GETTING HERE

How to get to Geelong.

Geelong is about an hour from Melbourne by car or train, with an airport, ferries and the Great Ocean Road on its doorstep. Here is the easiest way to arrive.

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~1 hrby car from the Melbourne CBD
~1 hrby train from Southern Cross
~20 minfrom Avalon Airport
40 minQueenscliff to Sorrento ferry

Four ways to get here

Pick whichever suits your trip. Most visitors come by train or car.

By trainEasiest, no parking

V/Line train from Melbourne

Trains run from Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station to Geelong in about an hour. The line continues to South Geelong, Marshall and Waurn Ponds, so you can get off close to the waterfront or the southern suburbs.

  • Services run every 15 to 40 minutes depending on the time of day, and every 20 minutes or so on weekends.
  • Stations: North Geelong, Geelong, South Geelong, Marshall and Waurn Ponds.
  • Geelong Station is a short walk from the waterfront and the town centre.

Tip: Check times and fares on Public Transport Victoria before you travel, as timetables change and works can affect weekends.

By carBest for the Bellarine

Driving from Melbourne

Take the Westgate Freeway and then the Princes Freeway (M1) west. It is about an hour from the Melbourne CBD in light traffic, longer on Friday afternoons and holiday weekends.

  • The Bellarine Peninsula (Queenscliff, Ocean Grove, Portarlington) is within about half an hour of Geelong.
  • The Great Ocean Road starts at Torquay, about 30 minutes from Geelong.
  • Parking in central Geelong is paid in most spots. The waterfront has a mix of paid and time-limited parking.

Tip: A car makes the Bellarine and the coast much easier. If you only plan to stay in central Geelong, the train is simpler.

By airTwo airports

Flying in

Avalon Airport is about 20 minutes from Geelong and has flights to destinations including Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Canberra and Adelaide, with international services such as Bali starting from 2026. Check the current schedule.

Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) is about an hour away. Airport shuttles run to central Geelong, or you can hire a car at either airport.

By seaFerries

Ferries across the bay

The Searoad ferry links Queenscliff on the Bellarine with Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula in about 40 minutes, and carries cars. It is a great way to combine both peninsulas in one trip.

Port Phillip Ferries also runs passenger services between Melbourne’s Docklands and Geelong. Check current timetables before planning around either.

Once you are here

Central Geelong is compact and walkable, and the Bellarine is easiest with a car.

Getting around Geelong

The waterfront, Eastern Beach and the town centre are all within walking distance of Geelong Station. Local buses connect the centre with the Bellarine suburbs and villages.

Day trips from Geelong

Queenscliff, Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads, Torquay and the start of the Great Ocean Road are all an easy drive. See our guides for what to do at each.

Prefer someone else to drive?

If you would rather not drive, a guided tour is an easy way to see the coast.

Great Ocean Road tours

Full-day and small-group tours cover the Twelve Apostles and the coast road. Read our guide on whether to take a tour or drive yourself, or browse tours.

Tours around Geelong

Bay cruises, wine tasting and outdoor activities based in Geelong. See tours based in Geelong.

See all tours and experiences in Geelong. Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.

Last checked October 2026. Timetables, flights and ferry services change, so confirm with the operator before you travel.

Quick answers

How long does it take to get from Melbourne to Geelong?

About an hour by train from Southern Cross Station or by car from the Melbourne CBD in light traffic. Expect longer on Friday afternoons and holiday weekends.

How often do trains run from Melbourne to Geelong?

V/Line trains run every 15 to 40 minutes depending on the time of day, and about every 20 minutes on weekends. Check times and fares on Public Transport Victoria before you travel, as works can affect weekends.

Which airport is closest to Geelong?

Avalon Airport is about 20 minutes from Geelong. Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) is about an hour away, with shuttles to central Geelong.

Can you take a ferry to Geelong?

Port Phillip Ferries runs passenger services between Melbourne’s Docklands and Geelong. The Searoad ferry links Queenscliff and Sorrento in about 40 minutes and carries cars. Check current timetables before planning around either.

Do you need a car in Geelong?

Not for central Geelong, where the train is simpler. A car makes the Bellarine Peninsula and the coast much easier, including Torquay, about 30 minutes away, where the Great Ocean Road begins.

Now, what to do when you arrive

Start with our local picks for eating, drinking and exploring.

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