Layover Guide

Making the most of your stopover at Perth International Airport — hotels, city tours and transit tips.

Your PER Layover at a Glance

City AccessAccessible

Minimum layover for city6 hours

Best use of a long layover

Elizabeth Quay and the Perth CBD are the realistic option within the window available; Kings Park is only worth adding if your layover runs toward the long end.

Inside the airport

Terminal 1 has a decent spread of lounges if you have access (Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Air New Zealand); without lounge access, options are limited compared to larger Asian or Gulf hub airports.

Perth Airport still has no hotel on-site as of mid-2026 — a Pullman Perth Airport was announced in 2024 but construction was only slated to begin in 2026, so it won't be open for a layover any time soon. The nearest hotels are roughly 10–15 minutes away by taxi or shuttle, not walkable.

Australia has no visa-on-arrival for almost all nationalities — you need an ETA or eVisitor (arranged online in advance, low-cost or free) or a visitor visa before you fly, and biosecurity screening on arrival can add real time, so this isn't something to sort out at the gate.

Transit visa requirements vary by nationality and change frequently. Always verify with the official embassy or consulate of Australia before travel.

Layover Duration Guide

Under 3 hrs

Stay Airside

Grab a meal, use the lounge or rest. Not enough time to clear immigration and return safely.

3 – 6 hrs

Airport Exploration

Explore landside facilities, duty-free and airport dining. Consider a transit hotel if you need rest.

6 – 12 hrs

Quick City Visit

Enough time to visit Perth city centre if transit visa permits. Allow 3 hrs buffer for return and re-entry.

12 hrs+

Overnight Stay

Book a nearby hotel. You can explore Perth properly — consider a guided tour to maximise your time.

Hotels Near PER

Staying close to the airport? Airport hotels and transit hotels let you rest without a long transfer.

Recommended · Hotels

Find Hotels Near PER

Airport hotels, transit stays and Perth city centre options — free cancellation on most bookings.

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City Tours from PER

Short on time? Layover tours are designed to fit your connection window — pickup from the airport, back before your gate opens.

Recommended · Tours

Perth Layover Tours

Half-day and layover-specific tours with airport pickup. See the highlights of Perth without missing your connection.

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Practical Tips for Your PER Layover

Use left-luggage storage at Perth International Airport if you plan to leave the terminal — most airports offer coin lockers or staffed storage near arrivals.

Get a Australia eSIM before your layover so you have data for maps and translation the moment you land.

Download offline maps for Perth in advance — useful if you leave the terminal and connectivity is patchy.

Always allow at least 3 hours buffer before your next departure when leaving the airport — immigration queues are unpredictable.

Check your next airline's check-in deadline. Some require you to be at the gate 45–60 minutes before departure.

Recommended · eSIM

Stay Connected in Australia

Activate a Australia eSIM on Airalo before you travel — instant data, no SIM card queue at the airport.

Browse Australia plans →

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