Getting around Perth on public transport

By: Cristy Burne

If you’re new to taking public transport around town, here’s the lowdown on getting yourself, your bike, your service animal, your luggage, your wheelchair, your pram, and even your team of football supporters around on public transport in Perth.

Meet Transperth

Every trip on public transport in Perth is provided by Transperth, so there’s only one set of rules and fares you need to know.

Transperth operate over 1,500 buses, 330 rail cars and three ferries, making more than 18,000 trips around Perth every weekday.

They also operate multiple InfoCentres in the city, located at Elizabeth Quay Bus Station, the Perth Busport, Perth Station, Perth Underground, and at Airport Central Station. The InfoCentres are an excellent starting point if you’re new to the city and want to get familiar with the routes and fees.

Tickets and fares

Transperth offers just two ticketing options: Cash or a SmartRider (a smartcard you can use to pay for public transport).

Your fare depends on how far you travel and whether you qualify for a concession (a discounted fare based on certain eligibility criteria, like whether you’re a student).

Here’s a breakdown of how to pay and how much you'll pay for public transport around Perth.

How do I pay?

Cash tickets

You’ll need exact change to buy a cash ticket from your bus driver, or you can use cash or card to buy your ticket from a machine at train and ferry stations. Hold onto your ticket: you may need to show it to a Transperth inspector.

SmartRiders

SmartRiders are tap-on, tap-off smartcards that are reusable and valid on all public transport.

Simply paying with a SmartRider will get you a 10% discount on standard and concession fares. If you autoload credit onto your SmartRider, this discount goes up to 20%.

If you prefer to pay as you go, you can top up your SmartRider credit online, at train stations at the ticket terminal using cash or card, or by paying cash to your bus driver (you just won’t get any change).

You can also use your SmartRider to pay for parking at a Transperth train station, or to lock and unlock bike lockers at stations.

You can buy a SmartRider at Perth’s InfoCentres or at select retail outlets. There are different types of SmartRiders for different concessions, such as a student SmartRider or a Pensioner SmartRider. Be sure to get the right SmartRider for your concession type so you get the correct fare discounts.

And don’t forget to tap-on at the start of your journey, and tap-off at the end of your journey. If you forget, you’ll be charged for a default fare.

How much do tickets cost?

The fares you pay are based on a zone system.

The zone map divides the Perth metropolitan area into concentric circles. If you only travel within one circle, you’ll pay a one-zone fare. If you cross into a second zone, you’ll pay a two-zone fare.

Hot tip: If you’re near a zone boundary, turn a two-zone fare into a one-zone fare by walking across the zone boundary and then catching your ride.

The good news? Even if you travel through all nine zones, your fare is capped at two-zones.

Fares are usually only valid for two hours. You can travel in any direction within your purchased zones during that time.

Are there any special fares?

Absolutely! Special Fares include:

• Student Fares: Primary and secondary school students often travel for free using a Student SmartRider.

• Two-Section Fare: If you’re not crossing into another zone, and you’re travelling less than 3.2 km on a bus or ferry, you can pay a two-section fare.

• DayRider: Travel anywhere you like, all day long for the same set price. Valid only on the day you buy it.

• FamilyRider: If you’re taking the kids on a day out, this is the ticket for you. FamilyRiders allow all-day travel for groups of up to two adults and five children. Available during off-peak hours, and valid only on the day you buy it.

When can I travel for free?

At certain times, in certain places, or for certain card-holders, Transperth make it easy to make the most of Perth with free travel:

• Every Sunday is free for SmartRider holders: Just tag on and off as normal on any Transperth bus, train or ferry. (Note to party people: This doesn’t apply to late night services after midnight on Saturday).

• People with a Seniors, Pensioner or Veteran SmartRider enjoy free travel on weekdays between 9:00 am and 3.30 pm, and all day on weekends and public holidays.

• Travellers aged 4 and under don’t need a ticket and travel for free.

• Anyone in central Perth’s Free Transit Zone (FTZ) travels free. You’ll see the red oval FTZ logo on bus stops that are in the zone, or you can see the map here.

• Anyone on a Central Area Transit (CAT) bus travels free. You can spot a CAT bus or bus stop from the giant feline on its side. The CATs prowl regular routes through Perth and Joondalup. You don’t need a ticket or SmartRider and you can ride as often as you like.

• Ticket holders for big concerts, sports matches or special events: If you’re heading to a big event, your ticket often includes free public transport to the venue.

What’s the difference between the train, bus and ferry network?

You can use any type of transport with your SmartRider or cash ticket.

