How to travel from Sydney to Airlie Beach, Australia

The distance between Sydney and Airlie Beach is around 1,573km (977 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly which takes around 4h 15m.

4 routes found

We've found 4 different ways to get from Sydney to Airlie Beach by plane, bus and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

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

🚀 Fastest
1
plane
+

Fly

Fly from Sydney (SYD) to Hamilton Island (HTI).

  • Duration4h 15m
  • Flight time2h 35m
  • Typical cost
    A$460($310)
Operated by

Virgin Australia

+ 2 others
2
bus
+
bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Brisbane and then to Airlie Beach.

  • Duration1 day 13h
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    A$345($230)

1 similiar route

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

3
car
+

Drive

Drive to Airlie Beach.

  • Duration23h 5m
  • Distance1,885km (1,171 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Sydney and Airlie Beach

There are several options for getting from Sydney to Airlie Beach by plane, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around A$285 ($190) and will take around 1 day 14h. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and arrive in approximately 4h 15m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately A$460 ($310).

The distance between Sydney and Airlie Beach is around 1,573km (977 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 1,517km (943 miles)

It takes around 4h 15m to get from Sydney and Airlie Beach by plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 23h 5m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Sydney to Airlie Beach is to fly which takes around 4h 15m and will set you back approx A$460 ($310).

The cheapest way to travel between Sydney and Airlie Beach, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around A$285 ($190) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

There is no train service that runs between Sydney and Airlie Beach. We recommend that you fly from Sydney (SYD) to Hamilton Island (HTI). instead which will take 4h 15m.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Sydney and Airlie Beach. It typically takes around 1 day 13h and departs once daily.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Sydney to Airlie Beach. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Brisbane and Roma Street busway station. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 1 day 13h.

Greyhound Australia and Premier Motor Service run regular bus services between Sydney and Airlie Beach. Buses run once daily and take around 1 day 13h on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

Yes you can fly from Sydney and Airlie Beach. Flights depart from Sydney (SYD) and arrive at Hamilton Island (HTI). The flight takes around 2h 35m.

Yes there is a direct flight between Sydney and Airlie Beach with no stop-overs required. Flights typically take around 2h 35m.

Virgin Australia, Jetstar and Qantas fly between Sydney and Airlie Beach. Flights depart from Sydney (SYD) and and arrive into Hamilton Island (HTI). These flights usually take around 2h 35m.

The flight from Sydney to Airlie Beach typically takes around 2h 35m. Flights depart from Sydney (SYD) and and arrive into Hamilton Island (HTI).

The closest major airport to Airlie Beach is Hamilton Island Airport (HTI) (HTI) which is approximately 26km (16 miles) from Airlie Beach. Whitsunday Coast Airport (PPP) (PPP) 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 Sydney and Airlie Beach. The distance is around 1,885km (1,171 miles) by road and it will take around 23h 5m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Sydney to Airlie Beach is to fly which takes, on average, 4h 15m and will usually cost around A$460 ($310).

How do I get from Sydney to Airlie Beach

Compare travel optionsbetween Sydney and Airlie Beach

Transport options from Sydney to Airlie Beach
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Fly
4h 15m
A$460($310)
every 3 hours1,573km (977 miles)
Bus + 1 similar
1 day 13h
A$345($230)
once daily2,341km (1,455 miles)
Bus via Brisbane1 day 14h
A$285($190)
once daily2,366km (1,470 miles)
Drive
23h 5m
A$355($240)
on demand1,885km (1,171 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Sydney and Airlie Beach

Airlines

Train operators

Bus companies

Airports near Airlie Beach

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

HTI
Hamilton Island Airport (HTI)
Domestic Airport
Distance
26km (16 miles) from Airlie Beach
PPP
Whitsunday Coast Airport (PPP)
Domestic Airport
Distance
30km (18 miles) from Airlie Beach
CNS
Cairns Airport (CNS)
International Airport
Distance
490km (305 miles) from Airlie Beach