When I first landed in Perth, on my first trip here I didn’t have a car and figured I’d just wing it with public transport. Spoiler: Perth’s not a city you want to wing. I quickly learned it pays to plan – especially when the beach you want to visit is an hour and three bus changes away.
This guide is for anyone visiting Perth without a car (or just not keen to drive). Whether you’re here for a few days or road tripping around WA, I’ll walk you through all the best ways to get around without the transport headaches.
- Do You Need a Car in Perth?
- Getting around Perth on Transport: What You Need to Know
- Best Ways to Get from Perth Airport to the City
- Exploring Perth’s Neighbourhoods Without a Car
- Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus
- Getting Around Perth with Rideshare
- Day Trips from Perth: Car vs Tour
- Last Words on Getting Around Perth
Do You Need a Car in Perth?
Short answer? It depends on your plans. Perth’s a pretty spread-out city, and while public transport covers a lot, it won’t get you everywhere, especially if you’re keen to explore the beaches, national parks or anywhere outside the city.
Why you might want a car:
- You’re planning day trips to places like the Pinnacles, Yanchep or Serpentine Falls
- You want to explore beyond Perth like Margaret River, Albany, or Esperance
- You’re travelling with kids or lots of gear (beach umbrellas, surfboards, the works)
When you can probably skip it:
- You’re staying in the city, Northbridge, or Fremantle – all walkable and well-connected
- You’ll mostly be hitting up central beaches like Cottesloe or Scarborough (easy on the train or bus)
- You’re only in town for a weekend or relying on tours for day trips
If you’re unsure, it’s worth comparing your options, even hiring a car for just one or two days can make exploring easier.
Compare Rental Car Prices in Perth
Whenever I book a rental car I use DiscoverCars because I like being able to filter by car type, see all the extra costs upfront and compare different providers to find the best deal. I’ve written a full guide on how to rent a car in Perth without getting ripped off – check it out here: Renting a Car in Perth: What to Know So You Don’t Get Ripped Off
Compare hire car deals in Perth here:
Getting around Perth on Transport: What You Need to Know
Perth’s public transport system is run by Transperth, and it’s pretty reliable if you’re staying central or heading to places like Fremantle, Cottesloe or the airport. It covers trains, buses and ferries, all using the same ticketing system.
The easiest way to get around? A SmartRider card. It works like a tap-and-go card and gives you cheaper fares than buying a paper ticket each time. You can top it up online or at stations, and it’ll save you time if you’re using public transport a lot. You can also pay cash or card for a one-off ticket, but that’s usually more expensive.
A few handy tips:
- Train stations have regular services and are the fastest way to get to Fremantle, Joondalup, and Cottesloe
- Buses are great for local areas, but they run less often in the evenings and on Sundays
- Ferries are a fun way to get to South Perth or Elizabeth Quay (plus the views are top notch)
- The CBD has a free CAT bus loop that’s super handy for sightseeing
Most central train stations:
- Perth Station: main hub for Fremantle, Midland, and Armadale lines
- Perth Underground: linked to Perth Station and serves Joondalup and Mandurah lines
- Elizabeth Quay Station: handy for Kings Park, South Perth and the ferry
Key bus stations in the city:
- Perth Busport: underground, modern and the main hub for city and northern suburbs
- Elizabeth Quay Bus Station: connects with southern suburbs and the ferry
Not sure how to get from point A to point B? The Transperth Journey Planner is a lifesaver. Just pop in your starting point and destination, and it’ll show you the best route using trains, buses or ferries, plus live departure times and fare estimates. It’s especially handy for figuring out those trickier connections or avoiding long waits.
You can use it on the Transperth website or download the Transperth app to plan on the go.
Read this next: Is Perth Worth Visiting? 25 Reasons To Visit Perth
Best Ways to Get from Perth Airport to the City
Perth Airport is well-connected to the city, offering several transport options to suit different needs and budgets.
1. Airport Transfer (easiest option for most travellers)
Great for solo travellers or those heading to a hotel with no train access. Just book in advance, and they’ll drop you off at key locations in the city and inner suburbs.
- Cost: Around $60-80 per person
- Travel time: Depends on how many stops, but usually 30-50 minutes
Book a convenient Perth airport shuttle here:
2. Airport Line Train (Best All-Round Option)
Fast, cheap, and super easy! If you don’t mind lugging your bags, the Airport Line train is the best way into the city from Terminals 1 and 2. If you’re flying into T3 or T4, a free shuttle bus will get you to the nearest station.
