Ayers Rock Airport to Ayers Rock Resort: Drive distance & transfers

There are no taxis from Ayers Rock Airport to the Ayers Rock Resort. The only transport options are hiring a car or taking the free shuttle bus.

If flying into Uluru rather than driving, you’ll land at Ayers Rock Airport in Yulara. Also known as Connellan Airport, this is where scheduled flights for Uluru by Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar land.

Ayers Rock Airport is much more convenient for visiting Uluru than Alice Springs Airport, which is a 447km drive away (or expensive coach transfer) through the Northern Territory‘s Red Centre.

Almost everyone landing at Ayers Rock Airport will be staying at the Ayers Rock Resort, which accommodates the vast bulk of visitors to Uluru.

But how far away from Ayers Rock Airport is the Ayers Rock Resort? And what’s the best way of getting there?

Ayers Rock Airport to Ayers Rock Resort

The drive from Ayers Rock Airport to Ayers Rock Resort is 6km long.

Many visitors will prefer to explore under their own steam and hire a car at the airport.

However, if not hiring a car, getting to the Ayers Rock Resort is low hassle.

Ayers Rock Airport to Ayers Rock Resort transfers

Free shuttle bus transfers meet all flights arriving at Ayers Rock Airport. These transfers are run by AAT Kings, so leave the terminal, look for the AAT Kings bus parked outside and get on board.

Be aware that there are no taxis at Uluru – your only options are the transfer or car rental.

8 great Uluru experiences to book before you arrive

• 1. Understand Uluru’s caves, bulges, gullies and spiritual stories on a guided base walk.
• 2. Be awe-struck by the changing colours on a SUNRISE tour.
• 3. Eat great food on a dune top, and enjoy an expert-guided stargazing session during a once-in-a-lifetime desert dune-top dinner.
• 4. See an entirely different kind of dramatic outback scenery on Kings Canyon day trip.
• 5. Do a lap of Uluru by Segway.
• 6. See the big picture on an outback helicopter flight.
• 7. See Australia’s most spectacular light show – the Field of Light at sunrise.
• 8. Admire the colour-shifting giant rock domes on a Kata-tjuta sunset trip.

For return transfers from the Ayers Rock Resort to Ayers Rock Airport, the shuttle buses depart roughly two hours before the scheduled departure time. For exact bus departure times, check at reception.

There is a free shuttle service for getting around the resort.

To get to Uluru from the Ayers Rock Resort, you’ll either need to take the hop-on, hop-off shuttle bus or go on a tour. Options for the tours with Ayers Rock Resort pick-up include a full guided base walk, a sunrise and breakfast trip and a sunset tour.

Which Uluru accommodation should I book?

Let’s not sugar-coat it: Accommodation at Uluru is expensive. Specialist Australian accommodation website Wotif lists Uluru accommodation for from $300. Check the top deals page to search through the options.

However, if you stay for three nights rather than two, hefty discounts tend to kick in.

The Uluru accommodation options are designed with different target markets in mind. Book which one fits you best.

• For the lowest prices: Ayers Rock Campground.
• For best quality: Sails in the Desert.
• For families and self-caterers: Emu Walk Apartments.
• For mid-range solidity: Desert Gardens.

More Northern Territory transport

Are there any direct flights from Perth to Uluru?

What is the Kings Canyon caravan park like?

How long is the drive from Curtin Springs to Uluru?

Where to stop on a Canberra to Alice Springs road trip.

Why stop at the Aileron Roadhouse on the Stuart Highway.