Perth To Adelaide: Flights, Roadtrips, & Travel Tips

Travelling from Perth to Adelaide is an exciting journey that takes you through some of Australia’s most beautiful coastline. Whether you choose to fly, drive, tour bus or train, the trip offers plenty of opportunities for sightseeing, adventure, and relaxation.

Let’s start by saying Australia is a HUGE country. The distances between cities, towns and attractions are a lot larger than in more densely populated countries. You can easily drive for hours in Australia without seeing another soul or even evidence of human life. Travelling to remote regions is exciting but does require a bit of planning to ensure safety and a good experience. The distance between Perth and Adelaide is 2131 kilometres as the crow flies or 2695km by road.

Here we will explore the different transport options to travel from Perth to Adelaide to help you decide which one is right for you.

The Green Adventurers acknowledges and pays respect to the past, present and future Traditional Custodians and Elders of this nation and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

How To Get From Perth To Adelaide

Travelling from Perth to Adelaide is a great way to explore the beauty of Australia. There are various ways to travel from Perth to Adelaide, depending on your budget and preferences. Whether you prefer air travel, road trips, or rail journeys, there are plenty of options available for you.

By Train

If you’re looking for a truly unique way to travel from Perth to Adelaide, consider the Indian Pacific train. This luxury train service offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience that allows you to explore the stunning Australian outback in style.Named for the two oceans the train encounters on its journey, the Indian Pacific travels between Perth, Adelaide and Sydney on a spectacular 4352km crossing.

The journey from Perth to Adelaide takes around 3 days and 2 nights, and includes all meals and beverages, as well as off-train excursions. You can also choose to continue all the way to Sydney

The Indian Pacific is up to 29 carriages long with 20 Platinum Service beds and 182 Gold Service beds crewed by a team of 30 staff. On board the train, you’ll find comfortable cabins, lounge areas, and dining cars serving gourmet meals prepared with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. You’ll also have access to a range of onboard amenities, including a bar, library, and observation car with panoramic views of the passing scenery.

The Indian Pacific leaves Perth every Sunday at 10am and arrives in Adelaide at 7:45 am on Tuesday so the total travel time is around 46 hours.

The ticket prices vary depending on the time of year. Expect higher prices in the high season when the weather is more favourable. Prices start from $1975 in 2023 and $2075 for low season, advanced booking and go all the way up to $9350 in 2023 and $10170 in 2024 for a sole occupancy platinum cabin.

High Season – September, October, November
Shoulder Season – January, February, March, April, May, August, December
Low Season – June and July

While the Indian Pacific is a premium service and can be quite expensive, it offers a truly unique and unforgettable way to travel from Perth to Adelaide.

Check for available times and prices for the Indian Pacific

By Bus

If you’re looking to catch a bus to Perth, there are no A to B passenger buses that run directly. However, there are tour buses that offer a full travel experience of South Australia and Western Australia, including stops in Margaret River, Esperance, The Nullabour and the Eyre Peninsula. These tours typically offer a variety of activities and sightseeing opportunities, allowing you to explore the region in-depth. Just be aware that these tours may take longer than a direct bus and may have a higher cost, but they can be a great way to see more of the area.

Road 2 Adventure – 19-Day Guided Tour $3785

Are you ready for an adventure? How about a 19-day bus tour through Western and South Australia, from Perth to Adelaide? This epic trip is jam-packed with stunning landscapes, unique wildlife experiences, and plenty of opportunities for adventure. And with only 8 guests per tour, you’re sure to make some new friends along the way.

Swim with sea lions and dolphins, cross the Nullarbor Desert, and marvel at the stunning beaches, rock formations, wineries, and national parks. Visit iconic locations such as Busselton, Cape Naturaliste, Margaret River, Albany, Torndirrup National Park, Stirling Range National Park, Esperance, Cape Le Grand National Park, Lucky Bay, Baird Bay, Port Lincoln, Port Augusta, Flinders Ranges, and Aussie Creek.

The tour bus is equipped with bunk beds, bedding included, so everyone can sleep comfortably away from dirt and bugs. Cooking is a group effort, with everyone encouraged to take turns in pairs or groups of three. A kit-list recommends bringing a head torch, hiking shoes/trainers, wet shoes, a small backpack for day hikes, and a large water bottle (at least 2 litres). The bus has a flushing toilet, hot shower, and power/USB points for charging. Food is not included, but the group usually pools $50 on the first day for groceries, which lasts around 12-14 days at approximately $4 per day.

The tour is limited to eight guests and costs $3785 with a $1000 deposit required to secure your spot.

