Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Darwin 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.
The couches were soft and long enough for most girls. If you’re tall, that would be probably not comfortable enough for you. – AmoMattia
DRW 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 Darwin International Airport.
What to Expect
Darwin Airport (code: DRW) consists of a small, single terminal that handles domestic and international flights. The terminal includes a couple of eateries, shops and duty free shopping, including some 24-hour concessions. WiFi is available and there are plenty of outlets for charging mobile devices. Free showers are available. Additional comfort can be found through fee-based access to the airport’s first class lounge. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for locations and rates.
Sleeping in Darwin Airport
Travellers report that the airside is more conducive to sleeping than the landside. There are armrest-free benches on the upper level as well as carpeted flooring throughout the terminal. For uninterrupted sleep, there are some hotels within walking distance of the airport. See Airport Hotels in the guide below or read some traveller reviews for more tips.
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. You can also visit the airport’s web site for current information. For more airport information continue scrolling down to explore more in our Darwin Airport Guide.
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. For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and to also find out how you can gain lounge access with just an economy class ticket!
- Catalina Lounge – Location: International Departures, Airside, 1st Floor, near Gate 13. Showers are available. Hours: open 24 hours. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Lounge membership programs.
- Qantas Club – Location: Airside, First Floor, next to Gate 1. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.
Related Pages: Darwin Airport Lounges
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Darwin Airport:
- Novotel Darwin Airport – Located 300m from the terminal. Free 24-hour airport shuttle is available. For airport pick-up, use the courtesy phone located by the baggage carousel to call the hotel for pick-up. Pick-up is outside the glass double doors on the right-hand side. » Check Rates
- Mercure Darwin Airport Resort – Located 300m from the terminal. Free 24-hour airport shuttle is available. For airport pick-up, use the courtesy phone located by the baggage carousel to call the hotel for pick-up. Pick-up is outside the glass double doors on the right-hand side. » Check Rates
- Quality Hotel Darwin Airport – Free airport shuttle is available. » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Darwin Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport WiFi/Internet
Free WiFi is available at Darwin Airport. Connect to the “DarwinAirport” network.
Two Laptop Areas can also be found on the Ground Level, Landside. Rates, if applicable, are unknown.
More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport
Amusement Machines – I am not clear on what an amusement machine is, but they are located on the Ground and First Floors.
ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available, some of which dispense foreign currencies (Travel Money Oz). Fees may apply, so be sure to check your bank’s fee schedule and your daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: throughout the airport including the international departures area.
Baby Care Facilities – Baby changing rooms are available in these locations: near the Check-in desks, landside • in the Baggage Claim area, landside • 1st Floor, airside, near Green Bean Cafe and opposite Gate 9 • International Departures lounge, airside
Baggage Trolleys – Need a hand with your luggage? Baggage trolleys are available free of charge.
Change Machines – There are two of them, located near the Giancarlo Café & Bar on the ground floor.
Currency Exchange – Travel Money Oz offers currency exchange in the Arrivals Hall (ground floor) and in the International Departures lounge (1st floor). Hours: unknown. You can also withdraw foreign currency from Travelex ATMs located throughout the terminal.
Drinking Water – Thirsty? Drinking water fountains are available free of charge. Locations: Ground Floor and Airside, in the Domestic Departures Lounge.
Duty Free & Shopping – Duty Free shopping is available during all international flights in International Departures (1st floor) and International Arrivals (ground floor). The following shops are open 24 hours: News Travels convenience shop (International Departures, 1st Floor • Domestic Departures, 1st Floor) • Australian Way (Domestic Departures, 1st Floor).
Food & Drinks – Food concessions throughout the airport operate with varying schedules. These options are open 24 hours: Dôme (1st floor, airside) ▪ Giancarlo Cafe and Bar (ground floor, landside).
Luggage Storage & Lockers – Self-service luggage lockers are available at the airport, by credit card payment only. Rates: $12 per 24-hour period for small bag • $16 per 24-hour period for medium bag • $19 per 24-hour period for a large bag. Location: the walkway shelter in the Short Stay car park near the terminal. Hours: Open 24 hours.
Medical Services – There is a First Aid Station at the airport. Contact a staff member for assistance.
Mobile Charging – Available.
Postal Services – Drop off your last minute postcards at the airport’s mailbox. Location: Landside, in front of the terminal.
Prayer Room – A prayer room is available. Location: Departures Hall, Airside, adjacent to Gate 11.
Rest Zones – There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Showers – Shower facilities are located in the Domestic Departures lounge on the 1st floor. Showers are first-come first-serve and free to use, but you must supply your own soap, towel, etc. Showers are also available in the Catalina Lounge. See Airport Lounges 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 – There are designated smoking areas located outside the terminal.
Viewing Terrace – Accessible on the first floor.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Airlines
Darwin airport is served by the following airlines: Air North • Donghai Airlines • Jetstar • Qantas • SilkAir • Virgin Australia.
Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport
Car Rentals
Car rental desks are located on the ground floor, near the Baggage Collection area of the Arrivals Hall. The following agencies are located onsite: Avis • Budget • Enterprise • Europcar • Hertz • Thrifty.
Hotel Shuttles
Several area hotels provide airport shuttle service: Mercure Darwin Airport Resort • Novotel Darwin Airport • Quality Hotel Darwin Airport.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Shuttle
Darwin Airport Shuttle offers a convenient and economical shared ride shuttle service between DRW airport and all Darwin city accommodations. Shuttles run from 9:00AM – 6:00PM with a total trip time between the the city center at 15 minutes (plus pickup/drop-off time). To book a ride, visit the Darwin Airport Shuttle website, or head to the Darwin Airport Shuttle desk in the Baggage Collection area of the Arrivals Hall. At the time of this update, fares start at AU$24 per person one-way (AU$48 round-trip), with discounts available for multiple passengers.
Taxi
Metered taxis are available from the taxi rank located in front of the airport terminal. At the time of this update, the average fare between the airport and Darwin CBD is between AU$25 – AU$30, with a surcharge of AU$4 for all fares leaving from the airport.
Last updated: 2024-01-31
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.