PERTH AIRPORT   Passenger Reviews and Traveller Reports

PERTH AIRPORT customer review : 11 December 2009 by A Vallance

Customer Rating : 2/5

If you are intending to use the transfer bus between domestic and international airports you need to allow a minimum of one hour. The bus is advertised as running half hourly but in fact seems to run to it's own schedule and in our experience it is an hourly service or at least it seemed to be when we used it. Unless you are going Qantas both domestically and internationally then you need to produce your flight documentation to even be allowed on the bus. For this you will be charged $8. I feel that a 20 minute service would be more suitable and running on time so that people know where they stand and don't miss flights. A taxi would be less stressful and get you there on time.

PERTH AIRPORT customer review : 13 October 2009 : by Helen Mortin

Customer Rating : 1/5

What we went through tonight at Perth international airport was atrocious. 4 flights came in around midnight and there were only 3 customs baggage checkers on. This resulted in nearly 1,000 people jammed and shoved into the baggage area being herded around by the security people as if they were animals. It was nothing short of disgusting. Threats were made to confused people who were just trying to work out the 5 wide queues, people could not find 'the end of the queue. I myself was threatened to be sent to the end of the line (which would have added another hour to my already 2 hour wait in the queue) because I insisted on these security men not breaking me up with my sons. I felt like a Jew in a Nazi line up for the 'train' to a bad place. This was disgusting to say the least. If it does not get you in one area it will get you in the other. For instance when we checked in to leave Australia we had to wait for 1.5 hours just to get through ticketing and nearly missed our international flight. If one person had have nominated a riot tonight at this airport I doubt you would have been able to stop it.

PERTH AIRPORT customer review : 13 June 2009 : by Paul Olney

Customer Rating : 1/5

Perth domestic is one of the most painful airports in the world. It has nothing of interest, overpriced shopping, overpriced parking, rare taxis and many flights involve walks across the tarmac. The only advantage over some other airports is the lack of nearby combat. If you are flying out of Perth domestic (and maybe international) then back in again, do not rely on taxis but drive to the airport and park your car in the long term parking with a frequent shuttle bus to the Skywest end of the terminal. It is cheaper and more reliable than taxis to and from Perth. Alternatively, organise somebody to pick you up and phone them again once you have got your baggage, so you don't have to pay for overpriced parking. As hire cars cost more if you use a big name company or pick them up from the airport, use a local smaller hire car company with an office near the airport and arrange for them to pick you up.

PERTH AIRPORT customer review : 27 May 2009 : by Malcolm Johnston

Customer Rating : 2/5

Perth Airport is sub-standard (particularly the domestic terminals) and in need of a desperate upgrade. You can be waiting for over an hour to catch a taxi out of the place, and check-in can be also be a long process. There is no public bus to the International Terminal and don't even bother catching the one from the domestic terminal unless you only have hand luggage. The private airport bus is useful but expensive (Around $15 AUD). Once in the departure lounge there are few services and facilities, and those that do exist are very overpriced. The international terminal is somewhat better with more open space and a fair collection of shops but it is nothing compared to Changi or KL, and the wait to get past immigration and quarantine can be an extremely long process when multiple flights arrive together.

PERTH AIRPORT customer review : 19 December 2008 : by T Higson

Customer Rating : 2/5

Had a four and a half hour wait in Perth before getting onto a second flight. After spending ten minutes in the baggage claim, we decided that we needed to get out of the airport. After quickly checking in for the second flight, we hoped into a taxi to the closest shopping centre. You may be able to sweet talk the Taxi driver to getting you there for $15 each way, otherwise most pay $20. We arived back with over 2 hours to spare and we wished that we were out for longer. After security there was just nothing. A few shops, a snack bar where a small bottle of water costs $4 and the Qantas club. We were very happy to board our flight and get out of the boring, lifeless airport.

PERTH AIRPORT customer review : 11 December 2008 : by A Gerber

Customer Rating : 2/5

Perth domestic is way overdue for improvements in comparison to other Australian state capital airports. One dubious change I've noticed this year has been the relocation of the rental-car area to an open car-park some distance from the terminal. Prior to its relocation, the rental cars were practically in front of the terminal. Now, it is a fair walk (especially from the Qantas end of the terminal) to pick up one's car. Although I never mind a good walk, the distance is too short to justify a shuttle bus, but long enough that if one is weighed down with a lot of baggage, and/or it is raining (much of the walk is uncovered), you will arrive a bit worse for wear and/or wet at the end of your trek. Bring your own umbrellas if rain is forecast. A brief discussion with a rep from one of the major hire-car companies indicated that they were also unhappy with the new arrangements, which are not, alas, temporary.

