Getting around
Airports Perth's international and domestic airports are located 16km and 11km respectively South East of the city. Shuttle buses, hire cars and taxis operate between the airports, and Perth and Fremantle.
Coach service A coach service meets all incoming international and domestic flights. It is possible to alight at major city hotels and motels. Approximate fares are: international $11.00 per adult, domestic $8.80 per adult. Phone 9479 4131. The Fremantle Airport Shuttle also operates from both airport terminals, and operates from hotel to airport and return. Fares start at $12.00 per person and bookings can be made on 9335 1614 (24 hours).
Transperth Transperth route 37 operates between the domestic airport and St Georges Terrace in the Perth city centre. Buses depart from the airport approximately every half an hour during the day, and hourly after 6.00pm and all day Sunday. Transfer time is approximately 40 minutes.
Taxis Available at the international and domestic airports. Transfer time from the international airport to the city is 30 minutes and 20 minutes from the domestic airport. The fare is around $35-$40 and $25-$30 respectively.
Airlines and Charter Companies
Air Asia |
Perth International Airport | 1300 760 330 | ||
| Air New Zealand |  |
8/44 St Georges Tce, Perth | |
13 24 76 |
55 William St, Perth |
9425 7711 |
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| Cathay Pacific Airways | 2/77 St Georges Tce, Perth | 13 17 47 | ||
| Emirates | 181 St Georges Tce, Perth | 1300 303 777 | ||
40 The Esplanade, Perth |
9481 0963 | |||
Jandakot Airport |
9414 1114 |
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| Jetstar | Perth Domestic Airport | 13 15 38 | ||
| Lufthansa | Perth International Airport | 1300 655 727 | ||
Kookaburra Air |
|
Jandakot Airport |
|
9354 1158 |
56 William St, Perth |
13 26 27 |
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55 William Street, Perth |
13 13 13 |
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Qantaslink |
|
Perth Domestic Airport |
|
13 13 13 |
| 189 St Georges Tce, Perth | 9321 8757 |
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178 St Georges Tce, Perth |
13 10 11 |
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Skywest Airlines |
|
Perth Domestic Airport |
|
1300 660 088 |
| 68 St Georges Tce, Perth | 9216 2200 |
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| 250 St Georges Tce, Perth | 1300 651 960 | |||
| Perth International Airport | 9479 2110 |
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| United Airlines | 9/5 Mill St, Perth | 13 17 77 | ||
Perth Domestic Airport |
13 67 89 |
Excess Baggage With over 6000 destinations in over 200 countries, Jetta Express can send your excess baggage overseas cheaper and more conveniently. Luggage can be sent prior to or after departure – no ticket required. Jetta are Australia’s leading national excess baggage service with over 15 years’ experience. They will pick up from your door and deliver to your destination airport. All baggage is totally secure; payment by cash, credit card or Eftpos. Phone 1300 300 688.
Buses and Coaches The Perth central business district and suburban areas are well connected by Transperth buses. Tickets are valid for 2-3 hours and can also be used on Transperth trains and ferries. The main terminals are at the Wellington Street Bus Station and the City Busport, Mounts Bay Road, Perth. Buses run daily from 6am to 11.30pm with reduced services on weekends and public holidays.
The cost of a ticket depends on how many zones you travel; bus drivers or the ticket machines at train stations can calculate the fare for you. Cash fare for one zone is $2.10 adults, 90c concession; fare for two zones is $3.20 adults, $1.30 concession. Transperth’s Free Transit Zone (FTZ) covers all major shopping streets in the Perth CBD as well as West Perth, East Perth and Northbridge. You do not need a ticket to use any bus service within this area.
Many popular destinations can be accessed via the Circle Route buses including major shopping centres, all universities and several major hospitals. This route also connects with the various train lines. Route 98 runs clockwise, while Route 99 travels the same roads anti-clockwise. Tickets for this service cost a maximum of a two zone fare.
For all routes and timetables for buses and trains, Transperth InfoCentres are located at the City Busport, Mounts Bay Road, Wellington Street Bus Station and the Perth Central Train Station, as well as a shop in Plaza Arcade, Perth, or call the Infoline on 13 62 13. Lost property: The Transperth lost property office is located at the Esplanade Busport.
