Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or are just quickly passing through, our Adelaide Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
Table of Contents
The airport closes from 11 PM to 4 AM every night. Do not attempt to sleep here. – Zack
ADL Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Adelaide International Airport.
What to Expect
Adelaide Airport (code: ADL) is a modern two-level, single-terminal international airport with a decent range of shops and eateries. The airport offers free WiFi and charging stations for charging mobile devices. Economy class passengers can pay to use one of the airport lounges.
Sleeping in Adelaide Airport
Staff and security are described as friendly and accommodating to overnight sleepers. Quiet nooks can be found, but airport seating is described as uncomfortable and divided by armrests. The airport is closed every night from 11:00 PM to 4:00 AM. According to several 2019 reviews, if you are inside the terminal before it closes, you are permitted to stay. Have a backup plan, just in case!
For uninterrupted sleep, several hotels are within walking distance of the airport. See Airport Hotels in the guide below.
Read the latest traveller airport reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Adelaide Airport Guide.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.
Airport Hours
Terminal 1 is open from 4:00 AM – 11:00 PM.
According to the airport’s official website, the terminal does not remain open overnight and is closed outside these hours. Travellers should not expect overnight access if arriving late or departing early. See Airport Hotels below.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
No dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones exist; however, informal spots with padded benches may exist. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Cots
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in Adelaide Airport sounds like a nightmare, there is a hotel at the airport and other hotels within a short drive:
- Atura Adelaide Airport Hotel – Connected via a covered walkway. The most convenient option for early departures or late arrivals. » Check Rates
- Adelaide Airport Motel – Airport transfers operate Monday–Friday, 5:00 AM – 9:30 PM. » Check Rates
Visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Adelaide Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
Looking for a place to relax and unwind away from all the hustle and bustle of the airport? Check out one of the lounges at Adelaide Airport.
Walk-in Rates, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Plaza Premium International Lounge – The Plaza Premium Lounge is open to all passengers regardless of airline or class of service flown. Travellers can access the lounge by purchasing a day pass, lounge membership or paying at the door. Location: Terminal 1, Level 1, after International Departure Security. Hours: 7:00AM – 9:30 PM. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Prepaid Lounge Passes • Frequent Flyers, Memberships and Reward cards: Star Alliance elite status members travelling on Singapore Airlines • oneworld elite status members (Sapphire and Emerald Tiers) and flyers travelling in Business Class and First Class on Qantas.
Airline Lounges
Qantas, REX, and Virgin Australia all have lounges that are available to their First/Business Class/Elite Status passengers. If you are an economy class traveller, you may be able to access these lounges with a day pass, lounge membership or pay at the door.
- Location: Terminal 1, Airside, Departures Level, opposite Gate 21. The Domestic and International lounges are combined.
- Hours: The lounge is one hour prior to the first Qantas service until the last Qantas departure (daily).
- Lounge Access:
- Pay at the Door: Walk-in rates are unavailable. If this is not correct, click here to update this lounge profile.
- Lounge Passes: Lounge passes are unavailable.
- Frequent Flyers, Memberships and Reward cards:
- Qantas Club – If you travel frequently on Qantas Airlines, you may want to look into purchasing an annual membership that will give you access to this and other lounges in the Qantas Airlines network. Rates from: A$540 (Australia), NZD$600 (New Zealand) and A$410 (Rest of the World).
- oneworld elite status members (Sapphire and Emerald Tiers) and flyers travelling in Business Class and First Class on Qantas.
- Location: Terminal 1, Airside, Domestic Departures Area, near Gate 10.
- Hours: The lounge is open 5:30AM – 5:00PM (Mon – Fri) • 10:30AM – 5:00PM (Sun) • Closed (Sat).
- Lounge Access:
- Pay at the Door: When space is available, this lounge accepts guests ticketed on REX Airlines at the door. The walk-in rate is AUD 33. Note: Day passes can only be used between the hours of 9:00AM and 2:00PM on weekdays and regular lounge hours on weekends.
- Lounge Passes: Lounge passes are unavailable.
- Frequent Flyers, Memberships and Reward cards:
- REX Lounge Membership – If you travel frequently on REX Airlines, you may want to look into purchasing an annual membership that will give you access to this and other lounges in the REX Airlines network. Rate: AUD 329 per year.
- Mastercard Airport Experiences • Priority Pass
- Location: Terminal 1, Airside, Airside, Domestic Departures, opposite Gate 15
- Hours: The lounge is open daily 60 minutes prior to the first Virgin Australia flight until the last Virgin Australia departure.
- Lounge Access:
- Pay at the Door: When space is available, the lounges accept guests ticketed on Virgin Australia Airlines at the door. The walk-in rate is AUD 65 per person for a two hour stay.
- Lounge Passes: Lounge passes are unavailable.
- Frequent Flyers, Memberships and Reward cards:
- Virgin Australia – If you travel frequently on Virgin Australia Airlines, you may want to look into purchasing an annual membership that will give you access to this and other lounges in the Virgin Australia Airlines network. Rate: AUD 420 per year with an AUD 330 joining fee.
- Business Class on flights operated by Virgin Australia
- Velocity Platinum
- Velocity Gold
- Virgin Australia Lounge Member
- Virgin Australia Lifetime Lounge Member
Drinking Water
Free drinking water fountains are available throughout the terminal, both landside and airside.
Reports from travellers indicate dual-height fountains and bottle refill stations airside (February 2025), but the airport does not publish a detailed fountain map.
