Wondering how to get to the Blue Mountains from Sydney? Here is your ultimate guide to planning a trip to the beautiful Blue Mountains!

The Blue Mountains are my absolute favorite day trip from Sydney. I’ve lived in Sydney for over 3 years now and visited this gorgeous national park countless times.

Every time I visit, I am amazed at how pristine and untouched the wilderness is out here. Certain areas like Katoomba and the Three Sisters are touristy, but one small walk away and you’re looking out over a massive valley with no one else around.

It’s seriously so pure and beautiful out in the Blue Mountains National Park.

Many people often wonder how to get to the Blue Mountains from Sydney. Having visited many times myself, I’m going to provide a simple and straightforward explanation.

Find some of my favorite non touristy things to do in Sydney for more ideas!

Where are the Blue Mountains?

The Blue Mountains National Park is located just west of Sydney in New South Wales, Australia. It’s very easy to get to this lush area of natural beauty from the city.

You can also easily access the Blue Mountains from other hotspots in NSW, such as Wollongong or Newcastle.

I’ll list the different ways to get to the Blue Mountains from the Sydney CBD, including car, train, and guided tour. Those are the easiest and most popular ways to make the journey.

How to get to the Blue Mountains from Sydney

You can either drive, take the train, or book a tour to reach the Blue Mountains from Sydney CBD. All are great options, and however you choose to visit, the Blue Mountains are definitely worth a visit.

Here is a quick summary of the different methods of transport to the Blue Mountains National Park.

Driving to the Blue Mountains

Driving is the best way to explore the Blue Mountains. You can just hop in your car and drive straight there without having to wait for anyone else. If you don’t have your own car you can rent one anywhere in Sydney.

I think it’s worth renting a car for the day if you want a flexible and independent adventure in the mountains!

The drive from Sydney to the Blue Mountains is super straightforward. The first part of the drive through the city will depend on where you actually are in Sydney.

Whether you’re coming from the north, south, or central Sydney, you can just put Blue Mountains National Park into a GPS and it will take you straight there. There is plenty of phone service in the mountains, and NSW National Parks website has lots of good resources for planning the trip.

You’ll just take the M4 Great Western Highway out of the city, heading west through Penrith and into the mountains. There are tolls on this road, so make sure you have a toll pass or account. If you don’t have one, the registered owner of the vehicle will be sent a notice for the toll you have to pay.

Plan your visit to the Blue Mountains with my list of the 42 best things to do!

How long is the Blue Mountains drive?

The drive into the Blue Mountains from Sydney is anywhere from 1-2 hours. It just depends on where in Sydney your journey begins, and where in the mountains you plan to stop.

For example, the journey to the Blue Mountains will be longer if you’re departing from Manly or Cronulla in eastern Sydney as opposed to departing from western Sydney.

The Great Western Highway takes you on a central route right through the mountains. This road travels through all the main towns in the Blue Mountains, including Leura, Wentworth Falls, Katoomba, and Blackheath.

So the further into the mountains you go, the longer the drive will take. Most people choose to visit Katoomba, the main tourist town in the Blue Mountains. From the Sydney CBD to Katoomba, it’s about 1.5 hours.

Getting around in the Blue Mountains National Park

Once you arrive in the Blue Mountains, having your own car gives you more flexibility for exploring. The roads in the national park are all in pretty good condition.

You can drive to all the best hiking trails, lookouts, and waterfalls with no issue. Some roads are narrow and winding, particularly the road down into Megalong Valley.

But you don’t need a 4WD for driving in the Blue Mountains, and it’s relatively easy to get around as there are lots of signs posted everywhere.

You can also go on camping adventures if you drive yourself, which is always epic!

How to get to the Blue Mountains from Sydney without a car

If you want to get to the Blue Mountains from Sydney without a car, you can either take the train or book a tour.

The train is a cheaper option, but it takes longer to get out there. A guided tour is a pricier option, but you have the added bonus of a local guide. With a tour, you also don’t have to plan your own itinerary and you can just relax and have fun. Tours are also great for solo travellers to meet people!

But if you prefer planning your own itinerary, you can easily take the train.

