The cheapest and fastest buses from Melbourne to Canberra
Cheapest price on Sep 15
$99
Average ticket price on Sep 15
$125
Fastest journey on Sep 15
8 h
Average journey duration on Sep 15
8 h 3 m
Buses on Sep 15
3
Distance
466 km
The best way to find a cheap bus ticket from Melbourne to Canberra is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Melbourne to Canberra will cost around $125 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $99.
On Tue, Sep 15, we found 3 buses from Melbourne to Canberra, including 3 direct services.
On Tue, Sep 15 the direct buses cover the 466 km distance in an average of 8 h 3 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 8 h .
On Tue, Sep 15 the slowest buses will take 8 h 10 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
GX32210:00 PM8h00Melbourne, Spencer St (Southern Cross)6:00 AMCanberra, Northbourne Ave (Novotel)$991One-way0 transfers
FlixBus9:00 AM8h00Melbourne, Spencer St (Southern Cross)5:00 PMCanberra, Northbourne Ave (Novotel)$1311One-way0 transfers
FlixBus9:45 PM8h10Melbourne, Spencer St (Southern Cross)5:55 AMCanberra, Northbourne Ave (Novotel)$1451One-way0 transfers
FlixBus9:00 AM8h00Melbourne, Spencer St (Southern Cross)5:00 PMCanberra, Northbourne Ave (Novotel)$1311One-way0 transfers
GX32210:00 PM8h00Melbourne, Spencer St (Southern Cross)6:00 AMCanberra, Northbourne Ave (Novotel)$991One-way0 transfers
FlixBus9:45 PM8h10Melbourne, Spencer St (Southern Cross)5:55 AMCanberra, Northbourne Ave (Novotel)$1451One-way0 transfers
Travel Information
Compare bus and flight for Melbourne to Canberra
Omio recommends booking the bus as it is the most popular option from Melbourne to Canberra among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the bus, with an average ticket price of $100 For those with little time, consider booking a flight, which has an average total journey time of 5h 27m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $100, while a flight costs an average of $576.
Distance: 289 miles (466 km)
Compare bus with
Most popular Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|
$100 Average price Cheapest | $576 Average price | $96 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
8h 33m Average total duration 8h 3m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 5h 27m Average total duration Fastest 3h 27m Onboard + 2h 0m Additional time* | 6h 56m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular airline | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Melbourne to Canberra:
A bus is $476 less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Melbourne to Canberra costing on average $576.
Other travel options to Canberra take longer:
Bus takes on average 8h 3m.
Tickets start at around $100 compared to roughly $96 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about $-4.23. The journey takes 8h 3m versus 6h 56m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
Melbourne to Canberra Bus Timetables
| Operator | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Duration | Departure days | Cheapest price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:00AM | Arrival Time 05:00PM | Duration 8h00 | Departure days Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun | Cheapest price $101 |
Operator FlixBus | Departure Time 09:45PM | Arrival Time 05:55AM | Duration 8h10 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $113 |
Operator Greyhound Australia | Departure Time 10:00PM | Arrival Time 06:00AM | Duration 8h00 | Departure days Everyday | Cheapest price $99 |
Live departures
Melbourne to Canberra bus times
The table below shows live departures for Melbourne to Canberra buses for tomorrow, Tuesday, September 15. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated bus journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus | 9:00 AM Melbourne, Spencer St (Southern Cross) | 8h00 | 5:00 PM Canberra, Northbourne Ave (Novotel) | 0 transfersDirect | |
FlixBus | 9:45 PM Melbourne, Spencer St (Southern Cross) | 8h10 | 5:55 AM Canberra, Northbourne Ave (Novotel) | 0 transfersDirect | |
GX322 | 10:00 PM Melbourne, Spencer St (Southern Cross) | 8h00 | 6:00 AM Canberra, Northbourne Ave (Novotel) | 0 transfersDirect | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare prices and tickets Melbourne to Canberra by bus or flight
Compare bus and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Sep 14
Sep 15
Sep 16
Sep 17
Sep 18
Sep 19
Sep 20
Sep 21
Sep 22
Sep 23
Sep 24
Sep 26
Sep 27
Sep 28
Why should you book Melbourne to Canberra buses with Omio?
Why book with Omio vs Greyhound Australia?
- Compare with other providers: On Omio, you can not only buy tickets for Greyhound Australia, but also compare tickets for the likes of FlixBus or Greyhound to find the best option for your trip from Melbourne to Canberra.
- Designed for International Travelers: Omio is in your language including 24/7 customer service and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, credit cards, and bank transfer, in your preferred currency.
- Compare all your options: Omio allows you to compare Greyhound Australia with all available travel options, which are bus and flight to ensure you get the best deal for traveling from Melbourne to Canberra.
Journey information
Overview: Bus from Melbourne to Canberra
Buses from Melbourne to Canberra run on average 2 times per day, taking around 8h 3m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at $52 if you book in advance.
There are 2 buses per day. The earliest bus runs at 14:40, the last at 14:40. The fastest bus covers the 289 miles (466 km) distance in 8h 0m.
Distance 289 miles (466 km) |
Average bus duration 8h 3m |
Cheapest ticket price $52 |
Buses per day 2 |
Direct buses 2 |
Fastest bus 8h 0m |
First bus 2:40 PM |
Last bus 2:40 PM |
Cheapest Month Jul |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Jul - Sep |
Low Season Oct - Dec |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Wed |
Best time to book 14 days |
Bus providers: FlixBus, Greyhound Australia from Melbourne to CanberraYou can travel by bus between Melbourne to Canberra with FlixBus, Greyhound Australia for as low as $52. When you search for schedules and tickets, Omio will show you the best journey
FlixBus
Greyhound Australia
FAQs: Bus from Melbourne to Canberra
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Melbourne to Canberra by bus. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest bus, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Canberra, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

- Greyhound Australia
- Buses have designated spaces for wheelchairs.
- Greyhound
- Assistance
- Priority seating
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- FlixBus
- Assistance
- Priority boarding
- Wheelchair-accessible buses.
- Greyhound Australia
- Flexible Fare tickets can be canceled up to 15 minutes before departure for an open-dated ticket valid for 12 months.
- Greyhound
- You can cancel your ticket for a refund or exchange up to 24 hours before departure, for a cancellation fee applied.
- FlixBus
- You can cancel your ticket up to 15 minutes before departure and receive a voucher for future travel. Refund requests for delays over 120 minutes are possible.
- Greyhound Australia
- Two pieces of checked baggage up to 20kg each and one carry-on up to 8kg.
- Greyhound
- One carry-on bag up to 25 lbs (11 kg) and one checked bag up to 50 lbs (23 kg).
- FlixBus
- One carry-on bag up to 7kg (42x30x18 cm) and one checked bag up to 20kg (80x50x30 cm).
- Greyhound Australia
- Two extra bags allowed for $10 each
- additional items at standard freight rates.
- Greyhound
- $15 per additional bag.
- FlixBus
- Additional luggage can be purchased for a fee.
- FlixBus
- Small pets in carriers allowed
- guide dogs travel for free.
Most popular bus connections from Melbourne
More options for your journey from Melbourne to Canberra
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