How to Get Around Australia on the Cheap

Landrovers on a beach in Australia

With Australia stretching over 7 million square kilometers (2,968,000 square miles), it should come as no surprise that it takes a long time to get around the country. Considering the distances, it’s no wonder few people end up traveling the whole country — there’s just too much ground to cover on a short trip.

Most people fly around the country or stick to a small area to explore. These large distances lead to high transportation costs that can make it hard to travel around Australia cheaply — especially if you have a limited amount of time.

It takes weeks to drive the massive 14,500-kilometer (9,000-mile) circumference of Australia on main Highway 1 (the road that rings the continent/country). Thats with minimal stops and breaks too.

However, if you want to see things along the way, you should plan for at least a month (at the quickest). A more realistic timeline is 3-6 months.

Seriously. It’s a big country!

Many “grey nomads” (i.e. retirees in campervans) and backpackers spend that long (or more!) exploring this stunning country and its varied landscapes. To drive straight across the middle from Sydney to Perth, it takes about 3 to 4 days.

But what if you don’t have months? What if you only have weeks? What do you do?

It’s not impossible to get around Australia on a budget. In fact, it’s very possible if you come prepared.

Here’s how to get around Australia on a budget — no matter how long you are going for:

 

Getting Around Cheap By Flying

A Virgin Australia airplane flying against a bright blue sky
This is the most expensive but easiest way to get around Australia. Limited competition among airlines means that flights here stay very expensive. While there are some minor airlines that serve out-of-the-way destinations, Qantas (and its subsidiary Jetstar) and Virgin are the two big major airlines that service most of the country’s destinations.

Naturally, with so few carriers, unless there is a big sale, tickets tend to be expensive. The five-hour flight Sydney to Perth, for example, costs at least 220 AUD one way, however, 270-300 AUD is more common. However, you can find cheap tickets on shorter routes. The 90-minute flight to Melbourne from Sydney costs around 50-70 AUD, though tickets can get up to 130 AUD if you don’t book in advance.

Here are some sample one-way, non-stop fares on popular routes with Australia’s biggest airlines (prices are in AUD):

Route
Jetstar
Virgin Australia
Qantas
Sydney – Melbourne (1.5 hours)
$52
$122
$179
Sydney – Perth (5 hours)
$222
$275
$389
Sydney – Cairns (3.5 hours)
$106
$169
$259
Melbourne – Perth (4 hours)
$200
$275
$399
Melbourne – Cairns (3.5 hours)
$129
$179
$275

These sample prices were found for flights about one month out. If you don’t book early, expect to pay much more for your flights!

In short, I would avoid flying in Australia. When Australians joke about it being cheaper to fly to Bali than around their own country, they really aren’t joking. Unless you find a great deal or are in a rush, I’d avoid flying.
 

Getting Around Cheap By Backpacker Bus

Backpacker buses are great choices for younger backpackers looking to have fun, party, and hang out with other travelers. Everything is organized for you so you just need to show up and be ready to have fun!

Backpacker buses aren’t as popular as they used to be, but there are still a few running in Australia:

Road2Adventure: Essentially a party hostel on wheels, their buses have space for eight people to live and travel. They run a South West loop, a West Coast loop, and kite surfing trips, all on set schedules. Tours range from 9-19 days and cost 2,200-3,850 AUD per person.

Share Bus: This is a more independent option as it’s not exactly a tour. It’s a rental company where you sign up for set dates and then “share” the bus with up to twelve other travelers to run everything yourself. Share Bus shows you how to use the equipment, arm with you maps, suggested itineraries, and information, and send you on your way. It’s essentially a self-guided camping experience with new friends. What you do is up to your and your fellow travelers.

Their rentals range from 10-23 days and cost between 774-1,540 AUD per person. From October to April their rentals are available in the southern half of the country (including Tasmania) and from April to October they focus on the north. It’s a good choice for travelers who want more independence, enjoy meeting people, and love to camp.
 

Getting Around Cheap By Public Bus

A red bus with the words 'Greyhound Australia' on the side

This is one of my favorite transportation options in Australia. On the east coast, this will be your cheapest option. You can find really cheap bus tickets, especially if you book in advance. Greyhound Australia is the biggest company, though Premier Motor Service is another big company on the East Coast. Prices tend to be very similar between the two.

On the west coast, buses are surprisingly expensive (for buses there, check out Transwa). There are not many people moving up and down that coast and there’s limited competition. It’s often easier and cheaper to fly out in Western Australia.

