Flying into Perth and picking up a hire car is one of the smoothest ways to start a WA road trip — but it helps to know exactly how the process works before you land. Perth Airport’s domestic terminals (T1 for Qantas and T2 for Virgin Australia) are well-organised, and Burswood Car Rentals delivers directly to the airport, making the collection process genuinely simple.
This step-by-step guide walks you through everything from landing to driving — including how airport delivery works with Burswood, what to do when you arrive, and what to check before you leave the airport precinct.
🚗 Burswood Delivers Direct to Perth AirportNo rental stickers. No hidden fees. Airport and hotel delivery available — prearranged at any time. Call (08) 9362 4777. |
Step 1: Book Your Car Before You Fly
The first step happens before you board. Book your Burswood hire car online or by phone before your travel date, and specify that you require airport delivery when booking. Airport and hotel delivery is available — and can be arranged at any time of day or night as a prearranged pickup.
At booking, confirm:
- Your arriving terminal — T1 (Qantas and alliance partners) or T2 (Virgin Australia)
- Your estimated arrival time, including realistic buffer for baggage claim
- Your flight number — this lets Burswood track delays without you needing to call
- Your vehicle preference — see the full fleet to choose the right car for your trip
| 💡 Book early for airport pickup: Airport delivery slots, particularly for popular vehicle types like SUVs and people movers, should be secured well in advance — particularly during school holidays and December–January. Don’t leave airport bookings to the day before. |
Step 2: Understanding Perth’s Domestic Terminals
Perth Airport’s two domestic terminals are separate buildings. Knowing which one you’re arriving into matters for the collection process.
| Terminal | Airlines | Location |
|---|---|---|
| T1 (Domestic) | Qantas, QantasLink, Jetstar, and alliance partners | Northern section of the airport precinct |
| T2 (Domestic) | Virgin Australia and partner airlines | Southern section, approximately 1.5km from T1 |
If you’re unsure which terminal you’re arriving into, check your boarding pass or the Perth Airport website (perthairport.com.au). Burswood coordinates delivery to whichever terminal you specify — just make sure your booking has the right one.
| 📌 T1 and T2 are separate: Don’t assume you’ll arrive at T1 because you’ve booked Qantas before — always check your current booking. Arriving at the wrong terminal expecting your hire car can cause significant delays. |
Step 3: After Landing — What to Do at the Airport
- Disembark and follow signs to the baggage claim carousel for your flight — domestic Perth arrivals are straightforward and well-signed.
- Collect your luggage. No border security or customs for domestic arrivals.
- Head to the arrivals area — once through the baggage hall, you’ll enter the arrivals concourse where ground transport options are available.
- Contact Burswood to confirm your arrival — when you’re through and at baggage claim, a quick call or WhatsApp message to 0438 757 909 confirms you’ve landed and gives them your precise location. This is the cleanest way to coordinate the handover.
- Meet the Burswood representative — they’ll come to you with the vehicle, or direct you to the vehicle’s location. Confirm the meeting point when you call.
| 💡 WhatsApp works too: Burswood can be reached via WhatsApp on 0438 757 909 — useful if you have international roaming data or prefer messaging over calling on arrival. |
Step 4: Vehicle Collection — What to Bring and Check
At handover, have your documents ready:
- Current driver’s licence (physical card)
- Credit or debit card for the bond (charged the day prior to collection)
- International Driving Permit if applicable
At collection, take a few minutes to:
- Walk around the car and check for any existing marks or damage — confirm these are noted on the agreement before you sign
- Check the fuel gauge — the tank should be full; confirm this at handover
- Confirm the kilometre allowance on your agreement — Burswood includes 100km or 200km free per day depending on vehicle type
- Connect your phone to Android Auto or Apple CarPlay — most Burswood vehicles have this built in (you’ll need your cable)
- Confirm where to return the car — if you’re doing a one-way trip or have specific return instructions, clarify these now
| 📌 Pre-existing damage: Always document any existing marks before driving off — photos on your phone with a visible timestamp provide your own record in addition to what’s noted on the rental agreement. |
Step 5: Leaving the Airport — Perth Orientation
Once you’re in the car, here’s the basic orientation for leaving Perth Airport’s domestic precinct:
- Perth CBD is approximately 12–15 km south-west of the airport — a 20–30 minute drive depending on traffic
- Fremantle is approximately 25–30 km from the airport via the Roe Highway or Graham Farmer Freeway
- Burswood depot (16 Teddington Road, Burswood) is approximately 10 km from the domestic terminal — useful if you need to visit the office after collection
- Margaret River direction — head south via the Kwinana Freeway; see Blog 4 in this document for a full Perth to Margaret River driving guide
Most Burswood vehicles include Android Auto or Apple CarPlay — connect your phone to access Google Maps or Apple Maps for turn-by-turn navigation from the airport.
| 💡 First left out of Perth Airport: If your GPS loses signal in the airport tunnel or multi-level car park, it usually reacquires quickly once you reach the surface roads. Don’t panic — just pull over safely once you’re in the open if you need to reset navigation. |
What If My Flight Is Delayed?
Flight delays are common, and Burswood accounts for them. When you book with airport delivery, provide your flight number — this allows Burswood to monitor your arrival and adjust accordingly without requiring you to call mid-flight. If there’s a significant delay or change, contact Burswood as early as possible via phone or WhatsApp to update the collection time.
Returning the Car After Airport Use
If you picked the car up at the airport and want to return it there too (or at a hotel), call Burswood to arrange. Prearranged drop-offs at the airport are available. Alternatively, the primary depot at 16 Teddington Road Burswood is open Monday–Friday 8am–5pm, Saturday–Sunday 8am–4pm. See the contact page for full details.
Book Your Perth Airport Car HireBurswood delivers to Perth domestic terminals T1 and T2 — prearranged at any time. No hidden fees. From $25/day. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Burswood deliver to both T1 and T2?
Yes — Burswood can deliver to whichever terminal you specify when booking. Just confirm whether you’re flying with Qantas (T1) or Virgin Australia (T2) at the time of booking. Contact Burswood via the contact page or on (08) 9362 4777 for specific collection arrangements.
What’s the best vehicle for a family arriving at Perth Airport with luggage?
For families of four or more with luggage, the Toyota RAV4 SUV or the Kia Carnival 8-seater people mover are the practical choices — generous boot space and comfortable for longer drives south toward Mandurah, Bunbury, or Margaret River.
Can I pick up at the airport and return to a different location?
Yes — discuss one-way hire and return arrangements with Burswood at booking. Airport pickup with hotel or depot return is available prearranged. Contact Burswood directly to confirm the specific arrangements for your trip.