When is the Cheapest Time to Fly to Adelaide?
The shoulder-season months of March to May are the best time to find cheap flights to Adelaide. In February-March you can catch the southern hemisphere’s largest arts festival, the Adelaide Fringe Festival, and throughout the autumn a number of sporting events are hosted at the Adelaide Oval. There are fewer local and international tourists in these months, after the busy summer period from December to February.
When is the Best Time to Book your Flight to Adelaide?
If you plan on heading Down Under for the Adelaide Fringe Festival, giving yourself four months’ advance notice is the best way to find cheap flights to Adelaide. Last-minute flight offers are more likely to be found for the shoulder season, but to secure budget Adelaide flights compare costs across different dates and be flexible.
Flying to Adelaide Airport (ADL)
The new terminal at ADL opened in 2005 and the airport was quickly named the second-best international airport in the world. It is less than four miles from the city centre, and in 2017 it served about eight million passengers. Getting “Down Under” from the UK takes time, and to get to Adelaide you will have to take an indirect flight. Along the way, you may have a layover in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong, or Kuala Lumpur. Adelaide flights mainly leave the UK from London Heathrow and London Gatwick, however, there are also some flights available from Manchester Airport, Glasgow International Airport and Edinburgh Airport. Other airports in the U.K. often require a transfer in London. Airlines that offer return flights to Adelaide include Qatar Airways, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, British Airways and Cathay Pacific. Some indirect routes may require you to change airlines.
On Arrival and Getting Around the Airport
There is only one terminal at ADL. All international and domestic flights use the same terminal, which has three levels – international passengers arrive on level one, baggage reclaim and further services are on the ground floor, and departures take place from level 2. The airport provides a multitude of services and facilities, including a prayer room, a children’s play area, a powered workstation, free Wi-Fi, a number of ATMs, and currency exchange. Duty-free shops, food and drink stores, and convenience stores are available throughout the terminal. There is an information booth in the arrivals hall. There are more than 40 check-in desks and 34 shop fronts in total.
Getting to the City from Adelaide Airport (ADL)
Adelaide Airport caters to every transport need for the 15-minute journey into the city centre. Public bus services JetExpress and JetBus provided by Adelaide Metro take passengers into the centre. Bus stops are on the left-hand side of the plaza outside the terminal. A shuttle bus leaves for hotels and businesses roughly every 30 minutes between 8am and 9pm on weekdays, and until 5/6pm on Sundays and Saturdays respectively. Taxis, chauffeured vehicles and ride-share cars are available outside the terminal, and there are a number of car rental companies to choose from. There is even bicycle parking and storage available.
Why Visit Adelaide?
The vibrant festival scene in Adelaide draws visitors into this compact Australian city. Nicknamed “Radelaide” by its younger creative types, the city offers regular arts events and live music, impressive restaurants and markets. Major sporting events draw crowds annually, and the Adelaide Oval has been named the “prettiest cricket ground in the world”. Immaculate parkland, such as the Adelaide Botanic Gardens, and pristine beaches are right on your doorstep, giving visitors a multitude of options to choose from when they want to relax.
Adelaide is the perfect place to use as a home base for exploring southern Australia. Kangaroo Island is a short (in Australia terms) 130-mile journey away. Here, visitors will find kangaroos, koalas, sea lions and arrays of birds in the protected areas, as well as opportunities for hiking and diving. For wine lovers, Australia’s world-famous Shiraz is made in the McLaren Vale about 25 miles south of the city. There are about 65 vineyards in the area, giving you plenty of opportunities to taste what’s on offer.
Don't Forget Before you Fly
British citizens need to apply for a visa before they arrive in Australia. A free eVisa can be applied for on the Australian government’s website for visitors wishing to stay for up to three months. For those wanting to stay longer or work while in the country, more information is available on the government website. Travellers with an ePassport will be able to use the SmartGates at passport control upon arrival. The country has strict bio-security laws; make sure you comply with them. The currency is the Australian Dollar, for which exchange is widely available, and ATMs accept major international cards.
