Anyone who backpacked across Europe in the 20s probably recognises FlixBus – you know, that obnoxiously bright green bus that hooks you up with cheap rides between all the Euro-summer hotspots. I, for one, once took a ten-hour overnight journey from Croatia to Slovenia to save a few bucks – and was pleasantly surprised by just how smooth and comfy it was. If you’re a fellow FlixBus fan, you’ll be happy to hear the budget coach giant is launching in Australia this November, with intro fares going for $9.99.
Australia will officially welcome the long-distance coach’s debut on Thursday, November 20, as its 45th country and fifth continent. The launch route will connect Sydney and Melbourne via Canberra and Albury, and will also stop at Sydney’s airports and Central Station.
In savvy FlixBus style, the commuter company is launching its Sydney to Melbourne route with introductory fares from just $9.99 one-way. Tickets must be booked by November 30 for travel until June 9, 2026, after which fares rise to around $60 one way. But hey, that’s still cheaper than petrol or a plane ticket.
Although FlixBus is known for its budget-friendly fares, the experience is anything but basic. Onboard, passengers can enjoy free Wi-Fi, power outlets, reclining seats, toilets and a generous luggage allowance – including one seven-kilogram carry-on item and two pieces of stowed luggage, up to 20 kilograms each. Plus, you can feel good knowing you’re opting for a more sustainable method of travel, with the bus ride from Sydney to Melbourne cutting an individual’s carbon footprint by around 90 per cent compared with flying.
Keen for the commute? FlixBus will run two daily services between Sydney and Melbourne starting November 20. The first bus departs Sydney Central Station at 7.45am, with the second leaving at 7.45pm. From Melbourne, the first service leaves at 10.20am and the final bus at 10.05pm. The full trip between the two capitals is scheduled to take around 11.5 hours. Meanwhile, there will be 12 daily trips from Sydney to Canberra that will take between three and 3.5 hours. You can nab a $9.99 ticket here.