Getting Around Australia: Flights, Trains & Car Rentals

I learned the hard way that Australia is basically the size of the continental US, but with fewer roads and a lot more empty space. My first trip, I tried to drive from Sydney to Perth in a week. That was a mistake—I spent four days staring at red dirt. Here’s what actually works for getting around, city to city, without losing your mind or your budget.

Should you fly between Australian cities?

Yes, almost always. For anything over a 500-kilometer stretch, flying is the only sane option. I’ve taken the Sydney-to-Melbourne route more times than I can count, and the flight is just 90 minutes—compared to a 9-hour drive. Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Jetstar dominate the domestic market. Jetstar is the budget pick, but watch the baggage fees; they’ll eat your savings if you check a bag.

I flew Qantas from Brisbane to Perth once—a five-hour flight that costs around $200–$300 AUD if you book a month out. Last-minute, it jumps to $600+. Book early.

Sydney to Melbourne: 90 minutes, frequent departures every 30 minutes during peak.
Brisbane to Sydney: 1.5 hours, often cheaper than the train.
Perth to anywhere: It’s isolated. Flights to Sydney or Melbourne run 4–5 hours. Budget for it.

Is the train worth it in Australia?

Only for specific routes. The Indian Pacific (Sydney to Perth) and The Ghan (Adelaide to Darwin) are iconic, but they’re luxury experiences, not practical transport. I took the Indian Pacific once—three days, $1,500 AUD for a sleeper cabin. Incredible views of the Nullarbor Plain, but I wouldn’t do it to “get somewhere.” It’s a bucket-list thing.

For shorter hops, NSW TrainLink runs from Sydney to places like the Blue Mountains or Newcastle—cheap and reliable. The XPT train from Sydney to Melbourne takes 11 hours and costs about $80 AUD. I’ve done it. It’s fine if you hate airports, but you lose a full day.

Sydney to Melbourne by XPT: 11 hours, $80 AUD. Book a seat on the left for coastal views.
The Ghan: Adelaide to Darwin, 3 days. Starts at $1,200 AUD for a gold cabin.
Brisbane to Sydney by train: 14 hours. I’d rather fly.

When should you rent a car in Australia?

Rent a car for regional exploring, not city-to-city travel. I picked up a Hertz SUV at Sydney Airport for a week in the Blue Mountains—$450 AUD total. That was worth it because we could stop at random lookouts and small towns like Leura and Katoomba.

In Melbourne, a car is a liability in the city center (trams and narrow lanes). But for the Great Ocean Road, you absolutely need one. I rented from Avis in Melbourne’s CBD for three days—$180 AUD—and drove to Torquay, Lorne, and the Twelve Apostles. That drive is the best in Australia, hands down.

Sydney: Pick up at airport, drive to Blue Mountains (90 minutes) or Hunter Valley (2 hours).
Melbourne: Avoid in CBD. Rent for Great Ocean Road or Yarra Valley.
Brisbane: Rent for Sunshine Coast (1 hour north) or Gold Coast (45 minutes south).
Perth: Rent for Margaret River (3 hours south) or Pinnacles Desert (2 hours north).

What about getting around inside the cities?

Each city has its own vibe. In Sydney, I walk everywhere in the central area—Circular Quay to Darling Harbour is 20 minutes on foot. For longer trips, the Opal card works on trains, ferries, and buses. The ferry from Circular Quay to Manly is a must—$8 AUD and you get a harbor view that beats any tour.

Melbourne is a tram city. The City Circle Tram is free and loops the CBD. I use the Myki card for trams to Fitzroy (hipster bars) or St Kilda (beach and sunset penguins). Don’t drive in the CBD—parking is $40 AUD for two hours.

Brisbane is walkable along the river, but the CityCat ferry is the real gem. I take it from South Bank to New Farm for $4 AUD—fast and scenic.

Perth is spread out. The Transperth trains are clean and easy. I took the Mandurah Line from the city to Fremantle for $5 AUD—great for fish and chips at Cicerello’s.

Sydney: Opal card, ferries to Manly and Taronga Zoo.
Melbourne: Myki card, trams to Fitzroy and St Kilda.
Brisbane: CityCat ferry, free buses in the CBD.
Perth: Transperth trains to Fremantle and Cottesloe Beach.

Is driving in Australia dangerous?

It can be, especially outside cities. I drove from Perth to Exmouth once—1,200 kilometers of two-lane highway with road trains (massive trucks) barreling past at 110 km/h. The rule: pull over and let them pass. Kangaroos are another hazard at dusk. I hit a ‘roo near Dubbo in New South Wales—totaled the rental. Insurance covered it, but the deductible was $2,000 AUD.

Road trains: Common in outback areas like Western Australia and Northern Territory.
Kangaroos: Drive at dawn or dusk? Slow down to 80 km/h.
Fuel stops: In remote areas like the Nullarbor, stations are 200 km apart. Fill up every chance.

What’s the best way to book domestic flights?

I use Google Flights to compare, then book direct on the airline’s site. Jetstar is cheapest, but they’re strict on carry-on weight (7 kg). Virgin Australia has better legroom. Qantas is the most reliable—I’ve never had a delay with them longer than an hour.

For routes like Sydney to Brisbane, book at least two weeks out. I paid $79 AUD on Jetstar once; same flight a day before departure was $250 AUD.

Jetstar: Budget, but add $30 AUD for checked bag.
Virgin Australia: Good balance of price and comfort.
Qantas: Most expensive, best on-time record.

FAQ

What’s the cheapest way to travel between Sydney and Melbourne? The bus. Greyhound and Firefly run the route for about $50 AUD, but it takes 12 hours. I’ve done it—it’s cramped and stops at every small town. The train (XPT) is $80 AUD and more comfortable. Flying is $100–$150 AUD if you book early. I’d pick the flight every time.

Do I need a special license to drive in Australia? No, if your license is in English. If not, get an International Driving Permit. I used my US license for three months with no issues. Rental companies check it, but police rarely do in cities.

Can I rely on ride-sharing apps like Uber in Australian cities? Yes, but it’s expensive. In Sydney, an Uber from the airport to the CBD is $50 AUD. The train is $18 AUD. I use Uber for late nights or when I’m carrying luggage, but public transport is better for daily use.

Conclusion

Fly between cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth—trains are too slow for long distances.
Rent a car for regional drives: Blue Mountains, Great Ocean Road, or Margaret River.
Use city-specific transit: Opal in Sydney, Myki in Melbourne, CityCat in Brisbane, Transperth in Perth.
Watch for road trains and kangaroos on rural highways—insurance is non-negotiable.
Book domestic flights at least two weeks ahead for the best prices.