How to travel from Parkes to Canberra, Australia

The distance between Parkes and Canberra is around 299km (186 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 3h 40m.

5 routes found

We've found 5 different ways to get from Parkes to Canberra by bus, train, car and plane. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out CanberraParkes if you're planning a return trip.

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Bus and Plane

Take the bus to Dubbo Station Coach Bay 1 then fly from Dubbo (DBO) to Canberra (CBR).

  • Duration4hrs
  • Flight time2hrs
  • Typical cost
    A$505($340)
Operated by

Multiple operators

1 similiar route

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

💰 Cheapest
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Bus

Take the bus to Cootamundra Station Coach Bay 2 and then to West Row after London Cct.

  • Duration5h 10m
  • Departs6 times a week
  • Typical cost
    A$45($30)
Operated by

NSW TrainLink

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Train

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

  • Duration11hrs
  • Departstwice a week
  • Typical cost
    A$120($80)
Operated by

NSW TrainLink

🚀 Fastest
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car
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Drive

Drive to Canberra.

  • Duration3h 40m
  • Distance299km (186 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Parkes and Canberra

There are several options for getting from Parkes to Canberra by bus, train, car and plane. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around A$45 ($30) and will take around 5h 10m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 3h 40m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately A$40 ($27).

The distance between Parkes and Canberra is around 299km (186 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 255km (158 miles)

It takes around 5h 10m to get from Parkes and Canberra by bus. If you are travelling by car it will take around 3h 40m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Parkes to Canberra is to drive which takes around 3h 40m and will set you back approx A$40 ($27).

The cheapest way to travel between Parkes and Canberra, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around A$45 ($30) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Parkes and Canberra. It typically takes around 11hrs and departs twice a week.

There are no direct train services that runs from Parkes to Canberra. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Central Station. These services run twice a week and will take a minimum of 11hrs.

NSW TrainLink run train services between Parkes and Canberra. Trains depart twice a week and will take around 11hrs, 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 Parkes and Canberra. It typically takes around 5h 10m and departs 6 times a week.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Parkes to Canberra. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Cootamundra Station Coach Bay 2. These services run 6 times a week and will take a minimum of 5h 10m.

NSW TrainLink run regular bus services between Parkes and Canberra. Buses run 6 times a week and take around 5h 10m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Parkes to Canberra. We recommend that you take the train to Orange Station then fly from Orange (OAG) to Canberra (CBR). instead which will take 4h 25m.

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 Parkes and Canberra. The distance is around 299km (186 miles) by road and it will take around 3h 40m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Parkes to Canberra is to take the bus which takes, on average, 5h 10m and will usually cost around A$45 ($30).

How do I get from Parkes to Canberra

Compare travel optionsbetween Parkes and Canberra

Transport options from Parkes to Canberra
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Bus and Plane + 1 similar
4hrs
A$505($340)
6 times a week683km (424 miles)
Train and Plane4h 25m
A$405($270)
twice a week581km (361 miles)
Bus
5h 10m
A$45($30)
6 times a week371km (231 miles)
Train
11hrs
A$120($80)
twice a week763km (474 miles)
Drive
3h 40m
A$40($27)
on demand299km (186 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Parkes and Canberra

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