Canberra Airport

Overview

Canberra Airport is the main air gateway for Canberra, Australia’s capital, and a practical arrival point for business trips, government visits, and city breaks. Identified by the codes CBR and YSCB, it is classified as a medium airport, giving travellers a balance between useful facilities and a more manageable scale than many larger hubs. Its time zone is Australia/Canberra, which is worth checking when planning arrivals, departures, and onward bookings.

Quick facts

• Official name: Canberra Airport
• Location served: Canberra, Australia
• Airport type: medium airport
• Elevation: 1886 ft (575 m)
• Runways: 12/30 at 5509 ft and 17/35 at 10771 ft
• Surface and lighting: both runways are asphalt and lighted

What this means for travellers

For visitors, the airport’s layout and operating profile usually translate into a simpler experience on the ground, with less time spent navigating than at some much larger airports. The longer 17/35 runway supports a broad range of aircraft movements, while the shorter 12/30 runway adds operational flexibility; both are lighted, which supports flights in low light conditions. Canberra’s elevation of 1886 feet is also a useful detail for aviation-minded travellers, as altitude can influence aircraft performance even when the airport experience itself feels straightforward. Overall, Canberra Airport is best approached as an efficient entry point to the city and surrounding region, with the key advantage being ease of use rather than sheer size.