Melbourne to Geelong train: Timetable, stops and fares
The Melbourne to Geelong train service takes around 1h14m, with fares costing from $9.66. V/Line trains leave every 20 minutes on weekdays.
The Melbourne to Geelong train connects Victoria’s capital to its biggest regional city. It is used more by commuters than tourists, but any visitors fancying exploring Geelong for a day or two might find taking the train a better bet than hiring a car.
Before leaving, 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.
3 Geelong experiences to book in advance
- A water bike tour along the coast.
- A sunrise balloon flight – see the bay, hills and river from above.
- Rent an electric picnic boat on the Waterfront.
The Melbourne to Geelong train service is run by V/Line. Unlike many rail services in Australia, the Melbourne to Geelong trains are relatively frequent. Dozens leave every day, with departures roughly every 20 minutes through most of the day.
Melbourne to Geelong train timetable
The first Melbourne to Geelong train leaves Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station at 04.48 on weekdays. The final service is at 01.15.
At weekends, the Melbourne to Geelong train timetable is less busy. Trains tend to leave every 40 minutes instead of every 20. The first service of the day departs from Southern Cross Station at 06.55, and the last train is at 01.10.
👇 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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Melbourne to Geelong train stops
Most trains take one hour and 14 minutes to travel between Southern Cross station and Geelong. After stopping in Geelong train station, most trains continue on to South Geelong. Some also continue to Marshall and Waurn Ponds.
Stops on the Melbourne to Geelong train line include Footscray, Deer Park, Tarneit and Wyndham Vale. Later on, the train stops at Little River, Lara and Corio.
Melbourne to Geelong train fares
One way train fares from Melbourne to Geelong cost $13.80 at peak times, and $9.66 off peak. Payment is via Myki, although to overseas visitors, this is essentially the credit card payment rate.
Things to do in Geelong once there include Eastern Beach, helicopter rides, the National Wool Museum, the Museum of Play and Art and Buckley Falls. If you’d prefer to go by car, the Melbourne to Geelong drive takes around an hour and five minutes.
Geelong accommodation options include the well-equipped apartments of Quest Geelong, the superbly-reviewed Anchor Geelong and the family-friendly Discovery Parks holiday park.
The best places to stay in Geelong
The top Geelong accommodation options are:
- For an affordably-priced, good quality motel: Parkside Motel.
- For fabulous apartments near the beach: Vue Apartments Geelong.
- For a family-friendly hotel with an indoor pool and balconies in each room: Novotel Geelong.
- For a facility-packed holiday park: Tasman Holiday Parks Geelong.
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.
More Victoria travel
How long does the Warrnambool to Melbourne train take?
When is the best time to see penguins on Phillip Island?
Enjoy the coastal walks of Cape Conran, East Gippsland.
Check out the galleries and cafés of Fish Creek, South Gippsland.
Tread the white sands of Squeaky Beach near Tidal River.