Exploring Perth Airport: An Insider’s Guide 2024

Perth Airport is the fourth-busiest airport in Australia. Located 8 km from the city centre, Perth Airport is the primary hub for international and domestic visitors, with over 14 million passengers annually.

With six terminals plus a General Aviation Precinct, it can be hard to find your way around. This is where this guide comes in. Find out what to expect at Perth Airport, including navigating the airport efficiently, what services and amenities are on offer, and where to rent a car.

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Departing from Perth Airport

Departing from Perth Airport is straightforward, with facilities and amenities to make your journey as comfortable as possible. The airport is well organized, with clear signage and helpful staff to guide you through check-in, security screening, and boarding.

You’ll find a small range of shops, restaurants, and cafes in the departure area, as well as lounges for those who require a quieter space to relax or work.

The airport offers a range of services, including baggage storage, currency exchange, and information desks to assist passengers with any queries.

Which Terminal?

Terminals 1 and 2 are located in one building, and Terminals 3 and 4 are a ten-minute drive away. A free transfer bus runs between the two.

The terminal transfer operates every 20 minutes between 6:00 am and 10:00 pm and every 30 minutes between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am.

Perth International Terminal

International flights leave from Terminal 1.

The airlines that usually depart from Terminal 1 are:

• Virgin Australia
• Singapore Airlines
• Air New Zealand
• Qatar Airways
• Malaysia Airlines
• Qantas
• Scoot
• Emirates
• Alliance Airlines
• Jetstar
• Garuda
• Cathay Pacific
• Batik Air
• Thai Airways

The closest long-term parking is Long Term H and Long Term J.

Perth Domestic Terminals

Domestic flights depart from T1, T2, T3 and T4.

Airlines leaving from Terminal 2 are:

• Virgin Australia
• Regional Express Airlines
• Alliance Airlines

The nearest long-term parking is Long Term H and Long Term J.

Qantas and Jetstar operate from Terminals 3 and 4.

These are guidelines only; always check your itinerary for the correct terminal.

Long Term C and Long Term D are the best long-term car parks for Terminal 3 and Long-term B for Terminal 4.

We book our car park in advance as there are sometimes better deals. If you book online, the camera scans your car number plate and you are issued with a ticket. Find a vacant car space, then head to the bus stop to catch the transfer to the terminal.

Getting to Perth Airport

There are several transportation options available to get to the airport.

By Car

If you have a car, you can drive to the airport and park in one of the many car parks available. There are both short-term and long-term parking options, and prices vary depending on the duration of your stay.

You can drop off family and friends at the bays at the front of each terminal. However, these bays are available only for immediate drop-off or pick-up. If you want to stay longer, you can park for up to 4 hours for A$10 in any Long Term car park or the Short Term outside the terminal.

By Taxi or Rideshare

Taxis and rideshare services such as Uber, DiDi, and Ola are readily available in Perth and can take you directly to the airport. The ride can take anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic, and prices vary on the time of day and demand.

By Bus

Several public bus routes operate to and from Perth Airport, with stops throughout the terminals. The bus fare is affordable, and the journey can take 25 to 45 minutes, depending on the bus route.

The easiest way to plan your journey is with Transperth’s planner.

By Train

The Perth Airport Train Station, located near Terminals 1 and 2, offers a convenient way to get to and from the airport.

Train to and from T1/T2

Airport Central Train Station is 18 minutes from Perth Station on the Airport line. Follow signs from the train station along the Skybridge to Terminal 2 or Terminal 1 Domestic & International.

Train to and from T3/T4

The train from Perth Station to Redcliffe Train Station takes 15 minutes and is three minutes from T1 and T2 at Airport Central Train Station.

Redcliffe Train Station is not connected to Terminals 3 and 4, so you should get off and take Bus Route 292 to reach Terminals 3 and 4. This circular service runs between Redcliffe Station and the terminals’ pick-up and drop-off area every 12 minutes during peak times.

Check-in & Departure Lounge

The first point of call when you arrive at the terminal is the check-in area. Find the large monitors that display your flight with the check-in desk number.

Some airlines have self-serve kiosks where you can check in and print your boarding pass (if you haven’t already done it online) and then a bag drop area. Staff are available to help if you need any.

Otherwise, join the check-in queue and present your passport to the desk staff.

Once you have completed the check-in process, you can proceed to the departure lounge.

Passport Control – International

Passing through passport control at Perth International Airport is an efficient and straightforward process. All travellers over 120cm in height travelling with a machine-readable passport can use the Departures Smart Gate, a system that automates the checks usually conducted by a Border Force officer.

People that can’t use the Smart gate will be directed to a Border Force officer for manual processing.

Security Screening

Once the passport has been scanned and checked, you can proceed to the security screening point, where you are required to remove all items from your luggage before sending it through x-ray scanners. Then you must go through body scanners.

