Adelaide Airport Guide

Adelaide Airport Ltd (AAL) may not have the same profile on a global scale as a Melbourne, Sydney or even Brisbane, but it packs a punch with an efficient medium-sized airport that earned the honour of being the second best airport in the 5 to 15 million passengers category at the 2007 Airports Council International Awards.

In a nutshell, it looks great, staff are friendly and helpful, there's plenty of room to move, parking is a cinch, check-in is a breeze and flying internationally is as good as it gets. Need we say more?

Located near West Beach and no more than a 10-minute drive from the city, Adelaide Airport is the gateway to South Australia's dreamy Mediterranean lifestyle of rolling hills, wineries, thriving city centre and beautiful coastline and beachside suburbs.

The airport itself is the starting point for an array of journeys, thanks especially to extensive renovations in recent times. The facilities are world class with the opening of Australia's newest International & Domestic terminal to cater for more than six million passengers each year. Weigh in convenient car parking facilities and a multi-user terminal obviously designed with efficiency in mind and passing through Adelaide airport as a passenger is essentially a simple, pleasant process.

The unavailing of terminal T1 in late 2005 has given the airport an overall feeling of being new, light and airy and is easily negotiated given it now has houses all regional, domestic and international flights. Effectively, it's a one-stop shop for air travel.

Parking is conveniently close by and there's a variety of Adelaide Airport accommodation nearby available whether it be a hotel, holiday park, traditional B&B or serviced apartments.

Adelaide Airport is currently the fourth largest domestic airport and sixth largest International airport in Australia and accommodates in excess of 5.4 million passengers annually.

Airlines & Terminals

With the higher demands of increased passengers passing through it's gates, Adelaide Airport invested more than $250m on a redevelopment and some of the locals rejoice in that "there's no more walking on to the tarmac to get on flights". The results are now world class with the main terminal being more high-tech than most and yet remains one of the most user-friendly airports Down Under. One of the free services offered includes free Wireless Internet Access.

T1, The airport's main terminal is a multi-user terminal and is home to both international and domestic flights. After a few initial teething problems, it is now operating beautifully. There's no way passengers can get lost either on the way to departure lounges or on the way out of the building. The International departure area is right in the middle of domestic departures - you are guided through to a different departure lounge - a very simple process and easy to find.

The terminal was designed to meet the needs of an ever-increasing volume of passengers passing through (up to 6 million) which translates to 3000 passengers an hour and close to 30 aircraft (including the new Airbus A380) simultaneously.

In the Adelaide Sunday Mail it was reported: "Even the most distant departure gate is little more than 300 metres from the central security 'throat' - a much lesser distance than travellers face when changing planes at major airports such as Sydney, Melbourne or elsewhere in the world."

The airport accommodates a variety of international, domestic and regional operators, each of which provide extensive services to Australian regional centres, capital cities and international centres. The terminal has a general feel of spaciousness with a stadium sized departures area and 42 check-in desks ensuring there's minimal passenger congestion. There are ample aerobridges (over a dozen) which are air conditioned with glass walls - perfect for both passenger comfort and providing a platform from which to take in some great views.

The terminal operates from 4.15am to 11pm (or the last departure).

Facilities

Recent renovations and upgrades obviously ensure Adelaide's facilities are new and state of the art and suitable for all traveller types. Toilets, nursing and baby change rooms and showers are all facilities as good as you will find anywhere in Australia, if not better. These essential airport facilities, in fact, are much more accessible than the hustle and bustle associated with the other major Australian airports - the country feel of Adelaide has not been lost with its new-look facilities.

In addition, Adelaide provides free internet access and the terminal is air-conditioned and fully serviced, there is duty free shopping, money exchange and traveller services bureau and a superb selection of shops with an ever-present "local" flavour.

Executive airline lounge facilities are superb for both Qantasand Virgin Blue and there's seating available in departures and the retail hall, although arguably there not quite enough seats provided, but this obviously only becomes a small problem at really busy times.

