Adelaide to Melbourne bus: Fare prices & timetable

The Adelaide to Melbourne bus is not the quickest way of travelling between the two cities, but the overnight bus takes less time than the daytime service. One way fares cost from $65.

The Adelaide to Melbourne bus is usually the cheapest way of travelling between the South Australian and Victorian capitals. You’ll be quicker flying, more comfortable taking the train and have more freedom driving.

But the bus does exist as an option, even if it’s not an especially appealing one.

Adelaide brings food tours of the fabulous Central Market, Torrens River cruises, swimming with dolphins and the chance to walk across the roof of the Adelaide Oval. To book Adelaide accommodation, step this way. For a full range of Adelaide tours and experiences, explore here.

On arrival, you may want to tick Melbourne Cricket Ground tours, Yarra River dinner cruises and cross-city hot air balloon flights off your Melbourne wish list. For a great range of Melbourne tours and experiences, explore here. To track down the best value Melbourne accommodation, come this way.

Get the best deals by advance-booking your Melbourne tours and hotels.

Adelaide to Melbourne bus timetable

The Adelaide to Melbourne bus service is run by Firefly Express. There are two services per day – one during the daytime and one overnighter. The day service leaves at 06.35 from the Central Bus Station on Franklin Street. It arrives at Melbourne’s Southern Cross Coach Terminal at 18.50. That’s a journey time of 12 hours and 15 minutes – well in excess of how long it takes to drive between the two cities.

The overnight service, meanwhile, leaves at 20.15 and arrives in Melbourne at 06.35. This is quicker, at 10 hours and 20 minutes, but there’s the significant downside of trying to sleep on a bus.

Adelaide to Melbourne bus fare prices

One way fares on the Adelaide to Melbourne bus start at $65. This is the advance booking rate, and it is not always available.

For that money, you’ll get reclining seats, a USB socket by your seat and free in-journey WiFi. Bookings should be made on the Firefly Express website.

Things to do in Melbourne once you get there include visiting the Immigration Museum, kayaking along the Yarra River, the Spirit of Melbourne dinner cruise and taking in the views from the Melbourne Skydeck.

Alternatively, try a Yarra Valley wine tour, a small group tour to the Phillip Island Penguin Parade and guided walks through the city centre laneways.

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