Read next: How to spend a weekend in Blackheath, Blue Mountains

How to get to the Blue Mountains by train

From Central Station in the Sydney CBD, catch the Blue Mountains Train Line heading west. This will take you directly to the heart of the Blue Mountains!

Check out this map of the Sydney CBD Train Network if you’re unsure of how to get to Central Station. From there, trains to the Blue Mountains depart regularly throughout the day.

This map shows the whole Sydney area train network so you can see the Blue Mountains Line that takes you out to the national park.

Sydney’s trains are excellent. They are efficient and comfortable, and you can get out to the Blue Mountains in about 2 hours. This is a slower option than driving or taking a tour because you have to make lots of stops.

But it’s also a hassle-free way to get to the Blue Mountains from Sydney because you don’t have to worry about directions. Just listen to music or read a book and before you know it you’ll be in the mountains!

Just make sure you get an Opal Card so you can tap on and off for your journey, or you can buy a single trip ticket.

Getting around in the Blue Mountains National Park without a car

To get around the Blue Mountains without a car, you can walk or take public transport or taxis between destinations.

Walking requires a bit more effort, but it is possible to explore the Blue Mountains on foot once you arrive by train. You will be limited to destinations closer to the town centers, but you can still see some amazing stuff without getting public transport or a taxi.

For example, from Katoomba Station it’s a 30 minute walk to the Three Sisters Lookout and the Prince Henry Cliff Walk.

From Lawson Station, you can walk to the South Lawson Waterfall Circuit in just 15 minutes. And from Leura Station you can walk to the Leura Cascades in about 15 minutes as well.

Otherwise you can take taxis or public buses around the area. Another great option is the Hop On Hop Off Bus where you pay for the whole day and you can just get on and off the bus whenever you want.

Tours to the Blue Mountains from Sydney

The third best way to get to the Blue Mountains from Sydney is with a guided tour.

I have mixed feelings about guided tours. I usually prefer the affordability and freedom of exploring on your own. But sometimes having all transport and activities included, plus the knowledge and insights of a local guide can be super handy.

Especially if you’re traveling alone, a tour is probably cheaper than renting a car and paying for gas all by yourself. Tours are also great for meeting other travelers and learning about the local history and landscape from your guide.

Lastly, tours are great if you’re not a huge fan of planning and preparation. You can just get picked up at your accommodation and have a great day while someone else takes care of all the logistics.

Most day tours to the Blue Mountains from Sydney include the Three Sisters, Scenic World, and other fun activities like bushwalks, waterfall visits, wildlife park visits, and a river cruise.

Here are some top-rated day tours to the Blue Mountains from Sydney:

• All-inclusive Blue Mountains small group tour – $275 AUD
• Full day trip without lunch – $190 AUD
• Full day nature and wildlife tour – $160 AUD
• Blue Mountains afternoon and sunset tour – $165 AUD
• Small group tour with Wentworth Falls – $265 AUD
• Glow worms adventure night tour – $175 AUD
• Abseiling or canyoning experience – $150 AUD

Where to go in the Blue Mountains

Now that you know how to get to the Blue Mountains from Sydney, you may be wondering what to actually do in the Blue Mountains! This is the tricky part because there is SO MUCH to do!

My Blue Mountains bucket list keeps growing and I’ve probably been there 10 times.

To summarize the best things to do in the Blue Mountains and help you plan your trip, here are my favorite towns to visit in the national park. Each town has its own attractions like waterfalls, hikes, lookouts, and adorable town centers.

There are lots of destinations in the Blue Mountains, but these are the ones I’ve been to and really enjoyed. You can visit multiple areas in one day as well, for example Leura and Katoomba are right next to each other.

I’ll list these beautiful Blue Mountains towns in order from east to west. So as you’re driving along the Great Western Highway from Sydney, this is the order that you’ll pass all the towns.

Plan to explore more of New South Wales? Check out my NSW South Coast Road Trip Guide!

Lawson

• Distance from Sydney CBD: 1 hour and 10 minutes
• Highlights: Black Cockatoo Bakery, South Lawson Waterfall Circuit

Lawson is a really small and quiet town in the Blue Mountains. But it’s home to two of my favorite Blue Mountains attractions!

