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Territory capital · Australia

Perth

Give Perth 4 nights: 2 in the city or Northbridge, 1 for Fremantle, 1 for Rottnest Island. Skip it only if your trip is under 10 days on the east coast.

Weather
see forecast
Currency
AUD
Best months
Mar–May, Sep–Nov
avoid Dec–Feb (heat over 36°C), Jun–Aug (wet and cool)
Airports
PER · JAD
Nights
4
Not field-verifiedbasic guide
Print / PDF guide
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
Rules in force · 7
  • Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
  • Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
  • Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
  • Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
  • Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
  • Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
  • Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.

Perth is the capital of Western Australia and one of the most isolated big cities on earth: the nearest city over 100,000 people, Adelaide, is 2,120 km away. It spreads along a coastal plain on the Swan River, with the Indian Ocean to the west and the Darling Scarp to the east. Beaches, Kings Park, Fremantle and Rottnest Island fill four days; the wine and hills country fills more.

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Perth, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeA$4–6 (≈ US$3–4)
  • Beerschooner in a pub / can at a bottle shopA$8–12 (≈ US$6–8)A$4–7 (≈ US$3–5)
  • Taxi, about 5 km5 km taxi or rideshareA$20–30 (≈ US$14–20)
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekA$20–40 (≈ US$14–30)
  • Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personA$45 (≈ US$30)
  • Mid-range bedDouble room, mid-range hotel or motel, a night, per roomA$200 (≈ US$140)
  • High-end bedDouble room, mid-range hotel or motel, a night, per roomA$380 (≈ US$250)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$90 (≈ US$60) · Mid A$180 (≈ US$120) · High A$350 (≈ US$250)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Kings Park and the Swan RiverCottesloe and City BeachRottnest Island quokkasFremantle port and marketsSwan Valley wine
Airports
PER Perth Airport (Four terminals in two precincts: T1/T2 east of the runway with a direct rail link to the city (flat A$5), T3/T4 west, served by Redcliffe Station about 15 min on foot or a shuttle bus. A free bus links the two precincts in about 15 min.) · JAD Jandakot Airport (General aviation; not used by scheduled airline flights.)

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Perth: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

31°C

18°C

3 rd

Feb

32°C

18°C

2 rd

Mar

30°C

17°C

4 rd

Apr

26°C

14°C

7 rd

May

22°C

11°C

12 rd

Jun

20°C

9°C

15 rd

Jul

19°C

8°C

17 rd

Aug

19°C

9°C

15 rd

Sep

21°C

10°C

12 rd

Oct

24°C

12°C

8 rd

Nov

27°C

14°C

6 rd

Dec

30°C

17°C

4 rd

High / low °C · rd = rain days

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Transperth runs trains, buses and the Swan River ferry. Pay with a contactless Visa or Mastercard, a SmartRider card (A$10, refundable as travel value), or a cash ticket. A 2-section fare is A$2.40; a Go Anywhere fare covering three hours with transfers is A$3.50. Trains and buses inside the CBD Free Transit Zone cost nothing, and the five CAT bus routes are free end to end. Trains run every 5–10 min at peak, about every 15 min off-peak, roughly 5am to midnight, with extra 1am and 2am departures from Perth on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Tag on and tag off: a default fare or a A$100 fine applies otherwise.

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Fremantle

go

Door to door: About 30 min

Fremantle line train from Perth station

Port, markets and a food strip; easy half day or a night.

Rottnest Island

go

Door to door: 1–1.5 h

Ferry from Elizabeth Quay or Fremantle

Book the ferry ahead; bikes and snorkel gear hire on the island. A full day.

Swan Valley

go

Door to door: About 1 h

Train to Guildford or Midland, then bus or taxi; or a guided tour

Wine and food valley; a car or tour is easier than public transport.

The Hills

caution

Door to door: 1–1.5 h

Midland line train to Midland, then bus or car

Parks, dams and bush walks; thin public transport, so plan the return.

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Perth City (CBD)

Walk to Elizabeth Quay, the cultural centre and the free CAT buses; best for a short stay with bags.

Northbridge

Restaurants, bars and clubs just north of the CBD; walkable to the station, livelier at night.

Fremantle

Historic port with markets and a food scene; 30 min by train from Perth station, good for a night or two.

The Coast (Cottesloe, Scarborough)

Beach base; 20–30 min by train or bus from the CBD.

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
A$90–150 (≈ US$60–100) excl. bed
Mid
A$180–280 (≈ US$120–190) excl. bed
High
A$350 (≈ US$250)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Double room, mid-range hotel or motel1 × 4 nights × A$200A$800
Food, local transport, entries2 × 4 days × A$180A$1,440
Airport line train, T1/T2 to the city, one way2 × A$5 · checkA$10
Rottnest Island ferry, return2 × A$90 · checkA$180
eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$25A$50
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeA$248
Trip total≈ A$341 per person per day, bed includedA$2,728≈ US$1,800

2026 estimate in Australian dollars; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

CoffeeA$4–6 (≈ US$3–4)
Counter lunch or a takeaway mealA$15–25 (≈ US$10–17)
Beer: schooner in a pub / can at a bottle shopA$8–12 (≈ US$6–8) / A$4–7 (≈ US$3–5)
Train fare, city to FremantleA$3.50 (≈ US$3) Go Anywhere (check)
5 km taxi or rideshareA$20–30 (≈ US$14–20)
eSIM or data SIM, about a weekA$20–40 (≈ US$14–30)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Perth is a safe city by Australian standards; the real risks are summer heat, sunburn, surf rips and long distances between stops. Carry water, swim between the flags, and keep an eye on fire-danger ratings if you head for the hills.
  • Summer days regularly pass 36°C and can top 40°C; the afternoon Fremantle Doctor cools the coast but not the hills.
  • Tag on and tag off every trip; fare evasion fines start at A$100 (≈ US$70) and double monthly if unpaid.
  • Perth is far from everything: Adelaide is 2,120 (≈ US$1,400) km away and driving there takes the best part of a week.
  • Bikes are banned on peak-direction trains and through the CBD stations at peak hours.
  • Weekend trackwork closes parts of lines and replaces trains with buses; check before you travel.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
000
From mobiles
112

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

PerthPerth

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, thanksTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance000
  • From mobiles112

Embassy

The US consulate-general is in Perth; the UK, Canada and New Zealand have consulates or honorary consulates here (check addresses). Other countries: embassies in Canberra.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Airport line, T1/T2 to the city: flat A$5 (≈ US$4), about 20 min (check)
  • Train Perth to Fremantle: A$3.50 (≈ US$3) Go Anywhere, about 30 min (check)
  • Rottnest Island ferry, return: about A$90 (≈ US$60) from Elizabeth Quay or Fremantle (check)

Say or show

  • Thanks — Thank you
  • Where's the station? — Where is the station?
  • Can I tap my card? — Can I pay by card?
  • Just water, thanks — Just water, please
  • How far's that? — How far is it?
  • No worries — No worries

Perth has no daylight saving; clocks stay on UTC+8 all year.

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Perth. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Dec–Feb (heat over 36°C), Jun–Aug (wet and cool) · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 4 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for PER: T1/T2 rail fares, T3/T4 shuttle and Redcliffe walk times, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
  2. Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: CBD and Elizabeth Quay, Northbridge, Kings Park, the coast at Cottesloe.
  3. Place pages with verified cutoffs (Kings Park, Elizabeth Quay, Fremantle markets, Rottnest ferry) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Heat and fire-risk fixtures so gates A–D can go green in summer.

Meanwhile

Back to Australia

Sources