AustraliaAustraliaMelbourne to Sydney shipping route.
896 km by rail, about 29 h 54 min in transit.
Rail Distance Between Cities: Melbourne and Sydney
Rail Freight Distance on the map, along the rail network.
MelbourneRailSydneyRail freight transit time
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Rail Freight Distance | 896 km (557 mi) |
| Straight line | 713 km |
| Transit time | 29 h 54 min |
| Assumption | 30 km/h average freight speed |
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About the Melbourne to Sydney shipping route by rail
The rail shipping route from Melbourne, Australia to Sydney, Australia runs 896 km on the freight network, heading north east. The straight line between the cities is 713 km, the track adds 26%.
At an average 30 km/h for a freight train, stops and crew changes included, the transit time is about 29 h 54 min. Terminal handling at both ends comes on top.
Rail freight suits heavy, high volume cargo that is not urgent: containers, steel, chemicals, grain, cars. Per tonne it emits far less CO2 than trucking the same distance. Most shipments still need a truck for the first and last mile to the rail terminals in Melbourne and Sydney.
By road the same trip is 879 km and takes a truck about 9 h.
Of 4 rail routes from Melbourne in this directory, Sydney is the 2nd shortest. Closer destinations: Adelaide (748 km).
FAQ
What is the rail distance from Melbourne to Sydney?
896 km by rail (713 km in a straight line).
What is the rail freight transit time from Melbourne to Sydney?
About 29 h 54 min at an average 30 km/h for a freight train, stops included. Border and terminal times vary.
Is the return route the same?
The reverse route Sydney to Melbourne has its own page with the same distance and route.
More rail freight distance
- Melbourne to Adelaide748 km
- Melbourne to Brisbane1,767 km
- Melbourne to Perth3,333 km
- Brisbane to Sydney871 km
- Adelaide to Sydney1,591 km
- Perth to Sydney3,802 km
How we count: rail distance on the freight network, 30 km/h average including stops. Engine navo-distance-time 0.3.0. See all rail distance between cities or the Shipping Routes Directory.