Travel and accommodation

Accommodation

As the nation’s capital, Canberra has a wide range of accommodation options. Several hotels and hostels within walking distance of the venue are listed below:

QT CanberraDistance to ANU/Venue: 350mAverage price per night: $229.00 
Novotel CanberraDistance to ANU/Venue: 1kmAverage price per night: $228.00
The Sebel Canberra CivicDistance to ANU/Venue: 1.2kmAverage price per night: $178.00
Nesuto Canberra Apartment HotelDistance to ANU/Venue: 1.2kmAverage price per night: $223.00
Avenue Hotel CanberraDistance to ANU/Venue: 1.4kmAverage price per night: $229.00
Adina Serviced Apartment James CourtDistance to ANU/Venue: 1.4kmAverage price per night: $232.00
Mantra on Northbourne CanberraDistance to ANU/Venue: 1.5kmAverage price per night: $180.00
The Village CanberraDistance to ANU/Venue: 1.4kmAverage price per night: $50 shared dorm, $150 private room

The Visit Canberra website also has further accommodation options.

Travel to Canberra

Train

There is daily train service from Sydney to Canberra via the Southern Highlands, Goulburn and Bungendore. The trip takes four-and-a-half hours and terminates at the Canberra Railway Station in Kingston. Check timetables and book online through Transport NSW.

There is no direct Canberra to Melbourne rail service, but it is possible to catch the train to Albury and then be transferred by coach. You can find timetables and booking information from Public Transport Victoria for Canberra to Melbourne (via Albury) route. Alternately, you can catch the Melbourne to Sydney train and transfer to the Canberra train from the Goulburn railway station.

Bus

Bus and coach services operate to and from Canberra from the Snowy Mountains, the South Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and beyond. See Murrays Coaches, Buses & LimousinesGreyhound Australia or Road Jet for routes, prices and timetables.  

Car

Canberra is a three hour drive from Sydney and eight hours from Melbourne.

Plane

Canberra Airport is serviced by Qantas, Virgin, Jetstar, Rex Airlines, Fly Pelican and Link Airways.

Daily domestic services are available to and from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. You can also fly direct from Adelaide, Hobart, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, and the Gold Coast.

Depending on where you are travelling from, international connections are usually via Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane.

Transport in Canberra

When you arrive in Canberra, you can rent a car at the airport, use a taxi or Uber. Visitors can take public transport from the Canberra Airport to the city via bus Route 3, seven days a week. Services run approximately every half hour, and better during peak times (weekdays).

Taxis

Follow the taxi signs at the airport. A taxi costs ~$30 to The Australian National University.

  • ACTCABS – 6280 0077
  • Cabxpress – 02 6181 2700
  • Canberra Elite Taxis – 6126 1600 or 132 227
  • Silver Service Canberra – 133 100

Canberra taxis and cabs accept payment by credit cards, cabcharge vouchers and electronic transfer. Contactless/non-cash payment is preferred.

Uber

Find a ride and learn more on the Uber Canberra website, and ensure you have downloaded the app.

Bus services in Canberra

Canberra buses are organised by Transport Canberra. Route and timetable information can be accessed on their website.

No cash is accepted on the buses. You will need to purchase a MyWay card or a pre-paid ticket (available only at major bus stations) before hopping on the bus. Single pre-paid tickets are more expensive than the same trip will cost with MyWay, but the cost of an Daily ticket is the same as the weekday cap ($9.60). A pre-paid Adult single costs $5.00. The cost for a single adult ride during peak time with MyWay is $3.22 and off-peak time is $2.55.

Concession and student prices and MyWay cards are also available.

Light rail services in Canberra

Light rails operate between Canberra City and Gungahlin. Route and timetable information can be accessed on the CMET website.

You will need to purchase a MyWay card or a pre-paid ticket at any of the light rail stations before hopping on the light rail. The pricing of light rail services is the same as bus services. A pre-paid Adult single costs $5.00. The cost for a single adult ride during peak time with MyWay is $3.22 and off-peak time is $2.55.

Concession and student prices and MyWay cards are also available.

Scooter services in Canberra

Beam Mobility (purple scooters) and Neuron Mobility (oranger scooters) operate shared e-scooters in Canberra under the shared e-scooter scheme. At any one time, there are up to 1,900 devices in central Canberra and the Belconnen Town Centre as part of the shared e-scooter scheme. To use either service you will need to download their apps.

You can find more information here.

Bike hire in Canberra

Canberra has a large network of shared paths and on-road bike lanes. There are bike paths that lead directly to ANU from north and south of Lake Burley-Griffin. There are a number of bike hire options available, including Cycle Canberra which offers free delivery and pickup to your accommodation or the lake open Monday to Saturday.

Use maps and wayfinding to help you plan your trip.

Parking near venue

There is parking at the ANU campus, although we recommend arriving early so that you have time to find a car park, particularly as there will be graduations during the week of SST so campus will be busy. For more information about parking and a map of the campus, click here.