Darwin Airport (DRW), officially Darwin International Airport, is the airport for Darwin in the Northern Territory. It lies in Darwin's northern suburbs, about 8 km from the city centre, and shares its runways with RAAF Base Darwin. The airport is run by Darwin International Airport Pty Ltd, part of Airport Development Group, which also operates the Alice Springs and Tennant Creek airports. Domestic and international flights leave from one terminal building, and that terminal is open 24/7.

With routes around Australia and overseas from the same building, it is a straightforward airport to use. This guide explains how the terminal is laid out, which airlines fly here, the ways into town, parking, facilities and how early to arrive.

Terminals and airlines at Darwin Airport

Darwin Airport keeps everything under one roof. Check-in, security screening, arrivals and baggage claim are on the ground floor. The departure lounges, one domestic and one international, are upstairs on the first floor. Airline arrangements can change, so check your e-ticket for the latest details before you travel.

Darwin International Airport terminal

The operator's airline directory lists these scheduled airlines at the terminal:

• Qantas
• Jetstar
• Virgin Australia
• Airnorth
• Alliance Airlines
• Nexus Airlines
• Singapore Airlines
• China Southern Airlines
• AirAsia

Some airlines fly both domestic and international routes, so the departure lounge you need depends on your destination rather than the airline. The airport is also used by a number of charter and aviation service operators. Those flights are not part of the scheduled network and are not covered here.

Domestic and international areas

Because there is only one building, there is no transfer bus or train to worry about. After check-in and security on the ground floor, you head up to the first floor and follow the signs to either the domestic or the international departure lounge. International passengers also pass through customs before reaching their lounge. If you are connecting between a domestic and an international flight, allow time for immigration, customs and any bag recheck your airline requires.

Getting to and from Darwin Airport

Darwin Airport is close to town, and most transport leaves from the drop-off zone and taxi rank right outside the terminal. The operator does not publish journey times, and fares are set by each operator and shown at the rank, at the kiosk or in the operator's app.

Darwin City Airport Shuttle

The Darwin City Airport Shuttle runs to the major hotels in Darwin city, timed to meet major flight arrivals. Book online or at the shuttle kiosk next to the baggage carousels, then board in the Rideshare/Uber lane of the drop-off zone.

Taxi

Taxis wait at the terminal taxi rank. The operator lists 13Cabs, Darwin Radio Taxi and City Palmerston and Rural taxis among the companies serving the airport.

Rideshare

Rideshare and Uber pick-ups use the Rideshare/Uber lane in the drop-off zone outside the terminal. Request your ride once you have your bags.

Public bus

There is no bus stop at the terminal doors. The nearest public bus stop is on Henry Wrigley Drive, about a 600 m walk, or roughly 8 minutes on foot. Check routes and timetables on the Northern Territory Government's bus pages before you rely on one.

Private hire, limousines and coaches

Private hire cars, limousines and group coaches can be pre-booked with operators the airport lists, which suits tour groups and travellers who want to be met.

Car rental

Car rental kiosks are on the ground floor of the terminal. They are on the same floor as baggage claim, so you can sort out your car as soon as you have your bags.

Parking at Darwin Airport

Darwin Airport has three car parks:

• Short Stay, directly in front of the terminal, free for stays under 10 minutes
• Long Stay Plus, next to the terminal on the left, entered from Fenton Court
• Long Stay Saver, behind Long Stay Plus, entered from Pedersen Road, with a covered walkway or a free shuttle on call

All three use licence plate recognition, so there is no ticket to keep track of. Pick-up and drop-off zones allow a 2-minute stop only, so use Short Stay if you need to wait. Rates vary by car park and length of stay, so check the airport's parking pages before you go.

Opening hours at Darwin Airport

Darwin Airport's terminal is open 24/7. That is useful if your flight lands late or leaves in the early hours. The operator does not state a curfew.

