Echuca to Melbourne train: Timetable, fare costs & stops

The Echuca to Melbourne train timetable has one departure per day, with the journey taking 3h28m. Fares on the Echuca to Melbourne train route cost $31 one way.

The Echuca to Melbourne train link is a historically important one. In the 19^th century, the Port of Echuca was the biggest inland port in the country, largely because it was the closest point on the Murray River to Melbourne. From Echuca, the wool and timber from inland Australia could be transported to Melbourne by rail.

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These days, the rail link is far less important, although there is still one direct Echuca to Melbourne train per day. This is of limited interest to most overseas visitors, but if you’ve fancy a short break to the Murray River from Melbourne without driving, then taking the train is a plausible option.

Book your Echuca accommodation

The best Echuca accommodation options are:

For a solid motel with low rates: Paddlewheel Motel.
For prime position in the historic Port of Echuca: Campapse Lodge.
For apartments with a touch of style: Cocknbull Boutique Hotel.
For a family-friendly holiday park: Discovery Parks Echuca.

Echuca to Melbourne train timetable

There is just one train per day, however. According the Echuca to Melbourne train timetable on the V/Line website, the service leaves Echuca Station at 07.16 on weekdays. The train then stops at Rochester, Elmore, Goornong, Huntly and Epsom before reaching Bendigo. After Bendigo, the service stops at Kangaroo Flat, Castlemaine, Malmsbury and Kyneton. Woodend, Macedon, Gisborne and Riddells Creek come next, followed by Clarkefield, Sunbury and Footscray.

Your Echuca checklist

Combine a one hour Murray River paddlesteamer cruise with lunch at Morrison’s Winery.
Book a nature-focused guided e-bike tour.
Or an extended three hour e-bike tour with a winery visit.
Find the best deals on Echuca accommodation.

👇 7 great day trips while you’re in Melbourne 👇

Great Ocean Road tour – with koalas 🐨.
Brighton Beach, Moonlit Sanctuary and Phillip Island tour – with penguins 🐧.
Yarra Valley wine tour – with gin, cider and cheese 🍷.
Grampians National Park tour – with bushwalks and LOADS of kangaroos 🦘.
Mornington Peninsula tour – with hot springs bathing 🛀.
Wilsons Promontory tour – with all manner of native wildlife 🦘🐨.
Dandenong Ranges steam train ride – plus wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary and chocolate-tasting in the Yarra Valley.

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How long does the Melbourne to Echuca train take?

The Echuca to Melbourne train finally arrives at Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station at 10.44. That’s a total journey time of three hours and 28 minutes.

Southern Cross Station on Spencer Street, Melbourne. Photo courtesy of Tourism Australia / Time Out Australia.

In the other direction, the Melbourne to Echuca train leaves Southern Cross Station at 15.06 and arrives in Echuca at 18.26.

For more frequent connections, you’re going to need to use the V/Line bus service from Echuca to Bendigo. There are two of these per day, and they connect with the trains from Bendigo to Melbourne.

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.

Echuca to Melbourne train fare cost

One way tickets on the Echuca to Melbourne train cost $31. These fares have to be bought as a paper ticket, as the Myki system used on Melbourne public transport does not work on the Echuca service.

If you’d prefer to go by car, the Melbourne to Echuca drive takes just over two-and-a-half hours.

Good quality accommodation near Southern Cross Station includes the Alto Hotel on Bourke, the Atlantis Hotel and Melbourne SkyHigh Apartments.

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