✈ Getting from Darwin Airport to the City Centre

Darwin, Australia’s Northern Territory’s capital city, is diverse and rich in culture and history. Darwin is a gateway to Australia’s most breathtaking natural wonders, including Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks and is full of various activities. From National Parks to a vibrant night, dining and arts scene, it is the perfect holiday destination for all travellers alike.

So when visiting this unique city, you will be landing at Darwin International Airport, and if you want to make your way to the city centre, you have two transportation options; a taxi or a bus. Taking a taxi or private transfer from Darwin Airport to the city is a great way to get around. Darwin taxis are available 24/7 and provide fast and reliable door-to-door transfers, taking you downtown in just 15 minutes. For a cost-savvy alternative, travellers can take a combination of two public buses (No. 3 and 10), which will take 1 hour to cover the journey, excluding waiting times.

Welcome Pickups offers meet and greet services and a friendly introduction to Darwin at the same price as a regular taxi. Click here to see the cost.

Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Taxi	€18.50	15min	24/7
Bus	€3.80	60min	06:15–18:35

How to get from Darwin Airport to the city centre by taxi

When arriving in a new city, taking a taxi or private transfer is the best way to get around, especially when travelling with children and/or heavy luggage. Taxis provide safe and reliable door-to-door services in the comfort of a private vehicle, getting you from Darwin Airport to the city in just 15 minutes.

How much is a taxi from Darwin Airport to the city?

Taxis from Darwin Airport to the city calculate their prices using a taximeter based on the time and distance travelled. You can expect to pay around €18.50 (AUD 30) for your 15-minute trip to downtown Darwin. Please remember that there is a 20% surcharge between 19:00 and 06:00, including Sundays and public holidays, bringing your fare to €21.50 (AUD 35).

However, if you prefer travelling at a fixed price you can rely on, and with a local, friendly driver, it is recommended to pre-book your Darwin Airport transfer with Welcome.

Cost

€18.50 (AUD 30)

Trip Duration

15 Min.

*Prices may vary unless booked in advance.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis are available 24/7 at Darwin International Airport (DRW).

Where do I get a taxi from?

You can find Darwin Airport’s taxi ranks outside the Arrivals area of both the Domestic and International terminals.

Convenience

Exploring a new city can be overwhelming, especially after a long flight. That is why opting for a taxi or private transfer from Darwin Airport to the city centre is the ideal choice to start your holiday stress-free.

Taxis offer safe, reliable, 24/7 door-to-door transportation, getting you and your loved ones from Darwin Airport to the city centre in just 15 minutes.

Editor’s Note

Keep in mind that a 20% price surcharge will apply when travelling at night, on weekends or holidays.

Useful Tips

Cabs in Darwin should accept card payments, although some have a minimum charge for card payments; thus, it is best to ask your driver beforehand.

Ensure that the taximeter has been turned on and set on the correct tariff before starting your trip from Darwin Airport to the city centre.

It is not expected to tip your taxi driver; however, it is always appreciated.

How to get from Darwin Airport to the city centre by bus

For anyone travelling from Darwin Airport to the city on a budget, a cost-savvy alternative would be to take the public bus; however, you will first have to take bus No. 3 before changing to bus No. 10 at Casuarina Interchange. The total travel time, excluding waits, is around 1 hour, depending on traffic conditions.

How much is a bus ticket from Darwin Airport to the city?

A one-way bus fare from Darwin Airport to the city centre costs €1.90 (AUD 3). This pass will allow you to use Darwin’s public bus system for up to 3 hours. You can purchase tickets from the Darwin Airport’s bus station vending machines or on the bus.

Cost

€1.90 (AUD 3)

Trip Duration

1 hour

The bus runs every 30 minutes during peak times and every hour out of busy hours.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The bus is available Monday to Saturday from 06:13 to 18:35 and on Sundays from 09:15 to 06:33.

Where do I get the bus from?

The Charles Eaton Drive bus stop is a short 8 minutes walk from Darwin Airport’s Arrivals area. You will then need to change buses at the Casuarina Interchange and alight at the Darwin Interchange.

Convenience

Although being the cheapest transport from Darwin Airport to the city, the bus option is indirect, which can be long and stressful when travelling with children and/or heavy luggage. Moreover, the bus timetable is not optimised for travellers arriving early in the morning or late at night.

Timetables

Bus Website

Editor’s Note

Please note that travel times can vary depending on the traffic conditions and bus waiting times.

Useful Tips

Bus vehicles from Darwin Airport to the city are comfortable and air-conditioned.

A 24-hour bus ticket is available for €4.30 (AUD 7).

Welcome Pickups has a Net Safety Score of 99 of 100

We’ve introduced a metric indicating how safe travellers feel when using our services during the COVID-19 pandemic. After every ride, we ask each traveller to leave a review.

20 minute gap between transfers
Regular Car Sanitisation
Contactless ride
Sanitiser in every car

What’s the Darwin Airport to city distance?

Darwin Airport is located 12 km north of Darwin city centre; it takes around 15 minutes to cover the Darwin Airport to city route by car or taxi.

How do I get from Darwin Airport to the city?

There are two options for your transport from Darwin Airport to the city; you can take a taxi or private transfer, which takes 15 minutes, or the public bus No. 3 and its connecting bus No. 10, which takes 1 hour, excluding waiting times.

What’s the cost of a taxi from Darwin Airport to the city?

Taxis from Darwin Airport to the city centre calculate their fares using a taximeter. You can expect to pay around €18.50 (AUD 30) during the day and €21.50 (AUD 35) at night.

Nevertheless, if you want to travel at a fixed price, with no hidden fees, you can pre-book your private airport taxi with Welcome.

Was this helpful?

The best way to arrive in Darwin

High-end transfer service at the same price as a regular taxi. Available in 42 destinations.

Learn more

How to get from Darwin Airport to City Centre

Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi Learn more

How to get from Darwin Airport to the city centre by taxi