How to travel from Townsville to Darwin, Australia
The distance between Townsville and Darwin is around 1,878km (1,167 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly which takes around 3h 10m.
6 routes found
We've found 6 different ways to get from Townsville 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 → Townsville if you're planning a return trip.
Fly
Fly from Townsville (TSV) to Darwin (DRW).
- Duration3h 10m
- Flight time2h 50m
- Typical costA$770($520)
Qantas
+ 1 othersTrain
Take the train to Brisbane Roma Street, Central Station then Adelaide Parklands and then to Darwin.
- Duration4 days 18h
- Departsonce a week
- Typical costA$1,760($1,185)
Multiple train operators
1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Bus and Train
Take the bus to Brisbane and then to Sydney then take the train to Adelaide Parklands then take the bus to Alice Springs and then to Darwin.
- Duration4 days 13h
- Departsonce a week
- Typical costA$1,365($915)
Multiple operators
1 similiar route
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Townsville and Darwin
Popular questions
There are several options for getting from Townsville to Darwin by plane, bus, train and car. The cheapest option is to fly which costs around A$770 ($520) and will take around 3h 10m.
The distance between Townsville and Darwin is around 1,878km (1,167 miles).
It takes around 3h 10m to get from Townsville and Darwin by plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 1 day 1h to drive there.
The quickest way to get from Townsville to Darwin is to fly which takes around 3h 10m and will set you back approx A$770 ($520).
The cheapest way to travel between Townsville and Darwin, if you exclude driving, is to fly which will typically cost around A$770 ($520) for a standard one-way ticket.
Train travel
Yes there is a train service that runs between Townsville and Darwin. It typically takes around 4 days 18h and departs once a week.
There are no direct train services that runs from Townsville to Darwin. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Brisbane Roma Street, Central Station, Adelaide Parklands and Darwin. These services run once a week and will take a minimum of 4 days 18h.
Queensland Rail Travel, NSW TrainLink, Great Southern Rail - Indian Pacific, Great Southern Rail - The Ghan and Great Southern run train services between Townsville and Darwin. Trains depart once a week and will take around 4 days 18h, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.
Bus travel
Sorry, looks like there is no bus service that runs between Townsville and Darwin. We recommend that you fly from Townsville (TSV) to Darwin (DRW). instead which will take 3h 10m.
Flights and Airlines
Yes you can fly from Townsville and Darwin. Flights depart from Townsville (TSV) and arrive at Darwin (DRW). The flight takes around 2h 50m.
Yes there is a direct flight between Townsville and Darwin with no stop-overs required. Flights typically take around 2h 50m.
Qantas and Airnorth fly between Townsville and Darwin. Flights depart from Townsville (TSV) and and arrive into Darwin (DRW). These flights usually take around 2h 50m.
The flight from Townsville to Darwin typically takes around 2h 50m. Flights depart from Townsville (TSV) 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.
Drive yourself
Yes it is possible to drive from Townsville and Darwin. The distance is around 2,502km (1,555 miles) by road and it will take around 1 day 1h in normal traffic conditons.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Townsville to Darwin is to fly which takes, on average, 3h 10m and will usually cost around A$770 ($520).
Compare travel optionsbetween Townsville and Darwin
| Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Fly | 3h 10m | A$770($520) | on demand | 1,878km (1,167 miles) |
Train + 1 similar | 4 days 18h | A$1,760($1,185) | once a week | 6,981km (4,338 miles) |
| Train via Brisbane Roma Street | 5 days 23h | A$1,215($820) | once a week | 6,931km (4,307 miles) |
Bus and Train + 1 similar | 4 days 13h | A$1,365($915) | once a week | 7,354km (4,570 miles) |
| Bus to Chermside Gympie Road, train | 6 days 4h | A$1,265($850) | once a week | 7,213km (4,482 miles) |
Drive | 1 day 1h | A$330($225) | on demand | 2,502km (1,555 miles) |
Top Carriersoperating between Townsville and Darwin
Train operators
Great Southern Rail - Indian Pacific
Queensland Rail Travel
NSW TrainLink
Great Southern Rail - The Ghan
Great Southern
Airlines
Qantas
Airnorth
Bus companies
Premier Motor Service
Airports near Darwin
The following major airports near Darwin offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Australia and internationally.
Darwin International Airport (DRW)
- Distance
- 7km (4 miles) from Darwin
Maningrida Airport (MNG)
- Distance
- 371km (231 miles) from Darwin
Kununurra Airport (KNX)
- Distance
- 435km (270 miles) from Darwin