How to travel from Darwin to Canberra, Australia

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.

4 routes found

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 CanberraDarwin if you're planning a return trip.

💰 Cheapest
1
4 x bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Alice Springs, Adelaide then Albury and then to Canberra.

  • Duration2 days 11h
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    A$720($485)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

2
3 x train
+

Train

Take the train to Adelaide Parklands then Central Station and then to Canberra Station.

  • Duration3 days 10h
  • Departsonce a week
  • Typical cost
    A$1,505($1,015)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

3
3 x train
+
bus
+

Train and Bus

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.

  • Duration2 days 20h
  • Departsonce a week
  • Typical cost
    A$1,200($805)
Operated by

Multiple operators

🚀 Fastest
4
car
+

Drive

Drive to Canberra.

  • Duration1 day 16h
  • Distance4,062km (2,524 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Darwin and Canberra

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.

Train travel

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.

Bus travel

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.

Flights and Airlines

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.

Drive yourself

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).

How do I get from Darwin to Canberra

Compare travel optionsbetween Darwin and Canberra

Transport options from Darwin to Canberra
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Bus
2 days 11h
A$720($485)
once daily4,314km (2,681 miles)
Train
3 days 10h
A$1,505($1,015)
once a week4,998km (3,106 miles)
Train and Bus
2 days 20h
A$1,200($805)
once a week4,488km (2,789 miles)
Drive
1 day 16h
A$540($360)
on demand4,062km (2,524 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Darwin and Canberra

Train operators

Airlines

Bus companies

Airports near Canberra

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

CBR
Canberra International Airport (CBR)
International Airport
Distance
8km (5 miles) from Canberra
MYA
Moruya Airport (MYA)
Domestic Airport
Distance
116km (72 miles) from Canberra
WGA
Wagga Wagga Airport (WGA)
Domestic Airport
Distance
149km (93 miles) from Canberra