The route at a glance
The Canberra–Sydney corridor.
Canberra to Sydney is one of the highest-frequency coach corridors in Australia, with Murrays, Greyhound, FlixBus and NSW TrainLink all running multiple daily services along the Hume Highway. The 290-kilometre journey takes around 3.5 hours by coach, slightly longer than driving but roughly half the price of the Canberra–Sydney train and considerably cheaper than flying once you account for airport transfers. Most services depart from the Jolimont Centre on Northbourne Avenue and terminate at Sydney Coach Terminal beside Central Station.
Typical calling points
- CanberraACT
- QueanbeyanNSW
- BungendoreNSW
- GoulburnNSW
- CampbelltownNSW
- SydneyNSW
Typical stops on this corridor. Actual calling points vary by operator and service.
Journey essentials
- Onboard
- Wi-Fi · Toilet · USB charging · Wheelchair access
- Luggage
- 1 × 40kg checked bag
Compare operators
Who runs this route.
NSW TrainLink
ToiletWheelchair access40kg luggageBookon NSW TrainLinkFrom$30Services
Depart Arrive Runs 6:40 AM 10:55 AM Sun 7:00 AM 10:45 AM Sun 7:15 AM 11:50 AM Sun 11:40 AM 3:55 PM Sun 11:55 AM 3:40 PM Sun 12:15 PM 4:50 PM Sun 4:30 PM 8:45 PM Sun 5:05 PM 9:40 PM Sun 5:15 PM 9:00 PM Sun FlixBus Australia
Wi-FiToiletUSB chargingEco-friendly40kg luggageBookon FlixBus AustraliaFrom$35Services
Depart Arrive Runs 3:00 AM 6:10 AM Daily 3:00 AM 6:25 AM Daily 3:00 AM 6:30 AM Daily 5:00 AM 8:10 AM Fri–Sat 5:00 AM 8:30 AM Fri–Sat 5:00 AM 8:25 AM Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 AM 8:45 AM Mon–Thu, Sun 6:10 AM 9:45 AM Daily 6:10 AM 9:20 AM Daily 7:30 AM 10:40 AM Daily 7:30 AM 11:00 AM Daily 8:30 AM 11:40 AM Thu–Sat +18 more services. See the operator’s booking page
Murrays Coaches
Wi-FiToiletUSB chargingWheelchair access32kg luggageBookon Murrays CoachesFrom$39Services
Depart Arrive Runs 1:00 AM 4:30 AM Daily 6:00 AM 9:30 AM Daily 7:00 AM 10:30 AM Daily 8:00 AM 11:30 AM Daily 9:00 AM 12:30 PM Daily 10:00 AM 1:30 PM Daily 11:00 AM 2:30 PM Daily 12:00 PM 3:30 PM Daily 1:00 PM 4:30 PM Daily 2:00 PM 5:30 PM Daily 3:00 PM 6:30 PM Daily 4:00 PM 7:30 PM Daily +2 more services. See the operator’s booking page
Greyhound Australia
Wi-FiToiletUSB chargingWheelchair accessEco-friendly40kg luggageBookon Greyhound AustraliaFrom$54Services
Depart Arrive Runs 6:30 AM 10:00 AM Daily 6:20 PM 9:55 PM Fri–Sat
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.
Travel tips
What to know before you go.
Murrays runs the most frequent timetable (hourly during business hours on weekdays) and is the default for public servants travelling for work. NSW TrainLink uses a coach for the road segment and tends to be the cheapest. Friday afternoon services in either direction fill up faster than other days; book at least two days ahead. Window seats on the right-hand side give you the best view of Lake George just north of Goulburn, which fills and dries on a multi-decade cycle. The Sydney approach via the M5 can add 30 minutes during weekday peak; pick a midday departure if you're tight on connections.
Worth timing your trip for
What's on in Sydney
OctoberSydney, NSWNRL Grand FinalFirst Sunday of October (typically)
OctoberSydney, NSWSculpture by the Sea, BondiLate October to early November (approx. 3 weeks)
DecemberSydney, NSWRolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race (start)26 December (Boxing Day) annually
Route FAQs
Canberra to Sydney, answered.
- Around 3 hours 30 minutes scheduled, though Friday afternoon and Sunday evening services frequently run 30 to 45 minutes longer due to traffic on the M5 approach to Sydney.
- NSW TrainLink fares start from around $30 one-way in economy, on either the coach or the Canberra Xplorer train; the train runs less frequently than the coaches. FlixBus and Murrays also run direct coaches on this corridor.
- Murrays Coaches, Greyhound Australia, FlixBus Australia and NSW TrainLink all run scheduled services. Murrays runs the highest-frequency timetable.
- Sydney Coach Terminal at Eddy Avenue, beside Central Station. From there you can connect to all Sydney Trains lines or grab an Uber from the Pitt Street rank.
- Two days ahead is enough for most weekday services. For Friday afternoon, Sunday evening or any service around long weekends, book at least a week out.
Keep going
Onward from Sydney.
Continuing past Sydney? These coach corridors carry on from your arrival city.
Related routes