Day trip · the capital, 3 hours south-west
The best Sydney to Canberra day tours
Parliament House, the Australian War Memorial, the view from Mount Ainslie and wild kangaroos, with Floriade in spring: here is the guided day tour and the train or car option, with honest advice on the long drive, the lunch you pay for yourself, and what Floriade replaces.
See our pick
The Sydney to Canberra day tour we pick is a 12-hour small-group trip from €144 with a guided Parliament House tour. On your own, the train takes about 4 to 4.5 hours each way. So a car or a tour suits a day trip better.
Our pick for a Canberra day tour
There is one guided day tour from Sydney we can recommend. Below it, we compare it with the train and the car.
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from €144 per person Our top pick 12 hours 4.6 (265) reviews on GetYourGuide
Full-day tour to Canberra from Sydney
A 12-hour day with a guided tour of Parliament House and entry to the Australian War Memorial. You also visit the National Museum or Floriade, look out from Mount Ainslie and see wild kangaroos. Groups go up to 24. Lunch is at your own cost.
Best for History fans on a first visit to the capital
Check availability: Full-day tour to Canberra from Sydney on GetYourGuide
Canberra tours from Sydney: what the day includes
The tour includes return transport, a guide, the Parliament House tour and entry to the War Memorial and the National Museum. Lunch is not included. You buy it at a café by Lake Burley Griffin.
It has two meeting points, which depend on the option you book. There is no hotel pickup. Children aged 6 and under cannot join.
| Time each way | Cost | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day tour | Part of a 12-hour day | From €144 | Seeing the main sights with no planning |
| Train | About 4 to 4.5 hours | Varies | A night in Canberra |
| Car | About 3 hours | Varies | Your own pace and stops |
A Sydney to Canberra itinerary for one day
This is the order of the day on our pick, as its listing describes it.
- Drive through the Southern Highlands, past farms, sheep, cattle and horses.
- Guided tour of Parliament House.
- Views over the city from Mount Ainslie.
- Free time for lunch by Lake Burley Griffin.
- A drive through the embassy district.
- The Australian War Memorial, at your own pace.
- The National Museum of Australia, or Floriade in spring.
- Wild kangaroos in the bush.
Floriade bus tours from Sydney
In September and October, you can choose a Floriade option on our pick. Floriade is a festival held in Canberra. The listing says it replaces the National Museum.
So you cannot do both on the same day. Pick Floriade for flowers, or the museum for history.
Coach, train or car: Sydney to Canberra
Canberra is about 3 hours from Sydney by car. Coaches run with Murrays, Greyhound and Road Jet. Check their times before you go.
Shorter on time? Our guide to day tours from Sydney compares trips of 90 minutes to 2.5 hours each way.
Sydney to Canberra by public transport
A daily direct train runs from Central to Kingston in Canberra. Visit Canberra says it takes about 4.5 hours. NSW TrainLink lists 4 hours 8 minutes. That is a long day there and back.
Tips before you book a Canberra day tour
Bring lunch money
Lunch is not included. You eat at a café by Lake Burley Griffin at your own cost.
Check your meeting point
The tour has two meeting points, set by the option you book. There is no hotel pickup.
Floriade or the museum
In September and October, the Floriade option replaces the National Museum. Choose before you book.
Plan for a long day
The tour takes 12 hours. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water.
If your plans change
The tour shows free cancellation on GetYourGuide. Check the cut-off on the listing.
Canberra day trip: questions and answers
How far is Canberra from Sydney?
Can I do Canberra as a day trip by train?
Is lunch included on the Canberra day tour?
Can children join the Canberra day tour?
Does the tour go to Floriade?
More tours from Sydney, live
More options with live prices and availability, straight from GetYourGuide.
See every tour with today's prices and open dates on GetYourGuide.
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Sources (1), facts checked on 25 October 2026
Written by the Things to Do in Sydney editorial team.