Blue Mountains Public Transport Guide: Getting Around by Train and Bus

If you’re visiting or living in Australia, one thing is clear: cars reign supreme. Getting from A to B is almost always easiest by car, especially in regional areas where public transport is limited. Even in major cities like Sydney, relying solely on trains, buses, or trams can be challenging and time-consuming! But if you’re wondering how to get around the Blue Mountains by public transport, you’ll be pleased to know that it’s surprisingly easy.

With vast landscapes, sprawling cities, and national parks stretching for miles, Australia’s infrastructure is built around driving, making it far less accessible for those without a vehicle (like us!). However, while getting around Australia without a car can be difficult, we found the Blue Mountains surprisingly easy to explore by public transport. In fact, it has been one of the most accessible and hassle-free weekend escapes we’ve experienced.

Public transport options like trains and buses provide direct access to stunning hiking trails and breathtaking lookouts. If you’re looking for an affordable, eco-friendly, and relaxing way to experience the Blue Mountains, public transport is your best bet!

We absolutely loved our time in the Blue Mountains, it was such a refreshing break from Sydney’s fast-paced city life. So, grab your Opal card, pack your hiking gear, and get ready to experience one of Australia’s most beautiful natural landscapes!

PS: If you want a guide to The Top 5 Hikes In The Blue Mountains check this post!

Table of Contents

Why Visit The Blue Mountains?

Before we dive into how to get around the Blue Mountains using public transport, let me first convince you why you should come! So, why the Blue Mountains? Well, the answer is simple—why not! The Blue Mountains are a stunning UNESCO World Heritage site, offering breathtaking views, lush green landscapes, and charming coffee shops. It’s the perfect escape for Sydneysiders looking to get away from the hustle and bustle and immerse themselves in nature. Whether you’re after a relaxed weekend retreat, an escape into nature, or a chance to get active with some hiking, the Blue Mountains are an ideal getaway.

A view of the Three Sisters in The Blue Mountain National Park — It’s hard to make a case not to go with views like these!

The Blue Mountains offer just over 140 kilometers of trails, ranging from leisurely, wheelchair-accessible strolls to more intensive hikes like the Six Foot Track, which can take up to three days to complete! The Blue Mountains truly have something for nearly every type of traveler and is somewhere I’d be keen to revisit in the future too!

How to visit the Blue Mountains without a car?

Now that I’ve piqued your interest, you’re probably wondering how to get to the Blue Mountains. The good news? Getting there and getting there without a car is easier than you might think! Public transport is not only convenient but also an affordable way to explore this stunning region!

If you’re planning a trip from Sydney to the Blue Mountains, your easiest option is to hop on a train. Most people catch the train from Central Station, Redfern, or Parramatta, all of which are well-connected to the Blue Mountains Line.

Train Frequency: Trains depart approximately every hour throughout the day, starting from around 5:30 AM and running until about 9:00 PM.
Journey Duration: The trip to popular destinations like Katoomba, Leura, or Blackheath takes around 2 to 2.5 hours depending on your stop. My suggestion would be to head to Katoomba, its the hub of the local area!

Once you’re on the train, it’s a simple ride into the Blue Mountains. If you’ve got an Opal card or a bank card, you’re set. The cost for a one-way ticket is around $6.80 during off-peak times and $8.80 during peak hours.

The best part? If you’ve used your Opal card enough throughout the week and hit the $50 weekly cap, you won’t pay for any more journeys for the rest of the week—this includes travel within the Blue Mountains too!

However, be warned—trains in Australia are famously slow. So, while the journey towards the end offers some beautiful, scenic views, for most of the ride, it can feel like you’re moving at a snail’s pace. Definitely bring a book to pass the time!

Getting Around by Train

Trains connect key towns across the Blue Mountains, making hopping between Katoomba, Leura, Blackheath, and Mount Victoria easy. Trains are ideal for those looking to explore the local towns and run roughly every 1 to 2 hours.

Accessible Hikes From Train Stations

While many hikes require a bus ride from the train station, there are still a few that can be accessed directly from the train:

Grand Canyon Walk (Blackheath Station) – A well-known circuit that passes through rainforest and sandstone cliffs (Difficulty: moderate, estimated time: 3-4 hours).
Wentworth Falls Track (Wentworth Falls Station) – One of the most popular walks in the Blue Mountains, leading to incredible waterfalls and valley views. There are different track options, from short lookouts to longer, more challenging routes (Difficulty: easy to moderate, estimated time: 1 hour depending on the route).
Giant Stairway & Federal Pass (Katoomba Station) – A steep but rewarding descent into the Jamison Valley, with incredible up-close views of the Three Sisters (Difficulty: challenging, estimated time: 6 hours).
Mount Victoria Tracks (Mount Victoria Station) – A quieter option with a mix of trails leading to epic lookouts and dramatic rock formations—perfect if you want to escape the crowds! (Difficulty: easy to moderate, estimated Time: 1-2 hours).