PERTH AIRPORT customer review : 28 October 2008 : by M Reisinger

Customer Rating : 2/5

I have lived in Perth for a year and used its domestic and international facilities rather often. Check-in and departure is not a problem on both sides of the airport. Security checks are okay too. Facilities for waiting passengers are rather dissapointing (stay outside as long as possible, once inside it is rather sad, what there is on offer, especially domestic gates). The horror story is arriving at domestic side. After collecting your luggage you better have pre-organised a taxi or a pick-up. The queues at the taxi stand are long and you can easily spend 2 hours waiting. The airport shuttle is not reliable to run especially late at night, public buses stop operating after 7pm from the domestic airport. Car parking is a rip-off and vast in size. A shame to have such poor airport facilities, in a city of the size of Perth.

PERTH AIRPORT customer review : 17 June 2008 : by B McCarthy

Customer Rating : 1/5

As a frequent traveller out of Perth airport, little has changed in 15 years. At domestic terminal, new rental car parking area and many new commercial facilities have been installed but nothing for the regular passenger with regard to taxi availability (slow and poorly organised); baggage retrieval (slow, up to 45 minutes but may improve with new belts now in place); lounge area (chewing gum from years ago on the carpet and seating that is inadequate and worn); security check (sometimes out the door onto the footpath and hopelessly inadequate); airline lounge (only Qantas has one) is crowded and noisy; mens toilet in the arrival area is always dirty. Isolation from international terminal makes transfer difficult in the amount of time it takes and the expense (taxi drivers let you know that they don't like the fare either). The worst airport of the major Australia cities and it should be the best but suffers from lack of planning over a long period of time.

PERTH AIRPORT customer review : 3 June 2008 : by James Halley

Customer Rating : 3/5

I agree with the post about the airport shuttle. For more than 2 pax it is as cost effective to take a taxi. I and others waited over an hour for one to show up late at night. The airport authorities (or someone) was conducting a study of how it takes to proceed through various parts of the airport from check in to immigration. Everything seemed better than at many airports. But on getting airside, I encountered the most unkept toilet I have ever seen. One of the sinks had become a waste bin and had not been cleaned since goodness knows when. It was piled high with used paper towels. 

PERTH AIRPORT customer review : 17 May 2008 : by P Thompson

Customer Rating : 3/5

Not bad as far as airports go, but don't get the shuttle bus into the city ($12-$15). You share with 6-10 other people and if you are near the end, it will take over an hour. You might as well get a taxi, it's about $25 and takes 15mins.

Perth Airport review by D Gray

23 April 2008   Customer Rating :

Arrival around 6pm resulted in a short wait to clear immigration then on to more security and customs. A brief rummage for prohibited materials, an x-ray scan of our bags and welcome to WA!!Out into the carpark and away on our adventure. Reasonable parking charges. Access roads in and out fine, well posted and maintained. As far as departure goes, turn up on time, queue in a relaxed atmosphere and once through check-in, upstairs to the hospitality/shopping area. We have seen this type of area better organised and serviced but hey, it's a transit area for international travel, not a holiday resort. Our flight left on time with no fuss as far as we were concerned and, all things considered it was a stress-free experience. The only real down side was having to leave such a wonderful country at all.

Perth Airport review by Miranda Walker

10 March 2008   Customer Rating :

With regard to domestic terminal congestion - WAC (airport administrator) is aware of the problems and work has been continuing over the last year or so to improve things- this has included extra aircraft bays at the domestic terminal 2 (Virgin, Skywest) and a new parking area to the north end which frees up taxiways etc during peak times. The problem with Perth was the 20-year plan did not anticipate the phenomenal increase in flights hence the congestion at peak times (5-8am & 3-7pm) I agree it's taken far too long to address the problems- a multi-storey car park seems the ideal solution - however it seems the airport is more interested in building commercial buildings. Have read reports of a planned spur line from Bayswater station on the Midland train line to the airport to (finally) link the airport to the rail network. If driving to the international airport during peak times, avoid intersection of Leach Hwy & Roe Hwy - if coming from south on Roe better to go Abernethy Rd take a left at Grogan road- this takes you through the warehouse/back areas and eventually joins up with Horrie Miller Drive. Has saved me on more than one occasion missing a flight!

