Exploring Perth: A Perth Transport Guide for International Students

Perth is the capital of Western Australia and the fourth-largest city in Australia. It is located on the banks of the Swan River at the southwest corner of Australia, serving as a hub for accessing various attractions scattered across the vast landscapes of Western Australia.

Perth enjoys a pleasant climate with distinct seasons. Summer lasts from December to February, followed by autumn from March to May, winter from June to August, and spring from September to November, characterized by a Mediterranean climate. Perth boasts many famous beaches, offering stunning views comparable to the Gold Coast in southern Australia. Among them, Sunset Coast is particularly renowned, where you can enjoy swimming, surfing, or snorkeling according to your preference.

Today, uhomes brings you a guide to Perth transport, hoping to assist newcomers, tourists, and international students.

1. Perth Transport – Arrival

1.1 Different ways

Arriving by Plane: Perth Airport serves as a convergence point for many European and Asian routes, with frequent flights connecting it to major domestic cities. The flight from Sydney to Perth takes approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes, from Melbourne it takes about 3 hours and 45 minutes, and from Adelaide, it’s approximately 3 hours.

Arriving by Train: The “Indian Pacific” train traverses the continent between Perth and Sydney. As it is a tourist train, advance booking is necessary. It operates three times a week, departing from Sydney on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and from Perth on Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays. The journey takes about 65 hours.

Arriving by Coach: Greyhound and Pioneer are two companies that operate high-speed coaches between Perth and major domestic cities. The journey from Sydney takes about 70 hours, from Melbourne it’s approximately 50 hours, and from Adelaide it’s around 36 hours.

Arriving by Ship: Fremantle Port, located 16 kilometers southwest of Perth, is renowned as Australia’s maritime gateway. It has regular routes to Singapore, and cruise ships from Europe also dock here.

1.2 Introduction of the airport

• • Location: Perth

• • IATA Code: PER

• • ICAO Code: YPPH

76 registration counters, 20 gates, 11 jet bridges, 5 baggage carousels, 1,907 temporary parking spaces, 1,784 permanent parking spaces, currency exchange, restaurants, bars, VIP lounges, duty-free shops, newsagents/tobacco shops, gift shops, car rental companies at the airport, car rental return companies at the airport, medical center, baby care room, facilities for people with disabilities.

Perth Airport (IATA: PER, ICAO: YPPH) is an international, domestic and general aviation airport serving Perth, the capital city of Western Australia.

It is the fourth busiest airport in Australia measured by passenger movements and falls within the boundaries of the City of Belmont, City of Kalamunda and the City of Swan. Perth Airport and Jandakot Airport, the other civilian airport within the mainland Perth metropolitan area located about 20 kilometres (12 mi) south-southwest of the general aviation area of the airport, recorded a combined total of 362,782 aircraft movements in 2017.

Perth Airport covers a total of 2,105 hectares (5,202 acres) of airport property. Since 1997, it has been operated by Perth Airport Pty Ltd under a 99-year lease from the Commonwealth Government. Perth Airport has four passenger terminals and one small general aviation terminal.

Terminal 1 is located east of the main runway and has 8 gates and 5 jet bridges. It houses three airline lounges: the Emirates Lounge, Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge, and Qantas Club. Terminal 1 primarily serves international flights.

Terminal 2, completed in March 2013, has parking bays for 36 aircraft and mainly serves domestic and regional flights, with airlines such as members of the Star Alliance, Tigerair, and Virgin Australia.

Terminal 3, located on the west side of the airport, has 5 jet bridges and 9 gates, serving domestic flights for Jetstar Airways and Virgin Australia.

Terminal 4 is exclusively used by Qantas and has 4 jet bridges and 9 gates. It also features two lounges: the Qantas Club and the Qantas Domestic Business Lounge. Terminal 4 underwent expansion in March 2013 and opened to the public on August 26, 2014. Additionally, the airport’s general aviation terminal is mainly used for charter services to specific destinations within Western Australia.

There is a 24-hour free shuttle bus service labeled “Inter-Terminal Transfer” between Terminals 1, 3, and 4. The orange bus runs every 20 minutes with a travel time of 15 minutes.

2. Perth Transport – Between the Airport and Downtown

2.1 Perth Airport Terminal 1 to the city center

Perth Airport Terminal 1: 

Only taxis are available directly between Perth Airport Terminal 1 and the city center.

To use public buses or airport shuttle buses, you need to go to Terminals 3 and 4 located to the west.

2.2 Perth Airport Terminals 3 and 4 to the city center

• • Public Bus:

There is only one direct public bus, route 37, from Terminals 3 and 4 to the Perth city center. One-way fare is $4.20 AUD per person, valid for 2 hours. The journey takes about 50 minutes.

Operation Hours

Airport to city center: 

Monday to Friday: 5:25 am – 10:50 pm, every 15 or 30 minutes; 

Saturday: 7:00 am – 11:00 pm, every 30 or 60 minutes; 

Sunday: 8:15 am – 6:15 pm, every 30 minutes.

