Adelaide International Airport (ADL)
Adelaide, AU 🇦🇺 Large International Airport Scheduled Service
ICAO
YPAD
IATA
ADL
Elevation
20 ft
Region
AU-SA
Local Time
Loading...
Loading...Airport Information
GPS Code: YPAD
Local Code: Not available
Location: -34.947512° N, 138.533393° E
Continent: Oceania
Type: Large International Airport
What Travelers Say
Share Your Tip
Help fellow travelers by sharing your experience at Adelaide International Airport. Tips are reviewed before publishing.
Online Reviews Summary
Recent traveler reviews for Adelaide International Airport (ADL) reveal a mixed but often challenging experience, particularly for international passengers. While some praise its modern facilities and efficient domestic operations, significant frustrations persist regarding international security, customs, and overall queue management. The airport was notably named Capital City Airport of the Year in 2024 for customer experience and service delivery, yet this positive recognition contrasts sharply with several negative traveler accounts.
What Travelers Love
- Cleanliness and Modern Facilities: Many travelers describe the airport as clean, neat, and well-maintained, offering a decent range of shops, eateries, free WiFi, and charging stations.
- Helpful Domestic Security Staff: Some passengers have highlighted the proactive and pleasant attitude of the security team for domestic flights, contrasting it with experiences at other airports.
- Convenient Parking Options: Adelaide Airport offers various parking solutions, including the Terminal Car Park directly in front of the terminal, more affordable Long Term Car Park with a complimentary shuttle, and Valet Parking. EV charging bays are also available.
- Accessibility Initiatives: The airport has been recognized for its efforts in customer experience, including piloting "Try Before You Fly" events for people with disabilities and offering assistance for those with accessibility needs.
Common Complaints
- International Security and Customs Delays: This is a major and frequent complaint, with reports of "chaos" and extremely long queues (over 200 people) for international security. Travelers express frustration with outdated procedures, such as unpacking liquids and electronics, double security checks, and unhelpful or aggressive staff.
- Inconsistent Cleanliness: Despite some positive comments, at least one recent review from early 2024 noted a significant drop in cleaning standards, specifically mentioning "disgusting" bathrooms.
- Parking Costs and Customer Service: While various parking options exist, some travelers find prices to be expensive and the car parks overcrowded. There have also been complaints about ineffective customer support when seeking refunds for parking.
- Inability to Handle International Arrivals: Several accounts describe the airport struggling to manage the volume of passengers during peak international arrival times, leading to significant delays in customs and baggage areas.
Overall, Adelaide International Airport offers a modern terminal with some good amenities, and it has received accolades for its operational excellence and accessibility efforts. However, the international traveler experience is frequently marred by significant issues related to security wait times, customs efficiency, and staff demeanor, which seem to overshadow some of its positive attributes. Travelers should be prepared for potential delays, especially during international departures and arrivals.
Researching traveler experiences online...
Community Tips
No community tips yet for Adelaide International Airport.
Be the first to share a helpful tip for fellow travelers!
Current Weather Conditions
Loading weather data...
Airport Routes
Adelaide International Airport (ADL) offers 56 flight routes operated by 10 airlines. Major carriers include Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar and others. Popular destinations from Adelaide include Melbourne Tullamarine, Brisbane, Canberra Int'l, Perth Int'l and Sydney.
Route Network Map
Top Routes (by observations)
Newly Discovered
- Gold Coast (OOL) new
- Olympic Dam (OLP) new
- Melbourne Tullamarine (MEL) new
- Sydney (SYD) new
- Ceduna (CED) new
- Newcastle-Williamtown Airport / RAAF (NTL) new
- Darwin Int'l / RAAF (DRW) new
- Brisbane (BNE) new
- Canberra Int'l (CBR) new
- Perth Int'l (PER) new
- Whyalla (WYA) new
- Ngurah Rai/Bali Intl (DPS) new
Popular Flight Routes
| Destination | IATA | City | Aircraft Type | Airline | Details | Route Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Loading...
Loading routes...
|
||||||
Top Airlines
Operating at Adelaide International AirportAirlines by Flight Activity
Based on observed flight operations and route network| Airline | Routes | Flights | Destinations | Last Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Qantas
QFA
/ QF
|
10 | 574 | 10 | Jan 30, 2026 |
Virgin Australia
VOZ
/ VA
|
9 | 385 | 9 | Jan 30, 2026 |
Jetstar
JST
/ JQ
|
11 | 347 | 11 | Jan 30, 2026 |
|
Alliance Airlines
UTY
/ QQ
|
4 | 151 | 4 | Jan 30, 2026 |
|
Regional Express Airlines
RXA
/ ZL
|
5 | 142 | 5 | Jan 30, 2026 |
|
QantasLink
QLK
|
5 | 128 | 5 | Jan 28, 2026 |
Air New Zealand
ANZ
/ NZ
|
2 | 24 | 2 | Jan 26, 2026 |
Emirates
UAE
/ EK
|
1 | 17 | 1 | Jan 27, 2026 |
Qatar Airways
QTR
/ QR
|
2 | 15 | 2 | Jan 27, 2026 |
Singapore Airlines
SIA
/ SQ
|
1 | 13 | 1 | Jan 15, 2026 |
For Pilots
| Designation | Length | Width | Surface | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
05/23 |
10171 ft | 148 ft | ASP | Active Lighted |
12/30 |
5420 ft | 148 ft | ASP | Active Lighted |
| Type | Description | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| APP/DEP | Approach (East) | 118.2 MHz |
| APP/DEP | Approach (West) | 124.2 MHz |
| ATIS | ATIS | 116.4 MHz |
| ATIS | - | 134.5 MHz |
| CLD | CLNC DEL | 126.1 MHz |
| GND | GND | 121.7 MHz |
| TWR | TWR | 120.5 MHz |
Ground Transportation
Taxis
A dedicated taxi rank is located on the left side of the pedestrian plaza as you exit the terminal. Taxis are available 24/7 to take you directly to your destination. A small airport levy is added to the final fare.
Rental Cars
Car rental desks are located on the ground floor of the terminal, opposite the baggage claim area. Major companies including Avis, Budget, Hertz, Europcar, Sixt, and Thrifty operate from the airport. Vehicles are collected from the multi-level car park adjacent to the terminal.
Public Transportation
Adelaide Metro's JetBus service (routes J1, J1X, J2) provides a direct and affordable connection to Adelaide's city centre, Glenelg, and West Beach. The bus stop is located to the left of the terminal exit. Fares can be paid using a metroCARD or by tapping a credit/debit card.
Nearby Airports
Adelaide International Raceway Helicopter Landing Site
Waterloo Corner, AU
Heliport