Check Tour Dates & Availability and book your Road 2 Adventure trip here

One Stop Adventures – Perth To Adelaide 10-Day Tour $2295

The 10-Day Perth to Adelaide Tour Ultimate Overland is an exciting and adventurous camping safari that takes you on a journey through some of Southern Australia’s most stunning natural landscapes. This one-way tour from Perth to Adelaide includes eight nights of swag camping in national parks and campgrounds with basic facilities, as well as one night of bush camping with no facilities. The tour also includes 9 breakfasts, 10 lunches, and 9 dinners, all national park and entry fees, and activities such as surfing lessons, wildlife sightings, and swimming with sea lions and dolphins.

Passengers are required to be involved in the camping experience and have a good fitness level as some walks involve rough ground and getting wet. Dietary requirements can be accommodated upon booking.

Share Bus – Self-Guided Shared Bus 19-Day Adventure – $988

The Perth to Adelaide tour is a self-guided road trip that covers the South West of Australia, crossing the Nullarbor and exploring the Eyre Peninsula and South Australia. The tour is operated as a shared rental of a minibus, trailer, and camping equipment.

The rental includes a recommended itinerary for different places, camps and activities, as well as equipment and consumables for camping, cooking and fun. The rental also includes comprehensive insurance with roadside assistance, special discounts on activities and accommodation, and national park entries. The rental does not include food, except for providing the necessary equipment to cook, and participants must bring their own sleeping bags for hygiene reasons. Participants can rent a seat as either a driver or non-driver and must be 21 or over to be a driver. The tour is 19 days long and offers the freedom to explore at your own pace.

By Car

The most adventurous way to travel from Perth to Adelaide is with your own four wheels. A DIY road trip that gives you the freedom and flexibility to stop and enjoy all the beautiful sights in Western Australia and South Australia.

The Quick Way

The quickest route by road from Perth to Adelaide is 2,695km which equals about 28 hours of driving. The minimum time I would recommend for the journey would be 4 days. You could technically make it quicker but driving huge distances each day is unsafe. I would not advise driving for more than 10 hours in a day if you can help it and with the accommodation options limited along the way you need to make sure you can reach somewhere to get a good night’s rest. If you are camping along the way you will have more flexibility with the route.

It is important to plan for rest stops and to ensure that the car is well-maintained before embarking on the journey. Safety precautions such as carrying enough water, a first aid kit, and spare tires are also recommended.

Fast Route: 2695km (28 hours driving) – Recommended Stops
Day 1 Perth -> Norseman 7 hrs 45 mins – Great Western Motel Norseman
Day 2 Norseman -> Eucla 7 hrs 10 mins – Border Village Roadhouse
Day 3 Eucla -> Kimba 8 hrs 20 mins – Kimba Apartments
Day 4 Kimba -> Adelaide 5 hrs 7 mins – Majestic Minima Hotel

Cost approx: $1086
Accom $150 approx per night
Petrol: $486 (Based on 9 litres/100km and $2 per litre average for fuel).

Local Tip: Check for the best petrol prices with the Petrol Spy tool.

The Scenic Way

If you are driving across these two great states you really want to take your time and enjoy exploring the stunning coastline of Australia. For the scenic route I would recommend a minimum of 10 days but even in 20 days or more would really be ideal to really appreciate all the sights, sounds and attractions. Whether it’s visiting beaches, national parks or even wineries, there are plenty of things to do on this journey for everyone.

Scenic Route 19 nights: Cost approx: $3520
Accom $2850 – $150 approx per night
Petrol: $670 (Based on 9 litres/100km and $2 per litre average for fuel).

• Things to note:
• The kilometres calculated do not include extra driving when exploring different areas.
• Petrol is very expensive in remote areas (close to $3 per litre).
• Check the fuel economy of your vehicle for more accurate estimates.
• There is not a lot of options for hostel dorm accommodation in many places.
• Camping instead of paying for hotels will save you a lot of money.
• Plan for rest stops and to ensure that the car is well-maintained before embarking on the journey.
• Safety precautions such as carrying enough water, a first aid kit, and spare tires are also recommended.

Renting A Vehicle

If you want to drive from Perth to Adelaide but don’t have your own car then you can rent a car or campervan for your journey. Dropping the car to so far away from the collection point incurs quite a hefty one-way rental fee so expect to pay more than your average rental car.

Car

You can expect to pay a minimum of $2600 – $3000 for a 10-day car rental between Perth and Adelaide excluding additional costs like insurance and fuel.

✅ RentalCars.com is the best comparison site to compare the different rental car companies in one place.

