The route at a glance
The Darwin–Alice Springs corridor.
Darwin to Alice Springs is the southbound Stuart Highway corridor: 1,500 kilometres straight down the spine of the Northern Territory. Greyhound runs the only scheduled service, departing Darwin in the late afternoon and arriving in Alice Springs the following afternoon after stops at Katherine, Daly Waters and Tennant Creek. Most travellers break the journey at Katherine for Nitmiluk Gorge.
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$303Services
Depart Arrive Runs 9:55 AM 7:00 AM+1 Mon–Fri, Sun
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.
Book at least seven days ahead during school holidays, the Easter long weekend, and the Christmas–New Year period. Long-haul corridors fill quickly during these windows and same-day fares can be double the advance-purchase price. Overnight coaches double as accommodation, so factor that hotel-night saving into your fare comparison. Bring a neck pillow and an eye mask if you want to sleep properly; coaches recline but don't lie flat. Outback corridors have long stretches with no phone reception. Download offline maps and entertainment before you board. Wet season (November to April) can flood sections of the highway, so build a flexible day into your itinerary if you're travelling then. Arrive at the terminal at least 15 minutes before departure. Most operators begin boarding 10 minutes prior to the scheduled time and won't hold the coach for late passengers. Pack snacks and a refillable water bottle. Rest stop options on regional corridors are sparse, particularly between major towns. Check the operator's luggage policy before you travel. Most include one checked bag (40 kg) and one carry-on, but allowances vary by carrier and additional bags usually attract a fee.
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
Darwin to Alice Springs, answered.
- Around 21 hours and 5 minutes for a typical scheduled service. Travel time can vary by 30 minutes or more depending on the operator, the number of intermediate stops, and traffic on the day.
- The coach route is about 1,493 kilometres. The coach covers it in around 21 hours and 5 minutes, allowing for stops.
- Fares start from around $303 one-way. Booking at least a week ahead usually saves you 30 to 50 percent compared to same-day fares. Same-day bookings on long-haul corridors can run double the advance-purchase price during school holidays.
- Greyhound Australia operates services on this route. Use the operator comparison above to see which suits your travel date, budget and preferences for amenities like Wi-Fi, USB charging and onboard toilets.
- Yes. Greyhound Australia runs a direct service on this corridor, so you can travel Darwin to Alice Springs without changing coaches. Check the timetable above for current departure times.
- Services on this route offer Wi-Fi, an onboard toilet, USB charging and wheelchair access. Amenities vary by operator and vehicle, so check the specific service when you book.
- Yes. At least one operator on this corridor runs an overnight service. Overnight coaches save you a hotel night on long routes and arrive in time for the morning, but they're not sleeper buses; seats recline but don't lie flat.
- Last-minute seats are sometimes available, but never guaranteed, particularly on Friday afternoons, Sunday evenings, and during school holidays. Booking online a few days ahead is strongly recommended and almost always cheaper.
- Most operators include one checked bag (up to 40 kg) and one carry-on bag in the ticket price. Additional bags usually attract a fee. Check the specific operator's luggage policy at the time of booking.
Keep going
Onward from Alice Springs.
Continuing past Alice Springs? These coach corridors carry on from your arrival city.
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