Our public transport system is always expanding in and around the city. It's never been easier to explore Perth.
When it comes to getting around, public transport is a great resource and in some areas, students travel cheaply or for free! All Central Area Transit (CAT) buses within the Perth, Fremantle and Joondalup zones are free for everyone.
As an international student, you also receive a significant discount on public transport.
Explore your options below
Perth’s public transport system is divided into travel zones and is designed to be easy to use for anyone visiting our city. You can use any combination of the three services (train, bus and ferry) on one ticket. Plus, no matter how far you travel across the entire Transperth network, you won't have to pay more than a 2-zone fare.
SmartRiders
Not sure what a SmartRider is? It is a reusable smart card that you can reload and use to tap on and off Transperth's public transport network.
This will let you get around on public transport easily with an automatic 10% discount. Not sure where to purchase one? Find a list of locations here.
You can load your SmartRider at the top-up machines at various Transperth train stations, or set up Autoload for a hassle-free journey. The best part? Autoload offers you a 20% discount.
You may also choose to purchase a once-off ticket at any Transperth train station or on Transperth buses using cash or card.
Discounts and Free Travel
As a student, you also receive a great student discount using the Tertiary SmartRider. Remember to activate your student discount as well, which entitles you to even more discounted fares.
SmartRider holders also benefit from free CAT buses in Perth, Fremantle and Joondalup, as well as free public transport on the first Sunday of every month. Plus, Perth’s city rail network has been rated the best in Australia.
Getting to and from Perth Airport
The Airport Train Line is open! Unlike many other cities around the world, there is no airport surcharge for this service. Fares are capped at $5 and the journey from Airport Central Station to Perth's CBD is only 18 minutes, and vice versa.
More information
To view public transport timetables, visit Transperth.
To view train lines and zones, access the Transperth Zone Map.
Metered taxis operate throughout Perth. The main two taxi service providers are:
You can book a taxi by phone, online, with an app or waiting at taxi ranks located around the city, transport terminals, main hotels and shopping centres. You can also hail taxis on the street.
Whether you want to head to the airport, the city or around Perth, you can connect with a ride share driver through one of the following apps:
A driver will pick you up from an agreed location and will take you where you need to go. Payment is completed through a credit card on the app, and you can choose vehicles by how many seats you require.
You may decide to purchase your own car or motorcycle while you are studying in Perth. If you will be in Australia for less than three months, you can drive with an international driver’s license. (You must carry a translation if the document is not in English.)
If you plan on staying longer than three months, you will need to obtain an Australian driver’s license by taking a test on our country’s highway codes and regulations.
If you purchase a car, please be aware that you will be responsible for the vehicle’s registration, repairs, fuel, insurance and service costs.
Your registration will also include compulsory Third Party Insurance, which will cover any personal injury to other people if you have an accident. This will not cover you for any damage to your car, or any other cars or property involved in a crash. It also will not cover you if you’re injured in a single-vehicle crash, so we always recommend that you get proper car insurance and health insurance before arriving in Australia.
With Perth’s sunny climate and level terrain, cycling is a fantastic way to travel around the city.
Perth has an excellent and expanding network of on-road and off-road cycle paths. You can bring your own bike or buy/hire one when you arrive. Don’t forget a helmet as well – it’s a legal requirement in Australia for all cyclists to wear helmets.
You can download cycle maps and guides from the Department of Transport. This site also provides details on cycling events, news, stories and other topics about bike-riding throughout Perth.
E-scooters can be conveniently hired across 80 locations around the City of Perth.
Simply choose between 2 providers, download the relevant app and plan your trip.
All the instructions will be provided in the app. Before you ride, be sure to read all the safety laws here.