In short
- 🚍 Network: Transport Canberra — bus, light rail.
- 💳 Pay with: MyWay+ — or just tap a contactless card/phone.
- 🚕 Also: rideshare (Uber/DiDi) and taxis everywhere; hire a car for day trips.
- ✈️ From the airport: see Getting Here.
The network: Transport Canberra
Canberra's public transport is run by Transport Canberra, covering bus, light rail. Plan any trip door-to-door with the official journey planner or Google Maps.
Tickets & how to pay: MyWay+
Tap on and off with a MyWay+ card or a contactless bank card/phone across buses and the light rail.
Good news for visitors: you can tap on with a contactless debit/credit card or phone, so there's no need to buy a local card for a short stay.
See current MyWay+ fares & details →
What it costs
A single fare covers 90 minutes of travel across bus and light rail, with daily and off-peak caps.
Getting in from the airport
Flying in? Taxis, rideshare and airport shuttles connect to the centre, and some cities add a direct train or express bus. The exact options, travel times and rough costs for Canberra are in our Getting Here guide.
Airport transfers in Canberra
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Taxis, rideshare & on-demand
Rideshare is well established in Canberra — Uber is everywhere, often alongside DiDi, Ola or Bolt (which can be cheaper). Traditional taxis can be hailed, picked up at ranks or booked by app. For late nights or trips beyond the timetable, on-demand is usually the easiest option.
On foot & by bike
Canberra's inner neighbourhoods are best explored on foot, and many areas have bike paths plus share-bike or e-scooter schemes. It's often the nicest (and cheapest) way to get between spots that are close together. For ideas, browse our walks in Canberra.
Prefer to drive? Hire a car in Canberra
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Handy apps
- Transport Canberra app
- Google Maps
Local tips
- The light rail runs a straight line from Gungahlin to the city — fast and frequent.
- Off-peak fares apply outside the morning and evening rush.
Getting around Canberra — FAQs
What public transport runs in Canberra?+
Canberra is served by Transport Canberra, covering bus, light rail. You can plan any door-to-door trip with the official journey planner or Google Maps.
How do I pay for public transport in Canberra?+
Tap on and off with a MyWay+ card or a contactless bank card/phone across buses and the light rail.
Can I use a contactless card on Canberra transport?+
Yes — on most services you can tap on with a contactless debit/credit card or phone, so there's no need to buy a local card for a short stay.
How much does it cost to get around Canberra?+
A single fare covers 90 minutes of travel across bus and light rail, with daily and off-peak caps.
Do I need a car in Canberra?+
For the inner city and main attractions, public transport plus the odd rideshare usually covers it — you won't need a car. A hire car earns its keep for day trips, the coast and spread-out areas beyond the network.
How do I get from the airport into Canberra?+
Airport transfers, taxis, rideshare and (in some cities) a direct train or shuttle connect the airport to the centre — see our Getting Here guide for the specifics for Canberra.
Is there Uber / rideshare in Canberra?+
Yes — rideshare (Uber, and often DiDi, Ola or Bolt) operates across Canberra alongside traditional taxis, which you can hail, rank or book by app.
Looking for somewhere to go? Browse the best things to do in Canberra, see them on the map, or check the best time to visit.