Campervan Or Bus Pass: Which Is Best For Travelling Australia?

Gabby Boucher

April 8th, 2024

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6 minute read

If you're looking to travel Australia by land, campervans and bus passes are the two best transport methods to choose from! If you're in Australia for a year or more on a Working Holiday, you may want to buy your own car to get around. But if you're just visiting, buying and selling a new car can be a hassle. Your best options for getting around on land are campervans or bus passes!

But which is best for travelling Australia? Campervans or bus passes? Both have their perks, and the costs are relatively similar. We'll compare campervan hire costs with bus pass costs, and discuss the pros and cons of each so you can choose which transport best suits your Australian adventure.  

Campervan Or Bus Pass: Which Is Best For Travelling Australia?

You really can't go wrong with a campervan or a bus pass when travelling around Australia! Generally speaking, campervans are better for couples or small groups who want a more private and flexible travel experience. Bus passes are affordable, hassle-free, and great for solo travellers or big groups who want a more social experience. But Australia is so incredible that you're sure to have an epic time no matter which transport you take! 

To help you plan your Australia itinerary, let's break down the differences between campervans and bus passes. 

Campervan Hire Costs

Campervan hire costs have dynamic pricing, so it's hard to estimate exactly what the average traveller would spend. You'll have to contact our travel experts for a direct quote based on your group and travel times. However, here are some standard, base prices for daily campervan hire in Australia.

• Low-top campervan - $90 - $110 per day
• Pop-top campervan - $100 - $140 per day

So you'd probably spend a minimum of $45 per day on average for the campervan hire if you're a couple. If you're in a group of 4, it's only around $25 per day. The more people you have to split the costs, the cheaper the hire price will be. Keep in mind that you'll also have to pay for fuel, insurance, and campsite fees (unless you can score free camping!). 

Perks of Campervan Hire

No matter what the final cost of campervan hire may be, a campervan is one of the best ways to get around Australia! You have freedom and flexibility to go wherever you want, whenever you want. Campervans are ideal for couples or groups of 3 or 4 who want some privacy to just hang out by themselves, though you can still meet people through nightlife, tours, and communal campsites. 

Probably the biggest perk of campervan hire is that your accommodation is included! You can sleep in the back of the van, which saves you from having to book hostels or hotels everywhere you go. Most campervan setups also have cooking supplies so you can cook your own food. Australia has some amazing campgrounds, though some of them do have a nightly fee. 

Greyhound Bus Costs

Greyhound bus costs also vary, but the longer your bus pass is valid for, the cheaper it will be. You can get bus passes that range from 7 days to 120 days, with the 120 day option amounting to just $7 per day. Taking all the bus pass prices into account, the average value is around $17.50 per person per day.

• 7 Day Bus Pass - $289 or $41 per day
• 15 Day Bus Pass - $369 or $25 per day
• 30 Day Bus Pass - $449 or $15 per day
• 60 Day Bus Pass - $569 or $9 per day
• 90 Day Bus Pass - $719 or $8 per day
• 120 Day Bus Pass - $849 or $7 per day

Perks Of Greyhound Bus Travel

Greyhound bus travel is easy and hassle-free. You don't have to pay for fuel and you don't have to worry about directions. Just hop on the bus, pop in your headphones, and relax until you arrive at your next destination. However, Greyhound buses only travel to and from select stations, so you will have to organise your own transport within the cities and towns you visit. Luckily, Australia has a sophisticated public transport system, especially in big cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Trains, public buses, Ubers, taxis, and rental cars can also help you get around in places outside the Greyhound bus route. 

Travelling Australia by bus also means you'll have to book your own accommodation. But this can be a good thing, especially if you're a solo traveller looking to make friends or part of a big group that wants to party. Staying in hostels means you'll have a fun, social experience. Or if you're looking for something more upscale, you can book luxury hotels which are more comfortable than sleeping in a campervan. 

Campervan Vs. Bus Pass

There is no right or wrong way to get around Australia. The Greyhound Bus is the cheapest option, but you also have to pay for accommodation so the costs aren't much different from campervan hire. It just depends on what type of experience you want! If you want flexibility and privacy, plus the thrill of camping and exploring on your own, go with a campervan. If you want hassle-free travel and the opportunity to book your own accommodation, choose the bus pass.

Here is a quick overview of which option may be best for your group:

Best Option For Solo Travellers: Bus Pass
Bus passes are an easy, affordable way to travel Australia alone. Campervan hire can be expensive for solo travellers since you have no one to split hire and fuel costs with. Plus, you might get lonely travelling in a campervan on your own without the social environment of a hostel or public bus!


Best Option For Couples: Campervan
Couples may be better suited to the privacy and freedom of their own campervan. Join social backpacker tours if you decide you want to meet people, or park up at a social public campsite. 


Best Option For Small Groups (3-4 people): Campervan
A small group of 3-4 is perfect for a campervan. You can all split the costs and have fun BBQs and campfires together as you travel around Australia. 


Best Option For Large Groups (5+ people): Bus Pass
If you're travelling Australia in a big group, a bus pass might be the easiest way to get around. Most campervans only fit around 4 people maximum. Then you can book big hostel dorm rooms and have a blast meeting people from all over the world!

If you're still unsure which method of travelling around Australia is best for you, chat with our team of travel experts and we'll help you plan the perfect trip!