Canberra Airport serves Australia's federal capital, a planned city created as a compromise between rivals Sydney and Melbourne, home to Parliament and important national museums.
It is located just a few kilometers from Canberra city center.
How to get to Canberra International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to CBR
Parking near Canberra International Airport
Parking, modest in size compared to large hubs, is located a short walk from the terminal.
It is not supervised in open areas; hourly rate of 5-10 AUD for short-term parking, while long-term parking booked online costs approximately 80-120 AUD for 3 days.
How to get to Canberra from CBR
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at Canberra International Airport
Reference car rental companies have a desk in the arrivals area.
Driver's license, passport, and credit card are the basics; an IDP is required in most cases.
Hotels near Canberra International Airport
Civic
About 7 km from the airport: 10-15 minutes by taxi or rental car, or the Airport Express shuttle (12 AUD, not running on public holidays) with a stop in town.
Best for: Those who want the capital's shopping centre and restaurants just steps from the hotel.
- Canberra Centre and the neighbourhood's restaurants within walking distance
- A convenient starting point for Commonwealth Park and Lake Burley Griffin
- No train to the airport: you always depend on a taxi or the shuttle
- The area comes alive mainly on weekdays, quieter at weekends
Kingston and the Parliamentary Triangle
About 5-6 km from the airport, 9-15 minutes by car or taxi depending on traffic; no direct public transport line to the terminal.
Best for: Those who want to stay closer to the airport and the institutional sites, with the lake and Kingston's restaurants within walking distance.
- Lake Burley Griffin, Capital Hill and Kingston's dining precinct within walking distance
- Closer to the airport than Civic, useful for those arriving or departing at awkward hours
- Few shops compared with Civic's shopping centre
- In the evening Yarralumla and Kingston are more residential, with less nightlife
Recommended hotels
- Hyatt Hotel Canberra - A Park Hyatt Hotel An Art Deco building from 1924 on Commonwealth Avenue, 5 minutes by car from Parliament House; heated pool, tennis court and two restaurants. View availability
- Abode Kingston Apartments with a kitchenette on Kennedy Street, less than 10 minutes' walk from Canberra's regional railway station and the lakeside. View availability
NewActon
About 10 minutes by car or taxi from the airport; no direct public transport connection.
Best for: Those looking for a boutique hotel near the lake and the Australian National University, amid art galleries and independent cinemas.
- A design district next to Commonwealth Park, with galleries, art-house cinemas and restaurants
- A few minutes' walk from Parliament House and the main national museums
- Few everyday shops, an area designed more for leisure than for errands
- Although convenient by car, it's disconnected from the rest of the city without direct public transport
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The airport has a modern terminal with predominantly domestic traffic and some limited international connections.
Given the airport's compact footprint, the walk from check-in to gate is generally just a few minutes.
Map of Canberra International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Does Canberra airport have direct international flights?
The direct international offering is limited: many international visitors reach Canberra via a connecting flight from Sydney or Melbourne.
Q. How do you get to central Canberra from the airport?
By public bus (MyWay card) or taxi, both available right outside the terminal.
Q. Is it worth renting a car in Canberra?
Yes, the city is planned with large distances between districts: a car makes it easier to visit the museums and institutions spread across the area.
Q. Is Canberra's terminal large?
It's a modestly sized facility, consistent with Canberra's role as an administrative rather than tourist capital.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
