Melbourne anchors Victoria's passenger rail network, with regional lines converging on Southern Cross from the state's western, northern, and eastern corridors. Southern Cross is the principal regional and interstate terminal, while Flinders Street, Footscray, and Richmond provide additional regional boarding points on selected routes. V/Line operates Victorian regional trains, NSW TrainLink provides the Sydney connection, and Journey Beyond operates The Overland across the South Australian border.
Services include regional commuter trains, longer-distance Victorian services, and interstate trains with daytime or overnight travel options. Melbourne does not have an operational high-speed rail service. Southern Cross is the main train station for comparing intercity departures and buying train tickets, although the correct boarding station depends on the selected service. Melbourne Airport has no passenger rail connection; airport buses link its terminals with Southern Cross.
Trains from Melbourne head southwest toward Geelong and Warrnambool, west toward Ballarat and Adelaide, northwest toward Bendigo, and northeast toward Albury and Sydney. Eastern services follow the Gippsland corridor. Trains to Melbourne bring passengers into the same central rail network, with connecting services available for journeys beyond the city. Book trains from and to Melbourne online at Rail Monsters.