Major Sporting Events and School Holidays Drive Interest in East Coast Coach Travel Across Back-to-Back Weekends

Major Sporting Events and School Holidays Drive Interest in East Coast Coach Travel Across Back-to-Back Weekends

Interest in interstate coach travel along the busy Brisbane–Sydney–Melbourne routes is up as much as 35% week-on-week, as the two major grand finals, school holidays and the October long weekend converge to put East Coast travellers on the road.

SYDNEY, Australia, 24 September 2026: Australia's East Coast is on the move across two back-to-back grand final weekends and school holidays. FlixBus, Australia's fast-growing interstate coach service, has recorded a lift in searches across its Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane network in the weeks coinciding with the two sporting grand finals in Melbourne and Sydney – major events falling either side of the October long weekend and within the NSW, Victorian and Queensland school holidays. 

Rise in Sydney–Melbourne interest coincides with the footy grand final and school holidays

In the week of the grand final, which also falls within the school holidays in both NSW and Victoria, coach travel between Sydney and Melbourne saw searches jump around 35% week-on-week, with bookings following the same trend.

Sydney–Brisbane demand climbs around the rugby league prelims and grand final

Interest in the Sydney–Brisbane route (which also serves Newcastle) built through the prelims and into the decider. In the week of the prelims, searches on the route rose nearly 20% week-on-week. The following week, with the grand final approaching, searches climbed further to around 35%.

School holidays and the long weekend add fuel

The finals aren't the only thing driving Australians onto coaches. The pull of the holidays shows on leisure routes too – in the lead-up to the Queensland school holidays, interest in the Brisbane–Cairns route jumped almost 27% week-on-week.

FlixBus Australia Senior Managing Director Yvan Lefranc-Morin said, "It's shaping up to be one of the biggest travel fortnights of the year on Australia's East Coast. Between the two grand finals, the school holidays and the long weekend, people right across the coast are looking at coach as a way to get around. It's great to see more Australians considering interstate buses as an affordable, comfortable and more sustainable way to move up and down the East Coast."

Passengers looking for last-minute travel options and affordable fares can travel by coach right across FlixBus's East Coast network. Every FlixBus journey is designed for comfort, with free Wi-Fi, power outlets and extra leg space to help passengers relax and make the most of the trip.

With over 500 million passengers globally and 8,000+ destinations across 45 countries, FlixBus is committed to expanding its smart travel options across continents, blending technology, sustainability and customer empowerment. Explore Australia East Coast routes, timetables and fares at www.flixbus.com.au