Adelaide Airport departures information

Adelaide Airport has a single terminal for all flights, which makes it easy when you're flying from there or dropping someone off at the airport.

Almost all check-in counters are found on the 2nd floor of the airport, but some are on the ground floor. Most of the cafes, restaurants and departure gates are also on the 2nd level, but some flights leave from the 1st floor.

Checking in for international flights

The check-in area is found as soon as you walk into the airport. These are split by airline: to the left of the building you'll find Rex and Virgin Australia, to the right you'll find Jetstar and Qantas. If you can't see your airline's desks clearly marked, several departures boards will tell you where you can check in.

The only exception to this is China Southern Flights, with passengers having to go to the ground floor to check in.

For international flights, it's recommended that you arrive at Adelaide Airport at least 3 hours before your flight's scheduled departure time.

Checking in for domestic flights

Adelaide's domestic check-in facilities are mixed with its international counters on the 2nd level. The major Australian airlines have large signs depicting their check-in areas, but there are also a number of screens that will instruct you where to go.

For domestic flights, you should aim to be at the airport to check-in and drop your bags 1 hour before your flight.

Adelaide arrivals information

Inbound flights come into Adelaide Airport on level 1. From here, you'll go down a flight of escalators to the baggage carousels.

Once you have your luggage, you have the chance to get a coffee, sandwich or beer in the arrivals hall or you can make your way to your accommodation. Car hire counters are on the back wall. Taxis and buses are found to the left outside the building.

Pick up and drop off at Adelaide Airport

If you're dropping someone off at the airport, you can do this right in front of the terminal's doors. You'll find three lanes on this road, and only the far left one can be used to stop. It is illegal to leave a car unattended in this area, so you'll have to say your goodbyes by your vehicle.

A similar process applies for airport pick ups. If the person you're driving to meet hasn't arranged yet, you can't park at the front of the terminal. If you think they're close, you can circle round and pull up once they've passed through customs. If the table above says their flight is delayed, you may be better off waiting in the short-term parking lot.

Where should I park at Adelaide Airport?

There are 2 options for parking at Adelaide Airport: Terminal Parking directly opposite the airport (short term) and the Long Term parking lot which is to the west of the terminal. A free shuttle bus will take you from the long-term parking area to the terminal.

The Terminal Parking lot starts at $5 for the first half hour. For the first 2 hours you're there, the price goes up every 30 minutes. For 2 hours, you pay $18. From there you pay more for every hour you stay, up to $36 for 10 hours. After that it's $39 for 24 hours and then $39 extra for each subsequent day you stay.

Long Term Parking starts at $30 for the first day, but is cheaper per day after that. For 2 days you'll pay $52, and for 7 days $104. Every day after that is an additional $10.

These prices are based on drive-up charges. Save money by booking your parking online.

How to get to and from Adelaide Airport

Adelaide Airport is 7km to the west of the CBD. Most trips (by car, taxi or bus) go straight along Sir Donald Bradman Drive that connects the airport to the city.

Adelaide by car

The trip from the airport to Adelaide CBD is straightforward. From the parking lots and car hire collection points, drive north-east along Sir Richard Williams Avenue and turn right onto Sir Donald Bradman Drive. This route is well sign posted.

Simply follow this road east into the city. Once you pass through the collar of parkland that surrounds the CBD, the highway will turn into the smaller Grote Street. This street travels across the middle of the city, with many of the hotels to the north (left).

In a taxi, this trip is likely to cost between $20 and $25.

Adelaide by bus

Public buses are available outside the terminal, to the left as you exit the building. Routes J1 and J1X go into the CBD along Currie Street in the north to Greenfell Street in the east. A one-way ticket costs $4 and the bus takes around 20 minutes to the centre of the city.

Please note: all information is correct as of September, 2017.