Here are some sample fares for popular bus routes in Australia (prices in AUD):

Routes (One-Way)
Greyhound
Premier
Brisbane – Byron Bay
$31
$31
Brisbane – Gold Coast
$19
$19
Cairns – Airlie Beach
$132
$123
Gold Coast – Byron Bay
$43
$31
Sydney – Melbourne
$120
N/A
Sydney – Canberra
$51
N/A
Melbourne – Canberra
$122
N/A
Darwin – Alice Springs
$282
N/A

 
Greyhound also offers several bus passes. The Whimit Passes range from 15-365 days of unlimited travel and are perfect for traveling around on a whim (hence the name). They come in 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120-day passes ranging from 399-849 AUD.

There are over 180 stops and you can go in any direction on any route. It’s the most flexible option for anyone without a vehicle — and it’s the cheapest option there is.

Premier also offers a hop-on/hop-off pass. The difference is that their pass is one-way only (meaning you can only travel in one direction). They’re valid from 1-6 months and range from 100-400 AUD, so they’re a better option if you’re traveling slowly in one direction.

These passes are a great deal and will save you a lot of money. For example, if you got the 30-day Whimit pass, that works out to just under $17 AUD per day. But you aren’t likely to travel every day. Realistically, you are probably moving around every three days (at the most), which means you would take about ten bus trips in a month at a cost of around $50 AUD per trip. That’s cheaper than most single-tickets.

A bus pass is always the best option if you are taking multiple journeys. Unless you are only doing one or two trips, get the pass.

 

Getting Around Cheap By Trains

A modern train at a station in Australia
Australia’s train system can be a wonderful way to see the country. Between city trams, commuter trains, and long-distance and trans-continental trains, Australia can certainly be seen by rail. However, there are a few major drawbacks that keep this from being your best option.

First, their use isn’t that widespread. Train lines exist mostly on the east coast. While all the cities have commuter rail networks, Queensland and New South Wales have extensive intra-state rail networks. Trainlink covers New South Wales while Queensland Rail covers Queensland’s coast from Brisbane to Cairns. There are only two other major lines in the country: one goes north/south from Melbourne to Darwin and another east/west from Sydney to Perth.

In addition to these networks, you have six scenic train routes. Journey Beyond Rail is the official provider for The Ghan, Indian Pacific, Overland, and Great Southern routes. Queensland Rail runs both the Spirit of the Outback and the Spirit of Queensland routes. Keep in mind tickets for the scenic trains book out months in advance so book early.

Another big downside of the Australian rail network is its infrequency. Some routes only run once a week. Plus, the regional lines aren’t well-connected, making seamless train travel across the country pretty tricky.

On top of that, Australia doesn’t have high-speed trains, so rail travel tends to be slower than other options. For instance, the Sydney to Melbourne train takes about eleven hours, whereas you can drive it in under nine.

Lastly, trains in Australia are very expensive. There are very few ways to get cheap train tickets these days. So, between cost, speed, and frequency, I’d skip traveling Australia by train (unless you’re looking to splash out on a scenic route).
 

Getting Around Cheap By Car or Campervan

A campervan along the side of the road in Australia

Though it’s certainly not as cheap as taking the bus, renting a car or camper van is a popular option for budget travelers. While the cost of van rentals in particular is going up, they’re still affordable as they can double as your accommodation.

For camper van rentals, check out Spaceships, Traveller’s Autobarn, and Wicked Campers. Rentals start around $70 AUD per day. You can compare prices on Camperdays.

If you don’t want to sleep in a van, rent a car and camp. Australia is full of campsites, which cost about half the price of a hostel dorm bed. It’s hands-down the most economical way to explore the country.

For the best car rental prices, use Discover Cars. You can use the widget below to get a quote:

 

Alternatively, if you’re on a longer trip, you can purchase a used car or van from locals or backpackers leaving the country. You can find great deals on Gumtree, hostel message boards, or the Facebook group Backpacker Campervans for Sale Australia.

The best part? When your road trip ends, you can sell your vehicle to another traveler and recoup some of your costs. It’s a win-win!

 

Getting Around Cheap By Car Share

A rental jeep parked on the sand on a beautiful beach in sunny Australia
If you really want to save money, make some friends and pick up other travelers to reduce your costs of getting around by car or campervan. This makes car sharing much, much cheaper than any other travel option.

You can look on hostel bulletin boards to see who’s looking for people to join their road trip. You’ll always find someone, and it’s a great way to make new friends.

