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Adelaide Layover Guide (ADL)

What are you looking for in ADL?
Tours/To do | Relax/Sleep | Internet/SIM | Transport | Storage | Money

Adelaide Airport (ADL) is an international airport located in West Beach, South Australia. It’s situated about 6 km (3.7 miles) from downtown Adelaide. The airport officially opened in 1955. Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and is known for its vibrant arts scene, festivals, and world-class wine regions. It’s also celebrated for its relaxed lifestyle, beautiful coastline, and easy access to scenic destinations like the Adelaide Hills.

Can you leave Adelaide Airport (ADL) airport during a layover? Do you need a visa?
Adelaide Airport transit lounges operate only for passengers on the same aircraft. You may not leave ADL during a layover without clearing immigration. Clearing immigration requires a valid Australian visa—Transit (subclass 771), Electronic Travel Authority 601, eVisitor 651, or Visitor 600—to continue on your onward flight or ground transportation from the airport during transit. (more info).

Tours, Things to do, Sightseeing

Layover Guide Organized Tours

Layover Guide Things to do / Sightseeing

• Adelaide Central Market Explore Australia’s largest undercover market offering fresh local produce, artisanal delights, and multicultural cuisine in vibrant, historic surroundings. Bustling atmosphere showcases South Australian meats, cheeses, baked goods, specialty coffee. (Time required: 1.5 hours. / Airport to here: JetBus J1 to Victoria Square then 5-minute walk, approx. 30 min; taxi ~20 min.)
• Rundle Mall Stroll through iconic open-air pedestrian shopping precinct featuring unique boutiques, major retailers, street performers, public art installations, historic arcades, perfect for souvenir hunting, people-watching, sampling local cafés, eateries. (Time required: 1 hour. / Airport to here: JetBus J1 to King William St near Rundle Mall, approx. 25 min; taxi ~20 min.)
• North Terrace Cultural Precinct Explore Adelaide’s cultural heart on North Terrace, home to the Art Gallery of South Australia, South Australian Museum, State Library, and University of Adelaide amid heritage architecture and serene boulevards. (Time required: 1.5 hours. / Airport to here: JetBus J1 to North Terrace stops, approx. 25 min; taxi ~20 min.)
• Glenelg Beach Relax on golden sands at Glenelg Beach, swim in calm waters, stroll the lively Jetty Road precinct filled with shops, cafes, entertainment, or catch stunning sunset over Gulf St Vincent. (Time required: 2 hours. / Airport to here: JetBus J1 to Victoria Square then tram to Glenelg, approx. 60 min; taxi ~25 min.)
• Adelaide Botanic Garden Wander through lush themed gardens including the Palm House, Bicentennial Conservatory, and rose gardens, spotting native wildlife, lakes, and seasonal blooms in a tranquil oasis close to the city center. (Time required: 2 hours. / Airport to here: JetBus J1 to Botanic Rd stop, approx. 30 min; taxi ~20 min.)
• Adelaide Oval Tour Take a guided tour of the iconic Adelaide Oval, exploring historic grandstands, players’ changing rooms, subterranean passages, and panoramic rooftop views offering sweeping vistas of the parklands and city skyline. (Time required: 1.5 hours. / Airport to here: JetBus J1 to Victoria Square then 15-minute walk, approx. 40 min; taxi ~20 min.)
• Hahndorf German Village Experience Australia’s oldest German settlement, wandering cobblestone streets lined with timber buildings, sampling authentic bratwurst, pretzels, artisan beers, browsing boutique shops, galleries, traditional bakeries in charming festive ambiance. (Time required: 3 hours. / Airport to here: Coach to city then bus 864 to Hahndorf, approx. 1 h; taxi ~45 min.)
• Cleland Wildlife Park Get up close with unique native wildlife such as koalas, kangaroos, wombats, and echidnas; hand-feed kangaroos in open enclosures, and enjoy interactive guided ranger talks about conservation in bushland surrounds. (Time required: 3 hours. / Airport to here: JetBus J1 to city then bus to Cleland, approx. 1 h; taxi ~30 min.)

