$2–4 bus fare only matters here if you already know Adelaide Metro.
Route 167 runs as a regular Adelaide Metro bus through the western suburbs, but it does not enter T1 at Adelaide Airport. Standard metro fares run about $2–4 depending on time of day and ticket type, and you pay the same as any other suburban route. This is basically a locals’ option that just happens to pass within walking distance of the terminal area.
The key catch: the closest Route 167 stops sit out on the public road grid, not at the T1 forecourt where the airport-branded buses and taxis line up. You’re looking at roughly a 10–15 minute walk from the terminal to reach a stop, depending on which side you use. That’s fine if you work at the airport or know Cowandilla / Marleston streets, but it feels awkward if you just rolled off a long-haul and have luggage.
Service follows typical Adelaide Metro span, so you’ll see departures across the day with better frequency in weekday peaks and less on weekends. Exact times change by timetable period, but you’re dealing with scheduled runs, not a high-frequency shuttle. Check the current Route 167 timetable on the Adelaide Metro site before you commit; missing one bus late at night can add 20–30 minutes to your wait on a dark suburban stop.
Using Route 167 from T1 means handling tickets like any other Adelaide Metro rider: tap an existing metro card or buy a paper ticket on services that still offer it, then sit tight until you hit your western suburbs stop. Fares sit in the usual $2–4 band, so the savings versus an $20+ rideshare are real, but you’re paying in walking time and the mental load of reading a suburban route map.
If you’re flying into ADL and still tempted, pull up the stop locations on a map, check the next two departures on your phone before leaving the terminal, and only commit if the walk plus wait still beats standing in the T1 rideshare queue.