Campervan

Surprisingly the prices of campervans are a lot cheaper than car rentals starting from around $1800 one way. They have the advantage of saving you massively on paying for hotels or spending time setting up a tent.

✅ Check campervan pricing

Relocation Deal

Relocation car rentals are a type of car rental service that allows customers to rent a car or campervan for a reduced price in exchange for relocating it from one location to another. This service is typically offered by car rental companies and campervan rental companies that need to move vehicles from one branch or depot to another. You might be really lucky to snag a cheap relocation deal with Imoova or Transfercar.

By Air

Flying from Perth to Adelaide is easily the quickest and cheapest option. There are 3 airlines that run direct flights multiple times per day. The flight time is just under 3 hours but there is a 2.5-hour time difference between Western Australia and South Australia so you need to account for losing that time in your travel plans.

Airlines

Qantas

Starting from approx $349, Qantas is Australia’s largest airline and offers multiple daily flights between Perth and Adelaide. Depending on the time of day, Qantas offers both direct and indirect flights, with flight times ranging from 3 hours and 5 minutes to just over 5 hours. Passengers can choose between economy, premium economy, and business class seating. In-flight entertainment, meals, and drinks are provided on all flights.

Virgin Australia

Starting from around $239, Virgin Australia also operates multiple daily flights between Perth and Adelaide, with flight times ranging from just under 3 hours to just over 5 hours, depending on the flight. Like Qantas, Virgin Australia offers economy, premium economy, and business class seating, and provides in-flight entertainment, meals, and drinks on all flights.

Jetstar

From as low as $171, Jetstar is a low-cost airline offers several flights per week between Perth and Adelaide. Flights are direct and take approximately 3 hours and 5 minutes. Passengers can choose between economy and business class seating. In-flight meals and drinks are available for purchase.

How To Compare Flights

My favourite tool to look at flights is Trip.com as it is SO much easier to compare how much baggage is included without having to click through multiple pages and enter details on each airline’s website before getting a total price. You also have the option of paying a small fee to have a guaranteed refund if your plans change.

✅ Check Prices And Book Your Flights Here

Perth To Adelaide: FAQs

What is the cheapest way to get from Perth To Adelaide?

Flying is by far the cheapest way to get from Perth to Adelaide. With Jetstar flights starting from around $170 not including baggage getting between these two cities is pretty affordable.

What is the fastest way to get from Perth To Adelaide?

With direct flights from Perth to Adelaide taking just 2 hours & 50 minutes flying is the fastest way to cover the distance between Perth & Adelaide.

What is the distance from Perth To Adelaide?

The minimum driving distance is 2,695km which equals about 28 hours of driving but if you are taking the time to do this epic road trip you really want to take the scenic route along the coast which you should allow for at least 3723km (40 hours driving).

Is It Worth Driving From Perth to Adelaide?

Yes! This is a road trip of epic proportions! Driving from Perth to Adelaide is a great adventure for those who enjoy road trips and exploring remote areas. However, it’s important to consider the distance, time, cost, safety, and your personal preferences before deciding whether it’s worth it for you.

Stops Along the Way

✔️ Stop Recommendation – Albany

On your journey, we recommend spending a couple of days in Albany. This charming coastal town offers visitors an array of activities and attractions, making it a must-visit destination in the region. Albany is known for its stunning natural beauty. With rugged coastlines, pristine beaches, and lush forests, it is a paradise for nature lovers. Visitors can hike along the many trails in the area, or take a scenic drive to enjoy the breathtaking views.

Albany has a rich history and is home to many heritage buildings and museums. The town was one of the first European settlements in Western Australia and played a significant role in the region’s development. Visitors can learn about the local Indigenous culture and the town’s colonial history by visiting the many museums and historical sites.

✔️Stop Recommendation – Eyre Peninsula

The Eyre Peninsula is located in South Australia and is known for its stunning coastal scenery, abundant wildlife, and unique attractions. One must-visit destination on the Eyre Peninsula is Whalers Way, a privately owned nature reserve offering breathtaking views of rugged cliffs, secluded beaches, and crystal-clear waters. Visitors can drive along the cliff tops and access various lookout points, including Cape Carnot – some of the oldest rocks in Australia.The area is also home to a diverse range of wildlife, including kangaroos, wallabies, emus, and a variety of bird species.

Other attractions on the Eyre Peninsula include Elliston, a picturesque coastal town known for the impressive Talia caves, and Coffin Bay, a small fishing village renowned for its and stunning coastal scenery and beaches. The Eyre Peninsula also offers a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, swimming, surfing, and wildlife watching, making it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers.

