📍Can You Travel From Melbourne To Brisbane By Train? Yes! Here’s How. (2024.)

WONDERING IF YOU CAN TRAVEL FROM MELBOURNE TO BRISBANE BY TRAIN?

Brisbane is Queensland’s gorgeous capital and Australia premiere River City famous for the way it forged its identity seamlessly blending its urban appeal with its natural riverine landscape by using it as a focal point for many of its incredible attractions, creating an enviable outdoor lifestyle. This is further enhanced by its warm climate and idyllic weather, creating an intoxicating cocktail for the perfect year round destination.

At the bottom of the continental mainland, lies Melbourne, the capital of Victoria and one of the country’s most visited destinations thanks to its fascinating museums, beautiful gardens and prominent food culture. It’s a place that sees over 10 million people visiting with many making of Brisbane’s two million visitors coming from the Garden City.

While there are several ways to get the River City, including commercial flight, road trips, touring buses, for those who like the good old days of going by rail, or would like to try something different or need a quick way to get between A & B, there is also the option to travel from Melbourne to Brisbane by train. Here’s how.

Travel from The Victorian capital of Melbourne to the Queensland capital of Brisbane is possible with the XPT(Express Passenger Train) interstate trains, however it is not a through trip. You will need to fully disembark at Central Station in Sydney, usually stay the night in the city then start the entire check-in process again before boarding another XPT train for the second leg of the journey, where the total transit time is 2-3 days.

These trains depart twice a day, with the Melbourne to Sydney leg departs Southern Cross Station at 7.40am and 8.42pm and takes about 11 hours arriving at 6.30pm the same day and 7.30am the next day respectively.

Meanwhile the Sydney to Brisbane stretches leaves Central Station at 7.08am and 2.41pm takes 15 and a half hours for the morning trip, and which goes to Casino, where a bus then takes you the rest of the way, or just over 14 hours for the afternoon trip, which does go to Brisbane’s Roma Street, arriving at 9.23pm and 3.53am the next day respectively.

Economy Class provides the cheapest and most affordable seating options, while First Class is more expensive but offers added comfort and space. There are also private sleeper cabins that contain seats that convert into beds for privacy and the ability to lay flat while sleeping for the afternoon trips.

➡️ How Long Does The Train Trip Take To Get From Melbourne To Brisbane?

Individually, Melbourne to Sydney legs takes about 11 hours while the morning railway journey from Sydney to Brisbane averages a little over 14 hours and the afternoon train and bus service goes for 15 and a half hours.

The total journey, including layover time is:

• Afternoon departure from Melbourne, afternoon departure from Sydney. – just over 33 hours. – I recommend this one. It’s the fastest and cheapest, plus it doesn’t require staying the night.
• Morning departure from Melbourne, morning departure from Sydney for a bus finish in Brisbane. – Just over 38 hours.
• Morning departure from Melbourne, afternoon departure from Sydney. – 44 and a half hours.

➡️ How Much Does The Train Tickets Cost?

Currently, one-way travel costs are the following:

Melbourne to Brisbane when booked together*:

• Adult Sleeper Cabin – $234.63/$36.60 (Only on afternoon/overnight trips for the Sydney-Brisbane leg.)
• Adult Economy – $151.89/$187.58
• Adult First Class – $207.50/$263.94

Melbourne to Sydney individually*:

• Adult Economy – $93.79
• Adult First Class – $131.97
• Adult Sleeper Cabin – $234.63 (Only on afternoon/overnight trips.)

Sydney to Brisbane individually*:

• Adult Economy – $93.79
• Adult First Class – $125.33
• Adult Sleeper Cabin – $234.63 (Only on afternoon/overnight trips.)

However, you can get discounts of up to 10% when booking online, up to 20% for standard adult fares 5 or more days ahead of travel, outside of peak season, when special sale fares are on or when you buy a Discovery Pass which grants you unlimited travel to over 365 destinations across the state of New South Wales, according to the Transport NSW website.

*As at September 2024.

➡️ Where Do I Catch The Trains From?

• Melbourne – Southern Cross Station.
• Sydney – Central Station.
• Arrives in Brisbane – Roma St Station.

Travelling from Melbourne to Brisbane by train is a fantastic alternative and affordable last-minute option to get from the Garden City to the River City.

If you are planning to visit Brisbane, consider looking at these other posts.