Canberra to Melbourne bus: Timetable, fare prices & journey time

The Canberra to Melbourne bus is timetabled to take eight hours and costs from $118. The Greyhound GX233 runs to Melbourne from Canberra overnight.

Most people travelling from Canberra to Melbourne will choose to go via any other method of transport than bus.

Taking the Canberra to Melbourne bus is probably the least comfortable way to travel between the two cities. So if you want the alternatives, here’s where to look in speed order…

Flights > Drive (with car hire) > Train > Bus

Cheapest way to get from Canberra to Melbourne

The bus, however, can often be the cheapest way to get from Canberra to Melbourne. And for many travellers, keeping the cost down will be the deciding factor.

If this is the case, the service you will need is the Greyhound GX233 service.

7 great Canberra experiences to book before you arrive

Full day city highlights tour – including Mount Ainslie, Parliament House and the Australian War Memorial.
Tidbinbilla wildlife and birds tour – see kangaroos, koalas, platypus and emus in the wild.
Hot air balloon flight – see Canberra’s unique design while floating above the city.
Small group wine tour – discover the amazing wineries and food producers of the Canberra region.
Australian Institute of Sport tour – see where Australia’s next generation of sporting greats train.
Australian Museum – expert-guided tour of the museum highlights.
Brewery tour – hop between Canberra’s best craft breweries.

Canberra to Melbourne bus timetable

There is one Greyhound bus from Canberra to Melbourne per day, and you’re probably not going to like the timings of it. According to the Greyhound timetable, the GX233 leaves the Canberra Civic Coach Stop at 21.30 every evening.

The journey then takes eight hours, arriving in Melbourne at 05.30 the next morning. Yep. It’s an overnight red eye bus.

The Canberra to Melbourne bus does come with reclining seats, free WiFi and USB chargers, should that make the prospect mildly more enticing.

14 fantastic experiences that make the most of your free time in Melbourne

Get the very best views – on a hot air balloon flight over the city.
See the changing colours of the river – on a sunset kayaking tour – with dinner. (Highly recommended ✅)
Feast and see the sights at the same time – on a four course dinner cruise along the Yarra River.
A genuinely excellent street art tour, led by prominent street artists. (Highly recommended ✅)
The also superb Aboriginal heritage, plants and bush food tour in the Botanic Gardens. (💲 Great value 💲)
Best of Melbourne bike tour – you can see more on two wheels than walking.
Hidden laneways bar crawl OR foodie discovery tour OR chocolate and dessert tour.
Combo ticket for Australian Sports Museum and MCG tour.
Hassle-dodging advance tickets for the Melbourne Skydeck, Melbourne Zoo, the Ice Bar (with cocktails) and Sea Life Aquarium.

Canberra to Melbourne bus fare prices

Prices for fares on the Canberra to Melbourne bus vary somewhat, depending on date and how far in advance you book. But one way tickets are often available for around $118. For the best deals, bookings should be made online.