Perth International Airport (PER) is the largest airport in Western Australia and the fourth busiest airport in Australia overall. The airport is situated around 17km from the city centre and, with a few ways to transfer to the CBD from Perth airport, you’ll need to decide on whether you want to spend a little more to get there quickly.
I arrived at T3 International at Perth aboard the Qantas QF10 flight from London to Perth direct. To be honest, I wanted to get to my hotel asap, but not pay a premium for a taxi.
In this article, I’ll share the main ground transportation options, each with its own pros and cons.
CBD = Central Business District, a term used in many locations instead of “city centre”.
Train from Perth Airport to the City/CBD
By far the easiest way to get from Perth Airport to the city is the Airport Line train. The service runs from Airport Central Station, located just outside Terminals 1 and 2. The journey is 18 minutes to Perth Station right in the centre of the city.
One-way fare from Perth Airport to CBD via train is around $5 AUD (kids 4 or under, free).
Expect trains around every 15 minutes at peak times, up to 30 minutes at quieter times. The service operates from 6am to 12 midnight.
No Train at T3/T4
Many international flights arrive/depart from T3, like my QF10 from London.
Workaround
Terminals 3 and 4 are not (yet) connected to Perth’s Airport Line, so do this:
- Take Transperth Bus 292 outside T4 to Redcliffe Train Station
- Transfer at Redcliffe to the Airport Line
Hotel shortcut: the train arrives at Perth Station, with great hotel options a short walk from the platform. The Alex Hotel is literally next door (4*, chic), or go for 5* glam at the Westin, a short stroll.
Taxi or Rideshare from Perth Airport to the City
A rideshare (Uber, Ola, DiDi) or taxi is the quickest and most direct route to most destinations in the city.
My Recommendation for International Arrivals: I arrived at T3 International and wanted to get to my hotel without doing the transfer from T3 to the train station with luggage. I chose an Uber instead of a taxi and reckon I saved about $10 AUD.
There’s specific rideshare pick-up points right outside T1 and T2, while T3 & T4 shares a pick-up bay. All the pick-up zones are clearly marked.
Rideshare vs Taxi
The rideshare services are Uber, Ola and DiDi. Here’s what you need to know:
- Rideshare: Look for the rideshare pick-up points (clearly marked) right outside the terminal. The fare averages around AUD 30-40 for the same journey depending on traffic. Remember to book your ride through the app ONLY once you have collected your luggage. I found pick-up extremely easy (even with long haul flight brain).
One-way fare from Perth Airport to CBD via rideshare is $30-40 AUD.
- Taxi: Taxi ranks are conveniently located outside all terminals. The journey to downtown Perth typically takes around 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic, and costs approximately AUD 40-50. Taxis accept both cash and card payments.
One-way fare from Perth Airport to CBD via taxi is $40-50 AUD.
Bus from Perth Airport to the City
If you don’t fancy the train, or the stops don’t work for your end destination, there’s always the Transperth Bus service.
Transperth Bus
- Transperth Bus 380: runs from Terminals 1 and 2 to Elizabeth Quay bus station. Runs 7 days a week, roughly every 30 minutes at peak times. It takes around 45 minutes depending on traffic.
- Transperth Bus 40: runs from Terminals 3 and 4 into the city.
- Transperth Bus 37: departs from T1/2 (Airport Central Station) to Oats Street Station - you can transfer there to take a train into the city centre.
- Transperth Bus 292: see the train section, use 292 to get to Redcliffe Station if you land at T3/T4 and want to transfer to the Airport Line train.
Fares
One-way fare from Perth Airport to CBD via bus is around $5 AUD.
Buy your ticket directly for the bus driver, or you can use a SmartRider card (which gives a 10% discount on fares). Kids 4 or under travel for free and concessions are available for seniors and students.
Airport Shuttle Service from Perth Airport to the City
If you’ve been reading Planet Patrick for a while, you’ll know that I’ve fallen out of love with shuttle services! Often they cost just a little less than an Uber, or public transport is just as easy to use.
Some solo travellers like me still use them, but for Perth, I’m not going to recommend one, simply because the ‘main one’ had two different prices for the same route on its website ($24 or $35 one way from Perth Airport to CBD) and the site looks shonky. Take an Uber or public transport.
One-way fare from Perth Airport to CBD via shuttle is $24-35 AUD. Don’t do it.
Car Rentals
If you prefer the flexibility of driving yourself, all the major rental car companies operate at Perth International. Check on parking fees at your accommodation in Perth, and book in advance - I compare prices using DiscoverCars.
- Rates vary, but expect to pay around AUD 60-100 per day for a standard vehicle.
Conclusion
The Airport Line train is by far the easiest and cheapest way for most people to get from Perth Airport to the City. However, if you have a group or you’re arriving at T3 International and don’t want the hassle of a transfer, you have options to take the bus, a rideshare or a taxi.
Perth Airport really has every kind of ground transportation. It’s one of my favourite cities in Australia, so I hope you have a brilliant time!
Top Tip: if you’re heading on an international route from Perth with Qantas or oneworld, and you have a premium ticket or oneworld status, you should read this article about Qantas long-haul lounges - the Perth one is a peach!
Need a hotel at Perth Airport? Compare these options.