The first is the Black Cockatoo Bakery. It’s located right in the tiny town center of Lawson, and it has the most delicious croissants ever. Try to get here early before all the treats are sold out.

Lawson is also where you’ll find the South Lawson Waterfall Circuit. This leisurely and beautiful walk is the perfect activity for a rainy day in the Blue Mountains! You can also find glow worms at Cataract Falls after dark.

Wentworth Falls

• Distance from Sydney CBD: 1 hour and 20 minutes
• Highlights: Wentworth Falls, Empress Falls, Lincoln’s Rock

Wentworth Falls is another small town that is the perfect starting point for exploring waterfalls!

Both Wentworth Falls and Empress Falls are stunning cascades in the Blue Mountains that are accessible via challenging but rewarding hikes through the forest. Empress Falls is a popular spot for abseiling and canyoning.

Leura

• Distance from Sydney CBD: 1 hour and 25 minutes
• Highlights: Sublime Point Lookout, Leura Cascades and Leura Falls

Leura is a charming small mountain town that is conveniently located near lots of walks and lookouts. Sublime Point Lookout is one of my favorite viewpoints in the Blue Mountains!

Also, Leura Cascades is a lovely walk through the forest that is suitable for all ages. Leura Falls offers a more challenging walk that even leads to a secret, unmarked infinity pool overlooking the valleys of the Blue Mountains.

Read next: 23 amazing waterfalls near Sydney

Katoomba

• Distance from Sydney CBD: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Highlights: Huge variety of eateries, Three Sisters, Echo Point, Scenic World, Katoomba Falls

Katoomba is the main tourist town in the Blue Mountains. It’s the biggest area with the most restaurants, cafes, shops, hostels, hotels, and amenities.

Most people heading to the Blue Mountains from Sydney will visit Katoomba. From here you can see the famous Three Sisters Lookout as well as Scenic World and all its attractions. The scenic cableway at Scenic World is a great, accessible options for those who can’t or don’t want to hike.

From Katoomba you can also embark on some epic hikes, such as the steep trek down to the base of Katoomba Falls. You can also reach the Prince Henry Cliff Walk from here, an epic trail that passes lots of the best sights and lookouts in the Blue Mountains.

Blackheath

• Distance from Sydney CBD: 1 hour and 40 minutes
• Highlights: Govett’s Leap, Pulpit Rock, Perry’s Lookdown, Hanging Rock

Blackheath is my favorite town to visit in the Blue Mountains from Sydney! It’s just enough past Katoomba that all the touristy energy falls away and it’s a very peaceful town surrounded by incredible hikes and lookouts.

Govett’s Leap Lookout offers stunning views, as does Mount Blackheath Lookout and Evans Lookout. There are some amazing and remote campgrounds out here, such as Acacia Flats (only accessible via the Perry’s Lookdown hike) or Blackheath Glen Reserve (drive-in).

Blackheath is also home to three of my favorite hikes, the Govett’s Leap to Pulpit Rock hike, the Grand Canyon hike, and the Hanging Rock hike.

Read next: 10 amazing day hikes in the Blue Mountains

Megalong Valley

• Distance from Sydney CBD: 1 hour and 55 minutes
• Highlights: Megalong Valley Tea Rooms, Wineries and vineyards

Megalong Valley offers a different perspective of the Blue Mountains. From Blackheath, you turn southwest and head down from the high elevations of the mountain towns. Drive along a narrow, winding, and scenic road as you travel downwards into the Megalong Valley.

Down here you can lovely views of the mountains up above you. The lower elevations mean there are lots of farms and vineyards as well. Here you can indulge in the delicious food and wine at one of the local wineries such as Dryridge Estate or Megalong Creek Estate.

I also love the charming ambiance of the Megalong Valley Tea Rooms.

Hopefully now you know how to get to the Blue Mountains from Sydney!

I also hope I’ve given you some inspiration for what to do during your visit to the Blue Mountains.

I’ve only scratched the surface of the best things to do here, but the destinations and activities I mentioned are a great introduction to this stunning region of NSW.

Read more about Sydney and the surrounding areas:

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