The facilities are complemented by an overall contemporary building design that reflects the State's arts, lifestyle, indigenous culture, the environment and tourism. Large glass panels and a general feeling of spaciousness only lends charm as you look out into the backdrop that is the Adelaide skyline and Adelaide Hills.

Car Rental

There's no better way to explore this beautiful part of Australia than to have your own means of transport and you can't go wrong with DriveNow the home of the best deals in discounted last minute car hire and campervan rentals in Adelaide and South Australia. DriveNow currently have great deals on full size Family cars available at Adelaide Airport from as little as $45 a day, drive-away no more to pay!

The idea behind DriveNow is pretty simple, to make things as easy as possible for you, book your car rental on the net, jump on your plane, hopefully relax for an hour or two, jump off the plane, grab your luggage, sign and pick up your car rental keys and you're off!

Car hire desks are located on the ground level at the front of the terminal and there are external offices in the car park. You'll find all South Australia's leading rental companies are present including, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Redspot and Thrifty

DriveNow's innovative rate screen lets you instantly compare rates, vehicles and suppliers in a clear, concise and no-nonsense manner. The booking process is quick, secure and easy with everything up front and no hidden charges, fees or surprises. An email confirmation provides you with all the details of your booking and where to collect your vehicle. DriveNow covers all airports in Australia, none more so than Adelaide and right across South Australia, providing travellers with the perfect vehicle for hiring a car.

Directions and Transport

Adelaide Airport is 6km (4 miles) west of Adelaide's central business district and there are several modes of transport to reach it. Taxis and shuttle bus service can be found immediately outside the main terminal building.

Taxi fares to the city costs about $16 one way, though this figure may be a little higher due to occasional traffic congestion. Travel time by car is about 15 minutes. Taxis can be found at the front of both Domestic and International terminals.

Public transport bus services are also available which travel to North Eastern suburbs via the city, with rail and other bus route connections. A $7.70 blues daytrip ticket allows unlimited travel and transfers on the Adelaide Metro system from the time of first validation until 4.30am in the morning. The bus stop is located outside T1, at the southern end of Level 2.

Skylink Airport Shuttle provides regular scheduled bus services between Adelaide Airport, Keswick Interstate Railway Terminal and Adelaide's CBD, including pick ups and drop offs to most major city hotels. The service operates every day of the year except Christmas Day and is located in the Valet area on ground level, T1.

Adelaide Airport Flyer offers door to door mini coach services to and from most areas more than 25kms south, north and east from the airport. Services operate from 4.00am daily except Saturday and bookings are preferred (at least 2 days before travel).

Valet Parking is available at Adelaide Airport and can be arranged by contacting Qantas Airways (Airport Valet Parking) on 0402 145 481.

Shopping and Duty Free

Adelaide Airport's retail mall is one of the most contemporary airport retail precincts in Australia, covering 3400 square metres. It's like being in a big sports stadium!

One of the strong points is that 95% of retailers are available for all arriving and departing domestic and regional passengers and departing international passengers.

A unique aspect of Adelaide Airport's shopping facilities is the wonderful range of iconic South Australian retailers including Chocolart, Shades, Icons South Australia (locally produced wines and beers etc), Cibo for amazing coffee and Coopers General Store (the only one in the world and which sells merchandise), 1862 Bar, which sells South Australian food and beverages, and Coopers Ale House. Then there are others which compliment those stores, such as Witchery, Relay Virgin Books and Music, Newslink, Duty Free Stores Australia (the one stop shop for all international passengers' tax free purchases) and Billie Chu.

Prices are comparable to most duty free shops and the easiest thing to do is pre-book your wish list. You buy it and they store it for you until you get off your international flight. Not a bad idea given the strict security measures at airports now with regards to the occasional item being confiscated.

Accommodation

If you're after accommodation close to Adelaide Airport DriveNow has partnered with RoomsNow to bring a great range of discounted accommodation covering Adelaide, South Australia and right across Australia. All types of accommodation are catered for from 5 star hotels to self-catering apartments and villas.