Perth Airport Car Rental

Perth International Airport Car Rental: Essential Tips

How to Find the Car Rental Desk at PER

After landing at Perth Airport and collecting your baggage, exit into the arrivals hall. Car rental desks, including Final Rentals partner counters, are conveniently located directly within the terminal buildings. At Terminal 1 (International and select Domestic flights), the desks are situated in the public arrivals hall immediately after exiting the customs and quarantine area. At Terminals 3 and 4 (Domestic), the desks are located in or adjacent to the baggage reclaim area, with the rental car parks just a short 5-minute walk away. No shuttle service is required.

Documents You Must Carry at Pickup

To collect your Final Rentals car at Perth Airport, you must present your valid home-country driving licence, your passport, and a credit card in the lead driver’s name for the security deposit hold. Drivers must have held a valid licence for at least one year.

International Driving Permit (IDP) at PER — Who Needs One

If your home-country driving licence is not printed in English, you must carry a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) or an official English translation alongside your national licence. Visitors from the UK, US, Canada, and other English-speaking countries with standard Latin-alphabet licences are generally accepted without an IDP, though carrying one is always recommended to prevent any potential disputes at the rental counter.

Minimum Age and Driving Experience

The minimum age to rent a car in Western Australia is typically 21 years. Drivers must have held a valid licence for a minimum of one year. Renters aged 21 to 24 are subject to a daily young driver surcharge (typically $30–$45 per day), which varies by supplier and vehicle class. The maximum rental age accepted by most companies is 75 to 80 years.

Credit Card Deposit — What to Expect

A pre-authorisation hold is placed on a credit card in the lead driver’s name at the time of vehicle collection. Deposit amounts at Perth Airport typically range from $300 to $1,000+, depending on the vehicle class and the insurance coverage selected. Debit cards are generally not accepted for the security deposit hold, so a credit card is strongly recommended. The hold is usually released within 7 to 14 business days after the car is returned undamaged. Opting for Final Rentals full-coverage insurance may reduce or eliminate this deposit requirement.

Driving Conditions from Perth Airport

In Australia, you must drive on the left side of the road. The route from the airport to the Perth CBD or Fremantle is via well-maintained, clearly signposted highways (such as Tonkin Highway or Great Eastern Highway). However, routes heading to regional destinations like Margaret River, the Pinnacles Desert, or the Kimberley region involve long distances and varying road conditions, including unsealed gravel (ripio) sections. A compact SUV or 4x4 is highly recommended for exploring Western Australia’s rugged outback or coastal tracks.

Speed Limits and Traffic Rules from Day One

Speed limits in Western Australia are strictly enforced: 50 km/h in urban and built-up areas, and up to 100–110 km/h on regional roads and highways unless otherwise signposted. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05% BAC (and 0.00% for drivers on provisional "P" plates). Seat belts are mandatory for all passengers, and mobile phone use while driving is illegal without a hands-free device. Police checkpoints and mobile speed cameras are common on major routes out of Perth.

Fuel and Petrol Stations Near Perth Airport

Petrol stations (such as BP, Ampol, and Shell) are located immediately adjacent to the airport along Tonkin Highway and Great Eastern Highway. Fuel in Australia is sold by the litre. As of mid-2026, regular unleaded petrol costs approximately $1.70–$1.90 per litre. Most stations are self-service or full-service, and major credit cards are widely accepted at the pump. It is advisable to fill up before heading into remote regional areas, as stations become sparse and prices increase significantly.

One-Way Rentals and Cross-State Travel

Final Rentals permits one-way car rentals across Australia from Perth Airport to other locations within Western Australia (e.g., regional towns) and to other Australian states (e.g., Sydney, Melbourne), though a standard one-way drop-off fee usually applies. Important note on island travel: Taking a rental vehicle on a ferry to Rottnest Island or any other island is strictly prohibited by rental agreements; you must leave your car at the ferry terminal in Fremantle or Hillarys and arrange separate transport upon arrival.

What Happens if Your Flight Is Delayed

Final Rentals partner suppliers at Perth Airport monitor incoming flight schedules in real time. If your flight is delayed, your reservation is typically protected for a grace period of 1 to 2 hours past the original pickup time at no additional charge. For delays beyond this window, contact Final Rentals customer support using the number in your booking confirmation to adjust your pickup time.

About Perth International Airport (PER)

• IATA Code: PER (ICAO: YPPH)

• Location: Approximately 13 km (8 miles) east of the Perth CBD, Western Australia.

• Facilities: Terminal 1 (International and select Domestic), Terminal 3 (Virgin Australia), and Terminal 4 (Qantas).

• Traffic: Handles over 15 million passengers annually, serving as the primary aviation gateway to Western Australia and the wider Australasian region.