Things to Do in Adelaide Airport (ADL)

Relaxing and Sleeping

Airport Lounges and Relaxing
Plaza Premium Lounge on Level 1 past International Departures offers day-beds, showers, hot and cold buffets, bar service, charging stations and fast Wi-Fi. Qantas Club (Domestic) opposite Gate 21 features barista coffee, snacks and business facilities, while the Virgin Australia lounge near Gate 15 provides self-service meals, drinks and shower suites. » view all lounges or buy a lounge pass or membership online

Hotel and Sleeping
Atura Adelaide Airport sits directly beside the terminal, linked by a covered walkway. Its 165 contemporary rooms overlook runways and the city, with 24-hour reception, free Wi-Fi, in-room blackout curtains and soundproof glazing. Guests enjoy an on-site gym, business centre, flexible meeting spaces and the Hangar Bar & Grill for meals and cocktails. view all or book an airport hotel online

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Rest Area and Sleeping in Airport
The terminal is open 3:15 AM–11:30 PM; no official overnight lounges or pods are available after closing. During operating hours, seating clusters and quiet corners near Gates 16–18 offer space to relax or nap. Shower facilities on Ground Floor, Level 2 behind Gates 16 and 18 provide a freshen-up option before onward travel.

WIFI/Internet and SIM Card

WIFI/Internet: Adelaide Airport offers complimentary Wi-Fi throughout all public areas. Simply select “Adelaide Airport Free Wi-Fi” in your device’s network list and open a browser to access the login portal. No password is required; connection is automatic when navigating to any website, with speed and availability suitable for email, streaming and light browsing.

SIM/eSIM Card: Prepaid SIMs from Telstra, Optus and Vodafone can be bought at the WHSmith outlet just outside the terminal (5:30 AM–8 PM weekdays, 7 AM–8 PM weekends), starting around AUD 10. Alternatively, most modern phones support eSIM activation via carrier apps (Nomad, Airalo, local telco apps) for instant data without a physical card. » buy a global esim card for Layover Guide, that you can use for other countries as well!

Transportation to/from airport

Taxi: Taxis drop off on Atura Circuit between the terminal and Atura Hotel, with terminal entry via the northern doors. The official taxi rank is just left of the plaza as you exit departures. A AUD 4.50 service fee applies to all airport pickups and drop-offs (AUD 4.00 to the airport, AUD 0.50 for state-run transport initiatives).

Train: There is no direct rail link to Adelaide Airport. The nearest services run from Adelaide Railway Station in the CBD; catch an Adelaide Metro bus (J1/J2) from Stop 10 at the terminal to connect. For full train and tram network details, timetables and ticketing, visit more info.

Bus: Adelaide Metro’s Airport bus service operates from Stop 10 on Sir Richard Williams Avenue directly outside arrivals. Routes J1 and J2 connect to the CBD, while J7 and J8 serve western and southern suburbs. On-board tap-and-go, QR ticketing or metroCARD vending at the shelter make travel simple. Visit more info.

Shuttle: Commercial shared-ride shuttles depart from the Pick-up & Drop-off zone between the terminal and the multi-level car park. Operators service major hotels and suburbs; bookings can be made online, via phone or at visitor kiosks by the Welcome Desk. Fares vary by route and include meet-and-greet assistance for first-time visitors.

Car rentals: On-airport car hire desks sit on the ground floor beside baggage claim. Compare and book through CarRentalADL.com.au for providers like Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, SIXT and Enterprise. Vehicles are parked in the adjacent Terminal Car Park; return drop-off follows clear signage to the multi-level car park ground level. view available cars or rent a car now online

Parking: The Terminal Car Park (P1) is directly adjacent to the terminal with walk-in access, EV charging bays and free cancellation up to two hours before arrival. P3 Long-Term (7–10 minute walk) offers the most economical rates, ticketless credit-card entry, free luggage trolleys and complimentary cancellation two hours ahead.

Luggage Storage & Lockers

Automated baggage lockers are located on the ground floor of the multi-level car park near the car rental offices. Sizes range small to extra-large and charges apply by duration. » book a luggage storage or locker at online (subject to availability).

Money Exchange and Withdrawal

- Adelaide Airport (ADL) ATMs, currency exchanges and banks