Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin (DRW)

Darwin, AU 🇦🇺 Large International Airport Scheduled Service

ICAO

YPDN

IATA

DRW

Elevation

103 ft

Region

AU-NT

Local Time

Airport Information

GPS Code: YPDN

Local Code: Not available

Location: -12.41497° N, 130.88185° E

Continent: OC

Type: Large International Airport

Arrivals

View incoming flights

Departures

View outgoing flights

External Links

Official Website ✓ Wikipedia ✓ Live Flights

Airport Authority Flight Info

Links verified by AI • Last updated: Nov 21, 2025

Nearby Points of Interest

Tourist Attractions View
Hotels View
Restaurants View

What Travelers Say

AI-Generated Summary Based on web research

Recent traveler reviews for Darwin International Airport (YPDN (DRW)) in Darwin, AU, present a mixed but generally moderate picture of satisfaction. While some travelers praise the airport for its efficiency, modern security, and relaxed atmosphere during off-peak times, others express frustration with inconsistent service, limited amenities at certain hours, and issues with cleanliness and self-check-in systems. The airport is often described as a small to mid-sized regional facility that has undergone refurbishment in recent years.

What Travelers Love

Efficient Security and Short Wait Times: Many travelers appreciate the fast security screening process, which often takes around 15 minutes or less, especially outside peak hours. The airport also utilizes modern security technology, meaning passengers often do not need to remove laptops or aerosols from their bags.
Good Parking Options and Ground Transportation: Darwin Airport offers various parking options, including Long Stay PLUS and Long Stay SAVER, with touchless number plate recognition for convenience. Travelers also find readily available taxis, shuttle buses, rideshares (Uber), and car rental services.
Free Showers and 24/7 Operation: The terminal is open 24/7, providing flexibility for travelers. Free shower facilities are available in the Domestic Departures area on the first floor, enhancing comfort for those with layovers.
Refurbished Areas and Adequate Seating: Parts of the airport have been refurbished, offering good facilities, and there are generally plenty of seats available for waiting passengers. Free WiFi and charging stations are also available.

Common Complaints

Inconsistent Staff Assistance and Self-Check-in Issues: Some travelers report a lack of staff assistance and find the self-check-in system to be unreliable or frustrating. Staff attitudes can also be perceived as unfriendly or rushing at times.
Limited Amenities and Cleanliness Issues: Food and bar options can be limited, especially during off-peak times. Concerns have been raised about the cleanliness of departure lounges, describing them as old, cracked, and dirty, with some reporting broken lifts and poor signage.
Peak Hour Congestion and Baggage Delays: While generally efficient, the airport can become very busy during specific peak hours (around 11 am to 1:30 pm and 11 pm to 1:30 am). There are also reports of delayed baggage delivery and slow service at security checks during these periods. Current estimated security wait times can be up to 30 minutes, and immigration up to 9 minutes.

Overall, Darwin International Airport appears to function reasonably well as a regional hub, particularly for domestic travel, offering key conveniences like modern security and free showers. However, travelers should be prepared for potential inconsistencies in service, limited dining choices outside peak hours, and some cleanliness issues, especially if traveling during busy periods.

Generated False weeks ago

This summary is automatically generated by AI based on web research of traveler reviews and experiences. AI-generated content may not always be 100% accurate.

Current Weather Conditions

Loading weather data...

Airport Routes

Top Routes (by observations)

Newly Discovered

Popular Flight Routes

Building Route Index: We are building our route index for commercial airports. Currently 41 routes are indexed for Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin. For real-time updates, admin access is required.

0 destinations displayed

Destination	IATA	City	Aircraft Type	Airline	Details	Route Map
Loading... Loading routes...

Top Airlines

Operating at Darwin International Airport / RAAF Darwin

Airlines by Flight Activity

Based on observed flight operations and route network

Airline	Routes	Flights	Destinations	Last Activity
Qantas `QFA` / `QF`	8	456	8	Dec 11, 2025
Airnorth Regional `ANO` / `TL`	10	412	10	Dec 11, 2025
Jetstar `JST` / `JQ`	6	184	6	Dec 11, 2025
Alliance Airlines `UTY` / `QQ`	4	143	4	Dec 11, 2025
Virgin Australia `VOZ` / `VA`	3	116	3	Dec 8, 2025
Singapore Airlines `SIA` / `SQ`	1	43	1	Dec 11, 2025
Network Aviation `NWK`	1	36	1	Dec 7, 2025
AirAsia `AXM` / `AK`	1	22	1	Dec 7, 2025
Indonesia AirAsia `AWQ` / `QZ`	1	19	1	Dec 11, 2025

Showing top 9 airlines by flight activity. Data includes observed departures and route networks from this airport.

For Pilots

Designation	Length	Width	Surface	Status
`11/29`	11004 ft	197 ft	ASP	Active Lighted
`18/36`	5000 ft	98 ft	ASP	Active Lighted

Type	Description	Frequency
A/D	APP	`125.2 MHz`
ARTC	BRISBANE CNTR	`118.15 MHz`
ATIS	ATIS	`112.6 MHz`
CLD	CLNC DEL	`126.8 MHz`
DEP	DEP	`123.0 MHz`
GND	GND	`121.8 MHz`
MISC	RAAF AIR OPS	`897.4 MHz`
TWR	TWR	`133.1 MHz`

Ident	Name	Type	Frequency
`BGT`	Bagot	NDB	`308 kHz`
`DAR`	Darwin	TACAN	`113700 kHz`
`DN`	Darwin	VOR-DME	`112600 kHz`
`DN`	Darwin	NDB	`344 kHz`
`HWS`	Howard Springs	NDB	`257 kHz`

Ground Transportation

Last updated: Nov 21, 2025

Taxis

Taxis are readily available at a dedicated rank located directly outside the terminal building. The main provider is the Blue Taxi Company. A $4 airport exit fee applies to all fares. The journey to the Darwin CBD takes approximately 15 minutes and typically costs between AUD $25-$35, depending on traffic.

Rental Cars

Several major car rental companies operate directly from the airport, with service desks located inside the arrivals hall. These include Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Sixt, and Thrifty. Vehicles are collected from a dedicated car park adjacent to the terminal. Booking in advance is highly recommended, especially during the peak tourist season (May-October).

Public Transportation

There is no direct public bus service to the terminal building. The nearest public bus stop is a significant walk (approx. 1.5-2 km) away on Charles Eaton Drive, making it impractical for travelers with luggage. A more convenient option is the Darwin Airport Shuttle, a private service offering door-to-door transfers to the CBD and various accommodations. Bookings can be made online or at their desk in the arrivals hall.

Distances are approximate and calculated as straight-line distances.