How to travel from Adelaide to Darwin, Australia

The distance between Adelaide and Darwin is around 2,640km (1,641 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly which takes around 4h 10m.

4 routes found

We've found 4 different ways to get from Adelaide to Darwin by plane, bus, train and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out DarwinAdelaide if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
💰 Cheapest
1
plane
+

Fly

Fly from Adelaide (ADL) to Darwin (DRW).

  • Duration4h 10m
  • Flight time3h 35m
  • Typical cost
    A$430($290)
Operated byJetstar+ 2 others
2
bus
+
bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Alice Springs and then to Darwin.

  • Duration1 day 18h
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    A$535($360)
3
train
+

Train

Take the train to Darwin.

  • Duration2 days 7h
  • Departstwice a week
  • Typical cost
    A$1,030($695)
Operated by

Great Southern Rail - The Ghan

4
car
+

Drive

Drive to Darwin.

  • Duration1 day 5h
  • Distance3,029km (1,882 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Adelaide and Darwin

There are several options for getting from Adelaide to Darwin by plane, bus, train and car. The cheapest option is to fly which costs around A$430 ($290) and will take around 4h 10m.

The distance between Adelaide and Darwin is around 2,640km (1,641 miles).

It takes around 4h 10m to get from Adelaide and Darwin by plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 1 day 5h to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Adelaide to Darwin is to fly which takes around 4h 10m and will set you back approx A$430 ($290).

The cheapest way to travel between Adelaide and Darwin, if you exclude driving, is to fly which will typically cost around A$430 ($290) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Adelaide and Darwin. It typically takes around 2 days 7h and departs twice a week.

There are no direct train services that runs from Adelaide to Darwin. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Darwin. These services run twice a week and will take a minimum of 2 days 7h.

Great Southern Rail - The Ghan run train services between Adelaide and Darwin. Trains depart twice a week and will take around 2 days 7h, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Adelaide and Darwin. It typically takes around 1 day 18h and departs once daily.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Adelaide to Darwin. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Alice Springs. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 1 day 18h.

Greyhound Australia run regular bus services between Adelaide and Darwin. Buses run once daily and take around 1 day 18h on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

Yes you can fly from Adelaide and Darwin. Flights depart from Adelaide (ADL) and arrive at Darwin (DRW). The flight takes around 3h 35m.

Yes there is a direct flight between Adelaide and Darwin with no stop-overs required. Flights typically take around 3h 35m.

Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Qantas fly between Adelaide and Darwin. Flights depart from Adelaide (ADL) and and arrive into Darwin (DRW). These flights usually take around 3h 35m.

The flight from Adelaide to Darwin typically takes around 3h 35m. Flights depart from Adelaide (ADL) and and arrive into Darwin (DRW).

The closest major airport to Darwin is Darwin International Airport (DRW) (DRW) which is approximately 7km (4 miles) from Darwin. Maningrida Airport (MNG) (MNG) and Kununurra Airport (KNX) (KNX) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Adelaide and Darwin. The distance is around 3,029km (1,882 miles) by road and it will take around 1 day 5h in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Adelaide to Darwin is to fly which takes, on average, 4h 10m and will usually cost around A$430 ($290).

How do I get from Adelaide to Darwin

Compare travel optionsbetween Adelaide and Darwin

Transport options from Adelaide to Darwin
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Fly
4h 10m
A$430($290)
every 20 mins2,640km (1,641 miles)
Bus
1 day 18h
A$535($360)
once daily3,051km (1,896 miles)
Train
2 days 7h
A$1,030($695)
twice a week2,995km (1,861 miles)
Drive
1 day 5h
A$400($270)
on demand3,029km (1,882 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Adelaide and Darwin

Airlines

Bus companies

Train operators

Airports near Darwin

The following major airports near Darwin offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Australia and internationally.

DRW
Darwin International Airport (DRW)
International Airport
Distance
7km (4 miles) from Darwin
MNG
Maningrida Airport (MNG)
Domestic Airport
Distance
371km (231 miles) from Darwin
KNX
Kununurra Airport (KNX)
Domestic Airport
Distance
435km (270 miles) from Darwin