Brisbane to Sydney flight time: How long do flights take?

The Brisbane to Sydney flight time is 1h35m – which is much, much quicker than the drive.

The Brisbane to Sydney flight time is relatively short by Australian standards. And you quickly see why the route is so busy when you compare it to the driving time.

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.

The drive from Brisbane to Sydney is 909km long, and takes around nine hours and 36 minutes. If you’re doing it as a road trip, it’s lovely, as there are several fabulous beach towns and national parks to stop at. Top spots include Forster, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Yamba and Byron Bay.

13 brilliant experiences in Sydney you should book

The Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains.

(💲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.

However, if you just want to get to Sydney, then that’s a punishingly long drive. You’re better off plumping for the flight.

Ferries crossing in front of Sydney Opera House — Photo by David Whitley/ Australia Travel Questions

Brisbane to Sydney flight time

The Brisbane to Sydney flight time is one hour and 35 minutes. That’s the same time for all four of the airlines that fly the route – Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Rex.

As you might well guess, having four airlines competing keeps Brisbane to Sydney flights delightfully cheap. One way fares can cost as little as $49, with Jetstar generally the cheapest airline on the route.

6 supreme Brisbane day trips that will improve your holiday

Moreton Island day trip – with kayaking, sandboarding and snorkelling or with dolphin-feeding and desert dunes adventure.
Springbrook National Park glowworms and rainforest tour – including Tamborine Skywalk.
Eumundi Markets day trip – Australia’s best markets, plus the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and Noosa.
North Stradbroke Island day tour – with cruise, wildlife spotting and guided walk.
Tamborine Mountain winery tour – with gourmet lunch.
Maialia rainforest walking and wildlife tour – visit lesser-known D’Aguilar National Park.

Sunshine Coast to Illawarra?

Another underestimated bonus of the Brisbane to Sydney flight time is the location of the airports. Brisbane Airport is north of the city, and Sydney Airport is south of central Sydney. If you’re wanting to travel from the Sunshine Coast to the Illawarra region, you save considerable extra time not having to drive through both cities.

What to book in Bunbury – 5 fabulous experiences.

Koombana Bay dolphin-watching cruise – the dolphins live in the bay, so you’ll definitely see them.
Geographe region wine tours – explore boutique wineries in the up-and-coming region.
Swimming with dolphins. They’re wild – this is not a dodgy aquarium experience.
Forest, wine and brewery day tours.
Dolphin Discovery Centre entrance tickets.