How to travel from Townsville to Sydney, Australia

The distance between Townsville and Sydney is around 1,703km (1,058 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly which takes around 2h 50m.

5 routes found

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

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

🚀 Fastest
1
plane
+

Fly

Fly from Townsville (TSV) to Sydney (SYD).

  • Duration2h 50m
  • Flight time2h 30m
  • Typical cost
    A$325($215)
Operated by

Qantas

+ 2 others
💰 Cheapest
2
train
+
train
+

Train

Take the train to Brisbane Roma Street and then to Central Station.

  • Duration1 day 8h
  • Departs5 times a week
  • Typical cost
    A$305($205)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

3
3 x bus
+

Bus via Maroochydore

Take the bus to Maroochydore then Brisbane and then to Sydney.

  • Duration1 day 16h
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    A$460($310)

1 similiar route

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

4
car
+

Drive

Drive to Sydney.

  • Duration24h 15m
  • Distance2,069km (1,286 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Townsville and Sydney

There are several options for getting from Townsville to Sydney by plane, train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the train which costs around A$305 ($205) and will take around 1 day 8h. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and arrive in approximately 2h 50m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately A$325 ($215).

The distance between Townsville and Sydney is around 1,703km (1,058 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 1,665km (1,034 miles)

It takes around 2h 50m to get from Townsville and Sydney by plane. If you are travelling by car it will take around 24h 15m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Townsville to Sydney is to fly which takes around 2h 50m and will set you back approx A$325 ($215).

The cheapest way to travel between Townsville and Sydney, if you exclude driving, is to take the train which will typically cost around A$305 ($205) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Townsville and Sydney. It typically takes around 1 day 8h and departs 5 times a week.

There are no direct train services that runs from Townsville to Sydney. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Brisbane Roma Street. These services run 5 times a week and will take a minimum of 1 day 8h.

Queensland Rail Travel and NSW TrainLink run train services between Townsville and Sydney. Trains depart 5 times a week and will take around 1 day 8h, 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 Townsville and Sydney. It typically takes around 1 day 16h and departs once daily.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Townsville to Sydney. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Brisbane. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 1 day 16h.

Premier Motor Service and Greyhound Australia run regular bus services between Townsville and Sydney. Buses run once daily and take around 1 day 16h on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

Yes you can fly from Townsville and Sydney. Flights depart from Townsville (TSV) and arrive at Sydney (SYD). The flight takes around 2h 30m.

Yes there is a direct flight between Townsville and Sydney with no stop-overs required. Flights typically take around 2h 30m.

Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia fly between Townsville and Sydney. Flights depart from Townsville (TSV) and and arrive into Sydney (SYD). These flights usually take around 2h 30m.

The flight from Townsville to Sydney typically takes around 2h 30m. Flights depart from Townsville (TSV) and and arrive into Sydney (SYD).

The closest major airport to Sydney is Sydney Airport (SYD) (SYD) which is approximately 28km (17 miles) from Sydney. Newcastle Airport (NTL) (NTL) and Orange Airport (OAG) (OAG) 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 Sydney. The distance is around 2,069km (1,286 miles) by road and it will take around 24h 15m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Townsville to Sydney is to fly which takes, on average, 2h 50m and will usually cost around A$325 ($215).

How do I get from Townsville to Sydney

Compare travel optionsbetween Townsville and Sydney

Transport options from Townsville to Sydney
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Fly
2h 50m
A$325($215)
every 10 mins1,703km (1,058 miles)
Train
1 day 8h
A$305($205)
5 times a week2,302km (1,430 miles)
Bus via Maroochydore + 1 similar
1 day 16h
A$460($310)
once daily2,623km (1,630 miles)
Bus1 day 16h
A$325($220)
once daily2,646km (1,644 miles)
Drive
24h 15m
A$275($185)
on demand2,069km (1,286 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Townsville and Sydney

Airlines

Train operators

Bus companies

Airports near Sydney

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

SYD
Sydney Airport (SYD)
International Airport
Distance
28km (17 miles) from Sydney
NTL
Newcastle Airport (NTL)
Domestic Airport
Distance
135km (84 miles) from Sydney
OAG
Orange Airport (OAG)
Domestic Airport
Distance
175km (109 miles) from Sydney