Perth Airport Parking

Guide to Perth Airport

Perth Airport (PER) is the fourth-busiest airport in Australia. It serves as a hub for international flights to New Zealand, the UK, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong. Many domestic and regional airlines also offer flights to and from PER.

Location of Perth Airport

Perth Airport isn’t actually in Perth, but in the nearby suburb of Redcliffe in the City of Swan, Western Australia. Terminal 1 is 12 miles (19.4 kilometres) to the east of Perth city centre.

The airport is easy to reach from Perth and most places in the state of Western Australia. If you’re travelling by car, you can find your way to PER via a number of major roads from every direction, including the Tonkin Highway to the west and the Great Eastern Highway Bypass to the north. Roe Highway runs to and from Perth Airport in a north/south direction.

The airport is close to the Perth suburbs of Inglewood, Ashfield, Bassendean to the north west and the city of Hazelmere to the north east. High Wycombe is to the east of PER and Welshpool lies to the south. It takes 20 minutes or less to reach the airport from these areas by car.

There are no direct trains to Perth Airport. However, there are numerous buses, some of which stop at train stations in Burswood, Midland and Welshpool (closest to PER), among others.  

Which terminal?

Perth Airport has four terminals for scheduled public flights: T1, T2, T3 and T4. All international flights leave from T1 and all others are home to interstate and regional flights.

T1 is split into two sections: T1 (International) and T1 (Domestic), occupying two parts of a very large building. T1 (Domestic) is solely a hub for interstate flights from Virgin Australia, but it does run some regional flights, too.

The ‘Regional Terminals’ at PER are all part of the relatively small General Aviation (GA) area. GA serves as a base for small chartered airlines. These include Alliance, Cobham, Network and more. The Perth Airport terminal maps are available from the PER website.

The airlines currently offering public flights to and from Perth Airport can be found on the Perth Airport website.

History of Perth Airport

Perth Airport began life in 1942, when the RAAF built a base on the former site of Dunreath golf course. Western Australia’s government laid down the first runway on the site – then known as Guildford Aerodrome – in 1943. While it remained an RAAF base until 1945, public flights began a year earlier.

Guildford Aerodrome officially became Perth Airport in 1952. Shortly afterwards, an international terminal was built from materials left over from World War II. The domestic hangars closed in 1962 and a single terminal served both inland and global flights for the next 24 years. A new building and control tower were then built on the east side of the site to serve growing demand. This International Terminal opened in late 1986.

The Australian government formed The Federal Airports Corporation (FAC) in 1988 to outsource management of the country’s larger airports to a commercial third party. The FAC took over Perth Airport that same year and set about revamping the facilities at both terminals. Qantas and Ansett Airlines also built regional terminals at PER in the late 1980s, now known collectively as the Regional Terminals or General Aviation (GA) area.

From 2003 until 2006, the International Terminal underwent major refurbishments, including the addition of floor space for more retail outlets, check-in counters and baggage handling areas. Flights from the new domestic Terminal 3 (T3) began in 2007. T3 is now split into two terminals: T3 and T4. The latter is also known as the Qantas Terminal as it serves solely as a base for inland flights with the Australian airline.

Car

T1 at PER is nine miles (15 kilometres) from Perth city centre. From here, drive east along the Great Eastern Highway and turn left via State Route 8 onto Tonkin Highway. Head in a north-easterly direction and turn left at Horrie Miller Drive. The journey from Perth City Centre to T1 takes about 30 minutes.

If you’re travelling to T2, continue driving north on Horrie Miller Drive for about 1,150 feet (350 metres). Take the second exit on the roundabout and continue on Horrie Miller Drive for about 2,300 feet (700 metres). Take the first exit at the roundabout and continue on to Sugarbird Lady Road where you’ll see T2. It takes an extra three minutes to reach T2 from Perth city centre (past T1).

T3 and T4 are eight miles (12.9 kilometres) from Perth city centre. Follow Roe Street, Stirling Street and Newcastle Street and make your way on to State Route 51. Carry on to Tonkin Highway/State Route 4 and follow signs to Dunreath Drive at Perth Airport. Take the exit on to Dunreath Drive and carry on for 14 minutes and continue on to Boud Avenue. Drive for two minutes until you reach to Miller Road for T3. The journey from the city centre to Perth Airport T3 takes around 20 minutes.

