A$5 cash fare gets you from PER to CBD on Bus 380
Transperth Bus 380 runs between Perth Airport and Perth CBD via Great Eastern Highway, so it suits budget flyers who don’t mind a slower ride instead of a taxi or rideshare. The 380 serves T1 and T2 at the main international/ domestic precinct, then continues toward the city with several stops before Esplanade Busport in central Perth. The trip from T1 to the CBD usually sits around 35–45 minutes depending on traffic on Great Eastern Highway.
The 380 runs roughly every 30 minutes most of the day, with first and last departures shifting slightly between weekdays and weekends. Services operate seven days a week, including public holidays, and late-night flights usually still see at least one bus an hour. Check the exact timetable for Route 380 on the day you fly, since early-morning gaps can stretch to 60 minutes.
At Perth Airport, look for clearly signed Transperth stops outside T1 and T2 on Airport Drive; you do not need to be airside, as the 380 stop sits landside on the arrivals level. Allow 10–15 minutes from stepping off the plane to walking out to the stop if you’re checking bags. From T3 and T4 on the separate domestic precinct, you’ll need a short terminal transfer or taxi to reach the T1/T2 380 stop, which adds at least 15 extra minutes.
Fares use the standard Transperth zone system; Perth Airport to the CBD is usually a 2-zone ticket that costs around A$5–6 with a SmartRider or slightly more with a paper ticket bought from the driver. You can tap on with a SmartRider card or pay cash in small notes and coins; drivers don’t love large bills like A$50. Kids, seniors, and concession card holders often pay less, but still use the same 2-zone structure.
Inside the bus, you’ll find basic forward-facing seats, overhead handrails, and space for luggage near the front door rather than dedicated racks. Buses are low-floor with front and middle doors, and most 380 services have air conditioning that handles Perth’s 35°C summer days. There’s no onboard toilet or Wi‑Fi, so plan for 40 minutes of offline time between T1 and the city.
One practical tip: buy or top up a SmartRider card before your return flight day at a CBD station, then use it on the 380 both ways; you’ll shave a small discount off each fare and skip fumbling for coins at the airport stop.