Trains

Perth’s rail network extends out from the central hub of Perth Station. Before you board your train, you must tag on. To open a train door, you’ll need to push the door button. You tag off on the platform when you leave the train. You’ll see colour-coded train maps on the walls of every carriage, detailing the main trainlines:

• Airport line: A direct service east from Perth to Redcliffe and the Airport Central station.

• Armadale/Thornlie lines: Heads south-east to Perth Stadium and Victoria Park before splitting into two branches at Cannington. One branch heads to Thornlie, where, from mid-2025, the Thornlie-Cockburn link will link the Mandurah line directly to Cannington and on to Perth Stadium. The second branch continues south to the City of Armadale.

• Ellenbrook line: Travels from Perth with the Midland line past East Perth Station and Bayswater, then branches off north to Whiteman Park and up to the vibrant suburb of Ellenbrook.

• Fremantle line: Travels west via Perth’s leafy Western suburbs and the seasonal Showgrounds station to the historical port town of Fremantle.

• Mandurah line: Heads south straight down the Kwinana Freeway before heading slightly west to Kwinana, Rockingham and all the way south to the coastal city of Mandurah.

• Midland line: Travels from Perth with the Ellenbrook line past East Perth Station and Bayswater before continuing east to historical Guildford and Midland.

• Yanchep line: Goes north along Mitchell Freeway to the City of Joondalup, then continues north all the way to the growing seaside suburb of Yanchep.

Buses

Transperth buses service suburbs not connected by rail. You tag on when you enter the front of the bus and tag off when you exit at the back. Each bus has its own timetables for weekdays and weekends, and frequency can vary a lot depending on day of the week and time of day. Scanning the QR code at a bus stop will tell you when the next bus is due.

You can ask a bus to stop just by raising your hand. A bus with 000 is out of service and won’t stop.

The major bus ports are integrated with the train stations and include Perth Busport, Elizabeth Quay Bus Station, and Wellington Street Bus Station.

Ferries

Transperth operates a ferry service across the Swan River, so you can float for ten minutes from Elizabeth Quay in the Perth CBD to South Perth, with its cafes and short stroll to Perth Zoo. Tag on and off at the dock.

How can I plan my trip on public transport?

There are several super-handy resources to help plan your trip:

• Online Journey Planner: Just pop in where you’re travelling from and to and you’ll receive step-by-step instructions, including which services to catch and travel times.

• Google Maps: Click on the train icon for public transport directions including timetables and walk times.

• Transperth App: This excellent free app provides real-time tracking, route planning, service updates, and fare calculators. You can also setup favourite routes and destinations, for easy access to the latest information on your incoming ride.

When can I travel?

Check out timetables online. In general:

Trains operate from around 5:00 am to midnight, with reduced frequency in the late evening and on weekends. Some services are express, so make sure your train stops where you need it to stop.

Bus timetables vary a lot. Most major routes run from 5:00 am to 11:00 pm but may finish earlier or be run less often, depending on the day.

Ferries operate all day with increased frequency during the summer months.

What else should I know about public transport in Perth?

• All passengers have the right to a safe and comfortable ride: Transperth has clear rules and inspectors can issue fines for fare evasion and anti-social conduct.

• There’s no smoking, alcohol, or disruptive behaviour permitted on public transport.

• Some seating is reserved: There are priority seats near the doors for people who need them, including elderly and pregnant passengers. Buses have space for wheelchairs and prams and a ramp that the driver will extend to help you roll in.

• What you can take on board depends on what time it is and how you’re travelling:

  • YES to suitcases, backpacks, prams, shopping bags, mobility aids, and folded bikes; just make sure you’re not blocking anyone’s way.

  • Bicycles and e-scooters:

    • Bicycles (including e-bikes) and e-scooters are only allowed on buses if they are folded and placed in a fit for purpose bag and if its folded size is no more than 120cm x 68cm x 40cm.

    • SOMETIMES to bicycles, e-bikes and e-scooters on trains: You can wheel your bike into carriages outside of peak periods (7:00–9:00 am and 4:30–6:30 pm). During peak times you can ride with your bicycle, e-bike or e-scooter if it is folded and placed in a fit for purpose bag and if its folded size is no more than 120cm x 68cm x 40cm. You can travel during peak times without folding your bicycle or e-scooter only if you travel in a non-peak direction.

    • YES to bikes (including e-bikes) and e-scooters on ferries: there are four bicycle racks you can use any time. If they’re full, you might have to wait for the next ferry.

  • Animals:

    • YES to service animals, which are allowed on all forms of transport.

    • NO to pets or any other animals.

Does everyone thank the bus driver?

It’s not compulsory, but in Perth, we’ll often call a cheery ‘thanks’ to the bus driver as we tag-off. What a great tradition! And a great way to start your next adventure, all thanks to public transport.