Tourist bus service Enjoy the unique and fun experience of a Perth and Kings Park open tour with City Sightseeing's open top Double Decker bus. For details, phone 9203 8882. Fremantle Trams operate tram tours daily from the Fremantle Town Hall. For further details, phone 9433 6674.
Trains The Transperth train system is a quick and easy way to get around. Perth’s central city train station is located on Wellington Street opposite Forrest Place and connects to the Underground station for the Joondalup and Mandurah lines. These platforms can also be accessed from the Murray Street Mall, and the Esplanade station takes you right to the Swan River.
Travel from Perth to Fremantle, Midland or Joondalup, stopping all stations, takes around half an hour; to Armadale takes around 40 minutes; and you can get all the way to Mandurah in less than an hour. Some services are express and do not stop at all stations. There are reduced but regular services on weekends and public holidays.
You must have a valid ticket to travel on Transperth trains. Tickets can be purchased on the platforms from machines which take coins only. A SmartRider card is a cash-free way to travel on Perth’s buses and trains. It will calculate your fare costs, and also provide you with cheaper fares. If you’re staying in town for an extended period of time, it could be a worthwhile investment. Information on SmartRider cards, bus and train routes and timetables can be obtained from bus terminals or major train stations, or you can contact Transperth on 13 62 13. View map of the Transperth metropolitan train system.
Taxis Perth is well served by meter operated taxi cabs. There are taxi ranks throughout the Perth central business district and Fremantle, or they can be ordered by telephoning the major operators: Swan Taxis (ph: 13 13 30), Black & White Taxis (ph: 13 10 08) or Yellow Cabs (ph: 13 19 24). You can also hire a qualified taxi driver to conduct your own personal guided tour of Perth. Cab fare costs include a flagfall charge of $3.50 weekdays or $5.10 in peak times, plus distance charge of $1.44 per kilometre. Surcharges may apply.
A special taxi service for passengers with disabilities can be booked on 9422 2240. This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is recommended that you book 24 hours in advance for this service, however this is not a strict requirement.
Travel Free in the City You can travel free in Perth's Free Transit Zone, an area covering all major shopping streets in Perth and Northbridge. If you are unsure whether you are within this area, just ask your bus driver.
There is also a free bus service, the Central Area Transit (CAT) system, which operates around central Perth. These buses are airconditioned and are electronically controlled. You can get on the routes at any of the CAT stops, brightly coloured red, yellow or blue, which also tell you when the next bus is due. See Perth City Map for detailed CAT routes.
The Red CAT buses travel in an east-west loop through the central business district. Some of the stops on this route include:
• WACA Ground stop 6 • Perth Mint stop 11 • Murray St Mall stop 14 • Forrest Place stop 15 • Parliament House stop 21 • Havelock St, West Perth stop 26
(Closest stop to Kings Park) • King street stop 29
Operates:
Mon-Fri 6.50am to 6.20pm every 5 mins and
Sat-Sun 10.00am to 6.15pm every 25 mins.
The Yellow CAT buses travel in an east-west loop between the city and East Perth. Some of the stops on this route include:
• Claisebrook Train Station stop 1 • Victoria Gardens stop 5 • Forrest Place stop 14 • Harbour Town stops 17&21 • East Perth Cemetery stop 31
Operates Mon-Fri 6.50am to 6.20pm every 10 mins and Sat-Sun 10.00am to 6.15pm every 30 mins.
The Blue CAT buses travel in a north-south loop from the river through the city. Some of the stops on this route include:
• London Court stop 3 • Town Hall stop 4 • James St, Northbridge stop 13 • WA Art Gallery stop 15 • Barrack Square stop 19 • City Busport stop 22
Operates Mon-Fri 6.50am to 6.20pm every 7 mins; Fri 6.20pm to 1.00am every 15 mins; Sat 8.30am to 1.00am every 15 mins; Sun 10.00am to 5.00pm every 15 mins.
