How to travel from Ballina to Parkes, Australia
The distance between Ballina and Parkes is around 738km (459 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly and then take the bus which takes around 3h 25m.
8 routes found
We've found 8 different ways to get from Ballina to Parkes 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 Parkes → Ballina if you're planning a return trip.
Plane and Bus
Fly from Ballina (BNK) to Dubbo (DBO) then take the bus to Parkes Station Coach Stop.
- Duration3h 25m
- Flight time1h 45m
- Typical costA$365($245)
Multiple operators
3 similiar routes
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Bus via Coffs Harbour
Take the bus to Coffs Harbour, Tamworth then Dubbo Station Coach Bay 4 and then to Parkes Station Coach Stop.
- Duration16hrs
- Departstwice a week
- Typical costA$210($140)
Multiple bus operators
1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Bus and Train
Take the bus to Casino Station Coach Bay then take the train to Strathfield Station and then to Parkes Station.
- Duration19h 10m
- Departstwice a week
- Typical costA$180($120)
NSW TrainLink
Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Ballina and Parkes
Popular questions
There are several options for getting from Ballina to Parkes by plane, bus, train and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around A$135 ($90) and will take around 17h 40m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and then take the bus and arrive in approximately 3h 25m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately A$365 ($245).
The distance between Ballina and Parkes is around 738km (459 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 699km (435 miles)
It takes around 3h 25m to get from Ballina and Parkes by plane and bus. If you are travelling by car it will take around 10h 45m to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Ballina to Parkes is to fly and then take the bus which takes around 3h 25m and will set you back approx A$365 ($245).
The cheapest way to travel between Ballina and Parkes, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around A$135 ($90) for a standard one-way ticket.
Train travel
There is no train service that runs between Ballina and Parkes. We recommend that you fly from Ballina (BNK) to Dubbo (DBO) then take the bus to Parkes Station Coach Stop. instead which will take 3h 25m.
Bus travel
Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Ballina and Parkes. It typically takes around 17h 40m and departs 3 times a week.
There are no direct bus services that runs from Ballina to Parkes. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Newcastle and Dubbo. These services run 3 times a week and will take a minimum of 17h 40m.
Greyhound Australia, Premier Motor Service, Sid Foggs Coaches, NSW TrainLink and New England Coaches run regular bus services between Ballina and Parkes. Buses run 3 times a week and take around 17h 40m on average but will vary depending on you book with.
Flights and Airlines
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Ballina to Parkes. We recommend that you fly from Ballina (BNK) to Dubbo (DBO) then take the bus to Parkes Station Coach Stop. instead which will take 3h 25m.
The closest major airport to Parkes is Parkes Airport (PKE) (PKE) which is approximately 5km (3 miles) from Parkes. Canberra International Airport (CBR) (CBR) and Sydney Airport (SYD) (SYD) 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 Ballina and Parkes. The distance is around 869km (540 miles) by road and it will take around 10h 45m in normal traffic conditons.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Ballina to Parkes is to fly and then take the bus which takes, on average, 3h 25m and will usually cost around A$365 ($245).
Compare travel optionsbetween Ballina and Parkes
| Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Plane and Bus + 3 similar | 3h 25m | A$365($245) | 6 times a week | 738km (459 miles) |
| Plane and Train | 4h 30m | A$455($305) | twice a week | 948km (589 miles) |
| Fly to Sydney (SYD), Train | 8h 5m | A$215($145) | twice a week | 1,067km (663 miles) |
| Bus, Plane and Train | 6hrs | A$355($240) | twice a week | 1,114km (692 miles) |
Bus via Coffs Harbour + 1 similar | 16hrs | A$210($140) | twice a week | 1,048km (651 miles) |
| Bus | 17h 40m | A$135($90) | 3 times a week | 1,179km (732 miles) |
Bus and Train | 19h 10m | A$180($120) | twice a week | 1,290km (802 miles) |
Drive | 10h 45m | A$115($78) | on demand | 869km (540 miles) |
Top Carriersoperating between Ballina and Parkes
Bus companies
NSW TrainLink
Byron Bay Express
Premier Motor Service
Sid Foggs Coaches
Airlines
FlyPelican
Qantas
Regional Express
Virgin Australia
Airports near Parkes
The following major airports near Parkes offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Australia and internationally.
Parkes Airport (PKE)
- Distance
- 5km (3 miles) from Parkes
Canberra International Airport (CBR)
- Distance
- 259km (161 miles) from Parkes
Sydney Airport (SYD)
- Distance
- 292km (182 miles) from Parkes