City center to airport: 

Monday to Friday: 5:35 am – 11:00 pm, every 15 or 30 minutes; 

Saturday: 7:45 am – 11:00 pm, every 30 or 60 minutes; 

Sunday: 9:15 am – 7:15 pm, every 30 minutes.

• • Airport Shuttle Bus (CONNECT):

The airport shuttle bus (CONNECT) from Terminals 3 and 4 to the Perth city center costs $15 AUD per person for a one-way trip, with services every hour. The journey takes about 30 minutes.

Operation Hours:

Airport to city center: 

Monday to Friday: 

• Midnight: 03:15 am – 06:15 am; 
• Morning: 09:00 am – 10:00 am; 
• Afternoon: 02:00 pm – 03:00 pm; 
• Evening: 06:00 pm – 10:00 pm; 

Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays: 

• Midnight: 03:15 am – 06:15 am;
•  Evening: 06:00 pm – 10:00 pm.

City center to airport: 

Monday to Friday:

•  Midnight: 02:30 am – 06:30 am; 
• Morning: 09:15 am – 10:15 am; 
• Afternoon: 02:15 pm – 03:15 pm; 
• Evening: 06:15 pm – 10:15 pm; 

Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays: 

• Midnight: 02:30 am – 06:30 am; 
• Evening: 06:15 pm – 10:15 pm.

The airport shuttle bus stops at 5 locations in the city center:

A. East Perth train station;
B. WA Museum, Beaufort Street;
C. The YHA Backpackers Hostel, Wellington Street;
D. The Kings Perth Hotel, corner Pier Streets and Hay Streets;
E. Ambassador Hotel, Adelaide Terrace.

2.3 How can I travel from the city center to Perth Airport?

1) Bus Route 37:

 Operating hours: 

Monday to Friday: 

5:35 am – 11:00 pm, every 15 to 30 minutes; 

Saturday: 7:45 am – 11:00 pm, every 30 to 60 minutes; 

Sunday: 9:15 am – 7:15 pm, every 30 minutes. 

The journey takes about 45 minutes, and the fare is $4.20 AUD per person, approximately 20 CNY. The bus passes through the city center.

2) Airport Shuttle Bus (CONNECT): 

Operating hours: 

Monday to Friday: 

• Midnight: 02:30 am – 06:30 am; 
• Morning: 09:15 am – 10:15 am; 
• Afternoon: 02:15 pm – 03:15 pm; 
• Evening: 06:15 pm – 10:15 pm; 

Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays: 

• Midnight: 02:30 am – 06:30 am; 
• Evening: 06:15 pm – 10:15 pm. 

The service operates hourly, and the journey takes 30 minutes. The one-way fare is $15 AUD per person, approximately 70 CNY.

3. Perth Transport – Within the City

Public transportation in Perth consists mainly of buses, trains, and ferries, all operated by Transperth. Of course, taxis are also available within the Perth city area. The fare for tickets depends on the Transperth Fare Zone through which the journey passes. After purchasing a ticket, subsequent rides within the same fare zone within 2 to 3 hours are free. Additionally, the Perth Central Business District is within the Free Transit Zone, meaning that rides within this area are free. Cash fares from Zone 1 to Zone 9 range from $2.8 to $11.6 AUD, and a day pass is also available for $11.6 AUD.

Taking the bus is the most convenient way to get around Perth city. There are three bus routes: yellow, green, and blue. Any bus displaying “CAT” on the front is free to ride. There are two main bus departure points: the Perth Busport on Wellington Street for buses heading north, and the Elizabeth Quay Busport on William Street for buses heading south.

Bus services operate from 5:00 AM to 12:00 AM, with frequencies ranging from every 4 to 15 minutes before 7:00 PM, and every 30 to 60 minutes thereafter. Weekend bus services operate for a shorter duration with lower frequencies, especially on Sundays. Operating hours and frequencies on public holidays are usually the same as on Sundays.

Perth has five train lines radiating outwards from the city center, each heading in a different direction. Tickets can be purchased directly at the stations. Trains usually operate from 5:00 AM to 12:00 AM, with frequencies ranging from every 2 to 15 minutes until 7:30 PM, and every 30 minutes thereafter.

Ferries operate on the Swan River between Barrack Street Jetty and Mends Street Jetty in South Perth. Operating hours are typically from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM, with services running every 30 minutes, and every 15 minutes during peak hours (7:00-9:00 AM and 4:00-6:00 PM).

The Perth Tram Explore connects major tourist attractions, allowing passengers to hop on and off as they please. Ticket prices are $12 AUD for adults and $6 AUD for children.

Taxis usually require booking in advance. Swan Taxis and Black and White Taxis are the two main taxi companies. Daytime starting fares are $3.9 AUD, and nighttime fares are $5.7 AUD, with an additional fee applied from 12:00 AM to 5:00 AM and on specific holidays (Christmas and New Year’s Eve). It can be challenging to find a taxi on Friday and Saturday nights.