The GA area at PER is on Fauntleroy Avenue. The journey from Perth city centre takes around 19 minutes. Get on to Graham Farmer Freeway in the east of the city from Wellington Street. After 10-11 minutes, take the National Highway 94 and turn right on to Fauntleroy Ave.

Bus

The Transperth 380 bus service operates bus services to Perth Airport from the Esplanade Busport in the city centre, via Hazlemere and other places nearby, running every 30 minutes each day.

The 37, 39 and 40 operate from Perth and surrounding areas to T3 and T4. The 37 bus runs three times an hour, while the 39 bus runs once an hour and the 40 leaves every 30 minutes. You’ll find the timetables for these services on the Transperth website.

Get specific directions for your flight

PER is a large airport with four main terminals and a General Aviation area. This means you’ll need to be prepared with directions to the specific building or precinct you are flying from, all of which are detailed in the ‘How to get to Perth Airport’ section.

You must make immediate payment for overstays

If you leave the car park later than your booking allows, you must pay for the extra time before you leave. You need to pay by debit or credit card at the exit barrier by following the on-screen instructions.

You must book parking at least two hours before arrival

If you want to book parking at Perth Airport, you must do so at least two hours before you’re due to arrive at the car park. Any discounts listed on the PER website or elsewhere do not apply if you book less than 24 hours before arrival, but you can book your space in the car park as far as 12 months in advance of your arrival date.

A park and ride service is available at a low cost

Looking4.com offers discounts on indoor and outdoor parking in the Skypark Parking facility, close to all Perth Airport terminals. This service includes a free shuttle bus to the airport, so it’s a hassle-free way to park for the duration of your trip.

You may not smoke in any of the terminal buildings

Perth Airport does not allow smoking inside or in front of any of its terminals. However, there are dedicated smoking areas within the grounds. You will find these areas on the terminal maps.

Don't leave your car unattended in the pick-up/drop-off points

For your convenience, PER provides pick-up and drop-off points in every car park. However, you must not leave your car unattended or stay parked for more than two minutes. You will face an immediate fine and it may be towed if staff are unable to find you in due course.

Airport Facilities

The main two terminals at Perth Airport (T1 and T2) are brimming with places to eat, drink and pick up a few last-minute bits in time for your trip abroad.

From fast food to gourmet treats made from local produce and from travel clothing to travel gadgets, you’ll find everything you need at PER. There’s also a duty-free store selling all the latest designer goods at knock-down prices.

T3 has a news and convenience store, as well as a small number of cafés and restaurants.

• Short-stay parking

• Long-stay parking

• Fast-track parking

• Regional parking (General Aviation)

• Pick-up and drop-off zone

• Transfers

• Information desk

• Shopping

  • High-street brands

  • Newspapers and magazines

  • Books

  • Convenience store

  • Duty free shop

  • Electronic travel gadgets

  • Travel clothing and accessories

  • Health and beauty

• Food

  • Fast food

  • Gourmet restaurant

  • World food

  • Cafés

• Drinks

  • Bars

  • Coffee shops

• Toilets

• Baby-changing facilities

• Currency exchange

• Quiet room

• Executive lounges

• Children’s play area

• Luggage trolleys

• Baggage storage area

• Disabled access and assistance

Stay on top of work, chat or surf the web

Perth Airport offers fast, free internet access throughout T1, T2 and T3. To get online, all you need to do is make sure WiFi is enabled on your mobile, tablet or laptop, then choose ‘Perth Airport Free WiFi’ from the available networks. There’s no need to register your details.

There are also plenty of places to charge your electronic gadgets at PER. You can do so for free in the departure lounge at T1 or at the charging stations dotted throughout T2 and on Level 1 of T3.

Whether you need to add a few finishing touches to a business report, chat with your other half online before take-off or just fill time before your flight, you’ll find it pretty easy at PER.

Sit back and watch the kids have fun

If you’re waiting for an international flight, you’ll find a play area for kids of all ages at Level 2 in T1 International. There are soft play zones to occupy tetchy toddlers and video games for restless teenagers. The seating nearby allows you to keep a close eye on the kids and take the weight off your feet at the same time.

Eat, drink and relax in style

There are seven first-class airline lounges across T1, T2 and T4 at Perth Airport. The Alliance Airlines Lounge serves domestic passengers at T2 and you’ll find the Emirates, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Australia lounges in T1 and two Qantas lounges in T4.

