Sydney, Australia → Perth, Australia · ✈ 4h 37min · 🚗 53h 29min
1,777 nautical miles · Time difference: -2h behind · Direction: west
The distance from Sydney to Perth is 3,291 km (2,045 miles). The fastest way to travel is by flight. A direct flight takes approximately 4h 37min.
The straight-line distance from Sydney, Australia to Perth, Australia is approximately 3,291 kilometers (2,045 miles or 1,777 nautical miles). This measurement uses the Haversine formula, computing the great-circle distance — the shortest path between two points on Earth's surface.
Perth is located west of Sydney. Sydney is in Oceania, in the New South Wales region of Australia, while Perth is in Oceania, in Western Australia, Australia. Both cities are in Oceania.
| Mode | Distance | Est. Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Flight | 3,291 km | ~4h 37min | Best option for speed |
| 🚗 Drive | ~4,278 km | ~53h 29min | Long journey, consider stops |
Our recommendation: flight is typically the best way to travel from Sydney to Perth. For 3,291 km, flying saves significant time and is usually the most practical choice.
Based on an estimated road distance of 4,278 km, fuel costs for driving from Sydney to Perth are approximately $342–$642 USD (at $0.08–$0.15 per km, depending on vehicle efficiency and local fuel prices). Additional costs may include tolls, parking, and accommodation for longer trips.
Sydney sits at 33.8688°S, 151.2093°E, while Perth is located at 31.9505°S, 115.8605°E. The initial compass bearing from Sydney to Perth is 264° (W), so a great-circle flight path leaves Sydney heading roughly W. Because the Earth is curved, the actual heading shifts gradually along the route — pilots and navigation systems update it continuously instead of holding a single fixed compass bearing.
The latitude difference is 1.92° and the longitude difference is 35.35°. Each degree of latitude represents about 111 km, which is one reason cross-latitude routes feel longer even when the map looks similar to east–west journeys.
The geographic midpoint between Sydney and Perth is approximately 34.1853°S, 133.3371°E. This is the great-circle halfway position — the spot where you would be exactly 1,646 km from each city. On long-haul flights this point usually falls over open ocean or remote terrain, which is why in-flight maps often look "empty" mid-route.
Perth is roughly 2 hours behind Sydney. When it is 09:00 in Sydney, it is approximately 07:00 in Perth. A 2-hour shift is small enough that most travelers adjust within a day. Daylight saving time can shift the offset by an hour during certain months, so confirm the exact difference for your specific travel dates.
Sydney is a major city in Australia with a population of approximately 5,312,163. Located in the New South Wales region, it is an important hub in Oceania. As one of the largest cities in Australia, Sydney is a major international gateway with extensive air connections and multiple airports.
→ See all distances from Sydney
Perth is a notable city in Australia with a population of approximately 2,085,973. Situated in the Western Australia region, it serves as a key destination in Oceania. Perth offers solid transport connections and a variety of arrival options as a major city in Australia.
→ See all distances from Perth
3,291 km is a long-distance route that typically requires air travel. This is comparable to spanning a large continent. For context, London to Dubai is about 5,500 km.
The 3,291 km between Sydney and Perth means a beam of light could travel this distance in approximately 11.0 milliseconds — but a flight still takes 4h 37min.
Despite both being in Australia, Sydney and Perth are 3,291 km apart — a reminder of how vast the country is. Flying is the only practical option, and the journey likely involves crossing multiple climate zones and time zones.
See how the Sydney to Perth distance compares to similar routes:
The straight-line distance from Sydney to Perth is approximately 3,291 kilometers (2,045 miles, 1,777 nautical miles).
A direct flight takes approximately 4h 37min, based on 800 km/h cruising speed plus 30 minutes for takeoff and landing.
Estimated driving time is approximately 53h 29min, based on 80 km/h average speed and roads being ~30% longer than straight-line distance.
Perth is approximately -2h behind compared to Sydney.
The estimated road distance is approximately 4,278 km, which is about 30% longer than the 3,291 km straight-line distance.
📍 Data: Coordinates from OpenStreetMap contributors. Distances calculated using the Haversine formula. Travel times are estimates only. Last verified: April 21, 2026.