How To Travel Australia Without A Car

If you’re coming to Australia but looking to avoid the cost of renting a car, your best option is to catch buses. Commonly referred to as coach services, both Greyhound and Premier Buses are awesome ways to travel huge distances across this sun-soaked country… without the huge price tag. Slightly different from local bus transport options, coaches travel longer distances, from most major towns and cities to regional and rural locations. 

Indeed, coaches are a very popular and exceptional way for backpackers to enjoy the journey and get from A to B. Other ways to explore Australia and the East Coast without a car include domestic flights and trains. While the East Coast is vast and full of hidden gems, you really don’t need a car to experience the magic!

• Busses
  • What to expect on a bus trip
  • Pros and cons of coach travel
  • Which coach services to travel with
  • What to bring on your bus trip
• Flights
• Trains
• Campervans

Busses 

What to expect on a bus trip 

They say life’s about the journey, not the destination. But when you’re travelling the East Coast with a coach service, it’s definitely about both! Coach services are not often direct, and even when they are, you can be in for a long ride. Taking roughly 12 hours to go between Sydney and Melbourne, and about 29 hours to get between Brisbane and Cairns, coaches are not the fastest option by a long shot. However, you will receive the best value for money compared to catching a train or renting a car, as well as air-conditioned onboard comfort. 

For travellers unsure if they should rent a car or travel by bus, the key question is how much is your time worth? If you’d prefer to get to your destination as quick as possible, busses are probably not your go-to. However, if you’re not so time-limited and are looking to save some dollars to spend on adventurous tours, meals out and souvenirs, hop on a coach! 

Pros of travelling with coach services

• Great value for money
• Air-conditioned and comfortable 
• Toilets and charging are often available onboard
• Meet other travellers 
• Scenic drive

Cons of travelling with coach services

• Long route, often not direct 
• Delivers you to major cities and towns, not a specific address
• Need to book ahead in busy seasons 
• Less flexibility as departure times are set

Which coach service should I travel with?

Australia’s two main coach services, Greyhound and Premier Buses, are both state-of-the-art options that have been facilitating backpacker travel successfully for yonks! 

Premier Motor Services

Best for budget travellers with a set itinerary that requires less flexibility. 

If you’re looking for a cheap, no-frills service to get you from A to B, Premier Motor Services is for you. While only offering one service in each direction per day, Premier buses are comfortable, affordable and on time!  

You can choose from either a Premier Direct Pass or a Premier Hop-on, Hop-off Pass. 

• A Premier Direct Pass, which is simply a ticket from one destination to another, is perfect if you’re just looking for some one-off travel. 
  
  
• A Premier Hop-on, Hop-off Pass can be booked in either 3-month or 6-month windows in one direction of travel, in which you choose your start destination and travel up OR down the coast at your own pace.

Premier Buses destinations include Cairns, Mission Beach, Townsville, Airlie Beach, Mackay, Rockhampton, Anges Waters, 1770, Hervey Bay, Rainbow Beach, Noosa Heads, Maroochydore, Brisbane,  Surfers Paradise, Tweed Heads, Byron Bay, Bellina, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Newcastle, Sydney, Wollongong, Kiama,  Nowra, Bomaderry, Ulladulla, Batemans Bay, Narooma, Bega, Merimbula and Eden.

Greyhound Buses Australia 

Best for backpackers without a set itinerary that want more flexibility. 

If you’re a go-with-the-flow traveller gallivanting along the East Coast without dates to tell when you where, what and when, Greyhound Buses are your go-to with their flexible timetables being one of their biggest selling points! 

You can choose from either single one-way and return tickets, a Greyhound Hop-on, Hop-off Pass or a WHIMit Pass. 

• A Greyhound Hop-on, Hop-off pass allows you to travel from your chosen start destination in one direction for up to 90 days. Travel at your own pace along the East Coast and save, choosing from an array of Greyhound routes whenever you feel like it!
  
