Tips when renting a car at Perth Airport (PER)
- Book early — surge-pricing during summer and school holidays will shock you!
- License regulations — foreign licenses are accepted if printed in English; if not, acquire an IDP.
- Driving side — WA follows left-hand traffic laws. Take care at roundabouts and intersections.
- Toll-free — WA has no toll roads, allowing for seamless road trips.
- Perth car rental — for city and beach drives, a compact rental works. Pick an SUV or 4WD for country and outback routes. Photograph the vehicle condition upon pick-up to avoid disputes.
- Wildlife crossings — kangaroos are common on roads around dusk/dawn; drive cautiously.
Why rent a car at Perth Airport (PER)
Perth, Australia’s most isolated capital city, is practically undiscoverable without a rental car. Many tourists remark that the distance between attractions is much larger than expected, pointing out how crucial a car is in Perth.
Public transport within Perth CBD is good, but it won’t be able to take you to the beaches, wineries, and national parks that make WA special. Hire a car at PER and you can be in the Swan Valley wine region an hour after hopping off your plane.
A Perth rental car is your key to exploring WA’s vast landscapes and setting off into the Golden Outback.
Driving from Perth Airport (PER) – Getting Started
Perth Airport lies 12 km east of the CBD, accessed via the Great Eastern Highway or Tonkin Highway. The drive into town can take anywhere from 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic and season.
Common routes include:
- Perth CBD — 20 mins via Great Eastern Hwy
- Swan Valley — 25 mins via Tonkin Hwy
- Fremantle — 35 mins via Leach Hwy
- Mandurah — 1 hr via Kwinana Fwy
- Pinnacles Desert — 2.5 hrs via Indian Ocean Dr
- Margaret River — 3 hrs via Forrest Hwy
Western Australia is entirely toll-free. Distances between destinations can be larger than expected — always plan fuel stops before long driving routes.
Explore Perth and Western Australia from Perth Airport
Western Australia is vast, with some drives seemingly stretching on and on. Picking up a Perth rental car from PER is the best way to explore the area. From the city’s riverside vibes to the red sandy outback, adventure begins as soon as you leave the terminal.
In and around Perth:
- Fremantle — a port city with Victorian architecture, markets, and breweries.
- Elizabeth Quay — views over the Swan River, and waterfront dining.
- King Park & Botanic Garden — one of the world’s largest inner-city parks.
- Cottesloe Beach — famous for sunset views over the Indian Ocean.
- Swan Valley — WA’s oldest wine region, close to Perth CBD.
Recommended day trips and scenic routes from Perth Airport
- Rottnest Island — a car-free island, remote beaches, and home of the adorable quokka.
- Pinnacles Desert — dramatic limestone formations and coastal desert landscapes.
- Wave Rock — a unique granite formation resembling an ocean wave.
- Margaret River — world-famous wineries, surf beaches, and limestone caves.
- Kalbarri National Park — river cliffs, coastal rock formations, and gorges.
- Esperance — turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, and beach kangaroos.