Views from one of the many lookout points in the Blue Mountains

Check out the official NSW National Parks website for more detailed information on hiking trails

While trains provide access to several key towns and some hiking areas, buses generally offer a more direct way to reach trailheads. If you’re looking for convenience and minimal extra walking, taking a bus is often the best option.

Getting Around by Bus

Buses in the Blue Mountains are a slightly more convenient way to reach hiking trails compared to trains. While trains drop you in town, leaving you with extra walking to reach the trailhead, buses take you directly to popular spots like Echo Point and Wentworth Falls. If you want to save time and energy, buses are often the easiest way to start your hike.

Public Buses

Public buses in the Blue Mountains are the cheapest and easiest way to reach the trails. They’re part of the regular transport network, so you can pay with an Opal card. Routes like 686 (Katoomba to Echo Point) and 685 (Katoomba to Wentworth Falls) take you straight to key trailheads. Fares range from $3 to $5 one way. While you’ll need to follow timetables, they’re great for visiting a few spots. Overall, buses are a simple, budget-friendly way to access popular hikes.

Walks Accessible by Public Buses

Here are some fantastic walks that you can access via the local buses:

Three Sisters Walk (Route 686 – Katoomba to Echo Point) A super short and easy walk that gives you the classic Blue Mountains view of the Three Sisters. It’s definitely worth it, but be warned—it is very touristy and fills up quickly! (Difficulty: easy, estimated time: 30 minutes to 1 hour)
Giant Stairway & Federal Pass (Route 686 – Echo Point) A 900-step descent that takes you deep into the valley. It’s tough on the way down, but definitely worth it as very few people take this route! (Difficulty: challenging, estimated time: 2-3 hours).
Leura Cascades & Fern Bower Circuit (Route 686 or 695 – Leura Cascades stop) One of the prettiest spots in the Blue Mountains. A peaceful walk through waterfalls and ferns (Difficulty: easy to moderate, estimated time: 3 hours).
Prince Henry Cliff Walk (Route 686 – Echo Point or Leura Cascades) A solid choice if you want epic valley views without doing anything too extreme. This trail connects a bunch of the best lookouts in the area (Difficulty: moderate, estimated time: 3-4 hours).
Wentworth Falls Track (Route 685 – Wentworth Falls Picnic Area) One of the most famous waterfalls in the area. The views are unreal, and you can choose how far you want to hike (Difficulty: easy to moderate, estimated time: 1 hour depending on the route).
Charles Darwin Walk (Route 685 – Wentworth Falls station, then a short walk) A mellow riverside trail that leads to Wentworth Falls. Great if you’re after something easy but scenic (Difficulty: easy, estimated Time: 1 hour).
Govetts Leap Lookout & Cliff Top Walk (Route 698 – Blackheath to Govetts Leap) A breathtaking lookout with sheer cliffs and panoramic valley views. Perfect for sunrise or sunset if you want that dramatic Blue Mountains scenery (Difficulty: moderate, estimated time: 2-3 hours).
Grand Canyon Walk (Route 698 – Blackheath to Evans Lookout) Easily one of the best hikes in the area. You go through rainforests, canyons, and waterfalls! (Difficulty: moderate to challenging, estimated time: 3-4 hours).

Hop on and off Busses

The Blue Mountains Explorer Bus allows you to visit popular spots in one day without worrying about timetables. You can hop off at 37 locations, including Scenic World and Leura Cascades, and jump back on whenever you’re ready. However, it’s much more expensive than regular public buses. A single-day pass costs around $50 per adult, while a regular public bus ticket is usually only $3 to $5 for a one-way trip. Honestly, it’s probably not worth the extra cost!

Final Thoughts

Exploring the Blue Mountains by public transport is not only possible—it’s surprisingly easy! While it does require a bit of extra planning, the benefits far outweigh the effort. Without the need to worry about parking, fuel costs, or navigating unfamiliar roads, you can simply enjoy the scenic train ride, hop on a bus, and immerse yourself in nature, stress-free.