How to Travel to Blue Mountains from Sydney by Train – The Cheapest and Easiest Way

Hey folks! Yesterday, after I finished my skydiving adventure, I treated myself to a huge bowl of pho in the Vietnamese neighborhood of Bankstown (I’ll save that story for another post!). Today, I spent my day exploring the famous Blue Mountains—also known as the Three Sisters Mountain. Before going, a lot of people warned me that it was tricky to get there and that booking a tour would be easier. But after doing some research, I found that traveling to the Blue Mountains by train is actually the cheapest and most convenient way to go!

How Far Are the Blue Mountains from Sydney?

The reason why people say it’s difficult to get to the Blue Mountains is because of the distance. From Central Station in Sydney CBD to Katoomba (the main stop for the Three Sisters), it’s about 75 miles (120 km). Google Maps might show you “Blue Mountains National Park” as the destination, but don’t get confused—you don’t have to go deep into the park. Just head to Katoomba Station, which is the main access point to the Three Sisters and other attractions.

Whether you drive, take a tour bus, or go by train, the travel time is around 2 hours. The train option is by far the most affordable and hassle-free—no traffic, no delays (as long as you’re on time for the train!), and super comfortable.

Opening Hours for Blue Mountains Attractions

Scenic World—the main tourist hub at Blue Mountains—is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Since the train ride takes about 2 hours, I recommend catching a train from Central Station between 7:00 AM and 7:30 AM to enjoy a full day there.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I use the TripViewLite app to check Sydney’s public transport schedules. Trains to Katoomba run every 30 minutes, so if you miss one, you might have to wait a while.

Recommended Departure Times:

6:53 AM – Arrives Katoomba ~8:51 AM
7:23 AM – Arrives Katoomba ~9:22 AM
8:18 AM – Arrives Katoomba ~10:15 AM

How to Get to Blue Mountains by Train

This is honestly the most affordable and convenient way to go. Your destination is Scenic World (Violet Street & Cliff Drive, Katoomba NSW 2780)—this is where you’ll redeem your entry ticket and begin your journey through the Blue Mountains.

To plan your trip and check the fare in advance, use the Transport NSW website or app. Enter your starting point as “Central Station” and destination as “Scenic World, Katoomba.” It will show you all route options and costs.

Based on my search, the total journey time was around 2 hours 20 minutes and the cost using an Opal card was only 8.89 AUD (≈ $5.80 USD).

Steps:

Take the train from Central Station to Katoomba Station.
After exiting Katoomba Station, walk toward the roundabout and catch Bus 686, which goes directly to Scenic World.

Bus 686 runs every 20–30 minutes, so you won’t have to wait too long.

Should You Join a Tour or Book a Combo Ticket?

In my opinion, you don’t need to book a tour or a combo ticket that includes transport. It’s really not that difficult to get there on your own. If I hadn’t done the research myself, I might have wasted quite a bit of money on overpriced transfers.

Transportation in Australia is generally expensive, and traffic can be unpredictable due to frequent roadworks or upgrades. By going by train, you avoid traffic jams and get to relax for two full hours. You can nap, listen to music, or just enjoy the views outside. Trains in Sydney are comfortable, clean, and punctual—absolutely recommended.

What About Tickets for Scenic World?

I’ll cover ticket options in detail in the next post. But here’s a quick note: you can visit the Three Sisters for free, but if you want to explore the full Scenic World experience—including cableways, the world’s steepest railway, and scenic walkways—you’ll need a ticket.

It’s best to buy your ticket online to save money. Just show your voucher at the entrance and you’ll get access to unlimited rides for the day across Scenic World’s attractions.

Click here to book your ticket online in advance for a discounted rate.

Final Thoughts

That’s all for now! I’ll share a more detailed post soon about my experience exploring the Blue Mountains and the iconic Three Sisters rock formation. If you’re planning a day trip from Sydney, this train journey is the perfect way to do it—affordable, easy, and scenic. See you in the next post!