How do you get to Perth?
Getting There8.7/10Easier to reach than about 85% of cities
- Main airport
- Perth Airport (PER)
Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: perthairport.com.au, flightcentre.com.au
Good to know
Good to Know
- Perth Airport is highly accessible with multiple ground transport options; the train from T1/T2 is the cheapest and most frequent option to the city
- SmartRider card is essential for all Transperth services (trains, buses, ferries) and can be purchased at the airport
- Free CAT buses operate in the city centre (no SmartRider required); a free transit zone exists for train travel between City West, Elizabeth Quay, and Claisebrook stations
- International arrivals at T1 can connect to Qantas flights at T3/T4 only by completing Australian immigration and customs (no airside transfer available)
- Day trips require a car for most destinations beyond Fremantle and Swan Valley; public transport is limited outside the Perth metro area
- Rottnest Island ferries operate from multiple locations; book ahead during peak seasons
- Perth's isolation (nearest city Adelaide is 2,104 km away) makes it an excellent hub for exploring Western Australia's regional attractions
- Many day-trip destinations are genuinely several hours away; Wave Rock and Busselton are typically full-day or overnight trips despite their appeal as 'day trips'
Airport
- Name
- Perth Airport (PER)
- Location
- East of city centre
- Key International Routes
- Direct flights to London via Qantas; connections via Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore; services from Asian destinations
- Description
- Fourth busiest airport in Australia, serving international and domestic flights
Terminals
Terminal 1 (T1)
- Flights
- International flights (except Qantas), Virgin Australia domestic and regional
Terminal 2 (T2)
- Flights
- Alliance Airlines, Regional Express Airlines, Tigerair Australia
Terminal 3 (T3)
- Flights
- Qantas international and domestic
Terminal 4 (T4)
- Flights
- Additional Qantas operations
Day Trip Destinations
Rottnest Island
- Access
- Ferry from Barrack Street Jetty or other locations
- Distance
- 22 miles (35 km)
- Highlights
- Quokkas, beaches, snorkeling, cycling
- Travel Time
- 90 minutes by ferry
Fremantle
- Access
- Train (Fremantle Line) or car
- Distance
- 30 minutes by car or train
- Highlights
- Waterfront, historic port, restaurants, arts and culture
Swan Valley
- Access
- Car or tour
- Distance
- 25 minutes drive northeast
- Highlights
- Wineries, breweries, local produce, scenic river views
The Pinnacles
- Access
- Car or guided tour
- Distance
- 250 km (155 miles) north
- Highlights
- Limestone formations in Nambung National Park, lunar-like desert landscape
- Travel Time
- 2.5-3 hours
Busselton Jetty
- Access
- Car or tour
- Distance
- 200+ km (138 miles) south
- Highlights
- World's longest wooden pier, underwater observatory, beaches, gateway to Margaret River
- Travel Time
- 2.5+ hours
Wave Rock
- Access
- Car or guided tour; typically a longer day trip
- Distance
- 350 km (220 miles) east
- Highlights
- Iconic wave-shaped granite formation
- Travel Time
- 4 hours
Yanchep National Park
- Access
- Car
- Distance
- 32 miles (40 km) north
- Highlights
- Crystal Cave with stalactites and stalagmites, wildlife, Noongar cultural significance
- Travel Time
- 40 minutes
Caversham Wildlife Park
- Access
- Car
- Distance
- 14 miles (25 km)
- Highlights
- Interactive wildlife encounters with kangaroos, koalas, wombats
- Travel Time
- 25 minutes
Penguin Island
- Access
- Car to Rockingham, then ferry
- Distance
- Less than 1 hour south to Rockingham
- Highlights
- Little Penguins, marine wildlife, snorkeling
- Travel Time
- 5 minutes by ferry from Rockingham
Kings Park
- Access
- Walk, train, or short bus ride
- Distance
- 1.5 km from CBD
- Highlights
- Botanic gardens, Lotterywest Federation Walkway, free entry
Ground Transport From Airport
Airport Line from Airport Central Station to city centre
- Cost
- A$5.00
- Option
- Train (T1/T2 terminals only)
- Frequency
- Every 12-15 minutes
- Travel Time
- 20 minutes
Standard Transperth bus service to city centre
- Cost
- A$4.70
- Option
- Public Bus (all terminals)
- Travel Time
- 40 minutes
Variable; private transfers from $69 AUD
- Detail
- Taxi ranks at all terminals; Uber and DiDi available with dedicated pick-up zones
- Option
- Taxi/Rideshare (all terminals)
- Travel Time
- 20-30 minutes to city centre
About $16 per person
- Cost
- A$16
- Detail
- Local shuttle services for groups or individuals
- Option
- Shuttle Bus
Free drop-off between terminals
- Detail
- All major companies (AVIS, Budget, Europcar, Hertz) available at T1, T3, T4
- Option
- Car Rental
Between T1/T2 and T3/T4 precincts
- Cost
- A$0.00
- Option
- Terminal Transfer Bus (free)
- Frequency
- Every 20-30 minutes, 24/7
Rail Connections
- System
- Transperth
- Network
- 8 lines serving metropolitan Perth
- Payment
- SmartRider card (reusable, $10 AUD)
- Free Travel Zone
- City centre between City West, Elizabeth Quay, and Claisebrook stations (with SmartRider card)
- Note
- Train services connect to major suburban areas and regional destinations within Western Australia
Lines From City
- Airport Line
- Fremantle Line
- Mandurah Line
- Armadale Line
- Midland Line
- Thornlie–Cockburn Line
- Ellenbrook Line
- Yanchep Line
Ferry Connections
- Route
- Elizabeth Quay to Mends Street (South Perth)
- System
- Transperth
- Payment
- SmartRider card
- Frequency
- Every 15-30 minutes
- Other Ferry Services
- Rottnest Cruises operate ferries from multiple locations (Barrack Street, Fremantle, Hillarys Boat Harbour)
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Perth
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.