When is the cheapest time to fly to Perth?
You'll find that the cheapest Perth flights are during Australia's Autumn and early Winter (that’s May, June and especially July). Be sure to check all the available fares in any given month if you’re not worried about a particular date — a few days can make a big difference to the price. Another tip: you’ll nearly always get a better fare flying Monday to Friday.
When is the best time to book flights to Perth?
Unless you’re rushing off on a last-minute trip, we always suggest starting your hunt for a flight a healthy eight or nine months before you’d like to travel. It's a big head start, we know, but this gives you the time to monitor prices and make your best choice. If you’re hoping to go at Christmas or New Year (anytime in December really), the earlier you can book the better — this is the most popular and expensive time of year to visit Perth. If you're a super planner, then you'll be happy to know that flights to Perth are released up to 11 months in advance!
How long is the flight to Perth?
A direct hop from Heathrow will take you just under 17 hours gate to gate; with a stopover it’s a little longer, around 19.5hrs transit time. And remember, if you fly from a more northerly airport, you’ll have to change flights - in Germany, for example. What does this add on? Well, a flight from Edinburgh is about 23 hours!
Flying to Perth Airport
Luckily for you, getting to Perth is pretty straightforward. Six major airlines fly there from the UK, and almost 1,000 flights land each week. Choose Qantas for a direct flight, or a smaller airline like SWISS for a cheaper fare. We check almost 95,000 deals every day to get you the most up-to-date options, so we're pretty confident you’ll be able to find a flight from an airport that works for you, on a date that suits and - most importantly - at a price you love.
Around 10km from the centre, Perth is the major airport for Western Australia. There's four terminals, although - in reality - they function as two zones. The international terminal has been open since 1986 and over 4 million international travellers now pass through the airport every year. But thankfully, arrivals tend to be quite evenly spaced and so, most of the time, getting your bags and having your passport checked won’t take too long at all. Whatever time you arrive you’ll be able to get a free bus between the airport terminals, which you will need to do if you have a connecting domestic flight to catch.
Like with most things these days, there’s an app to help you plan your arrival; download the Perth Airport app and keep track of your flights, the weather, and traffic for your journey into the city. It also gives you quick access to the official airport website where you can access a map of the terminals, and details of facilities and opening hours. Sorted.
On arrival and getting around the airport
Perth is a modern airport and will help make your journey part of your holiday! There’s free Wi-Fi and shuttle transfers between the four terminals, and plenty of ATMs and places to grab some refreshment after your flight. Prior to landing you’ll have to fill in a landing card; Australia’s rules about what you can take into the country are stricter than you might expect. You’ll need to declare any food, plants or animal products you’ve got in your bags, and you can expect a sniffer dog to check them.
International arrivals fly into one of seven gates at Terminal 1, unless you’re flying with Qantas which has its own gates at Terminal 3. After passport control and security, you can head to the ground floor to collect your bags and grab a free luggage trolley. All transport links are right outside both terminals, so you can get away quickly.
Getting to the city from Perth Airport (PER)
There are a number of options open to you here. The popular choice is to take the bus. Transperth bus 380 takes 40 minutes to the city and leaves from Terminal 1 every hour. The fare is less than AU$5, and you can avoid the need for cash by getting a Transperth SmartRider card from Smart Carte services in T1. This gives a discount too, so will save you money for the duration of your stay in Perth. Alternatively, you can hail a taxi at all terminals. Find more details on reliable firms here.
Things to do in Perth
With its population of 2.1 million, Perth is home to 70% of the people living in Western Australia, but it is still a quiet and relaxed city in comparison to the highly populated metropolises of other Australian cities. It has excellent beaches, enviable weather and a pace of life that makes it an ideal holiday destination. There are plenty of popular attractions to fill your itinerary, including the Botanic Gardens, and the city-wide views from the top of the Bell Tower.
For city beaches we like Cottesloe; you can swim safely, eat a great meal, and catch a beautiful sunset if that’s your thing. We’d also recommend checking out Mettams Pool on a still day, for perfect snorkelling conditions. Get a ferry to Wadjemup (Rottnest Island) for quiet coves, walking and cycling trails, and a range of watersports. The island once held thousands of prisoners so visit the museums to learn about this complex history, before grabbing your once-in-a-lifetime selfie with one of the island’s infamous Quokkas.
If you’re looking for a more creative cultural experience, book into one of the workshops or art exhibitions on offer at the Walyalup Aboriginal centre in Fremantle. Back in Perth, head to Leederville, Northbridge or Subiaco (Subi), for a huge variety of independent cafes and restaurants, or whichever style of nightlife takes your fancy. There’s enough choice to eat a different cuisine every day, and plenty of shops and markets to mooch around while your food settles.
Don't forget before you fly
Check you have the correct visa here. For most holidays of under three months, you’ll need a free eVisitor visa. You can apply online for this, and you should have it confirmed in less than a week. Australia has strict rules about what food, animal products and plant material (including mud on your shoes!) you can bring into the country so it’s best to check the rules in advance. Most COVID-19 restrictions have now been removed, but you must check your airline’s individual requirements, and wear a mask on your flight.
