Albany Airport

Welcome

Albany’s Harry Riggs Regional Airport is a charming contradiction: a relaxed small-scale community hub with full-service convenience. Nestled just 11 km northwest of Albany, it feels more like a classic country pub, complete with its own local regulars grabbing a coffee or beer at Rex Cafe than a standard airport terminal. With seamless regional jet operations, you are steps away from exploring Western Australia’s scenic Great Southern wine and coastline.

At a glance

The John Bell Terminal is compact, serving as the heart of the airport. With Rex Airlines as the primary carrier, flights primarily connect passengers to Perth. It’s a small operation with minimal flights daily, which can mean boredom if delays occur but offers stress-free transit when things run smoothly.

Terminals & layout

The John Bell Terminal is the sole terminal, capturing the essence of a small regional airfield. Once through security, little divides the different spaces, making transitions easy but demanding attention to grab essentials landside. The simple layout includes one cafe, one bar, and a small lounge operated by Rex Airlines. The absence of a complex network of gates allows for quick stairs-to-seat hop on and off your flight.

Getting to and from the city

Taxi services like Albany City Cabs & Transport are your primary link to town, though limited bus services such as Albany Tours complement them. Most choose rental cars for flexibility, with AVIS and Budget as options. Considering the airport’s quiet location and limited transport schedules, plan your exit strategy beforehand, especially for late-night or Sunday arrivals.

Traveller essentials

Parking options are straightforward with Short and Long Stay Parking both priced at $8.80/day, while Remote Parking is slightly cheaper at $7/day. Despite the ease of navigation and proximity, public transit is sparse—plan accordingly if reliance on public systems is essential. The airport’s relaxed operation means timing can occasionally be tight, so don't cut it too close to departure.

Dining & shopping highlights

Dining options are limited but cozy. Rex Cafe offers made-to-order dishes and barista-made coffee, while the Airport Bar leans into a local vibe, ready to serve regulars from the Albany–Perth route with their usual pours. Shopping is equally straightforward, with essential travel needs handled by rental agencies AVIS and Budget or local taxi services.

Lounges

The Rex Lounge provides the only lounge seating, though it doesn’t offer the advanced amenities frequent flyers might expect elsewhere. It’s simple but serves its purpose in this smaller airport, making it more of a rest area than a full-fledged lounge.

Insider tips

• Insider: Check-in and security are relaxed, so a bit of buffer time is wise, especially if you drove in from afar under a squeezed schedule.
• Time: Order food and coffee early at the Rex Cafe before plane-spotting through those unavoidable apron windows to save crucial minutes.
• Avoid: With no distinction between airside and land side for food outlets, grab more than a snack before passing security if needed.
• Local: Albany’s airside seating doubles as a great spot for plane-spotting, especially when afternoon light hits; photography is warmly welcomed.
• Money: Skip repeated pickup loops; direct drivers to use public parking for swift curbside exits within a two-minute walk.
• Quiet: Utilize the public bathrooms just past check-in for a calm stop before embarking on a longer journey.
• Mobility: Call ahead if you require mobility assistance; advance warning ensures smoother service as staff multitask at this compact facility.