The route at a glance
The Adelaide–Alice Springs corridor.
Adelaide to Alice Springs is the south-to-centre leg of the Stuart Highway corridor: 1,540 kilometres through the South Australian outback, with Greyhound running the only scheduled coach service. Journey time is around 22 hours through Coober Pedy and Erldunda. Most travellers ride this corridor as part of a longer itinerary continuing to Darwin or as the inbound leg before connecting to Uluru via Erldunda.
Journey essentials
- Onboard
- Wi-Fi · Toilet · USB charging · Wheelchair access
- Luggage
- 1 × 40kg checked bag
- Overnight option
- Available on this corridor
Compare operators
Who runs this route.
Greyhound Australia
Overnight serviceWi-FiToiletUSB chargingWheelchair accessEco-friendly40kg luggageBookon Greyhound AustraliaFrom$224Services
Depart Arrive Runs 6:00 PM 2:30 PM+1 Mon–Fri, Sun 7:00 PM 2:30 PM+1 Tue
Fares are indicative. Live pricing may vary by date and availability. AusBus earns a small commission on some bookings at no extra cost to you.
Spotted an error or a missing operator on this route? Let us know.
Day bus or night bus?
Choosing your departure.
Board in the evening, sleep through the drive and arrive the next morning, saving a night's accommodation. Overnight services here are run by Greyhound Australia. Bring a neck pillow and layers, as the air-conditioning runs cool.
Travel tips
What to know before you go.
Coober Pedy is the natural break-point if you want to ride this corridor in two legs rather than straight through; the underground hotels there are an experience in themselves. Greyhound's Outback pass that includes Adelaide–Alice–Darwin is the best value if you plan to continue north. Departures from Adelaide are usually in the early evening, putting you in Coober Pedy in the early hours and Alice Springs in the afternoon. The Stuart Highway south of Coober Pedy has long stretches with no phone coverage; download maps and entertainment before you board. Sit on the right-hand side for the best of the desert landscape after dawn.
Worth timing your trip for
What's on in Alice Springs
AprilAlice Springs (Mparntwe), NTParrtjima - A Festival in LightTen nights in April
JuneAlice Springs, NTFinke Desert RaceKing's Birthday long weekend, June (4 days)
AugustAlice Springs, NTHenley-on-Todd RegattaThird Saturday of August
Route FAQs
Adelaide to Alice Springs, answered.
- About 22 hours through-service via Port Augusta, Coober Pedy and Erldunda.
- Greyhound Australia is the only scheduled coach operator on this corridor.
- Through-fares start from around $224 one-way. Outback passes covering Adelaide–Alice–Darwin start at $465 and are usually better value if you are continuing north.
- Most travellers do. Coober Pedy is the famous underground opal-mining town and a natural halfway stop. Greyhound passes let you stop without paying extra.
- Not directly. You transfer at Erldunda to an AAT Kings or similar Uluru service. Plan ahead, as the onward connection runs once daily.
Keep going
Onward from Alice Springs.
Continuing past Alice Springs? These coach corridors carry on from your arrival city.
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