Newcastle to Sydney: Distance, driving time, train and bus.
The Newcastle to Sydney train journey is cheaper but slightly longer than the drive. The Greyhound and Premier Bus options are dreadful, however.
The drive from Newcastle to Sydney in New South Wales is 168km long. That’s not particularly long by Australian standards, and it’s a Newcastle to Sydney driving time of around two hours. That is, of course, on the assumption that you don’t get stuck in traffic at either end.
Newcastle offers plenty of activities, including adventure boat cruises along the coastline, architecture and street art walking tours and whale watching cruises. For a big menu of Newcastle tours and experiences, explore here. To fix up one of Newcastle’s best accommodation options, book here.
Sydney’s enormous collection of experiences includes all-inclusive sunset dinner cruises, behind-the-scenes tours of the Opera House, jet boat thrill rides and historic walking tours.
Newcastle to Sydney drive
The drive is almost entirely down the Pacific Motorway, passing the underwhelming likes of Cooranbong, Jilliby and Ourimbah.
The route then goes close to the Australian Reptile Park and Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary, before crossing the Hawkesbury River at Mooney Mooney. You then swing west at Wahroonga, and come into Sydney along the M2.
13 brilliant experiences in Sydney you should book
- (💲Great value 💲) Tick off several bucket list items on a highlights-packed Blue Mountains day tour.
- Get perfect views of the world’s most beautiful city on a Sydney Harbour helicopter tour.
- Save money with a multi-attraction pass.
- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Enjoy the romance of a tall ship cruise on Sydney Harbour.
- Eat all you can at the Skyfeast at the top of Sydney Tower.
- See migrating humpbacks – on a whale-watching cruise.
- (Highly recommended ✅) Go behind the scenes of Australia’s most famous building on an Opera House tour.
- Dine as the city lights up on sunset dinner cruise around the harbour.
- Combine beers and stories on a historic pubs tour through the convict-era Rocks district.
- Stand on your board and catch waves during Bondi Beach surfing lessons.
- Go to wombat and kangaroo-spotting hotspots on a Southern Highlands tour.
- Enjoy Sydney’s wild side on a Manly snorkelling & nature walk.
- (🥇Top choice in Sydney) And, best of all, paddle to hidden beaches on a harbour kayaking adventure.
Train from Newcastle to Sydney
Taking the train from Newcastle to Sydney is considerably cheaper. A single fare using an Opal card or contactless credit card costs $10.80. From Newcastle Interchange to Sydney Central, the journey time varies slightly. But the quickest trains take two hours and 34 minutes. Obviously, this is a slightly longer but lower stress way of getting between the two cities. Whether it’s more convenient largely depends on where in Newcastle you’re coming from and where in Sydney you’re going to.
Bus from Newcastle to Sydney
The third option is going by bus. The Greyhound service from Newcastle to Sydney costs $27 and takes two-and-a-half hours. It’s also one service per day, which leaves at 3.20am. We can safely rule that one out as an option.
The Premier Bus service really isn’t much better. It leaves at 4.50am, costs $35 and takes just under three hours.
It’s safe to say, therefore, that the Newcastle to Sydney train journey is considerably better than going by bus. Whether it’s better than the Newcastle to Sydney drive depends on individual circumstances.
More New South Wales travel
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