Perth Airport review by E Stipic

21 January 2008   Customer Rating :

We travelled through Perth early january. Despite checking in J class 3 hours early we were unable to pass immigration and enter the airline lounges because the doors were closed. No one works until 2 hours before a flight after midnight. Defeats the purpose of early check in or the opportunity to use lounges or do duty free shopping. This is strange for an International airport. Very provincial and backward.

Perth Airport review by Trevor Hoad

17 January 2008   Customer Rating :

Very busy domestic terminal on arrival and due to the small and full car parks my brother had to repeatedly circle and stop in the road to pick me up. Checked in on-line and the dedicated on-line check in queue was reasonably quick as was security and immigration. The International terminal has a reasonable choice of shops and dinning options with plenty of seats.

Perth Airport review by C Macdonall

17 January 2008   Customer Rating :

Perth International Airport goes from bad to worse. For outbound passengers the airport authority has put the narrow departure entrance in the middle of a group of fast food joints and a pub, ensuring travellers do not have an easy entry. Once in the departure lounge there is only one place to get a drink or eat and it nothing more than another fast-food joint. Bad coffee, cold snack food, 2nd-rate retail. Inbound is chaos when two or more aircraft arrive together as they inevitably do. After immigration the fight for luggage begins but, regardless of the fact that yours has been scanned before it or you got on the aircraft, customs will almost certainly detain you for another inspection and open your cases, and then put them through another radar scan! If you are lucky you can be out in 50 minutes. The secret to Perth Airport? Don't take checked bags.

Perth Airport review by Max Payne

23 December 2007   Customer Rating :

The international terminal is not too bad, congestion is only limited to certain times of the day but the main problem is lack of shops, lack of restarants and lack of space in departure lounge. Domestic terminal however is another story. It is too old and small to do what it is needs to do. Parking is terrible, the new parking area which used to belong to staff is so far away you felt like you walked to Adelaide. Once in, there is constant people around, always busy except mid-morning and early evening, those are the only times when it is quite. The worst is around lunchtime. Check-in line usually backs out all the way outside which used to only occur every so often but now occurs all the time, once checked in, the queue to pass security can be long although there are good days and bad days. The lounge and shop areas are terrible. Not enough seats, not enough shops, not enough space. Arrivals can be pretty bad, there is one arrival belt for northwest flights and only two for everything else. I hear a third arrival belt is currently in the works so hopefully that will work out but the problem is they keep changing and adding things to the terminal when they don't realize the actual problem. Parking would be solved if they just built a multiple storey carpark. The terminal needs upper floors to help congestion with arrivals and departures clashing. Perth seems to think building outwards and inwards is the only way to do things.

Perth Airport review by Edmund Carew

30 August 2007   Customer Rating :

Rest assured there is a cheaper way to the International Airport from the city. Catch TransPerth's route bus to theDomestic Airport, then the $8 shuttle from outside the QF Domestic terminal (walk to your right if leaving that terminal), so you will get to International from the CBD for under $12. The other bonus is that TransPerth's route bus (I think route number 37A) is far faster than the $15 shuttle bus which takes an incredible hour and a half: the downside is that the domestic to international shuttle bus operates infrequently: mine was at 1700 on a Saturday. There is also a 'help' button outside the VirginBlue terminal, on a wall: the bus driver will wait for you to walk down to QF to join the shuttle.

Perth Airport review by William Allen

28 August 2007   Customer Rating :

Domestic check-In was fast. Security about five minutes to clear. Departure lounge adequate for an airport of this size. The Aerodome Cafe is the only option for a meal in Terminal 2. Overall a good airport.

Perth Airport review by M Lekias

13 February 2007   Customer Rating : n/a

Used the airport last week on arrival from Singapore, arrived around the same time as Qantas and Malaysian which made the experience one I don't wish to encounter again. 4 Customs counters for Australian citizens, around 160 people waiting in that line which took close to 50 minutes to clear. In that time my bag had arrived to a crowded baggage hall with people running into each other at every turn, absolutely no room to move at all! Then it was time for quarantine, green channel had more staff working and less people in the queue, red channel had more people in que and less staff working, the process from line up to exiting took another 50 minutes. In all it took close to 2 hrs to exit the terminal and arrive home which is only a 10 minute drive. Avoid this airport during the afternoon rush, it's a nightmare come true and no matter how much talk of expansion it's no closer to fruition.

