Perth

River city, parks and Indian Ocean beaches

Last reviewed: 14 September 2026

Recommended stay: 3–4 days
Best time to visit: September to November and March to May
Airports: PER

Perth at a glance

Perth is a sunny Swan River capital of parks, beaches and easy journeys to Fremantle. Elizabeth Quay, Kings Park, the Swan River, Fremantle, Cottesloe Beach, the Perth Cultural Centre, Perth Zoo, the Bell Tower, Scarborough Beach and Rottnest Island as a day trip sit on train, bus and walking routes, with further outings to Rottnest Island, Fremantle, the Swan Valley and the Pinnacles Desert. Most visitors arrive at Perth Airport (PER). Planning around the heat, Transperth taps and a realistic island or valley day matter more than trying to cover every beach.

Quick information

Recommended stay3–4 days

Best time to visitSeptember to November and March to May

AirportsPER

Budget travelAccommodation, a Rottnest ferry day and any desert tour drive costs most strongly. Check prices shortly before your trip instead of relying on a fixed estimate.

Spring and autumn suit Kings Park, Cottesloe and Fremantle without peak summer heat. Summer is intense; keep Cultural Centre interiors for midday, travel early or late, and drink water. Winter is milder for walking if you carry a layer for river wind.

Plan your visit

Airport to centre

Airport Line to Airport Central (Terminals 1 and 2)

Trains between the city and Airport Central station, which serves Terminals 1 and 2

Published public-transport fareTransport

Must-see sights

Elizabeth Quay

Kings Park

Swan River

Sights

One-day itinerary

Morning: Elizabeth Quay and the Bell Tower.
Lunch: Café near the quay or Swan River.
Afternoon: Kings Park lookouts and shaded paths.
Evening: River walk and dinner in Northbridge or Subiaco.

Itineraries

Best areas to stay

Elizabeth Quay / CBD
Elizabeth Quay
A compact river base. Cottesloe needs a train journey.
Best for
First visits, the river and trains
Northbridge / Cultural Centre
Northbridge
Useful for indoor heat escapes. Beaches need a journey.
Best for
Museums and a livelier evening
Fremantle
Markets and compact streets. Kings Park is a train ride back to Perth.
Best for
A port stay and Rottnest departures
Cottesloe / Scarborough
Cottesloe
Ocean mornings. The Cultural Centre needs a planned train or bus.
Best for
A beach stay

Approximate budget

Budget
Varies
per day, per person
Simple rooms, takeaway and Transperth journeys; excludes travel to Perth.
Mid-range
Varies
per day, per person
Comfortable room, restaurants, trains and selected attractions.
Comfort
Varies
per day, per person
Quay or beach stays, frequent dining, private transfers and a reserved ferry or desert day.

Airports

Last reviewed: 14 September 2026

PER
Perth Airport
12 km from city centre

Airport to city transport

Last reviewed: 14 September 2026

OptionTimePrice

PER

Airport Line to Airport Central (Terminals 1 and 2)PERCheck which terminal your flight uses before you travel.
Trains between the city and Airport Central station, which serves Terminals 1 and 2
Published public-transport fare
Details
Check which terminal your flight uses before you travel.
Airport Line to Redcliffe, then Route 292 (Terminals 3 and 4)PERRedcliffe Station is not within walking distance of Terminals 3 and 4, so you need the connecting Route 292 bus. Route 292 is a circular service between Redcliffe Station and the terminal pickup area.
Train from the city to Redcliffe Station, then a connecting bus to the Terminal 3 and 4 area
Published public-transport fare
Details
Redcliffe Station is not within walking distance of Terminals 3 and 4, so you need the connecting Route 292 bus. Route 292 is a circular service between Redcliffe Station and the terminal pickup area.
Taxi or ridesharePERUse the taxi and rideshare areas for your terminal. Easiest with luggage or for late arrivals when trains are not running.
Door-to-door journey; time depends on traffic
Metered fare or app fare shown before booking
Details
Use the taxi and rideshare areas for your terminal. Easiest with luggage or for late arrivals when trains are not running.

Getting around

Last reviewed: 14 September 2026

OptionTimePrice

Train, bus, walking and Transperth tapThe quay and Cultural Centre are walkable. Kings Park, Fremantle and the beaches need a train, bus or a longer walk. Check the last trains before you leave.
Best for Elizabeth Quay, Kings Park journeys, Fremantle and Cottesloe
Transperth SmartRider or ticket rules
Details
The quay and Cultural Centre are walkable. Kings Park, Fremantle and the beaches need a train, bus or a longer walk. Check the last trains before you leave.
Ferry and taxiA car helps for the Pinnacles more than for the city streets. Heat makes midday walks tiring.
Useful for Rottnest departures and late beach returns
Official or quoted fare
Details
A car helps for the Pinnacles more than for the city streets. Heat makes midday walks tiring.

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Perth at a glance

Quick information

Plan your visit

Airport to centre

Must-see sights

One-day itinerary

Best areas to stay

Elizabeth Quay / CBD

Northbridge / Cultural Centre

Fremantle

Cottesloe / Scarborough

Approximate budget