Adelaide Airport
The state's main gateway handles domestic and international flights and sits just eight kilometres from the city — about a 15-minute drive. Taxis, rideshare and a public bus connect the terminal with the CBD.
South Australia · Travel Guide
Getting around South Australia
From Adelaide's trams and free city buses to interstate trains, regional coaches and the long red roads of the outback — here's how to move around the state with ease.
Distances are large — a little planning goes a long way in SA.
- Main gateway
- Adelaide Airport~8 km / 15 min from the city
- City transit
- Adelaide Metrobus · train · tram
- Interstate trains
- Journey BeyondOverland · Ghan · Indian Pacific
- Time zone
- ACSTUTC+9:30 (DST Oct–Apr)
Getting here
Reaching South Australia
Most journeys begin in Adelaide, the state's compact capital and transport hub, whether you arrive by air, rail or road.
Iconic long-distance trains
Adelaide is the meeting point of Australia's great train journeys, run by Journey Beyond. They arrive at the Adelaide Parklands Terminal at Keswick, not the city's suburban station.
Driving in
Sealed highways link Adelaide with Melbourne (via the coast or inland), Sydney via the Riverland, and Perth across the Nullarbor. Allow plenty of time — the distances between capitals are long.
Interstate coaches
Long-distance coach services connect Adelaide with interstate centres, arriving at the Adelaide Central Bus Station on Franklin Street in the heart of the city.
Around the city
Adelaide Metro: buses, trains & trams
Adelaide's public transport is run under the Adelaide Metro brand and is refreshingly simple to use, with a flat fare and generous free travel in the city centre.
Paying your fare
- Three ways to pay — a rechargeable metroCARD, contactless Tap and Pay (credit/debit) on buses and trams, or the Buy & Go app.
- One simple fare — the same price on bus, train and tram regardless of distance, valid for two hours of unlimited travel; off-peak fares are cheaper.
- Visitor metroCARD — three consecutive days of unlimited travel, available from the Adelaide Metro InfoCentre at the Adelaide Railway Station on North Terrace.
- Check current fares at adelaidemetro.com.au, as prices are reviewed each year.
Free & handy services
- Free City Connector buses — the 98 and 99 routes loop the CBD (and up to North Adelaide) at no charge.
- Free city tram zone — trams are free through the CBD between South Terrace, the Entertainment Centre, Festival Plaza and the Botanic Gardens, and again at the Glenelg seaside end.
- The Glenelg tram — a much-loved ride from the city out to the beach; you only pay between South Terrace and Brighton Road.
- The O-Bahn — a unique guided busway speeding services out to the north-eastern suburbs.
Three terminals, three jobs
Adelaide Railway Station
The hub for Adelaide Metro suburban trains and the InfoCentre for tickets and advice.
North Terrace, city centre
Adelaide Parklands Terminal
Where the Overland, Ghan and Indian Pacific arrive and depart.
Keswick, just south-west of the city
Adelaide Central Bus Station
The base for interstate and regional coach services.
Franklin Street, city centre
Long-distance rail
The great train journeys
Adelaide is the crossroads of Australia's legendary rail journeys, operated by Journey Beyond from the Adelaide Parklands Terminal.
The Overland
Australia's oldest inter-capital train, running a relaxed daytime service across the plains since 1887, with Red Standard and Red Premium seating.
Journey: around 10½ hours each way
The Ghan
An all-inclusive expedition through the Red Centre via Alice Springs and Katherine — one of the world's most famous rail adventures.
Journey: multi-day, with off-train experiences
The Indian Pacific
A transcontinental crossing that pauses in Adelaide and traverses the Nullarbor — including the world's longest stretch of dead-straight track.
Journey: multi-day, coast to coast
The Great Southern
A seasonal summer journey up the east of the continent, blending scenic rail with shore excursions along the way.
Journey: seasonal, multi-day
These are premium tourist journeys rather than everyday transport, and seasons, schedules and routes can be affected by weather and track conditions — check journeybeyondrail.com.au for current departures.
Across the state
Regional coaches & flights
Beyond Adelaide, a network of coaches and regional flights connects the state's far-flung corners.
Regional coaches
- Stateliner — the state's largest long-distance coach operator, linking Adelaide with the Riverland, the Limestone Coast (Mount Gambier) and the Eyre Peninsula (Port Lincoln, Ceduna, Whyalla).
- LinkSA — services through the Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, Murraylands and Fleurieu Peninsula, including the Adelaide–Victor Harbor–Goolwa run and the public coach to the Cape Jervis ferry.
- Peninsula Coaches — routes serving the Yorke Peninsula and Copper Coast.
Regional flights from Adelaide
- Rex (Regional Express) — flights to Port Lincoln, Ceduna, Mount Gambier and Coober Pedy.
- QantasLink — flights to Kingscote (Kangaroo Island), Mount Gambier, Port Lincoln and Whyalla.