There is also a Fremantle CAT, the full route is shown on the Fremantle Map. The hours for this route are Monday to Friday 7.30am to 6.30pm every 10 mins, weekends & public holidays 10.00am to 6.30pm every 10 mins. There is no service on Good Friday, Christmas or Boxing Day.
The hours for this route are Monday to Friday 7am to 7pm every 10 mins, Thursday and Friday 3pm to 10pm every 8 mins, Weekends & Public Holidays 10am to 10pm every 8 mins (except Good Friday, Christmas & Boxing Day).
Travel to country WA TransWA operates services to Bunbury (The Australind), Kalgoorlie (The Prospector) and Northam (The Avonlink). For more information and bookings on these country trains, call 1300 662 205. From Esperance to Geraldton and beyond, WA country towns are serviced by private coach companies including those listed below.
Interstate Travel The Indian Pacific train service across the Nullarbor Plain is one of the great train journeys of the world. It departs from East Perth Terminal in West Parade. Further details can be obtained by calling 13 21 47.
| Australian Pinnacle Tours | |
553 Hay St (Cnr Pier), Perth | |
9221 5411 |
| Integrity Coachlines | |
Wellington St Bus Station, Perth | |
9226 1339 |
| McCaffertys Greyhound Pioneer | |
Wellington St Bus Station, Perth | |
13 20 30 |
| TransWA | |
East Perth Train Station | |
1300 662 205 |
Ferries
| Ferry Operators | ||||
| Captain Cook Scenic Cruises | |
Pier 3, Barrack St Jetty, Perth | |
9325 3341 |
| Oceanic Cruises | |
Pier 5, Barrack St Jetty, Perth | |
9325 1191 |
| Rottnest Express | |
C Shed, Victoria Quay, Fremantle | |
9335 6406 |
| Rottnest Fast Ferries | |
Hillarys Boat Harbour, Hillarys | |
9246 1039 |
| Transperth | |
Pier 6, Barrack St Jetty, Perth | |
13 22 13 |
WA has an enormous range of rental vehicles at highly competitive rates. For more details, please talk to our hire car advertisers below. You should ensure that you are familiar with Australian road rules before driving and be sure to observe parking signs. You will need a valid Australian or international drivers' licence (in English); a standard licence will allow you to drive any vehicle which carries up to 12 people, as well as scooters with up to 50cc engines.
Bayswater Hire Car has a 2000 car fleet with cars starting from just $15 per day (conditions apply). A no frills service aimed at excellent value. 381 Guildford Rd, Bayswater Phone 9370 3888 Fax 9271 7296 Email
Budget Car Rental has 25 locations statewide including airport terminals. Hotel delivery/collection available, as well as 24 hour roadside assistance. Self-drive itineraries available. 960 Hay St, Perth Phone 13 27 27 Fax 9480 3166 Email
M2000 Car Rentals All new cars, from 3 door hatches to commuter vans to suit large groups. You'll find a car and a price to suit your holiday and your budget. All prices include insurance and 100kms free. Guaranteed low prices. Perth City, Belmont Airport and Leederville offices are open 7 days a week. 166 Adelaide Tce, Perth Phone 9325 4110 Fax 9227 1078 Email
Myaree Car Hire have new cars from $22 per day. Large range of vehicles including Tarago 8-Seater and Motorhomes. We deliver to airport and hotels. Open 7 days a week. Unit 2/12 Hayden Court, Myaree Phone 9330 8848 Fax 9330 3941 Email
Sorrento Quay Car Hire Hire a fantastic sports car and see the WA Coast the fun way! Experience the Mazda MX5, MG F Roadster, BMW 3 Series or Porsche Boxster - the car you always dreamed about can be yours! 55 Southside Drive, Hillarys Boat Harbour Phone 9243 1550 Fax 9243 1552 Email
Distances Click here for a map with distances from Perth, given in kilometres.
