The distance between Darwin and Canberra is around 4,062km (2,524 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 1 day 16h.
We've found 4 different ways to get from Darwin to Canberra by 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 Canberra → Darwin if you're planning a return trip.
Take the bus to Alice Springs, Adelaide then Albury and then to Canberra.
Multiple bus operators
Take the train to Adelaide Parklands then Central Station and then to Canberra Station.
Multiple train operators
Take the train to Adelaide Parklands then Southern Cross and then to Wagga Wagga Station Platform 1 then take the bus to West Row after London Cct.
Multiple operators
There are several options for getting from Darwin to Canberra by bus, train and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around A$720 ($485) and will take around 2 days 11h. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 1 day 16h, though it is a bit more costly at approximately A$540 ($360).
The distance between Darwin and Canberra is around 4,062km (2,524 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 3,133km (1,947 miles)
It takes around 2 days 11h to get from Darwin and Canberra by bus. If you are travelling by car it will take around 1 day 16h to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Darwin to Canberra is to drive which takes around 1 day 16h and will set you back approx A$540 ($360).
The cheapest way to travel between Darwin and Canberra, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around A$720 ($485) for a standard one-way ticket.
Yes there is a train service that runs between Darwin and Canberra. It typically takes around 3 days 10h and departs once a week.
There are no direct train services that runs from Darwin to Canberra. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Darwin, Adelaide Parklands and Central Station. These services run once a week and will take a minimum of 3 days 10h.
Great Southern Rail - The Ghan, Great Southern Rail - Indian Pacific and NSW TrainLink run train services between Darwin and Canberra. Trains depart once a week and will take around 3 days 10h, 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 Darwin and Canberra. It typically takes around 2 days 11h and departs once daily.
There are no direct bus services that runs from Darwin to Canberra. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Alice Springs, Adelaide and Albury. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 2 days 11h.
Greyhound Australia and V-Line run regular bus services between Darwin and Canberra. Buses run once daily and take around 2 days 11h on average but will vary depending on you book with.
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Darwin to Canberra. We recommend that you take the bus to Alice Springs, Adelaide then Albury and then to Canberra. instead which will take 2 days 11h.
The closest major airport to Canberra is Canberra International Airport (CBR) (CBR) which is approximately 8km (5 miles) from Canberra. Moruya Airport (MYA) (MYA) and Wagga Wagga Airport (WGA) (WGA) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.
Yes it is possible to drive from Darwin and Canberra. The distance is around 4,062km (2,524 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 Darwin to Canberra is to take the bus which takes, on average, 2 days 11h and will usually cost around A$720 ($485).
Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bus | 2 days 11h | A$720($485) | once daily | 4,314km (2,681 miles) |
Train | 3 days 10h | A$1,505($1,015) | once a week | 4,998km (3,106 miles) |
Train and Bus | 2 days 20h | A$1,200($805) | once a week | 4,488km (2,789 miles) |
Drive | 1 day 16h | A$540($360) | on demand | 4,062km (2,524 miles) |
Great Southern Rail - The Ghan
PTV Overland
XPT
Great Southern Rail - Indian Pacific
Qantas
Virgin Australia
V-Line
The following major airports near Canberra offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Australia and internationally.