Perth Airport review by Evan Alexander

19 January 2007

Arrived from SYD and 2 weeks later departed to BHX via DXB. Domestic arrivals was easy (our QF A330 had to wait on the tarmac for 15 mins whilst waiting for another aircraft to vacate our stand) and after disembarking we were in a cab within 20 min, and that was with a baggage belt breakdown. On arriving for departure late evening the international terminal was deserted, I think only our EK flight and another to Japan were leaving. Check in was quick and easy and the walk to security was not far. Security was again empty and we went straight through, the staff were very pleasant and all spoke to us about our experiences of Australia. The only shock I recieved was, upon entering the departure lounge all the shops/food outlets were closed and as we were both really hungry we were very disappointed. As the departure lounge started to fill up though one by one the shops opened and approx 2 hours before departure it was all open (probably our own fault for being there 3 hours early) and we had some nice food and bought some great last minute Ozzy souvenirs. Overall a good experience, a nice airport (although smaller than I imagined) and, if in the area, wouldn't hesitate to use it again.

Perth Airport review by Miranda Walker

22 August 2006

I believe the separate terminals problem will be resolved soon when planned Dom/Intl flights will all depart from what is now the International Terminal (to be extended) when the new runway is built... Regional Flights will go from what is now Domestic (or so I'm told). The shops not being open after 10pm and no double aerobridges is due to the low usage of the airport outside peak times.. airport has conducted pax surveys every year to determine what needs upgrading, hence the revamped check-in areas at the International terminal which recently opened. Apparently the gates and bridges are due for upgrading a la Qantas Domestic terminal.

Perth Airport review by Quek Keng Guan

5 July 2006

Used Perth Airport last week during a family vacation with a 9 mth old infant. AIrport is well equiped with baby rooms. Toilets were clean and pleasant to use. Free maps were available in the arrival halls, with a airport staff giving to all arriving passengers. Arrival hall has only a duty free selling minimal skin care and perfume stuff. It carries a wide variety of wine instead. All immigration lanes were opened. Departure hall was newly renovated, clean and pleasant to use. It was small and reminded me of Chiangmai airport. There were plenty of shops available for last min shopping before the immigration. The food court was full of passengers. You will have to purchase more than A$50 (before the immigration) to get 10% GST wavier. Once you pass the immigration, items bought were duty free. There were a wide selection of items available for duty free items. There were about 4 big shops and a small cafe as Perth Airport is small; as there were only 4 departure gates available. There were about 8-10 international flights departing from Perth daily. One minus point of the airport was the boarding procedures. After the airline staff checked your boarding pass and passport, one has to climb 1 level down to board the plane. Most of us has bags with us! Overall, pleasant to use.

Perth Airport review by Andrew Mortimer

21 June 2006

Transferring was an absolute waste of space. However, I can appreciate that domestic to international transfers or vice versa really only apply to/from South Africa and a very few other places and this wouldn't be worth doing a complete redesign of the airport. Immigration coming from SA very efficient and the domestic terminal was very clean, tidy and had extremely friendly staff.

Perth Airport review by Fiona Sturgeon

25 May 2006

There is a minibus which leaves from outside the hotel opposite Perth bus station which can take you to the airports - both INT and DOM. It's $10. Contact tourist centre to book.

Perth Airport review by Mike Keene

4 January 2006

Its a joke that you cannot get to the international terminal on public transport. It costs about $30 to get there via taxi from the city. There are lot of people who travel alone and minimum $60 dollar round trip is outrageous. Also the facilities when you go through customs are pathetic. One good thing at least you can smoke not like the rest of the airports in Australia.

Perth Airport review by Jeff La Valette

9 June 2005

I am surprised by comments, especially from Perth locals - which complain bitterly about the distance between Perth's International and Domestic terminals. (poorly planned, rushed for the America's Cup, etc etc). To be honest, I cant ever see Perth being a regional International hub, for overseas arrivals to then be connecting to an onward domestic flight. The numbers of connecting passengers are too few, and therefore arguing that the terminals are too far apart is irrelevant. Perth is functional for its size. It experiences bottlenecks when several flights arrive together, and this can be frustrating, but I imagine the alternative is to have the airport manned 24-7, which for such low passenger numbers would seem expensive - and the costs might then be passed on somehow to passengers. I would be interested to know the extent of the renovations at the departures end, if there is a link to news or plans posted somewhere. I am always annoyed by the trolleys not being free. This borders on aggravating. Finally for complaints from international arriving passengers about being 'interrogated' 'sniffed' 'searched' 'xrayed' or otherwise - get used to it. It is a fact of life for arrivals in Australian airports. Our immigration and customs system is not about red carpet treatment and star handling. It is about processing everybody with as much scrutiny as possible in a short time. Accept it.

