How to travel from Ballina to Townsville, Australia

The distance between Ballina and Townsville is around 1,355km (842 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly which takes around 4h 20m.

8 routes found

We've found 8 different ways to get from Ballina to Townsville 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 TownsvilleBallina if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
plane
+

Fly

Fly from Ballina (BNK) to Townsville (TSV).

  • Duration4h 20m
  • Flight time4h 10m
  • Typical cost
    A$565($380)
Operated by

Qantas

+ 2 others

3 similiar routes

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

2
bus
+
bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Brisbane and then to Townsville.

  • Duration1 day 2h
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    A$315($210)
Operated by

Premier Motor Service

1 similiar route

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

💰 Cheapest
3
bus
+
train
+

Bus and Train

Take the bus to Brisbane then take the train to Townsville.

  • Duration20h 55m
  • Departs5 times a week
  • Typical cost
    A$210($140)
Operated by

Multiple operators

4
car
+

Drive

Drive to Townsville.

  • Duration19h 10m
  • Distance1,655km (1,028 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Ballina and Townsville

There are several options for getting from Ballina to Townsville by plane, bus, train and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus and then take the train which costs around A$210 ($140) and will take around 20h 55m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and arrive in approximately 4h 20m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately A$565 ($380).

The distance between Ballina and Townsville is around 1,355km (842 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 1,268km (788 miles)

It takes around 4h 20m to get from Ballina and Townsville by plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 19h 10m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Ballina to Townsville is to fly which takes around 4h 20m and will set you back approx A$565 ($380).

The cheapest way to travel between Ballina and Townsville, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus and then take the train which will typically cost around A$210 ($140) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

There is no train service that runs between Ballina and Townsville. We recommend that you fly from Ballina (BNK) to Townsville (TSV). instead which will take 4h 20m.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Ballina and Townsville. It typically takes around 1 day 2h and departs once daily.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Ballina to Townsville. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Byron Bay Interchange Stand B and Brisbane. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 1 day 2h.

NSW TrainLink, Premier Motor Service and Greyhound Australia run regular bus services between Ballina and Townsville. Buses run once daily and take around 1 day 2h on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

Yes you can fly from Ballina and Townsville. Flights depart from Ballina (BNK) and arrive at Townsville (TSV) - via Sydney (SYD). The flight takes around 4h 10m.

There is no direct flight from Ballina to Townsville. There is however a flight that goes via Sydney (SYD). This services will take at least 4h 20m (not including layover time).

The flight from Ballina to Townsville typically takes around 4h 10m. Flights depart from Ballina (BNK) and and arrive into Townsville (TSV).

The closest major airport to Townsville is Townsville Airport (TSV) (TSV) which is approximately 6km (3 miles) from Townsville. Palm Island Airport (PMK) (PMK) and Cairns Airport (CNS) (CNS) 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 Townsville. The distance is around 1,655km (1,028 miles) by road and it will take around 19h 10m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Ballina to Townsville is to fly which takes, on average, 4h 20m and will usually cost around A$565 ($380).

How do I get from Ballina to Townsville

Compare travel optionsbetween Ballina and Townsville

Transport options from Ballina to Townsville
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Fly + 3 similar
4h 20m
A$565($380)
every 2 hours2,308km (1,434 miles)
Bus and Plane5h 10m
A$240($165)
twice daily1,877km (1,167 miles)
Bus to Coffs Harbour, Fly8h 25m
A$485($325)
once daily2,384km (1,481 miles)
Bus, Train and Plane5h 50m
A$270($180)
twice daily1,355km (842 miles)
Bus + 1 similar
1 day 2h
A$315($210)
once daily1,826km (1,135 miles)
Bus via Brisbane1 day 4h
A$270($180)
once daily1,826km (1,135 miles)
Bus and Train
20h 55m
A$210($140)
5 times a week1,531km (951 miles)
Drive
19h 10m
A$220($150)
on demand1,655km (1,028 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Ballina and Townsville

Bus companies

Airlines

Train operators

Airports near Townsville

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

TSV
Townsville Airport (TSV)
Domestic Airport
Distance
6km (3 miles) from Townsville
PMK
Palm Island Airport (PMK)
Domestic Airport
Distance
61km (38 miles) from Townsville
CNS
Cairns Airport (CNS)
International Airport
Distance
288km (179 miles) from Townsville