Food & Drinks
Food outlets operate on limited schedules, and no 24-hour food concessions are available. Travellers planning late arrivals or early departures should buy food and water before outlets close.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Self-service luggage lockers are available. Location: Multi-level car park, ground floor, near the car rental offices. Reported 24-hour rates: $12 for a small locker • $14 for a medium locker • $16 for a large locker • $20 for a bike box. Rates and locker availability should be confirmed prior to arrival, as official pricing is not consistently published.
Mobile Charging
Power outlets and charging points are available airside, though access depends on terminal opening hours.
Showers
Shower facilities are reported in the following locations:
- Ground Floor
- Level 2 behind Gate 16
- Level 2, behind Gate 18 (includes International Departures)
- Qantas Club – Airside, level 2, across from Gate 21. You’ll need to be flying elite status or belong to the Qantas’ lounge program to gain entry.
WiFi/Internet
Free WiFi is available at Adelaide Airport. Connect to the “Adelaide Airport Free Wi-Fi” network. Registration is required.
Security & Safety
Because the airport closes nightly between 11:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m., Security guards check documentation to ensure you can spend the night. If you can get inside the airport before the 11:00 p.m. curfew and security check, you should be able to stay the night. Still, having a backup plan for sleeping somewhere else is a good idea.
Pro-tip: If you sleep in the public zone, don’t be surprised if you receive an early morning wake-up call. Security is known to make the rounds, waking people up as travellers arrive for morning flights.
At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Adelaide Airport. However, sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
More Airport Information
Airport Ambassadors – Airport Ambassadors are available to help with directions and general questions. They are typically found in the Baggage Claim Hall and main check-in area and wear bright burgundy jackets.
ATMs / Cash Machines – ATMs are available and dispense AUD. A limited number of machines may offer foreign currency. Fees may apply, so travellers should check with their bank before withdrawing cash.
Currency Exchange – Travelex offers currency exchange services in the International Departures and International Arrivals areas during scheduled operating hours.
Drinking Water – see “Drinking Water” above.
Duty-Free & Shopping – Duty-free shopping is available airside for passengers travelling on international flights and operates around international flight schedules. A range of retail shops and newsstands are available throughout the terminal during opening hours.
Family Services
- Baby Care Facilities -Two parent rooms are available and include feeding areas, toddler toilets, basins, and a microwave for food preparation. These rooms have received family-friendly facility awards.
- Children’s Play Area – A gated children’s play area is available airside, next to Hudsons Coffee.
Food & Drinks – see “Food & Drinks” above.
Hotels – see “Airport Hotels” above.
Information Desk – A Welcome Desk is located on the Ground Floor near baggage collection. Staff can assist with tourist information, transport, flights, and terminal questions. If unattended, travellers can seek help from an Airport Ambassador.
Lounges – see “Airport Lounges” above.
Luggage Storage & Lockers – see “Luggage Storage & Lockers” above.
Medical Services – Urgent and emergency medical assistance is available through the terminal’s first aid facilities. Access is arranged through airport staff.
Mobile Charging – see “Mobile Charging” above.
Pharmacy – Airport Pharmacy is located on Level 2 and operates daily, with reduced hours on Saturdays.
Postal Services – A public mailbox is located outside the terminal near ground transport areas.
A full post office is located within walking distance of the terminal along Sir Donald Bradman Drive, though travellers should confirm services and hours before visiting.
Prayer Room – There are two prayer rooms. Location: Domestic Terminal, Level 2, between Rip Curl and News Links • International Terminal (post Emigration, adjacent to the escalator). Hours: during airport operational hours.
Showers – see “Showers” above.
SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Smoking Area – Designated outdoor smoking areas are available: Level 2, outside the terminal • Ground level at the southern end of the terminal near WHSmith
Things to do
- Musical Performances – Live music and choir performances are hosted periodically. Regular performances typically take place Fridays from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM, near Gate 14.
- Vickers Vimy ExhibitionThe Vickers Vimy Exhibition commemorates the first England–Australia flight. Location: Ground floor, opposite Atura Adelaide Airport. Entry: Free.
WiFi – see “WiFi/Internet” above.
Bus
Adelaide Airport is served by a bus operated by Adelaide Metro. Metro cards can be bought on the vending machine at the bus stop. Location: left side of the plaza as you leave the terminal. For more information on routes, fares and timetables, visit the Adelaide Metro website.
Car Rentals
Car rental desks are on the ground floor of the multi-level car park (adjacent to the baggage claim area). The following agencies are available on-site: Avis • Budget • Enterprise • Europcar • Hertz • SIXT.
Hotel Shuttles
At the time of this update, we found only one hotel providing airport shuttle service: Adelaide Airport Motel ($) • The Chancellor on Currie • Adelaide City Park Motel.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Ride Sharing
Uber, Ola and Didi ride-sharing services have a designated pick-up location to the left of the Terminal Car Park. An AU$3 surcharge is added to trips from the airport. An Uber ride to the city centre will cost you about $20.
Taxi
Metered taxis are available at the taxi rank, located to the left of the pedestrian plaza as you exit the terminal. The drop-off area is located in the Atura Circuit, between the terminal and the Atura Hotel. Concierges are available on-site to ensure smooth pickup and assist passengers in hiring the taxi that best fits their needs (baby capsule, wheelchair access, larger vehicle, etc.).
Last updated: 2026-01-19
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.