Canberra to Sydney
Canberra to Sydney is a 3-hour run up the Federal and Hume Highway. The weekend return leg for thousands of Canberrans and the cheapest way to swap capitals.
Distance
287 km
Drive time
3h
Seat from
$18
Cost comparison
Canberra to Sydney, every which way
Carpool
$18 to $25
per seat on RideMates
Flight
$120 to $220 one way
plus bags and transfers
Bus
$40 to $60 on Greyhound
slower, more stops
Drive solo
around $75 in fuel
fuel and wear, before tolls
Why RideMates
Why carpool this route?
Sunday evening is peak
Everyone heading back to Sydney after the weekend. Dozens of rides every Sunday afternoon.
Drop in any Sydney suburb
Flights only land at Mascot. A carpool will drop at any Sydney suburb on the way in.
Cheaper than the Xplorer train
The Xplorer is $55 one way and takes 4h 20m. A carpool is $18 to $25 and takes 3 hours.
On the way
Common stops between Canberra and Sydney
Most drivers take a break somewhere along the route. Some will drop passengers off here too.
FAQ
Canberra to Sydney questions
How much is a Canberra to Sydney carpool?
Typical seats are $18 to $25 per seat.
How long is the drive?
About 3 hours via the Federal Highway to Hume. Add 20 minutes for a stop in Goulburn.
Are there weekday rides?
Yes but weekends are busiest. Friday evening Sydney-to-Canberra and Sunday evening Canberra-to-Sydney are the peaks.
Further reading
More on the Canberra to Sydney run
More carpools from these cities
Ready to hit the road?
Join thousands of Australians saving money, reducing emissions, and meeting great people on the road.