- Cost: Around $4.50-$5.00 with a SmartRider
- Travel time: 18 minutes to Perth Station
3. Taxi
Good for late-night arrivals or if you just want to hop in and go, no apps or planning required. You’ll find taxi ranks right outside all terminals.
- Cost: $35-$50 to the CBD
- Travel time: 20-30 minutes depending on traffic
4. Rideshare (Uber and DiDi)
Similar to taxis but often cheaper and easier if you already use the apps. Look for signs to the designated rideshare pick-up areas at each terminal.
- Cost: $30–$45 (can surge during busy times)
- Travel time: 20–30 minutes
Top Tip: DiDi is often a little cheaper than Uber
Exploring Perth’s Neighbourhoods Without a Car
You don’t need a car to enjoy the best bits of Perth – in fact, some areas are better explored on foot (or two wheels).
Walkable neighbourhoods:
- Fremantle: Full of heritage charm, markets, cafes, and street art. The whole town’s super pedestrian-friendly and easy to explore in a day.
- Northbridge: Right next to the CBD, with laneway bars, Asian eats, and the WA Museum Boola Bardip all within walking distance.
- Perth CBD: Compact and flat, with free CAT buses to help you zip around if your legs get tired.
- Cottesloe: Perfect for a coastal wander, with a wide beachfront path, grassy terraces, and loads of cafes nearby.
Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus
If you’d rather leave the navigation to someone else, the Perth Explorer hop-on hop-off bus is a solid choice. It loops past all the major sights like Kings Park, Elizabeth Quay, Optus Stadium and the Art Gallery and you can jump off wherever you like. The bus runs daily with 24 or 48-hour ticket options and it’s great for first-time visitors or if you’re short on time.
Check prices and book the hop-on hop-off bus here
Read this next: 3 Day Perth Itinerary for First-Time Visitors (From a Local Who Knows the Good Stuff!)
Getting Around Perth with Rideshare
If you’re not keen on waiting for a bus or figuring out train lines, rideshare apps like Uber and DiDi make getting around Perth super easy. You’ll find them available throughout the metro area, including the airport, and they’re a good option for short trips or late-night travel when public transport thins out.
Which app to use?
- Uber is the most widely used and generally reliable for quick pickups
- DiDi often comes in slightly cheaper, especially during peak times
Things to know:
- Perth Airport has dedicated rideshare pick-up zones at each terminal (look for the purple signs)
- Prices vary based on demand, time of day, and traffic check both apps for the best fare
Top Tip: Save both apps on your phone and compare prices before booking: DiDi can sometimes surprise you with a better deal.
Day Trips from Perth: Car vs Tour
Perth has some cracking day trip options – but not all of them are easy to get to without wheels. Here’s a quick breakdown of which spots are better with a hire car and which are worth doing as a tour.
Best done by car:
These places are beautiful but tricky to reach by public transport, so they’re ideal if you’ve hired a car:
- Yanchep National Park: Koalas, caves and kangaroos, only 45 minutes away
- Serpentine Falls: Great for a hike and swim, especially in spring
- Walyunga National Park: Quiet bush walks, wildflowers and picnic spots by the Avon River
Tour-friendly trips (no car needed):
These are well-covered by guided day tours, so you can just sit back and enjoy:
- The Pinnacles Desert: Epic limestone formations about 2 hours north of the city
- Rottnest Island: Ferries leave daily from Perth or Fremantle and you can hire bikes or join a bus tour on the island
- Swan Valley: Perth’s closest wine region, with plenty of food, wine and chocolate tasting tours
- Wave Rock: A long drive, but totally doable on a full-day coach tour with a few scenic stops along the way
- Margaret River: Western Australia’s premier wine region. Tour includes stops at wineries, caves and coastal lookouts – a good option if you’re short on time.
Read this next: Renting a Car in Perth: What to Know So You Don’t Get Ripped Off
Read this next: Is Rottnest Island Worth Visiting?
Last Words on Getting Around Perth
Getting around Perth is pretty straightforward once you know your options, but a little planning goes a long way. My final tips? Download the Transperth app (or Journey Planner) to map out routes, keep a few rideshare apps on hand just in case, and budget a bit extra for transport if you’re doing tours or day trips.
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