From Melbourne to Canberra - Melbourne, Australia Travel Forum

From Melbourne to Canberra
Posted: Fri January 25, 2008 03:21 AM UTC

hi there, i'm planning to travel from Melbourne to Canberra by public transportation. Most likely departing on a very early Saturday, stay in Canberra for a Saturday night and coming back on Sunday night.

i just want to ask, what train lines are available to choose? price? time? location?

thanks heaps in advance.

youthtourist

8 replies

[Reply]

Re: From Melbourne to Canberra
Posted: Fri January 25, 2008 03:24 AM UTC

dont think you can catch a train only bus betweel the two cities. you should try plane there are some very cheap deals at the moment with tiger airways, my sister and here family of 5 flying for $200 return.

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meggy88

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Re: From Melbourne to Canberra
Posted: Fri January 25, 2008 04:38 AM UTC

It is possible to go by train/bus combination. The Country link XPT train bound for Sydney leaves Southern Cross station 8.30am - you change to bus at Cootamundra mid afternoon -arriving in Canberra around 6pm. According to the timetable the bus/train returns to Melbourne during the day on Sunday. It may be possible to do the return trip in the evening but I'm not sure if there is a bus to Cootamundra, which you would need to take to connect with the XPT (coming from Sydney) at 1.39am. Either way the trip takes over 8hrs each way and would be $150.00AUD return.

Getting a cheap flight would be the best way to get there and back quickly!

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swissfondue

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Re: From Melbourne to Canberra
Posted: Fri January 25, 2008 06:03 AM UTC

Or maybe even just a straight bus trip might be better!

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bungalow_bill49504

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Re: From Melbourne to Canberra
Posted: Fri January 25, 2008 08:34 AM UTC

The direct bus is an hour quicker as per the discussion last week below.

http://forum.virtualtourist.com/discussion-398083-1-1-Travel-0-0-World-discussion.html

You would have to factor in the cost to get to and from the airports if your travel but $40 per person is hard to beat if I am reading that right

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mgmarcus

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Re: From Melbourne to Canberra
Posted: Fri January 25, 2008 02:07 PM UTC

Yep, you can do this, check out the greyhound.com.au website for prices and times. Bus takes about 8 hours to Canberra and about 9 on the return. There is a early morning bus from Melbourne at 700am which will get you to Canberra at 330pm, on the return there is a late afternoon bus, and early evening bus or an overnight bus.

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yvr

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Re: From Melbourne to Canberra
Posted: Fri January 25, 2008 03:31 PM UTC

Cheapest option is coach - and there are a number of services operating from the Southern Cross train/coach station. However with the short time frame would be much quicker to fly as its about an hour trip. Add the cost of Skybus to and from melb airport and whatever bus connects Canberra airport to/from city and yes it would be more expensive, but gives far more time in Canb.

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sirgaw

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Re: From Melbourne to Canberra
Posted: Fri January 25, 2008 10:14 PM UTC

Hi Bus should be the cheapest but check the cheap airline fares. Google up Jetstar, Virginblue, Qantas , Tiger Airways. You could also try Bestflights.com.au who have really good prices and travel deals.

Good Luck,
Mike

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Mikebb

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Re: From Melbourne to Canberra
Posted: Mon January 28, 2008 09:04 AM UTC

If you are only intending on staying there 1 night, then catching a bus is a waste of time. There really isnt much to see on the way up. You are best to get a cheap flight and spend 2 full days there.

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