There are 4 ways to get from Sydney to Central Australia by plane, bus (Greyhound), train, or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly
best- Fly from Sydney International Airport (SYD) to Alice Springs Airport (ASP)plane SYD - ASP
4h 56m$491–1,389Bus
cheapest- Take the bus from Central Station to Alburybus
- Take the bus from Albury Station/Hume Hwy to 85 Franklin Stbus
- Take the bus from Adelaide to Alice Springsbus
44h 40m$296–809Train
- Take the train from Central Station to Adelaide Parklandstrain Syd-Adl 2026
- Take the train from Adelaide Station to Alice Springstrain The Ghan
2d 5h$2,492–6,683Drive 2,741.3 km
- Drive from Sydney to Central Australiacar 2,741.3 km
28h 48m$496–717
Sydney to Central Australia by bus
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Sydney to Central Australia is to bus which costs $290 - $850 and takes 44h 40m.
The fastest way to get from Sydney to Central Australia is to fly which takes 4h 56m and costs $490 - $1,400.
No, there is no direct bus from Sydney station to Central Australia. However, there are services departing from Central Station and arriving at Alice Springs via Albury Station/Hume Hwy and Adelaide. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 44h 40m.
No, there is no direct train from Sydney station to Central Australia. However, there are services departing from Central Station and arriving at Alice Springs via Adelaide Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 2 days 5h.
The distance between Sydney and Central Australia is 2045 km. The road distance is 2741.3 km.
The best way to get from Sydney to Central Australia without a car is to bus which takes 44h 40m and costs $290 - $850.
It takes approximately 4h 56m to get from Sydney to Central Australia, including transfers.
Sydney to Central Australia bus services, operated by FlixBus Australia, depart from Central Station.
Sydney to Central Australia train services, operated by Journey Beyond - Indian Pacific, depart from Central Station.
The best way to get from Sydney to Central Australia is to fly which takes 4h 56m and costs $490 - $1,400. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs $290 - $850 and takes 44h 40m, you could also train, which costs $2,400 - $7,000 and takes 2 days 5h.
What companies run services between Sydney, NSW, Australia and Central Australia, NT, Australia?
Qantas, Airnorth, and Virgin Australia fly from Sydney International Airport (SYD) to Alice Springs Airport (ASP) 4 times a day. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Central Station to Alice Springs via Albury, Albury Station/Hume Hwy, and Adelaide in around 44h 40m.
- Website
- qantas.com
Flights from Sydney International Airport to Alice Springs Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 20m
- When
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $370–1,200
Flights from Sydney International Airport to Alice Springs Airport via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 26m
- When
- Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $370–1,200
Flights from Sydney International Airport to Alice Springs Airport via Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 25m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday
- Estimated price
- $370–1,200
Flights from Sydney International Airport to Alice Springs Airport via Adelaide
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 30m
- When
- Monday to Friday
- Estimated price
- $370–1,200
- Website
- virginaustralia.com
Flights from Sydney International Airport to Alice Springs Airport via Adelaide
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 5m
- When
- Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
- Estimated price
- $420–1,600
- Phone
- 1800 703 357
- [email protected]
- Website
- Journey Beyond
Train from Central Station to Adelaide Parklands
- Ave. Duration
- 26h 25m
- Frequency
- Once a week
- Estimated price
- $400–4,600
- Book at
- Journey Beyond
- Website
- Journey Beyond
- Everyday Daynighter Seat
- $400
- Advanced Gold Single Cabin
- $650–900
- Low Gold Single Cabin
- $700–950
- Everyday Gold Single Cabin
- $850–1,100
- GOLD TWIN
- $1,200–2,200
- GOLD SINGLE
- $1,100–2,000
- PLATINUM
- $3,000–4,600
- GOLD PREMIUM TWIN
- $1,500–2,600
- Phone
- 1800 703 357
- [email protected]
- Website
- journeybeyondrail.com.au
Train from Adelaide Station to Alice Springs
- Ave. Duration
- 26h 30m
- Frequency
- Twice a week
- Estimated price
- $2,093
- Book at
- Great Southern Rail - The Ghan
- Everyday Gold Single Cabin
- $1,893
- Flexible Gold Single Cabin
- $2,093
- Website
- FlixBus Australia
Bus from Central Station to Albury
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 10m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $75–120
- Schedules at
- FlixBus Australia
- Phone
- 1300 730 740
- [email protected]
- Website
- Firefly Express
Bus from Central Station to Albury
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 25m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $63–66
- Website
- Firefly Express
- Phone
- 1300 473946
- [email protected]
- Website
- Greyhound Australia
Bus from Central Station to Albury
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 35m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $90–190
- Website
- Greyhound Australia
- Schedules at
- Greyhound Australia
- Early Bird
- $90–130
- Flexible
- $110–190
Bus from Adelaide to Alice Springs
- Ave. Duration
- 20h 30m
- Frequency
- 6 times a week
- Estimated price
- $220–550
- Website
- Greyhound Australia
- Schedules at
- Greyhound Australia
- Early Bird
- $220–310
- Flexible
- $270–550
- Phone
- 1800 800 007
- [email protected]
- Website
- V/Line
Bus from Albury Station/Hume Hwy to 85 Franklin St
Want to know more about travelling around Australia
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Read the travel guideBooking & Getting There
Sydney to Central Australia bus services, operated by FlixBus Australia, arrive at Albury station.
Sydney to Central Australia train services, operated by Journey Beyond - Indian Pacific, arrive at Adelaide Parklands station.
Yes, the driving distance between Sydney to Central Australia is 2741 km. It takes approximately 28h 48m to drive from Sydney to Central Australia.
Book your Sydney to Central Australia bus tickets online with 12go.asia.
There are 17+ hotels available in Central Australia.