Getting to the Blue Mountains

By car

There are two ways to drive from Sydney to the Blue Mountains. The most popular route takes the M4 west from the city and begins climbing into the mountains past Penrith. You’ll pass through the villages of Glenbrook, Blaxland, Springwood, Faulconbridge, Wentworth Falls and Leura before reaching Katoomba. This whole journey takes around 90 minutes.

From Katoomba, you can continue west through Blackheath, Mount Victoria and Hartley to reach Lithgow. This trip takes around 40 minutes. You can also follow this road and turn off to Oberon and Jenolan Caves, which are around one hour and 15 minutes past Katoomba.

Wolgan Valley, Blue Mountains

Alternatively, take the Bells Line of Road through Richmond and Kurrajong. This winding, scenic route passes Bilpin (famous for its apples and cider) and the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mount Tomah before reaching Lithgow. The journey takes around two hours and 10 minutes.

For a great road trip, the Greater Blue Mountains Drive is hard to beat – a series of linked drives connecting the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area to surrounding regions. The drive takes in everything from natural wonders to wineries and country markets.

Bells Line of Road near Mount Tomah, Blue Mountains

By train

It’s easy to get to the Blue Mountains by public transport. Trains on the Blue Mountains Line depart regularly from Central Station, Strathfield, Parramatta, Blacktown, Penrith and Emu Plains. There are stations at most villages in the mountains and all the way to Lithgow. The trip from Sydney to Katoomba takes just over two hours. You’ll need an Opal card or a contactless credit or debit card to travel on Blue Mountains services.

Katoomba Railway Station, Katoomba

Getting around

From Katoomba, there are public buses to popular sites like Echo Point and the Three Sisters, Scenic World, Everglades House, and the start of many popular walking tracks. Or grab a full day ticket for the Blue Mountains Explorer Bus, a hop on hop off service that loops around Katoomba and Leura, and to scenic spots at Gordon Falls, Narrow Neck, Cahill’s Lookout and more. The bus runs every hour between 9am and 5pm every day of the week.

If you’d prefer to explore under your own steam, you can hire a bike or e-bike from Blue Mountains Biking Adventures or the Blue Mountains Adventure Company. Cycle between villages, follow mountain bike trails or explore the national park.