It’s really easy to rideshare in Australia. Every hostel has a bulletin board where travelers post rides and websites like Gumtree and Couchsurfing have active ridesharing sections where people look for cars or riders. It’s really robust. I HIGHLY recommend this way of traveling when in the country.

Some Rideshare Websites:

 

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    Getting Around Cheap By Public Transportation

    A tram drives down a street in Sydney, Australia
    All of Australia’s cities have reliable, affordable public bus systems. In the bigger cities, such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth, you’ll even find subways and tram systems. This is the cheapest way to travel the cities. Fares cost between 3-4 AUD.

    Skip the taxis — they add up fast. If you do need a private ride, Uber is available in all of the larger cities and towns. Use it instead — it’s much cheaper!
     

    How Long Does it Take to Get Around Australia?

    Here are distance and time charts so you know how long it takes to get places from the major cities when you travel around the country:

    Traveling from Sydney

    Route
    Road (km/miles)
    Air (hrs)
    Coach (hrs)
    Rail (hrs)
    Sydney – Adelaide
    1412 / 877
    2
    23
    25
    Sydney – Canberra
    286 / 177
    1
    3.5
    4
    Sydney – Melbourne (inland)
    872 / 542
    1.5
    11.5
    14
    Sydney – Perth
    4054 / 2513
    5
    65
    66
    Sydney – Darwin
    4210 / 2610
    4.5
    55
    72
    Sydney – Hobart
    1589 / 985
    2
    27 (ferry)

     

    Traveling from Canberra

    Route
    Road (km/miles)
    Air (hrs)
    Coach (hrs)
    Rail (hrs)
    Canberra – Melbourne
    648 / 402
    1
    8
    8.5

     

    Traveling from Melbourne

    Route
    Road (km/miles)
    Air (hrs)
    Coach (hrs)
    Rail (hrs)
    Melbourne – Adelaide
    731 / 454
    1.25
    10
    10
    Melbourne – Hobart
    610 / 378
    1.25
    15 (ferry)
    Melbourne – Devonport
    307 / 190
    1.25
    10 (ferry)

     

    Traveling from Adelaide

    Route
    Road (km/miles)
    Air (hrs)
    Coach (hrs)
    Rail (hrs)
    Adelaide – Alice Springs
    1533 / 952
    2
    20
    25
    Adelaide – Perth
    2706/ 1680
    3.25
    44
    Adelaide – Darwin
    3021 / 1873
    3.75
    43.5
    49
    Adelaide – Brisbane
    2045 / 1270
    2.5
    32.5
    40

     

    Traveling from Perth

    Route
    Road (km/miles)
    Air (hrs)
    Coach (hrs)
    Rail (hrs)
    Perth – Broome
    2225 / 1378
    2.5
    35

     

    Traveling from Darwin

    Route
    Road (km/miles)
    Air (hrs)
    Coach (hrs)
    Rail (hrs)
    Darwin – Alice Springs
    1489 / 924
    2.25
    22
    24
    Darwin – Kakadu
    200 / 124
    1

     

    Traveling from Alice Springs

    Route
    Road (km/miles)
    Air (hrs)
    Coach (hrs)
    Rail (hrs)
    Alice Springs – Uluru
    443 / 275
    0.5

     

    Traveling from Cairns

    Route
    Road (km/miles)
    Air (hrs)
    Coach (hrs)
    Rail (hrs)
    Cairns – Sydney
    2695 / 1671
    3
    47
    41
    Cairns – Darwin
    2857 / 1771
    2.5
    5 days
    5 days
    Cairns – Brisbane
    1716 / 1065
    2.25
    29
    25

     

    Traveling from Brisbane

    Route
    Road (km/miles)
    Air (hrs)
    Coach (hrs)
    Rail (hrs)
    Brisbane – Sydney
    965 / 600
    1.5
    16
    14
    Brisbane – Melbourne
    1674 / 1039
    2
    28.5
    27

    ***

    When you plan to travel Australia, make sure you budget for transportation wisely.

    Outside the busy eastern corridor between Melbourne and Brisbane, travel is expensive. You’ll pay a lot more than you think.

    Plan accordingly, and you’ll save time, save money, and have a much more enjoyable experience!

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      Book Your Flight
      Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

      Book Your Accommodation
      You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.

      If you’re looking for places to stay, here are my favorite hostels in Australia.

      Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
      Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

      Need a Rental Car?
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