There are plenty of ways you can travel between Brisbane and Sydney. You can fly, bus, train or drive with the distance between these locations being around 1000kms (depending on which route and travel option you choose to take).
Each option has its good and bad points and varies in cost. Before you decide which option you want to take, you should consider what your travel plans and budget are and weigh up the pros and cons of each alternative.
With a little research I’ve come up with a bit of travel information. Remember that the cost of travel changes during the year so just keep this as an average calculation benchmark.
Transfercar: Standyby or relocation vehicles can be a great and convenient way to travel. You can often find any number of vehicle types going to and from Brisbane and Sydney, such as 2 – 6 berth motorhomes and campervans, vans, trucks, sedans, station wagons and little hatchbacks. Travelling by car or campervan can be done by following the Pacific Highway for an entire 940 kilometers, or a good 12 hours. The upside to this option is that you can see the sights on the way and share any petrol costs with other passengers. You can also travel the route that suits best (as long as you have enough kms to do so) and stop when and where you like. The smart thing to do is to choose some of those amazing central coast destinations that are along the way (Noosa, Gold Coast, Port Macquarie) and stop over for a day or two.
If you were to relocate a vehicle, here’s a general breakdown of the costs included based on 3 days travel (which is the average time companies will give you for free and on an average sized vehicle):
Daily rental: 0.00
Petrol (91 Octane @ $1.50/litre as of December 2011 and calculations based on a Toyota Camry 2400cc which will use around 10 litres per 100km): $150.00
Accommodation (if not relocating a campevan and based on average backpacker accommodation @ $25.00 per night): $75.00
Total including accommodation and petrol: $225.00 + Food and fun
Total excluding petrol and accommodation (as this is often included in the relocation package): $0.00 + Food and fun
NOTE: Campervans and motorhomes have kitchenettes and sleeping facilities.
Bus: A bus ride from Brisbane to Sydney is a long one and will take at least 16.5 hours on Greyhound. Bussing is great if you want a direct transport option and would still like to see some sights on the way.
The down side to bussing though is not being able to stop wherever you like and having to share your travel with strangers (good or bad depending on what you like).
These figures are based on an average of what is offered out there for one passenger so keep in mind you can find both cheaper and dearer busses available.
Bus fare: $173.00
Accommodation (based on average backpacker accommodation @ $25.00 per night): $75.00
Total: $248.00 + Food and fun
Train: Taking the train is a quick and painless way to travel, however you are restricted to the vehicle route and are unable to stop anywhere you like. The CountryLink XPT train will take you from Brisbane to Sydney in just around 14 hours, which isn’t bad. Plus, train rides provide you much more flexibility than buses since you can get up and walk around at your leisure. Some trains will have sleeping capacity while others will not and prices will reflect these variables. The train between Brisbane and Sydney also travels inland so you miss out on some of the beautiful coastal attractions.
Train cost: $70 – $100.00
Total: Up to $100.00 + Food and fun
Air: Flying is always the quickest option, taking around one and a half hours. Seats can be purchased at hugely discounted prices however flights can also be quite expensive and will depend on the company, time of year and your flexibility.
Many of the companies will not allow you to take any luggage on cheap flights which also restricts your travel plans if you intend to travel for any length of time.
Air (depending on class and time of year): $100. – $500.
Depending on your budget and flexibility, any one of these options may suit. Just be sure that you go for the option that works best and take into consideration things like luggage, time, route and expenses.
Have fun!
More articles you may be interested in:
Driving in Queensland with a foreign licence
Getting from Adelaide to Perth
