The distance between Sydney and Darwin is around 3,177km (1,974 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly which takes around 4h 60m.
We've found 4 different ways to get from Sydney 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 → Sydney if you're planning a return trip.
Fly from Sydney (SYD) to Darwin (DRW).
Take the bus to Albury, Franklin Street then Alice Springs and then to Darwin.
Multiple bus operators
Take the train to Adelaide Parklands and then to Darwin.
Multiple train operators
There are several options for getting from Sydney to Darwin by plane, bus, train and car. The cheapest option is to fly which costs around A$430 ($290) and will take around 4h 60m.
The distance between Sydney and Darwin is around 3,177km (1,974 miles).
It takes around 4h 60m to get from Sydney 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 Sydney to Darwin is to fly which takes around 4h 60m and will set you back approx A$430 ($290).
The cheapest way to travel between Sydney and Darwin, if you exclude driving, is to fly which will typically cost around A$430 ($290) for a standard one-way ticket.
Yes there is a train service that runs between Sydney and Darwin. It typically takes around 3 days 10h and departs once a week.
There are no direct train services that runs from Sydney to Darwin. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Adelaide Parklands and Darwin. These services run once a week and will take a minimum of 3 days 10h.
Great Southern Rail - Indian Pacific and Great Southern Rail - The Ghan run train services between Sydney and Darwin. 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 Sydney and Darwin. It typically takes around 2 days 16h and departs once daily.
There are no direct bus services that runs from Sydney 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 16h.
Greyhound Australia, Firefly Express and V-Line run regular bus services between Sydney and Darwin. Buses run once daily and take around 2 days 16h on average but will vary depending on you book with.
Yes you can fly from Sydney and Darwin. Flights depart from Sydney (SYD) and arrive at Darwin (DRW). The flight takes around 4h 25m.
Yes there is a direct flight between Sydney and Darwin with no stop-overs required. Flights typically take around 4h 25m.
Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia fly between Sydney and Darwin. Flights depart from Sydney (SYD) and and arrive into Darwin (DRW). These flights usually take around 4h 25m.
The flight from Sydney to Darwin typically takes around 4h 25m. Flights depart from Sydney (SYD) 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 Sydney and Darwin. The distance is around 3,931km (2,443 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 Sydney to Darwin is to fly which takes, on average, 4h 60m and will usually cost around A$430 ($290).
Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fly | 4h 60m | A$430($290) | every 10 mins | 3,177km (1,974 miles) |
Bus | 2 days 16h | A$775($520) | once daily | 4,598km (2,857 miles) |
Train | 3 days 10h | A$1,455($980) | once a week | 4,680km (2,908 miles) |
Drive | 1 day 16h | A$520($350) | on demand | 3,931km (2,443 miles) |
Qantas
Virgin Australia
Great Southern Rail - Indian Pacific
Great Southern Rail - The Ghan
Firefly Express
V-Line
The following major airports near Darwin offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Australia and internationally.