Adelaide Airport is refreshingly close to the city — just 7 km. Transport costs reflect this short distance.
JetBus — cheapest option
The J1 and J2 JetBus routes connect the airport to the CBD:
- Fare: AUD $5.80 (~€3.50) with a Metro card
- Cash: Not accepted on Adelaide buses — you need a Metro card or contactless bank card
- Frequency: Every 15-30 minutes (less frequent evenings and weekends)
- Journey time: About 30 minutes to the city center
- Where to buy a Metro card: Available at the airport information desk or from vending machines
The bus is comfortable and air-conditioned. It's fine for solo travelers with one bag but gets tight with large luggage.
Uber/DiDi/Ola
Ride-hailing is usually the best value for door-to-door service:
| Service | Typical fare to CBD | Wait time |
|---|---|---|
| UberX | AUD $18-25 (~€11-15) | 3-8 min |
| Uber Comfort | AUD $22-30 (~€13-18) | 5-12 min |
| DiDi Express | AUD $16-23 (~€10-14) | 3-10 min |
| Ola Ride | AUD $17-24 (~€10-14) | 5-10 min |
Prices can surge during peak times (Friday evenings, major events, AFL game days). Check the app before joining the taxi queue.
Taxi
Metered taxi from the rank:
- Flag fall: AUD $3.70
- Per km: AUD $1.87 (day) / AUD $2.19 (night)
- Airport surcharge: AUD $3.20
- Typical fare to CBD: AUD $25-35 (~€15-20)
Night rate applies 7 PM-6 AM. Weekend and public holiday surcharges may also apply.
Pre-booked transfer
| Vehicle | Price to CBD | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Economy sedan | €20-25 | 3 pax, 2 bags |
| Comfort sedan | €25-30 | 3 pax, 3 bags |
| Minivan | €30-45 | 6-7 pax, 6 bags |
| Luxury sedan | €40-55 | 3 pax, 2 bags |
Full comparison
| Transport | Cost (AUD) | Cost (EUR) | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JetBus | $5.80 | ~€3.50 | 30 min | Budget, solo |
| DiDi/Ola | $16-24 | €10-14 | 15-20 min | Best value door-to-door |
| UberX | $18-25 | €11-15 | 15-20 min | Convenience |
| Taxi | $25-35 | €15-20 | 15-20 min | No app needed |
| Transfer (sedan) | — | €20-30 | 15-20 min | Families, certainty |
Going to Glenelg Beach?
Glenelg is Adelaide's popular beach suburb, about 10 km from the airport:
- Taxi: AUD $30-40 (~€18-24)
- Uber: AUD $22-32 (~€13-19)
- Tram: Take the bus to the city, then the free tram to Glenelg (adds time but saves money)
Going to wine regions?
Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, and Adelaide Hills are popular day-trip destinations:
| Region | Distance | Taxi | Transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adelaide Hills | 25 km | AUD $50-65 (€30-39) | €40-55 |
| McLaren Vale | 40 km | AUD $65-85 (€39-51) | €55-75 |
| Barossa Valley | 70 km | AUD $100-130 (€60-78) | €80-110 |
For wine regions, renting a car (AUD $40-70/day) is often the most cost-effective option if you have a designated driver.