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Perth Travel Guide
Buy Australian DollarsPerth at a glance
Perth, on Australia's west coast, is a trip of its own rather than an add-on: Sydney is about four hours away by air, more flying west, and Melbourne about three and a half. There is no nonstop flight from India, so most Indian visitors connect through an Asian or Gulf hub. Three or four days covers the city, the beaches, Fremantle and Rottnest Island.
Since 1 January 2026, almost any Transperth trip, the airport train included, costs a flat AUD 3.50 by contactless card (AUD 3.15 on a SmartRider) and is valid for three hours, and travel is free all day on Sundays when you tap a card. Visa and Mastercard cards and phone wallets work on every service, and the free CAT buses loop around the CBD.
Rottnest Island, home of the quokka, is about 25 minutes by ferry from Fremantle or 90 minutes from Barrack Street in the city. Same-day returns, including the AUD 21.50 island admission fee, cost AUD 87.50 from Fremantle and AUD 135.50 from Perth with Rottnest Express, SeaLink is similar, and bikes cost AUD 35 a day. Kings Park, with the best skyline view, is free, and Fremantle Markets open from Friday to Sunday.
Indian passport holders need a Visitor visa (subclass 600), AUD 250 from 1 July 2026, and since 1 October 2026 card surcharges are banned on eftpos, Visa and Mastercard, so the displayed price is what you pay.
Where to stay
The CBD is walkable, and trains and buses reach Fremantle and the beaches.
The CBD
Central and walkable, by Elizabeth Quay and the Swan River, with the free CAT buses and the airport train; the straightforward first-time base.
Fremantle
The historic port, about 30 minutes by train, with the markets and the quickest ferries to Rottnest; worth a base if the island and the coast are your focus.
Cottesloe
Perth's best-known beach suburb, a train or bus ride from the centre, for a beach-first stay.
Paying in Perth
For the Australian dollar itself, the visa, the Tourist Refund Scheme and how much cash to carry, see the Australia travel guide and our page on the Australian dollar.
Cards and phones work almost everywhere, including Fremantle Markets, and on all Transperth services, charged at the cash fare. Carry AUD 150 to 250 in cash as a backup, and when a terminal or ATM offers rupees, choose Australian dollars.
What Perth actually costs
Set the length and style of your trip to see what to budget, in Australian dollars and Indian rupees.
Indicative, excluding international flights and accommodation, per person per day. Converted at the verified mid-market rate on 3 October 2026, A$1 ≈ ₹66.99, not a Matrix board rate.
Budget roughly ₹4,020 to ₹15,410 per person per day on the ground, excluding flights and accommodation.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Transperth trip, airport train included (contactless) | AUD 3.50, free on Sundays |
| Rottnest day return from Fremantle / Perth, with admission | AUD 87.50 / AUD 135.50 |
| Bike hire on Rottnest, one day | AUD 35 |
| Kings Park | Free |
| Taxi, airport to the CBD, with the AUD 4.50 airport fee | about AUD 45-55 |
| Casual meal for one | AUD 18-30 |
Getting around
Transperth trains, buses and ferries take contactless Visa and Mastercard cards and phones, charged at the cash fare: trips over 3.2 km cost a flat AUD 3.50 for three hours, and travel is free on Sundays when you tap a card. The free CAT buses loop around the CBD, and the Blue and Purple routes reach Kings Park.
From Terminals 1 and 2, the Airport Line train reaches Perth station in 18 minutes for AUD 3.50. From Terminals 3 and 4, take the free 292 shuttle to Redcliffe station, then the train. Taxis and rideshares pay a AUD 4.50 airport fee, and a taxi to the CBD costs about AUD 45 to 55.
Common mistakes in Perth
Packing Indian food without declaring it
Declare all food on arrival or bin it. Cumin, coriander and fennel seeds, dried chillies and raw rice are not allowed in, ghee and milk sweets are likely to be refused, and fines run up to AUD 7,280.
Treating Perth as an add-on
It is about four hours by air from Sydney. Plan it as its own trip, or allow a full travel day.
Booking Rottnest from the wrong pier
Ferries from Fremantle take about 25 minutes, and from Barrack Street in the city about 90. Pick the departure point before you book.
Forgetting Sundays are free
Tap a card on a Sunday and Transperth travel costs nothing, so plan the Fremantle or beach day for then.
Perth FAQs
Three to four days covers the city, Fremantle and Rottnest Island.
Yes. Indian passport holders cannot use the ETA or eVisitor and need a Visitor visa (subclass 600, Tourist stream), applied for online through ImmiAccount. The charge is AUD 250 from 1 July 2026. In late September 2026, half of applications were decided within 21 days and 90% within 33. Biometrics are requested only in some cases.
AUD 3.50 by contactless card to Perth station, 18 minutes from Terminals 1 and 2, and free on Sundays when you tap a card.
By ferry from Fremantle, about 25 minutes, or from Barrack Street in Perth, about 90 minutes. A same-day return including the AUD 21.50 admission fee costs AUD 87.50 from Fremantle.
Yes. Visa and Mastercard cards and phone wallets work on every Transperth train, bus and ferry, charged at the cash fare.
Only with a flight of about four hours to Sydney or three and a half to Melbourne, so most travellers give Perth its own trip.
On 3 October 2026 one Australian dollar was ₹66.99 at the mid-market rate, so AUD 100 is about ₹6,700.
More guides in Australia
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