✅ Read the guide to the best beaches on the Eyre Peninsula

Recommended Roadtrip Itinerary

Scenic Route: 3723km (40 hours driving) Recommended Stops
Day 1 Perth -> Busselton
Day 2 Busselton -> Margaret River
Day 3 Margaret River -> Hamelin Bay
Day 4 Hamelin Bay -> Pemberton
Day 5 Pemberton -> Walpole
Day 6 Walpole -> Denmark
Day 7 Denmark -> Albany
Day 8 -> Albany
Day 09 Albany -> Bremer Bay
Day 10 Bremer Bay -> Esperance
Day 11 Esperance
Day 12: Esperance -> Norseman
Day 13: Norseman -> Eucla
Day 14: Eucla -> Ceduna
Day 15: Ceduna -> Streaky Bay
Day 16 Streaky Bay -> Elliston
Day 17 Elliston -> Coffin Bay
Day 19 Coffin Bay -> Port Lincoln
Day 18: Port Lincoln
Day 19 Port Lincoln-> Adelaide

Perth Accommodations

➡️ YHA Fremantle Prison – Fremantle

For a unique and budget-friendly experience in the charming Fremantle area, consider staying at the YHA Fremantle.

The Fremantle Prison YHA Hostel is a unique and fascinating place to stay for anyone visiting Perth. The hostel is located in the former women’s division of Fremantle Prison, which dates back to the mid-19th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

As a former prison, the building is steeped in history and the accommodation has been converted to provide guests with a comfortable and unique stay. The cells have been transformed into private rooms and dorms, and some even feature original cell doors. The communal areas are decorated with prison-related memorabilia and artifacts, providing an immersive experience for guests.

Aside from its historical significance, the Fremantle Prison YHA Hostel also offers modern amenities and facilities. The hostel has a fully equipped kitchen, a BBQ area, a TV lounge, and a tour desk where guests can book tours of the prison and other local attractions.

Staying at the Fremantle Prison YHA Hostel provides a unique opportunity to experience the rich history of Western Australia while enjoying modern comforts. It’s a great choice for an affordable and memorable place to stay in Fremantle.

➡️ Peninsula Riverside Serviced Apartments – South Perth

The Peninsula Riverside Serviced Apartments in South Perth is a luxurious accommodation option that offers stunning views of the Swan River and Perth City skyline. The apartments are located in a peaceful and tranquil area, yet only a short ferry ride from the hustle and bustle of Perth CBD.

The apartments are fully equipped with modern amenities, including a full kitchen, laundry facilities, access to a gym, sauna, and an outdoor swimming pool. South Perth is a great place to stay that is close to Perth’s best attractions in a picturesque riverside location.

Adelaide Accommodations

➡️ YHA Adelaide – Adelaide CBD

YHA Adelaide Central is a hostel located in the heart of Adelaide’s CBD, just a few minutes walk from the bustling Central Market and the free city tram. The hostel offers a range of accommodation options, including private rooms and shared dorms, all equipped with air conditioning, heating, and personal lockers.

The hostel also provides free Wi-Fi, 24-hour reception, and a communal kitchen, dining area, and lounge. Additionally, there is a rooftop terrace with stunning views of the city, perfect for relaxing and socializing.

One of the standout features of YHA Adelaide Central is its commitment to sustainability. The hostel has implemented various eco-friendly measures, such as recycling, composting, and using solar energy.

➡️ The Mayfair Hotel in Adelaide – Adelaide CBD

The Mayfair Hotel is a luxurious and stylish hotel located in the heart of the city. Overlooking Rundle Mall and set within a heritage-listed building, the hotel offers guests an elegant and sophisticated experience. The hotel boasts a restaurant and lounge bar serving delicious cuisine made with locally sourced produce, and a selection of South Australian wines.

Conclusion: Perth To Adelaide

Travelling from Perth to Adelaide offers a unique opportunity to explore the natural beauty of Western and Southern Australia. From the stunning beaches and rugged coastline of the South West region to the vast expanse of the Nullarbor Plain and the rich cultural experiences of Adelaide, this journey has something for everyone.

Whether you choose to take a guided tour, rent a vehicle or drive yourself, there are plenty of options available to suit all budgets and preferences. And with so many amazing sights and attractions along the way, you’re sure to create unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime.

So, pack your bags, hit the open road, and get ready to discover the hidden treasures of Australia’s west and south coast. Whether you’re a nature lover, adventure seeker, or culture enthusiast, this road trip is guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience.

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