If you have a long wait between flights, there are massage chairs in the terminal, and airport accommodation is across the street from the terminal building.

Facilities at Darwin Airport

Most of the facilities at Darwin Airport are upstairs in the departure areas, with a few on the ground floor for people meeting flights. Here is what to expect.

Duty free and Tourist Refund Scheme

The duty-free store is in International Departures on the first floor, and it opens around international flight times. A Tourist Refund Scheme office is in the International Departures lounge after customs, for travellers claiming tax back on eligible purchases.

Terminal layout

The layout is simple to learn. On the ground floor, you will find check-in, security screening, arrivals, baggage claim and the car rental kiosks. On the first floor, there are the domestic and international departure lounges, with the shops, cafés and the lounge.

Lounges

The Qantas Club lounge is in Domestic Departures on the first floor. It has showers and a family zone, and it is the only lounge the operator lists. Access depends on your membership or ticket, so check with Qantas.

Food and drink

Domestic Departures on the first floor has cafés, bars and fast food. International Departures has a café and bar that open around international flights. On the ground floor, a café in Domestic Arrivals serves people waiting to meet a flight.

Souvenirs

A large news and gift store in Domestic Departures on the first floor sells Northern Territory-made products and books by NT authors, and it is open 24 hours.

Luggage storage

Baggage lockers are in the walkway shelter of the Short Stay car park, next to the terminal. Pay by credit card at the console.

Smoking area

The terminal is smoke-free. The smoking area is directly in front of the terminal building, between the two walkways.

Currency exchange and ATMs

ATMs are located throughout the terminal, including in International Departures. Foreign-currency ATMs are also available in the terminal.

Showers

Free showers are in the Domestic departures area on the first floor. Bring your own towel and toiletries, and note that they cannot be booked.

Free Wi-Fi and charging

Free Wi-Fi covers most areas of the airport under the network name DarwinAirport. Charging stations are in the terminal, along with power-bank rental stations if you need to charge on the move.

Families and accessibility

Baby change rooms are on the ground floor near the car rental kiosks, on the first floor and in International Departures. Accessible toilets are on the ground floor, in the domestic departure lounge and in international arrivals and departures. Airline staff can provide a wheelchair on request, and private screening is available if you ask.

Tips for departing and arriving at Darwin Airport

Check-in advice at Darwin Airport depends on your airline. As a guide, allow about 1.5 to 2 hours before a domestic departure and about 2 to 2.5 hours before an international departure. The operator publishes a table by airline, and your airline's own check-in time is the one that counts.

The routine is check-in and security on the ground floor, then up to the first floor for your departure lounge. International travellers pass customs on the way to the international lounge. If you plan to use the Tourist Refund Scheme, leave a little extra time for it.

Arriving from overseas, you clear immigration and customs before reaching the arrivals area. Entry requirements for Australia are set by the government, so check the official guidance for your passport before you fly. On the day, the Traveloka flight status page shows live departures and arrivals for Darwin.

Flights and flight schedule from Darwin Airport

There is more here than airport information: you can plan a whole trip from DRW. The fare cards show fares from Darwin to popular destinations, so you can weigh up interstate and overseas options together. The schedule tables then break upcoming Darwin Airport departures and arrivals down by date, giving the airline and scheduled times so you can spot a convenient one. They are a selection of flights, not a full timetable.

Choose a route, compare airlines and times, and book the flight that suits your plans. If the fare is not right yet, set a Price Alert and Traveloka will let you know when it changes. Your e-ticket is sent by email and kept in the app.

Popular routes from Darwin Airport include:

• Darwin to Sydney flights
• Darwin to Melbourne flights
• Darwin to Brisbane flights
• Darwin to Perth flights
• Darwin to Adelaide flights
• Darwin to Alice Springs flights
• Darwin to Bali flights
• Darwin to Singapore flights

From the Red Centre to Bali, compare flights from Darwin Airport on Traveloka and book the trip that suits you.