Parking Finding somewhere to park in the city can be a little tricky. There are many carparks found throughout the city area, either outdoor or in a multi-storey undercover building. These carparks will clearly display fees and conditions but you should check for their closing time to ensure that your car is not locked inside. Short term roadside parking is not plentiful, but when you manage to find a spot, make sure that you park legally. Road signs designating parking areas and time limitations are usually fairly straightforward, and will indicate ticket or meter parking, or on rare occasions, free parking. Some parking zones are also Clearways or No Standing areas at certain times of the day, so be sure to check. The City of Perth's parking inspectors do enforce parking regulations. Be sure not to park in a Clearway, No Standing zone, taxi/bus zone or loading zone (for commercial vehicles only), as these will attract up to a $100 fine, as will an expired meter or ticket. If you are driving a hired car and you do get a parking fine, or any traffic infringement, be sure to let the hire car company know, as many of them will charge an additional administration fee for recovering the cost of fines incurred on their vehicles.
Petrol Many of the larger service stations in the metropolitan area are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Smaller service stations are generally open 7am to 6pm Monday to Saturday inclusive, while some are open until 10pm or midnight, 7 days a week, but not in the wee hours. Major roads and highways will generally have late trading stops at reasonably frequent intervals. Most service stations sell unleaded fuel, premium unleaded fuel, liquid petroleum gas (LPG, also known as GoGas) and diesel fuel. Many have car wash facilities and grocery items. The Royal Automobile Club of WA (RAC) is located on Wellington Street, West Perth (Ph: 13 17 03).
Road Rules Be sure to familiarise yourself with the rules of the road before driving. In Australia we drive on the left hand side of the road. The speed limit in Perth city and suburbs is 50 kilometres per hour unless otherwise signed (major arterial roads are generally 60kph zones). The freeway has an upper limit of 100kph or 80kph on busier sections and near signals. The upper limit in country areas is 110kph, although lower limits are designated by roadside speed limit signs. Road-side cameras are widely used to police speed limits. International road signs are in use in most parts of the state. If you do not immediately understand the meaning of the sign, you should proceed with caution. A Stop sign means just that - stop completely before the white line and give way to traffic to the right and left prior to proceeding. You need not stop at a Give Way sign but you must give way to traffic both ways.
Don't drink and drive Western Australia has drink driving laws which limit the amount of alcohol a person can consume before driving a vehicle. These laws are rigidly enforced by an efficient police force equipped with modern, sophisticated radar devices and mobile alcohol detection facilities. The blood alcohol limit in Western Australia is .05. Further information on road rules can be obtained from the Department of Transport on 9216 8000.
Perth and Fremantle have an interesting network of cycleways which provide the cyclist with an excellent opportunity to view some of the most picturesque parts of the cities from the saddle. You need to be aware that it is illegal in WA to ride a bicycle without a helmet. Booklets detailing routes around the River, along the Coast and from Armadale to Perth are available from the Department of Sport and Recreation, Perry Lakes Stadium, Wembley or by phoning BikeWest on 9216 8000. More information on cycling can be found in the Attractions section.
Access for People with Disabilities Public transport in Perth is increasingly able to cater for passengers with disabilities. Transperth staff are available to assist wheelchair users to access metro trains. All buses on the CAT routes and Circle routes are accessible, as are any buses displaying the blue wheelchair symbol. For information about access on specific suburban routes, call Transperth on 13 62 13. A special taxi service catering for wheelchairs can be booked on 9333 3377. This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is recommended, but not required, that you book 24 hours in advance. If you are driving a car, reciprocal disability parking rights exist for interstate and overseas visitors for up to 3 months. All City of Perth Council car parks have accessible bays. For more information contact National Disability Services (WA Division) on 9242 5544.
© 2008 COUNTRYWIDE PUBLICATIONS
PO Box 680, West Perth WA 6872, Australia
Phone: +61 8 9324 1574 Fax: +61 8 9324 1784
Site last updated: 10th November 2008
Disclaimer: The information on this website, which is believed to be accurate and current at the time of publishing, has been prepared in good faith and is given as a guide only. The publisher accepts no responsibility for loss, injury, damage or inconvenience caused as a result of using this information. Customs, travel, safety and health issues should all be confirmed with the relevant authorities before you travel.