Transport to and within Australia should be well thought out and researched. Transportation especially over long distances may consume a reasonable amount of your time and money. As such, planning your “must-see” destinations is of great importance.
That said, with a decent amount of time to spend in Australia (and if you’re coming that far, surely you should stay awhile!) and a well-planned trip, there’s no reason you shouldn’t experience all the aspects that make Australia the unique country that it is. Use our Australia Transportation Guide in conjunction with our Australia Country Guide to help you get the most out of your trip.
Australia Transportation Guide
Getting To Australia
Being fairly isolated means that most visitors to Australia arrive by air. Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are the major international airports. Other options include Perth, Adelaide, Darwin, Cairns and Hobart. Australia is well served by flights from Europe, USA and Asia, although the flights tend to be relatively long and expensive. Bookings should be made well in advance, as many flights are heavily booked.
International departure tax is US$19. This tax is usually included with the price of the airline ticket.
Airlines Flying Into Australia Include:
- Air Canada:
www.aircanada.com - Air China:
http://www.airchina.com/ - Air New Zealand:
www.airnz.co.nz - American Airlines:
www.aa.com - British Airways:
www.britishairways.com - Cathay Pacific:
www.cathaypacific.com - Garuda Indonesia:
www.garuda-indonesia.com - Lufthansa:
www.lufthansa.com - Japan Airlines:
www.jal.com/en - Korean Air:
www.koreanair.com - Malaysia Airlines:
www.malaysiaairlines.com - QANTAS Airways:
www.qantas.com.au - Singapore Airways:
www.singaporeair.com/saa - Thai Airways International:
www.thaiairways.com - United Airlines:
www.united.com - Vietnam Airlines:
www.vietnamairlines.com
Getting Around Australia
Air
Due to the vastness and relative emptiness of many parts of Australia, most long distance trips are taken by air. Domestic airlines include:
- QANTAS Airways:
www.qantas.com.au - Virgin Blue:
www.virginblue.com.au Visit our partner Air Valid for Airline Reviews and Information about Australia.
Flights to Australia
Bus
Another way to get around is by long-distance coach. Greyhound Pioneer has routes that cover the entire continent, but be prepared for long trips, especially if you are travelling between major cities.
- Greyhound Pioneer:
www.greyhound.com.auTrain
Travelling nationally by rail is not as common as other options, mainly due to the limited national rail infrastructure, the relatively high cost of train travel and the fact that it is often the slowest form of transport. For overnight trips, however, it can be more comfortable than long distance buses.
- Rail Australia:
www.railaustralia.com.au
Car
Many travellers who choose to stay in Australia for a reasonable amount of time end up either renting or purchasing a car. Whilst it may be more expensive than catching a few flights or long-distance coaches, the freedom allowed by a car means you are able to visit many more “off-the-beaten-track” destinations.
All major Australian cities are well serviced by the major international car rental companies, including:
- Avis:
http://www.avis.com/ - Budget:
http://www.budget.com.au/ - Hertz:
http://www.hertz.com.au/ - Thrifty:
http://www.thrifty.com.au/
