Overview
Perth is one of the world's most isolated capital cities, and that is a big part of the appeal: white-sand beaches, the Swan River and a sunny, unhurried pace of life on Australia's west coast. For UK travellers it has one clear advantage over Sydney and Melbourne — you can fly there nonstop. This guide covers when to go, who flies the route and how to keep the cost down. For live fares, see the price charts on this page.
Best time to fly to Perth
Perth has a Mediterranean climate with long, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. December to February is hot (often above 30°C), cooled by the afternoon sea breeze locals call the "Fremantle Doctor", but it coincides with the Australian school holidays and the busiest, priciest flights. For the best balance of warm weather and value, aim for autumn (March–May) or spring (September–November), when Kings Park fills with wildflowers. Check the "When to book" chart above to see how fares move through the year.
Airlines and routes
Qantas flies the only nonstop service from the UK, linking London Heathrow with Perth in around 17 hours on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. From Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh or Glasgow you will connect through a hub: Emirates via Dubai, Qatar Airways via Doha, Etihad via Abu Dhabi, or Singapore Airlines via Singapore, with total journey times of roughly 19–22 hours depending on the layover. Connecting itineraries are often cheaper than the direct flight and let you break the trip.
Things to do in Perth
A relaxed city with the beach never far away, Perth rewards a few unhurried days before you head further afield.
- Kings Park and Botanic Garden: One of the world's largest inner-city parks, with sweeping views over the skyline and Swan River.
- Rottnest Island: A short ferry from Fremantle to car-free beaches and the famously photogenic quokka.
- Fremantle: A characterful port town of markets, craft breweries and the UNESCO-listed Fremantle Prison.
- Cottesloe Beach: Perth's best-loved swimming and sunset spot, lined with Norfolk pines.
- Swan Valley: The state's oldest wine region, half an hour from the centre, known for food trails and cellar doors.
At Perth Airport (PER)
Perth Airport sits about 12–15 km east of the city centre. The Airport Line train runs from Airport Central station to the CBD in under 20 minutes for a few dollars; route 380 buses also serve the terminals. Taxis and rideshare take 20–30 minutes and cost roughly AUD 45–55. Allow time to move between the terminal groups (T1/T2 and T3/T4), which are several kilometres apart.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Perth
- Book ahead: fares for this route are usually best booked around three to six months in advance; the price charts on this page show the current pattern.
- Travel off-peak: avoid mid-December to late January and the UK school holidays; May, June and September often bring the lowest fares.
- Be flexible with dates: shifting your departure by a day or two, or flying midweek, can cut the cost noticeably.
- Compare direct and connecting: weigh the Qantas nonstop against one-stop options with Emirates, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines to find your best mix of price and comfort.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders need a visa before travelling. Most apply for the free eVisitor (subclass 651) online, or an ETA through the official Australian app, allowing stays of up to three months. The currency is the Australian dollar (AUD). No special vaccinations are required, but Australia enforces strict biosecurity — declare all food, plant and animal products on arrival, and make sure your passport is valid for the whole of your stay. Perth is 7–8 hours ahead of the UK.