  
• The ultimate pass for backpacker flexibility and freedom, the Greyhound WHIMit pass allows you to travel wherever you want, in any direction, within Australia for your selected number of days. Ranging from 7 days to 365 days, you have unlimited travel wherever you go, perfect for both long and short trips without a set plan.

Greyhound boasts over 1100 destinations across Australia, including Broome, Darwin, Alice Springs, Cairns, Airlie Beach, Hervey Bay, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Byron Bay, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Adelaide.

For more help deciding between Greyhound and Premier Busses, check out our handy comparison guide! 

What to bring on a bus trip

If you’re embarking on a long-haul bus trip, we recommend taking a few things to make your time fly by! Remember to separate your carry-on luggage from your undercarriage luggage, as the latter will be stored under the bus.

• Food 

Coaches don’t usually offer food on board, so we recommend checking if there will be stops for you to grab some food along the way, especially on longer trips. If there isn’t, or you have picky dietaries, prepare for the road ahead with pre-packed tasty snacks and substantial meals according to how long you're on the bus. There’s nothing worse than being in the middle of a long road trip with a rumbling tummy!

• Charging pack & chargers

Some busses will offer in-seat charging plug-in stations (score!). So, always bring along your phone charger. However, some buses don’t have in-seat charging, and we recommend checking before you omit your chargers. If you’re unsure, simply chuck a portable charger in your carry-on… just in case! 

• Entertainment

Whether you’re using the long-haul drive to get some blogging done, finish some reading or listen to many hours of podcasts, keep yourself busy to make the hours fly by! Pack your headphones (noise cancelling is a bonus), your phone, your laptop, a good book (or two!), your travel journal or whatever you need to fight off the boredom! A tip: if you’re driving through more rural parts of Australia, download some music, TV shows and/or movies in case you lose reception.

• Comfort

We recommend bringing a travel pillow on board that’s your jam… catching up on some sleep is a great way to pass the time! And, to stay cosey and fresh, chuck a spare pair of socks, a comfortable jumper, your deodorant and even a spare t-shirt in your carry-on; any way to make you feel like you haven’t been on a bus for 12 hours is encouraged! 

For a more comprehensive packing list, check out our what to bring on your East Coast Tour guide! 

Flights

If you're looking to really save on time, domestic flights can go for pretty cheap, particularly if you luck out with some last-minute deals. The best part about catching domestic flights is by far the fastest way to get around and can be cheap if you consider the cost of a bus pass or fuel for your own car. There are a couple of limitations to jet-setting across the country, the biggest one being that you miss the magic of the journey! You won't get to experience the hidden gems, small towns and rich scenery of the East Coast, nor will you be able to discover the vast abundance of new places at your fingertips. Similarly, flying limits your travel to airports of major cities and regional towns, which can be handy if you're looking to stick to the highlights of the East Coast, but more hassle if you're looking to get to smaller destinations.

Trains 

Australia has a limited yet pretty great train system. While generally more expensive than busses for long-haul travel, they come with added comfort features. Choose from first or second class, and enjoy plenty of perks such as reclining seats and even beds on longer haul trips. A totally scenic and smooth trip, it’s worth the extra dollars if you’re a stylish traveller! Please note that pre-booking is recommended. Check out prices, destinations and routes at Great Trains travel.

Campervans

While technically a car, a campervan is a great way to see Australia on a budget. While you may flinch at the initial cost of renting or buying a van, don’t forget that this cost can very well encompass both transport and accommodation. As such, it is one of the cheapest ways to explore the East Coast, particularly if you stay in free campsites. Similarly, it’s also a great option if you’re short on time and want total flexibility! Check out our guide to travelling the East Coast of Australia in a van for more info.

Unsure what transport option is right for you? Let us help you find your way through the dazzling East Coast of Australia.

Live chat with or call one of our travel agents to help you design a free, personalised itinerary… no strings attached!