Perth Airport review by Sue Smith

4 June 2005

I agree with comments about the renovation - long overdue. They are also extending out the Departures/check-in area and it was a little difficult to find the Qantas Club check-in last time I was there. Quality and appropriate shops on the concourse a pleasant surprise, especially when my handbag broke at the check-in and had to be retired! However, there is NO way one can get lost in this terminal and I find Customs and Immigration to be completely in line with current National Politics (ie paranoid) and Quarantine requirements completely reasonable considering the aforementioned agricultural pests we are trying to keep out. Although I have to say x-raying my luggage because I declared I was carrying *chocolate* seemed a bit OTT. If it wasn't my home city, I would probably be very unhappy about the distance between the domestic and international airports. Transferring would, I imagine, be either expensive, or a frustrating time-waster! (as someone has already stated)

Perth Airport review by James McAndrews

16 May 2005

Perth airport is adequate for the size of city. It was starting to look a little scruffy (but nowhere near as bad as Heathrow - don't get me started) but I notice that they have started to renovate departures. My main quibble is that there is now an very popular Emirates flight at after 10p.pm but most of the landside shops (including the newsagency) are shut at this time. There is only an overpriced cafe and bar open. The staff are friendly and helpful. Some people will moan about immigration and customs but most issues will be because of the strict quarantine processes. There is no way to avoid this - WA hasn't got some agricultural pests which are common elsewhere and they want to keep them out.

Perth Airport review by Konrad Schedlbauer

26 March 2005

Perth is about my most frequented airport as I am a local resident. Much of the comments made about Perth Airport and customs officials are rubbish to say the least. It is a functional and no fuss facility. No way to get lost and I don't know another airport which would fare better in this department.  I have never encountered a rude official at Perth Airport and I have passed the gates about 20 times by now. The fondest memory I have about the old International Airport, know the domestic airport. When I arrived as a migrant the official spoke only 5 words. "Good man, good country, welcome". It has greatly contributed to my well-being in Australia.

Perth Airport review by Sam Down

28 February 2005

Perth is a great airport considering the size of the population. Having traveled to many airports I have to say that Perth is clean and modern having no areas needing renovation. Unlike most airports where half of the place is falling down. Perth has a decent amount of shops and has plenty of seating. Both the International and the Domestic are wonderfully set out and you could never get lost in them. The customs and immigration staff are a bit rude but this is to be expected at all Australian airports.

Perth Airport review by Mika Simnett

4 February 2005

Recently had the experience of travelling through Perth International for the first time. Would have to agree about the quality of the actual terminal with for example only one lift to move between the two floors...why build an airport on two levels in this day and age. The main frustration (and a reason I will try to avoid Perth from now on) is the unpredictable performance of the shuttle bus between the two terminals. What would be considered a normally adequate time between flights (ie 2 hours) turned into a mad rush to make the plane! When will they add sufficient capacity to ferry between the domestic and international terminals. This was all capped with the knowledge that I had to pay for this frustration under the new "user pay" scheme.

Perth Airport review by Alastair Craig

18 November 2004

The first time I arrived there from Heathrow some nine years back, I did not have a visa (my fault entirely) 'No worries' said the Immigration man and made out one there and then. He couldn't have been more helpful and by and large this is how I have found the Airport staff on many subsequent visits

Perth Airport review by Allan Payne

31 May 2004

Have to agree that immigration and customs are appalling at Perth. They certainly treat the arriving passengers with contempt and discourtesy. The distance between the domestic terminal and international effectively makes them separate airports. Apart from the odd smile in the cafes and shops, one get the impression of just a large characterless glass and concrete block. And if you arrive from overseas and come to Perth via a domestic internal flight the last leg, you won't get a baggage trolley inside the terminal (or outside) unless you have the requisite Australian coins in your pocket. Ridiculous. And I am a local from Perth.