Whichever one of these airlines you’re flying with, you’ll be able to enjoy fine dining, bar service, fast WiFi and a shower-bathroom in the lounge of your choice. Whether you just want to relax before your flight, get on with work in a quiet space or freshen up with a shower before take-off, the lounges will fit the bill.

Go plane-spotting

Online reviews of PER often wax lyrical about the view of the airport from the International Observation Deck at T1 International. This isn’t surprising when you take a look at the spectacular vantage point from which many ardent plane-spotters take notes and observe take-offs and landings. For the best view, watch planes landing on Runway 3 to the north. It’s also fully wheelchair accessible and free to park there.

Fill up and drink up

The food and drink options at Perth Airport are as international as the destinations it serves. You can travel to Italy for espressos, Asia for noodles and Mexico for tacos before you’ve even set foot on a plane. If you’re all about Australia, there are plenty of locally brewed beers to choose from, too.

See the largest gold coin in the world

The Perth Mint is a century-old relic from the Australian Gold Rush. Take a tour of the beautifully preserved building to watch workers pour gold bars worth AUD 200,000. If you’re lucky, the gold pourer may even invite you to touch the gold.

The Perth Mint is also home to the world’s largest gold coin. This weighs in at 0.98 of an imperial ton (one metric tonne), measuring 31.4 inches (80 centimetres) wide and 11.8 inches (30 centimetres) deep. The massive coin is made from 99.99 per cent gold and is said to be worth AUD 50 million.

Take a crash course in video game history

The Nostalgia Box is a video game museum located in Perth and is the first of its kind in Australia, showcasing relics from the last four decades of computer gaming history. In the ‘Arcade Area’, you get the chance to play old games like Pong, Space Invaders, Sonic the Hedgehog and Super Mario Bros. There are games on 14 different consoles, including the fabled Atari 2600 and Nintendo 64. You’ll also see consoles from the recent past, including the original Xbox and PlayStation 2.

Among the permanent exhibits, you can take a stroll down memory lane, learn the chronological history of gaming and take a crash course in the subject. As you go through, you’ll hear music from the relevant period to transport you back in time.

If you love gaming or just want something to do on a rainy day as you wait for your flight, you could do a lot worse than the Nostalgia Box Museum.

Observe native animals in their natural habitat

Perth Zoo is the perfect place to see many of Australia’s native animals in their natural environment. Many of these animals prefer to come out when it’s cool, so the best time to see them is in the morning. Keep an eye out for the Numbat – an endangered marsupial and the symbol of Western Australia.

Head down to ‘Penguin Plunge’ in the early afternoon to see the world’s smallest penguin up close and then wander down to the wetland area to catch a glimpse of the Western Swamp Tortoise, which is top of Australia’s endangered list. While you're there, you’ll also see a number of native Australian waterbirds and freshwater crocodiles.

Perth Zoo is dedicated to conservation and all animals are well treated by experts. This zoo offers a fun and educational day out for the whole family.

See one of the last-remaining Edwardian theatres

His Majesty’s Theatre is one of the last remaining Edwardian theatres in Australia. Built between 1902 and 1904 and featuring a lavish, three-tiered auditorium as well as a resplendent marble staircase, many argue that this building is the most beautiful of its kind in the country.

‘The Maj’, as the locals call it, still plays host to a wide range of ballets, operas, plays and jazz performances. Educational tours are also available through the Museum of Performing Arts (MOPA).

Whether you want to take in a bit of high culture or learn more about Perth’s history, His Majesty’s Theatre is the perfect place to visit.

Drive a supercar

Supercars Perth gives you the chance to feel your adrenaline rush as you burn rubber around the track in the supercar of your choice, within a fun and safe environment. All instructors at Supercars Perth have backgrounds in motorsport and they take you through everything you need to know when handling cars with over 700 horsepower (520 kilowatts) under the hood.

As the Supercars Perth track is within the grounds of Perth Airport, you won’t have to travel far to have a good time during your layover.

Take a virtual flight over the city

The aptly-named Scitech Discovery Centre is a very modern museum in Perth. Come here to take a thrilling virtual flight over the city of Perth, before diving under the sea moments later. You can also ride inside a kaleidoscope for a truly novel sensory experience. Or for an epic journey through the solar system, there’s also a planetarium with a large domed screen.

The museum offers lots of interactive activities for people of all ages and the centre's operators introduce new exhibits twice a year.