The distance between Canberra and Darwin is around 3,163km (1,966 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly which takes around 5h 10m.
We've found 6 different ways to get from Canberra 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 Darwin → Canberra if you're planning a return trip.
Fly from Canberra (CBR) to Darwin (DRW).
Qantas
+ 1 others1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Take the bus to Albury, Franklin Street then Alice Springs and then to Darwin.
Multiple bus operators
Take the train to Central Station then Adelaide Parklands and then to Darwin.
Multiple train operators
Take the bus to Junee Station Coach Stop then take the train to Southern Cross then Adelaide and then to Darwin.
Multiple operators
There are several options for getting from Canberra to Darwin by plane, bus, train and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus and then fly which costs around A$460 ($310) and will take around 7h 35m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and arrive in approximately 5h 10m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately A$1,005 ($675).
The distance between Canberra and Darwin is around 3,163km (1,966 miles).
It takes around 5h 10m to get from Canberra and Darwin by plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 1 day 16h to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Canberra to Darwin is to fly which takes around 5h 10m and will set you back approx A$1,005 ($675).
The cheapest way to travel between Canberra and Darwin, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus and then fly which will typically cost around A$460 ($310) for a standard one-way ticket.
Yes there is a train service that runs between Canberra and Darwin. It typically takes around 3 days 14h and departs once a week.
There are no direct train services that runs from Canberra to Darwin. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Central Station, Adelaide Parklands and Darwin. These services run once a week and will take a minimum of 3 days 14h.
NSW TrainLink, Great Southern Rail - Indian Pacific and Great Southern Rail - The Ghan run train services between Canberra and Darwin. Trains depart once a week and will take around 3 days 14h, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.
Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Canberra and Darwin. It typically takes around 2 days 12h and departs once daily.
There are no direct bus services that runs from Canberra to Darwin. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Albury, Franklin Street and Alice Springs. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 2 days 12h.
Greyhound Australia and V-Line run regular bus services between Canberra and Darwin. Buses run once daily and take around 2 days 12h on average but will vary depending on you book with.
Yes you can fly from Canberra and Darwin. Flights depart from Canberra (CBR) and arrive at Darwin (DRW). The flight takes around 4h 35m.
Yes there is a direct flight between Canberra and Darwin with no stop-overs required. Flights typically take around 4h 35m.
Qantas and Virgin Australia fly between Canberra and Darwin. Flights depart from Canberra (CBR) and and arrive into Darwin (DRW). These flights usually take around 4h 35m.
The flight from Canberra to Darwin typically takes around 4h 35m. Flights depart from Canberra (CBR) 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.
Yes it is possible to drive from Canberra and Darwin. The distance is around 4,058km (2,522 miles) by road and it will take around 1 day 16h in normal traffic conditons.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Canberra to Darwin is to fly which takes, on average, 5h 10m and will usually cost around A$1,005 ($675).
Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fly + 1 similar | 5h 10m | A$1,005($675) | every 30 mins | 3,163km (1,966 miles) |
Bus and Plane | 7h 35m | A$460($310) | once daily | 3,437km (2,136 miles) |
Bus | 2 days 12h | A$720($485) | once daily | 4,315km (2,681 miles) |
Train | 3 days 14h | A$1,505($1,015) | once a week | 4,998km (3,105 miles) |
Bus and Train | 3 days 2h | A$1,195($805) | twice a week | 4,485km (2,787 miles) |
Drive | 1 day 16h | A$540($360) | on demand | 4,058km (2,522 miles) |
Murrays Coaches
V-Line
NSW TrainLink
Qantas
Virgin Australia
XPT
PTV Overland
Great Southern Rail - The Ghan
Great Southern Rail - Indian Pacific
The following major airports near Darwin offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Australia and internationally.