Darwin: transport to and from the airport

Darwin International Airport can be found on 11.4 km distance from the city centre of Darwin. Although there is no direct public transport connection from the airport, there are several ways to travel to the Darwin city centre from the airport.

Below you will find an overview of the possibilities regarding public transport (in walking distance from the airport), shuttle buses and the taxi.

Darwin International Airport

Address: 1 Henry Wrigley Dr, Darwin International Airport NT 0820, Australia.
Distance airport – centre Darwin: 11.4km.
IATA code: DRW.

Overview: transport airport Darwin

Rental car: prices based on availability and rental period, duration 13-16 minutes.
Buslink: AU$3-7 / € 2-4,75 per person one way, duration 60-90 minutes.
Shuttle bus accommodations and rental companies: prices, times and travel time on request.
Darwin Airport Shuttle service: AU$18 / € 12 per person one way, duration 20 minutes.
Accor shuttle bus: free of charge, only if you stay at the Mercure or Novotel Darwin Airport hotel, duration 2 minutes.
Uber: not present.
Taxi: AU$25-30 / € 17-21 (excluding AU$3 / € 2 airport tax), duration 15-20 minutes.

Map

Rental car

With a rental car you not only have direct transportation from and to the airport of Darwin, but you can also explore the Darwin area straight away. You can rent a car quickly and easily via for example Sunny Cars or Rentalcars.com.

Buslink

The buses of Buslink to the centre of Darwin all depart in 5-15 minutes walking distance from the terminal. Directly from the airport there is no bus connection to the centre.

From Monday till Friday there are both direct connections an connections with a transfer. On Saturday and Sunday there are only bus connections with a transfer. Some bus connections do not operate on Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays (including Good Friday and Christmas). Duration: 60-90 minutes, depending if you have a connection with or without a transfer.

Paper tickets for day tickets and one ways, or a Tap and Ride card can be purchased at the bus with cash or at a bus interchange with cash or by EFTPOS. If you (are planning to) travel by public transport more often in/around Darwin, a Tap and Ride card can be very handy. This is a free rechargeable card on which you can put a max. of AU$40 / € 27 travel credit and which is valid for 1 traveler.

AU$3 / € 2 per person (unlimited travel for 3 hours from purchase).
AU$7 / € 4,75 per person (unlimited travel till the last bus service of that day).
Children younger than 5 years old travel for free. Check the actual rates.

Bus stops near the airport are:

• Charles Eaton Drive 816: 300m / 4 minutes walk.
• Abala 253: 750m / 10 minutes walk.
• Abala 256: 950m / 12 minutes walk.
• (tegenover) Airport Hotel 410: 950m / 12 minutes walk.
• Rothdale 271: 1 km / 13 minutes walk.
• Rothdale 208: 1 km / 13 minutes walk.

If you choose to travel by the public transport which is in walking distance from the airport, please bear in mind that a safe sidewalk is not always present near Darwin Airport. Over a small distance you will need to walk through the grass with your luggage.

For the actual bus stop, bus numbers, routes and departure times, plan your trip via Google Maps or the NT Bus Tracker App.

Android App Store

Check the actual bus timetable and route maps for Darwin.

Shuttle bus accommodations and rental companies

In addition to the shuttle bus company below, there are also accommodations and rental companies which bring guests/customers with their own transfer bus for free or at (reduced) costs to/from the airport of Darwin. Check this in advance with your accommodation or rental company before you book a transfer with another provider.

Darwin Airport Shuttle Service

The Darwin Airport Shuttle Service offers a shared shuttle service to and from the airport, 7 days a week and 24 hours a day. You can book your transfer:

• via the online reservation system (till 24 hours before departure).
• by contacting the customer service on 08 8947 3979 (within Australia) or +61 8 8947 3979 (07.00-20.00h / 07.00am-08.00pm, 7 days).
• at the reception of your accommodation.
• at the Darwin Airport Shuttle Service desk at the airport.

Online reservations need to be made at least 24 hours before departure and definitely when you have got an evening- or night flight from Darwin.

Reconfirm a pick-up at your accommodation 24 hours before departure by contacting the customer service (between 09.00-17.00h / 09.00am-05.00pm).

Please hand over the e-ticket to the bus driver. Travelers without an e-ticket are not accepted on the bus. The bus leaves just outside the arrivals hall.

From the airport – various accommodations in the centre of Darwin (duration: 20 minutes):

Every 20 minutes between 10.00-15.00h (10.00am-03.00pm) and between 22.00-03.00h (10.00pm-03.00am). Every hour at other times.

From various accommodations in the centre of Darwin – airport (duration: 20 minutes):

Every 20 minutes between 10.00-15.00h (10.00am-03.00pm) and between 22.00-04.00h (10.00pm-04.00am). Every hour at other times.

Adults and children (age 5-12): AU$18 / € 12 per person one way.
Children (age 0-5 ): free of charge.

Accor shuttle bus

If you are staying at the Mercure Darwin Airport Resort or the Novotel Darwin Airport hotel, Accor offers a free shuttle bus between the terminal and your accommodation.

After your arrival, you can request for a transfer via the phone which you can find next to the baggage belts on the ground floor. The bus departs just outside the arrivals hall. Duration: 2 minutes. The hotels are in 450m / 6 min walking distance from the airport.

Uber

Not present.

Taxi

AU$25-30 / € 17-21 (excluding AU$3 / € 2 airport tax, when you depart from the taxi stand at the airport).
The taxi stand can be found just outside the arrivals hall. Duration: 15-20 minutes.

All times and prices listed above are subject to changes.
Check the website(s) of the supplier(s) for current departure times, prices and other traveler information.