Security screening officers may use Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) equipment to test people and their baggage for traces of explosives. This selection process is conducted randomly. You can ask for a pat-down search to be conducted in a private room.

International travellers boarding flights from Perth Airport are subject to limits on the quantity of liquids, aerosols, gels and certain powders they can take on board. Liquid and aerosol items must not exceed 100ml or 100g each, while inorganic powders such as talcum powder or sand must not exceed a cumulative weight of 350g. These limits ensure passengers’ safety is not compromised whilst travelling.

Tips for getting through Security Screening Quickly

1. Collect a tray from any station at the front of the queue
2. Leave all laptops, tablets, electronic devices and toiletries in your bags (including liquids)
3. Empty pockets of non-metallic items (e.g., tissues)
4. Place lighter items (jumpers, belts, earphones, sunglasses etc.) underneath the plastic flap in the tray
5. Remove bulky items (coats, steel-capped boots etc.) and place on top of the plastic flap
6. Enter the security scanner; follow instructions from security officers if an alarm sounds
7. Collect belongings once no alarm is triggered

Food & Beverage Options at Perth Airport

Perth airport has a range of shops and food outlets, so you can pick up some last-minute items or enjoy a meal before your flight. Choose from fast-food restaurants to sit-down restaurants.

Perth Airport Lounges

Most first and business-class passengers can access the airport lounges, like the Virgin Australia Perth Business Lounge. These are equipped with comfortable seating and various amenities, such as complimentary food and drinks, TVs, and charging points.

Tips for a Smooth Transition

Here are some tips to help you make the most of your time at Perth Airport:

• Check with your airline how long before departure you need to arrive
• Know your luggage allowance & the security regulations before you arrive at the airport
• Have your passport and boarding pass handy when you arrive at the airport
• Allow plenty of time for check-in, immigration, security, and to get to your boarding gate

Arriving at Perth Airport

As an arriving international passenger, it is important to adhere to the instructions of the Australian Government Department of Agriculture regarding what must be declared on the incoming passenger card.

The Arrivals Smart Gate system allows eligible travellers to go through passport control with ease, as biometric data and face recognition technology are used in place of a Border Force officer.

Once a traveller has completed inbound passport control, they may proceed to collect their baggage; however, it will be subject to inspection by officers from both the Australian Border Force and the Department of Agriculture. During such inspections, they will look for prohibited, restricted or dutiable goods under Australian law and any biosecurity risk materials such as plant and animal matter.

When travelling, it is important to make your airline or travel agent aware of any special needs you might have. This can include reserving a specific seat on the aircraft, providing wheelchairs or other mobility aids for assistance throughout the airport (from check-in to departure gate and from arrival gate to baggage reclaim), or ensuring the necessary medical clearances are in place before flying.

Car Rental

If you’re planning a trip to Perth and need a car rental, plenty of options are available to you at the airport.

Several car rental companies operate out of Perth Airport, including Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Thrifty, and Sixt. These companies offer a wide range of vehicles, from economy cars to SUVs, and you can easily compare prices and book online before you arrive at the airport.

We compare rental car company prices with Discover Cars, an award-winning car rental comparison website. They offer competitive pricing in over 10,000 locations worldwide and have a high customer satisfaction rate.

Drivenow is a good resource to compare campervan hire in Western Australia as it includes all the large companies like Britz, Maui, and Jucy, as well as smaller ones.

Compare Rental Cars Here.

When you arrive at the airport, you’ll find the car rental companies located in the terminals, so you can easily pick up your car and get on the road.

Getting to Perth from the Airport

Getting to Perth from the airport is easy via taxi or public transport. Taxis are available from the airport taxi rank and cost around A$45-80 depending on your destination and traffic. Perth also has buses and trains connecting the city to its suburbs and surrounding areas.

If you prefer, there are also ride-sharing services such as Uber and Ola available (look for the signs to the ride-share collection area).

Which airlines are flying to Perth now?

These airlines fly to and from Perth:

• Air Asia
• Air Mauritius
• Air New Zealand
• Air North
• Alliance Airlines
• ANA
• Batik Air
• Cathay Pacific
• China Southern Airlines
• Citilink
• Emirates
• Garuda Indonesia
• Jetstar
• Malaysia Airlines
• Philippine Airlines
• Qantas
• Qatar Airways
• Regional Express Airlines
• Scoot
• Singapore Airlines
• South African Airways
• Thai Airways
• Virgin Australia

Perth Airport is a bustling hub for travellers, and knowing how to navigate the airport efficiently is important. With this guide, you’ll have all the information you need to make your journey through Perth Airport as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Perth Airport FAQ

For other ideas on where to visit in Western Australia along with the best things to do, where to stay, how to get around, and other essential information, click on the link below.

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