ranging from $65-$250 and a travel time of approximately 10 hours 50 minutes to 12 hours. V/Line operates regional train services throughout Victoria from Southern Cross Station.

Buses/Coaches:

Long-distance coach services, such as Greyhound Australia and Firefly Express, operate from Southern Cross Station, connecting Melbourne to other major cities like Sydney. A bus journey from Sydney to Melbourne can take between 10 hours 20 minutes and 12 hours, with fares typically ranging from $55-$147. For airport transfers, the SkyBus offers express services between Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) and Southern Cross Station, taking 30-45 minutes. A one-way adult fare for SkyBus is around $20.60-$24.60. A more economical public transport option to Melbourne Airport involves a train to Broadmeadows, followed by the 901 bus, costing about $5.30 (Myki card fare, plus a $6 card purchase fee) and taking around an hour.

Ferries:

The Spirit of Tasmania ferry service connects Geelong, located approximately 70km southwest of Melbourne, to Devonport in Tasmania. The sailing time ranges from 9 to 11 hours, with the total journey including boarding and disembarking taking about 13 hours. Fares are variable based on season, vehicle, and cabin selection, with adult passenger-only return tickets typically ranging from $280 in winter to $540 in summer.

Car Rental:

Car rental services are readily available at Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine), offering flexibility for onward travel. Indicative daily rates for economy or compact cars generally start from around $15-$30.

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