How to get from Perth Airport to the City

Perth Airport (PER) is the gateway to Western Australia, handling both domestic and international flights into the state’s capital. Located just 17 kilometres from the city centre, you could be soaking up the sun along the Swan River or kicking back in Kings Park in no time.

If you’re venturing west, we’ve rounded up the best ways to travel from Perth Airport to the city centre.

Train from Perth Airport to the City

The fastest and easiest way to travel from Perth Airport to the City is via the Airport Line train. The service runs from Airport Central Station outside T1 and T2. It takes just 18 minutes to reach Perth Station in the heart of the city.

T3 and T4 aren’t directly serviced by the Airport Line train (the plan is to eventually have all the terminals consolidated into the T1/T2 side of the airfield). Instead, if arriving at one of these terminals, you’ll need to make your way to the bus station outside T4. From here, take bus 292 to Redcliffe Train Station – approximately an eight-minute journey – and transfer to the Airport Line.

The train runs between Perth Airport and the CBD from approximately 6 am to 12 am daily. Services operate every 12-15 minutes during peak time and every 30 minutes at night.

The cost of catching a train from Perth Airport to the City is roughly $4-$5 for a one-way adult fare. You can purchase a cash ticket from a machine, or use a SmartRider – Perth’s public transport system card – to save 10%. Concession fares apply for interstate students, seniors and other eligible concession card holders, so you’ll pay even less. And as an added perk, children aged four and younger travel free.

Taxi from Perth Airport to the City

Taxis operate to and from Perth Airport, and you’ll find taxi ranks located outside all the terminals – simply follow the signs. There’s no need to pre-book a taxi as they’re readily available.

The cost of a taxi from Perth Airport to the city starts at around $45. Note that a $4 fee applies to all taxi fares from the airport, which is included in your final total.

The journey from the airport to the city takes approximately 20-25 minutes, depending on your pick up and drop off points.

While not as affordable as some other options, a taxi can be a fuss-free way to travel directly to your accommodation if you’re travelling as a group or have plenty of luggage in tow.

Perth Airport rideshare pickup zone

Uber, DiDi and other rideshares service Perth Airport, with dedicated pickup zones for rideshare passengers. You’ll find a pickup bay outside T1 and another outside T2. A third is easily accessible from T3 and T4. All of the pickup bays are within walking distance of the terminals – simply follow the signs when you arrive.

Note that all rideshare pickups from Perth Airport incur a $4 fee, which is added to the final cost of your journey.

Uber from Perth Airport to the City

The price of an Uber to the City from Perth Airport starts at $32. Your final total can vary depending on traffic, the type of vehicle and your destination in the CBD. The journey is about 20 minutes – roughly the same as the train, but with the convenience of being dropped straight at your door.

By linking your Uber and Qantas Frequent Flyer accounts, you’ll pocket one Qantas Point per $1 spent on eligible Uber rides to and from airports in Australia.

DiDi from Perth Airport to the City

Rideshare service DiDi gives you more options when travelling to the city centre. The cost of a DiDi ride from the airport to Perth CBD starts from roughly $30 and takes around 20 minutes, depending on traffic.

Thanks to the partnership between DiDi and Velocity Frequent Flyer, you can earn Velocity Points on all DiDi rides. The earn rate is one Velocity Point per $1 spent on eligible trips. To earn Velocity Points, simply link your personal Velocity Frequent Flyer account or Virgin Australia Business Flyer account on the DiDi app before you ride.

Want to give your Velocity Points balance a boost? Check out the credit card sign up offer below!

Bus from Perth Airport to the City

While not as convenient or fast as the train, public buses also run between Perth Airport and the city. This can be a great solution if you’re staying near a bus station en route to the City – not so great for a speedy connection to Perth Station. Still, we’ve included the options below.

If arriving at T3 or T4, bus route 940 runs daily from Redcliffe Station to Elizabeth Quay Bus Station in the city.
Redcliffe Station can be accessed via bus 292 outside T3 and T4. Factoring in both buses and transfer time, the entire journey takes close to an hour. But if you’re already at Redcliffe Station, you might as well catch the train in.

If arriving at T1 or T2, bus route 37 runs from Airport Central Station to Oats Street Station, where you’ll need to transfer to a train to take you the rest of the way to the City. Considering Airport Central Station is where the train to the City departs, you’d be best to skip the bus portion altogether if Perth Station is your final destination. Also, note that this route only operates on weekdays until approximately 7 pm. Bus 902 takes over afterwards and goes to Perth Busport.

The same fares apply as taking the train, so you can expect to pay around $4-$5 for a one-way bus trip.

Summing up

Before you next fly into Perth Airport, plan ahead to determine the best way to travel into the City.

Want to make the most of your Perth City escapade? Have a read of our latest reviews of Novotel Perth Murray Street, DoubleTree by Hilton Perth Waterfront and Parmelia Hilton Perth.

Featured image: Nathan Hurst, Unsplash

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