Getting Around Perth: Transperth, Trains & the Free CAT Buses

Perth is an easy, unhurried city to get around, with a tidy public network, a genuinely useful set of free buses, and — good news for arrivals — a train straight from the airport. Before the details, two things smooth a first trip: a travel eSIM so timetables and the Transperth app work on arrival, and, if you’d rather your first airport run was handled, a pre-booked private pickup.

The free CAT buses

The nicest quirk first: the CAT (Central Area Transit) buses are free, looping the Perth CBD on four colour-coded routes — the Red and Blue cats run east–west and north–south through the centre, the Yellow and Green fill in the edges — and there are free CAT services in Fremantle and Joondalup too. For a lot of central sightseeing you can simply hop on and off at no cost, tracking the next bus on the app. It’s the first thing I’d use.

SmartRider, for the rest

Beyond the free buses, Perth runs on Transperth — trains, buses, and ferries — and you tap a SmartRider card to use them. Buy and top up one at stations and newsagents; it’s cheaper than cash fares, and the network runs on distance-based zones (the central couple of zones cover most of what a visitor needs). Tap on and tap off.

Trains and the airport

The train network is clean and quick, radiating from the city underground. Best of all, the Airport Line now connects Perth Airport (Redcliffe and Airport Central stations) directly to the CBD in around 20 minutes — a recent and very welcome addition — with taxis, rideshare, or a booked private airport pickup as alternatives. The train you’ll most likely use as a visitor is the Fremantle Line, a straightforward half-hour ride from the centre down to the port.

Ferries and getting to Rottnest

Transperth ferries cross the Swan River from Elizabeth Quay to Mends Street, South Perth — handy for the zoo and a lovely short trip in itself, with the skyline behind you. For Rottnest Island, the region’s headline day out, you take a dedicated fast ferry — the main departure points are B Shed in Fremantle (the shortest crossing), Barrack Street Jetty in the city, and Hillarys Boat Harbour to the north. Many visitors book a ferry-and-bike or tour package to keep the logistics simple.

A simple mental model

Hold this: free CAT buses in the city and Freo, a SmartRider for the wider network, the Airport Line to and from the plane, the Fremantle Line for the port, and a dedicated ferry for Rottnest. Get connected with an eSIM, grab a SmartRider, and enjoy how much of central Perth and Fremantle you can see for free. For what those journeys reach, see our guide to the places worth your time in Perth. Fares change, so check current Transperth pricing close to your trip.

Frequently asked questions

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