ALL AIRPORTS AIRPORT ESCAPE
ARRIVING AT

PERTH

Perth Airport · Australia
PER
Low riskUpdated May 2026High confidence

Airport Line train opened in 2022 — A$5 to the CBD. Massive upgrade vs the old taxi-only situation.

IF YOU ONLY READ ONE THING

Airport Line train (Transperth) to Perth CBD

Typical fare
A$5.10
Journey time
18 min
Pickup
Airport Central station at T1/T2
WARNING · Old shuttle ticket sellers are still around — train is now the obvious move
01

Compare your options at a glance

OptionCostWaitPaymentPick
Airport Line Train
A$5.10Every 12 min💳Card
Uber / Didi
A$30–A$505–10 min📱App
Taxi
A$40–A$600–10 min💳Card / Cash
Connect shuttle
A$20–A$35Varies💳Card
02

Your first 30 minutes

  1. 1Follow Airport Line / Transperth signs
  2. 2Tap on with SmartRider or contactless (A$5.10)
  3. 3Train every 12 min to Perth Underground
  4. 4For Uber/Didi follow rideshare signs
  5. 5Plan 25–45 min to CBD
03

Airport exit score

AIRPORT EXIT SCORE
82/ 100
Easy exit
  • Scam risk90
  • Public transport85
  • Ride-hailing80
  • Signage clarity80
  • Payment convenience85
04

Fare reality check

PER → CBD
  1. ExpectedWhat locals actually pay
    A$5.10–A$55
  2. ConcerningQuestion this — ask for the meter
    A$70+
  3. Probably being scammedWalk away. Find another ride.
    A$90+ off-meter
05

Best ways out, ranked

  1. 1

    Airport Line Train

    RECOMMENDED
    Cost
    A$5.10
    Journey
    18 min
    Wait
    Every 12 min
    Payment
    💳 Card
    Pros
    • Cheap
    • Fast
    Cons
    • 10 min walk at T1
  2. 2

    Uber / Didi

    RECOMMENDED
    Cost
    A$30–A$50
    Journey
    20–40 min
    Wait
    5–10 min
    Payment
    📱 App
    Pros
    • Door-to-door
    Cons
    • Surge
  3. 3

    Taxi

    Cost
    A$40–A$60
    Journey
    20–40 min
    Wait
    0–10 min
    Payment
    💳 Card / Cash
    Pros
    • Metered
    Cons
    • A$4 airport fee
  4. 4

    Connect shuttle

    Cost
    A$20–A$35
    Journey
    45–60 min
    Wait
    Varies
    Payment
    💳 Card
    Pros
    • Hotel drop
    Cons
    • Slow
06

Paying without surprises

07

Common scams

Outdated shuttle upsell

Low risk

Hawker pushes a A$30 'airport shuttle' to CBD.

HOW TO AVOID · Take the A$5 train instead.

Off-meter taxi

Low risk

Driver tries flat-rate.

HOW TO AVOID · Use meter or rideshare.

08

What locals & travellers say

"Airport Line totally changed PER — A$5 to CBD in 18 min."
Redditr/perthChecked Apr 2025confirmed
"Uber pickup zone is clearly signed."
ForumTripAdvisorChecked Feb 2025confirmed
09

Arrival checklist

10

PER arrival FAQs

What is the safest way to leave Perth Airport?
Airport Line train (Transperth) to Perth CBD. Old shuttle ticket sellers are still around — train is now the obvious move.
Are taxis at PER safe?
Official taxis from the marked rank are generally fine, but watch for: off-meter taxi — Driver tries flat-rate. Use meter or rideshare.
Is ride-hailing (Uber, Bolt, Grab or similar) available at PER?
Yes — Uber / Didi works at PER. Typical cost A$30–A$50, journey ~20–40 min. Use the in-app pickup point rather than the arrivals curb.
How much should a taxi from PER to the city centre cost?
Expected fare on the PER → CBD route is roughly A$5.10–A$55. Anything around A$70+ is high — A$90+ off-meter is a scam. Fares vary with traffic, time of day and taxi type, so confirm before you get in.
Do I need cash for a taxi at PER?
Carry small local notes — Taxi expects card & cash. A backup card with no FX fees helps if a driver claims the terminal is broken.
Where is the official taxi pickup at Perth Airport?
Airport Central station at T1/T2. If you can't see a marked rank with a dispatcher or queue, walk back inside and ask at the information desk — never take an offer from someone roaming arrivals.
Is PER safe to arrive at late at night?
PER is generally manageable at night if you stick to the official taxi rank or pre-book a transfer. Avoid empty bus stops and outdoor pickup zones, and confirm your ride is moving before sharing personal details.
What scams should I watch for at PER?
The most reported at PER: Outdated shuttle upsell; Off-meter taxi. See the scams section above for how each one works and how to avoid it.