The best way to travel around Australia: bus, flight, van or train?
Bus pass, flights, $1 van relocations, campervan, car or train: distances, real costs and who each one suits, so you can pick before you book.
By Drew, who runs Backpack AusUpdated 2 November 2026This guide has affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. More
The short answer
There is no single best way. It depends on how long you have, how many people you are, and whether you want to stop in small places. As a rough rule: on a short trip along the East Coast a bus pass or the odd flight works well, on a longer trip a van or car wins, and for crossing the country you fly.
The mistake most people make is underestimating distance. Sydney to Cairns is roughly 2,900 km by road. Sydney to Perth is about 4,000 km. These are not weekend drives.
Build a route and see the distances and costsQuick comparison
These are rough ballparks, not quotes. Prices swing a lot by season, so check live prices before you book.
| Option | Best for | Roughly what it costs | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus pass or coach | Solo travellers on the East Coast, meeting people | Greyhound lists East Coast passes from $309 (7 to 45 travel days) and national passes from $449 (15 to 120 days) | Overnight legs, and some towns are not on the route |
| Domestic flights | Big distances: Sydney to Perth, Darwin, Cairns | Often $80 to $300 one way if booked ahead | Baggage fees on budget fares, and airport transfers |
| Campervan relocation | Flexible people heading the right way | Often $1 to $5 a day, sometimes with some fuel included | Tight dates and set routes, and only a few days per trip |
| Campervan hire | Groups, freedom, remote places | About $60 to $200 a day plus fuel | One-way fees, insurance excess, peak-season prices |
| Buying a car or van | Stays of 3 months or more | Anything from a few thousand dollars, plus rego and repairs | Roadworthy and rego rules by state, and selling it again |
| Rideshare and car-pooling | Cheapest one-off trips | Usually just a share of the fuel | Agree the cost and the route up front |
| Train | Scenic routes | Usually the priciest per km | Few lines, long journey times |
The cheapest way: $1 campervan relocations
Hire companies need vans moved between cities, for example Cairns to Brisbane or Melbourne to Sydney, and pay for it by renting them out for a dollar or so a day. You get a set number of days to make the trip, and some include fuel or a ferry ticket. If your dates are flexible, it is the cheapest way to cover a long stretch with a bed included.
How far it really is: popular routes
Distances are rounded and times are without long stops. Fuel, food and a bed add up on the longer drives.
| Route | Road distance (about) | Driving time | Or |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney to Melbourne | 880 km | 9 to 10 hours | 1.5-hour flight |
| Sydney to Brisbane | 920 km | 10 to 11 hours | Overnight bus, or a 1.5-hour flight |
| Brisbane to Cairns | 1,700 km | 2 to 3 days with stops | A 2.5-hour flight |
| Melbourne to Adelaide (Great Ocean Road) | 900+ km | 3 to 4 days to enjoy it | Inland highway in about 8 hours |
| Adelaide to Darwin | 3,000 km | 4 to 5 days | Fly, or The Ghan train |
| Perth to Broome | 2,200 km | 3 to 4 days | A 2.5-hour flight |
| A full lap of Australia | About 15,000 km | Most people take 3 to 12 months | Mix flights, buses and a van |
Getting to Tasmania
The Spirit of Tasmania sails overnight from Geelong, near Melbourne, to Devonport, and you can take a car or van with you. Otherwise fly to Hobart or Launceston and hire a car there, because buses on the island are limited.
Best for the East Coast: bus, then a flight or two
The classic Sydney to Cairns route has hostels, buses and backpackers at every stop, so you can go with no car and still meet people. Hop-on hop-off passes let you stop where you like. If you are short of time, fly the dull stretches (for example Brisbane to Cairns) and spend your days at the good places.
The East Coast route, stop by stopBest for 3+ months or the outback: your own wheels
Public transport thins out fast away from the coast. If you plan to work in farm towns, see the outback or take the Great Ocean Road at your own speed, a van or car gives you freedom and a place to sleep. The trade-off is the upfront cost and the paperwork.
Buying a car or campervan: what to checkBest for crossing the country: fly
Driving across the Nullarbor is a trip in itself, not a way to get anywhere fast. If you only want to get between the east and Perth or Darwin, a flight saves days. Book ahead and read the baggage rules.
The cheapest way: share the ride
Other backpackers are often heading the same way and happy to split fuel. Post on the map to find a ride or offer a seat.
Find a ride on the mapHow to choose in a minute
- Under 6 weeks and mostly the East Coast: bus pass plus one or two flights.
- 3 months or more, or farm work: a car or van is usually worth it.
- Two to four people sharing: a van or hire car often beats four bus tickets.
- Crossing the country: fly, then use local transport.
- Tight budget: share rides and stay in each place longer instead of covering more ground.
Learn the route before you go
Want a feel for the distances and the stops first? The Big Lap, our free quiz game, takes you around each state on the real roads, with the inside tips at every stop.
Learn about Oz, the fun way: play hereQuick answers
What is the cheapest way to travel around Australia?
Campervan relocations (often $1 to $5 a day) and sharing rides with other backpackers. After that, a bus pass is usually cheaper than flying for short hops on the East Coast.
Can you travel around Australia without a car?
Yes on the East Coast, where buses run between all the backpacker towns. In the outback, the west and Tasmania you will want a car, a van or a few flights.
How long does it take to travel around Australia?
A full lap is about 15,000 km of road. Most people spend 3 to 12 months, and plenty only do the East Coast in 4 to 8 weeks.
Is it better to buy a car or hire a campervan?
For 3 months or more, buying often works out cheaper if you can sell it at the end. For a few weeks, hiring or relocating a van is simpler.
Is it cheaper to fly or take the bus in Australia?
Across the country, flying booked ahead is often cheaper and saves days. Between nearby East Coast towns, the bus is usually cheaper.
Keep reading
Getting around Australia on a budget
Buses, flights, campervans, rideshares and trains compared.
Buying a car or campervan as a backpacker
Rego, roadworthy certificates, PPSR checks and how to sell it on at the end.
Van life in Australia: free camping, costs and tips
Where you can sleep, what it really costs, and the apps everyone uses.