Welcome to the Australian Capital Territory

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is home to the nation’s capital Canberra. The ACT covers a region of 2358 sq km.

Highlights of visiting Canberra

• Parliament House
• Old Parliament House
• Australian War Memorial
• Lake Burley Griffin
• National Portrait Gallery
• Royal Mint
• National Museum
• Parks
• Wineries
• Food

Getting in to Canberra (information from Visit Canberra)

Daily domestic services are available to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne or fly direct from Canberra to Adelaide, Newcastle with connecting flights to Ballina Byron, Port Macquarie, Hobart and the Gold Coast.

Canberra Airport is serviced by Qantas, Virgin, Rex Airlines, Fly Pelican and Link Airways.

Canberra has picturesque direct rail service from Sydney. Departing from Sydney Central Station, the daily service travels to Canberra via the Southern Highlands, Goulburn and Bungendore. Terminating at the Canberra Railway Station in Kingston, the trip takes leisurely four-and-a-half hours. Check timetables and book online through Transport NSW.

While there is no direct Canberra to Melbourne rail service, it’s possible to catch the train to Albury and then be transferred by coach. You can find timetables and booking information from Public Transport Victoria for Canberra to Melbourne (via Albury) route. Alternately, catch the Melbourne to Sydney train and transfer to the Canberra train from the Goulburn railway station. 

Bus Services

Bus and coach services operate to and from Canberra from the Snowy Mountains, the South Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and beyond. See Murrays Coaches, Buses & Limousines, Greyhound Australia or Road Jet for routes, prices and timetables.  

Driving to Canberra

Driving to Canberra is a breeze. Australia’s capital is a three-hour drive from Sydney and eight hours from Melbourne. There are plenty of scenic route alternatives if you like to get off the beaten track and visit one of the many country towns along the way.

Canberra Airport

Taxis

The taxi rank is located centrally on the ground floor of the terminal building, near the baggage carousels in the Arrivals Hall. The taxi rank is fully undercover and the waiting area is indoors for your convenience.

The taxi fare to the city ranges from $23 – $30.

Rideshare Pick Up Information (source: Canberra Airports)

Your driver will pick you up from our Express Pick-Up Car Park, located on the ground floor of the GREEN Indoor Car Park, a short 20 metre covered walk from the Arrivals Hall. Our Express Pick-Up has a dedicated passenger waiting lounge adjacent to the car park where you can wait for your ride in air-conditioned comfort.

View map to see the location of the Express Pick-up.

Operators

Glide taxi – www.glidetaxi.com.au

OLA – www.olacabs.com/au

SHEBAH – www.shebah.com.au/

Uber – www.uber.com

Public Buses (source: Canberra Airports)

Transport Canberra runs ACTION Bus route Rapid 3 with regular services between the Canberra Airport terminal through to the City interchange, Belconnen interchange, Cohen St interchange to Spence Terminus, seven days a week including public holidays. The Rapid 3 route operates every 15 minutes through the day (weekdays) and every 30 minutes on weekends. The trip from Canberra airport terminal to the City is less than 20 minutes.

An official Transport Canberra ticket vending machine is located on the ground floor within the arrivals hall at Canberra Airport. The ticket vending machine’s user-friendly touch screen allows a simple and fast transaction for passengers to purchase a single or daily adult/concession tickets for bus and light rail using these machines.

Please view the Rapid 3 timetable and route map on the Transport Canberra website.

Cash Fares and MyWay card fares

Cash fare and MyWay card fares vary depending on applicable concessions and time of travel.

Due to COVID-19, cash fares are currently not accepted. Tickets can be purchased with cash at a Ticket Vending Machine located on the ground floor within arrivals hall at Canberra Airport and at major bus and light rail stations.

MyWay cards calculate the cheapest possible fare per passenger, based on any eligible concession and daily or monthly fare caps.

More details, including fares and how to purchase a MyWay card are available on the Transport Canberra website.

Live bus information is available on NXTBus

Car Rental

Cars are available for rental from the airport or city centre. For the latest deals click here.

Campervan Hire

For information on campervan hire click here

ACT Accommodation

Our ACT Accommodation Page highlights accommodation in the ACT plus hotel reviews.

Travel Insurance

The best time to take out travel insurance is when you pay deposits on travel, book flights, car rental, tours, activities and accommodation.

ACT Weather

When is the best time to visit Canberra and the ACT?

The best time to visit Canberra is in the spring months between September and November.

Public Holidays ACT 2024

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