Your guide to getting around Perth quick and easy.
By Ashlea Wheeler
Perth is an easy city to get around via public transport, and the city’s great weather means walking and biking are options all year round. Here’s how to get around Perth with ease.
Public Transport Options In Perth
To use public transport including buses, trains, and ferries in Perth, it’s recommended that you purchase a Transperth SmartRider card. You can purchase a SmartRider card at Transperth InfoCentres and SmartRider retail outlets. Your SmartRider card entitles you to a fare discount and a daily maximum spend.
Before using Perth’s public transport options, you’ll need to load the SmartRider card with some money (there is a AUD $10 minimum) to cover your fares. Fares vary, but typically cost only a few dollars for rides within and close to the city. To start your ride, tap your card on the reader when you board your selected mode of transport and be sure to tap again when you disembark.
Trains
Perth’s rail network is a great way to visit attractions across the city and reach the surrounding suburbs. Within the city centre, there is a free transit zone for trains travelling in the area between City West, Elizabeth Quay and Claisebrook stations. To take advantage of the free fares, you must use a SmartRider card. Within the free transit zone, you can reach attractions including the Art Gallery of Western Australia and the Western Australian Museum, and destinations such as Northbridge.
From major stations in the city including Perth Station and Elizabeth Quay Station, you can catch a train to reach destinations such as Fremantle and Cottesloe Beach.
Buses
Perth has free bus services in the city centre and in Fremantle. There are multiple bus loops which depart every 5-15 minutes between 6am and 7pm most days. These buses are particularly useful for travel between Perth or Fremantle’s downtown hotels and attractions.
Public bus services will take you from Perth Busport or Elizabeth Street Bus Station to attractions further out of the city centre. Use the journey planner to map your route to Kings Park & Botanic Garden and Perth Zoo.
The Perth Explorer hop-on, hop-off bus is another great way to see Perth’s attractions. You can purchase a one-day ticket or two-day ticket. The bus stops by popular attractions such as Perth Cultural Centre and Optus Stadium. Tickets can also be purchased for day tours outside of the city, visiting the incredible rock formations of The Pinnacles and Wave Rock, or destinations like Margaret River.
Ferries
With a SmartRider card, you can catch a public ferry across the Swan River. From Elizabeth Quay Jetty, a ferry departs for Mends Street Jetty every 15-30 minutes between 6:30am and 11:30pm. This is a great way to access Perth Zoo.
It’s easy to access Rottnest Island via a private ferry. From Perth, you can catch the Rottnest Express or the SeaLink ferry. Departures depend on the time of year, but there are typically multiple trips per day.
Getting To And From The Airport
Public buses are an easy way to get to Perth Airport from the city. From Elizabeth Quay Station in downtown, take the 380 bus to get to Terminals 1 and 2, or the 40 bus for Terminals 3 and 4. Each of these bus services run approximately every half hour. You can use the SmartRider card to pay for this airport service, which costs the same as a regular bus fare within the city.
Accessible Transport Options
In Australia, airlines, trains, buses and ferries have accessible options for people using a wheelchair or mobility device. Perth Airport provides special assistance for people with disabilities and can help with baggage, getting around the airport, and getting on and off the plane. The majority of buses and trains have accessible options – check the Transperth website for information on using public transport before your trip.