- Good to know — Port Lincoln is the busiest regional airport in the state; routes and carriers change, so confirm with the airline before booking.
Behind the wheel
Car hire & driving
For most regional touring, your own vehicle is the most flexible option — but South Australia's scale calls for sensible preparation.
The basics
- Drive on the left. Car hire is available at Adelaide Airport and across the city; book ahead in peak periods.
- Plan your fuel. Stops can be hundreds of kilometres apart in the outback — fill up whenever you can and carry drinking water.
- Roadside cover. The RAA provides roadside assistance in SA; check whether your hire or membership covers regional areas.
Outback & country driving
- Avoid dusk and dawn. Kangaroos and wildlife are most active then; long-distance road trains also share the highways.
- Know your roads. Some routes are unsealed or require a 4WD, and parts of the far north and Aboriginal lands need entry permits.
- Tell someone your plans. Mobile coverage drops out across remote areas — share your route and expected arrival time.
Across the water
Ferries & island access
The main passenger ferry in the state is the SeaLink service to Kangaroo Island, carrying vehicles and foot passengers between Cape Jervis — about two hours south of Adelaide on the Fleurieu Peninsula — and Penneshaw. There are several crossings most days (roughly 45 minutes each way), with extra sailings in peak periods, and a connecting public coach runs from Adelaide to the Cape Jervis terminal.
If you would rather fly, QantasLink also serves Kingscote on Kangaroo Island from Adelaide. Booking the ferry ahead is wise, especially if you are taking a vehicle or travelling over a holiday weekend.
Good to know
Practical tips
The clock
South Australia runs on Central Standard Time (UTC+9:30), 30 minutes behind the eastern states. It observes daylight saving from October to April; Queensland does not, so the gap shifts through the year.
Accessibility
Adelaide Metro services are largely accessible, and operators such as Stateliner offer wheelchair-accessible coaches on request — flag your needs when booking.
Know your terminal
Suburban trains use the Adelaide Railway Station, interstate trains the Parklands Terminal at Keswick, and coaches the Central Bus Station — don't mix them up.
Build in buffer time
Regional coaches and flights run to limited timetables. Leave room around connections, especially for ferries and onward regional services.
Questions
South Australia transport FAQ
How do I get to South Australia?
Most visitors fly into Adelaide Airport, the state's main gateway, about eight kilometres from the city. You can also arrive by long-distance train at the Adelaide Parklands Terminal aboard the Overland from Melbourne, the Ghan from Darwin or the Indian Pacific from Sydney or Perth, by interstate coach to the Adelaide Central Bus Station, or by road on the highways linking Adelaide with the eastern states and Perth.
What is the best way to get around Adelaide?
Adelaide Metro runs the city's buses, trains and trams on a single flat fare valid for two hours, paid by metroCARD, contactless Tap and Pay or the Buy & Go app. There is free travel in the city centre on the City Connector buses and the CBD tram zone, and a Visitor metroCARD offers three days of unlimited travel. Taxis and rideshare are also widely available.
Do I need a car to explore South Australia?
Not for Adelaide and the closer wine regions, which are well served by public transport, coaches and tours. For the Flinders Ranges, the Eyre Peninsula and the outback, however, a car gives far more freedom — or you can combine regional flights and coaches with a guided tour to reach the more remote areas.
How do I get to Kangaroo Island?
The SeaLink vehicle and passenger ferry crosses from Cape Jervis, about two hours south of Adelaide, to Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island in around 45 minutes, with several daily sailings. A connecting coach runs from Adelaide to Cape Jervis, and QantasLink also flies from Adelaide to Kingscote on the island. Book ahead, especially with a vehicle or in peak season.
What long-distance trains run from Adelaide?
Adelaide is the hub for Journey Beyond's rail journeys: the Overland to Melbourne, the Ghan to Alice Springs and Darwin, the Indian Pacific to Sydney and Perth, and the seasonal Great Southern to Brisbane. These are premium tourist experiences rather than everyday services, and all use the Adelaide Parklands Terminal at Keswick.
What do I need to know about driving in the outback?
Distances are vast and services sparse, so fill up with fuel whenever you can, carry drinking water and share your travel plans, as mobile coverage drops out. Avoid driving at dawn and dusk when wildlife is active, watch for road trains, and check whether your route is sealed, needs a 4WD, or requires an entry permit before you set out.
Heading to a specific region? Our destination travel guides cover getting around once you arrive — including the Fleurieu Peninsula and Coonawarra.
All South Australia →Let us take care of the logistics
Transfers, regional touring and tailored South Australian itineraries — talk to our team and travel without the planning headache.
Plan your tripCall 0409 661 342 · Email contact@cooeetours.com.au
Acknowledgement of Country
Cooee Tours acknowledges the many Aboriginal nations and peoples of South Australia as the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters — including the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains, where much of the state's transport network is centred. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and recognise their enduring connection to Country.