How to Get to Byron Bay (updated 18 October 2023)

How to Get to Byron Bay by Air

You have a choice of three airports within two hours drive when you choose to fly to Byron Bay. Please note there is no airport in Byron Bay.

Ballina Byron Gateway Airport (airport code BNK) is the airport closest to Byron Bay at 30 minutes drive time. The airport offers up to 68 flights per week from Sydney, Dubbo, Melbourne, Canberra & Newcastle on Jetstar, Virgin Australia, FlyPelican and Qantas Airlines.

How to get from Ballina Airport to Byron Bay. There are several transport options between the airport and Byron region including shuttle buses, public transport, private transfers, rental cars and taxi. Shuttle buses and private transfers must be pre-booked.

The newly upgraded terminal offers an all day café & bar offering fresh food, organic coffee and a licensed bar where you can taste local craft beer from Stone & Wood and Ballina Seven Mile Co. and a local favourite, Brookies Gin.

Gold Coast Airport (airport code OOL) situated on the Queensland/NSW border, is conveniently located 40 minutes from Byron Bay and welcomes over 420 flights per week from destinations across Australia, New Zealand, Asia and beyond. Regular domestic services are provided by Jetstar, Virgin Australia, Rex Airlines and Qantas, including over 30 flights a day from Sydney and 15 flights a day from Melbourne. International airlines including Air New Zealand , AirAsia, Jetstar and Virgin Australia provide direct services from Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), Japan (Tokyo), and New Zealand (Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown).

How to get from Gold Coast to Byron Bay. Various shuttle buses and private transfers connect you to Byron Bay direct from the terminal. There are also Greyhound and Premier Motor Service routes from Bilinga (directly across the road from the airport) to Byron Bay. We strongly suggest you pre-purchase or pre-book online your shuttle bus, private transfer, Greyhound ticket or Premier Motor Service ticket as transport between Byron Bay and Gold Coast Airport is often booked out early.

Brisbane International and Domestic Airport (airport code BNE) situated on the eastern side of Brisbane is served by all domestic and a large portion of international carriers.

How to get from Brisbane to Byron Bay. The most direct way to get to Byron Bay from Brisbane Airport is via shuttle bus or private transfer (around 2-3 hours). A light rail and local buses run into the city’s Brisbane Roma Street transit terminal, which has a choice of buses and shuttle buses that can connect you to Byron Bay as well.

How to Get to Byron Bay by Car

Byron Bay is situated just 6km off the M1 Motorway, 180km south of Brisbane and 35km north of Ballina. If you are driving south, approximately 40 minutes south of the Queensland/New South Wales border you will see the turnoff on the left to Byron Bay. This is Ewingsdale Road, which will take you into the heart of Byron Bay. If you’re coming from the south, take the same turnoff, or you can follow the coast road up from Ballina, coming past Lennox Head, Broken Head and Suffolk Park on your way into Byron Bay.

Parking in Byron Bay. Once in Byron Bay please note all parking within the main town area, Clarkes Beach car park and Wategos Beach is paid parking – $5 per hour and $25 for all day parking. You can pay at the meter or via the PayStay App.

As well, Captain Cook lookout, Cosy Corner, The Pass, Broken Head Nature Reserve and Cape Byron Lighthouse and Information Centre, as part of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service also charge for parking. Cape Byron Lighthouse lawn and Information Centre is $10 per vehicle per hour/$4 per hour motorcycles. Maximum 1 hour per vehicle per calendar day, including all NPWS annual passholders. Cosy Corner, The Pass and Captain Cook lookout charge $5 per vehicle/motorcycle per hour. Broken Head Nature Reserve is $4 per hour per vehicle. Tap and pay card or phone payments accepted at pay machines. Cash and credit cards accepted at Cape Byron Lighthouse and Information Centre and NPWS Byron Bay office, 22 Tallow Beach Road.

All other parking in the township and adjoining suburbs is either free parking with time limits or unlimited free parking. Time limits apply 9am – 6pm Monday – Sunday including public holidays. Please ensure you read the parking signs for details and click here if you need help understanding Australian parking signs.

Both taxi’s and Ubers are available in Byron Bay. Tariffs can vary according to the time of day you travel and the time of year you visit.

How to Get to Byron Bay by Bus – Byron Bay Transit Centre

The Byron Visitor Centre can assist with booking your transport needs, including Premier Motor Service from Byron Bay to the south or north, Byron Easybus to Ballina Airport, Gold Coast Airport, Brisbane city Roma Street and Brisbane Airports, Byron Bay Express to Gold Coast Airport and Surfers Paradise and Regional Trains and Coaches to regions in NSW and other states as part of NSW Transport.

Call in to our Visitor centre to book your tickets online or call us to find out further information (02) 6680 8558.

Buses arrive and depart from the Byron Bay Bus Interchange located at Butler Street which is a short walk from the Byron Visitor Centre. Please note, no buses leave from outside the visitors centre on Jonson Street any longer.

Again, we emphasise – please make sure you book ahead when leaving Byron Bay via shuttle or bus as there are limited trips available both in and out of Byron and a lot of people to move.

How to Get to Byron Bay by Train

There are no trains running direct to Byron Bay from north or south. However, NSW Transport operates daily coach services to Casino to link up with the train to Sydney which runs twice daily. NSW Transport also runs coaches to northern destinations including Brisbane, Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads.

Byron Bay Local Transport

To assist you with moving around once you have arrived in the township our local bus companies are Blanch’s Buses and Northern Rivers Buslines. Fares are paid in cash only to the driver on board. Timetables can be collected at the Visitor Centre, 80 Jonson Street, Byron Bay.

Both taxi’s and Ubers are available 24/7 in Byron Bay. Tariffs can vary according to the time of day you travel and the time of year you visit.

How to Get to Byron Bay from Sydney

From Sydney you can travel to Byron Bay a couple of ways:

• Drive a car – it will take approximately 9 hours
• Catch a bus – this can be a cheap way to get to Byron Bay and it will take approximately 13 hours.
• Take a train – this is possibly the cheapest way to get to Byron Bay and will take approximately 13-14 hours.
• Hop on a flight from Sydney to get to Byron Bay. Flights arrive at either Gold Coast airport or Ballina airport. Please see above.

How to Get to Byron Bay from Melbourne

From Melbourne the best and most direct way to Byron Bay is to fly, however you can also:

• Take a train – you would travel by train first to Sydney and then catch another train from Sydney to Byron Bay (this trip includes a short bus ride from Casino to Byron Bay which is included in your train ticket)
• Drive a car – it is a very long way and would take you approximately 17-19 hours, not including time for sleep
• Catch a bus – Greyhound bus goes from Melbourne to Sydney. It is not direct and would take over 30 hours
• Hop on a flight from Melbourne direct to either Gold Coast or Ballina airports. Please see above for how to get to Byron Bay from the airport.