Perth's integrated, efficient metropolitan public transport system is called Transperth (tel: 136 213; website: www.transperth.wa.gov.au). Buses, trains and ferries display the Transperth colours and passengers can transfer between services on one ticket. Timetable and ticket information is available at the Transperth InfoCentres at Plaza Arcade, Wellington Street bus station, Perth City Busport and Perth Railway Station.

Bus services operate daily 0600-2330. Central Area Transit (CAT) buses are free and operate on three different routes around the City and Northbridge.

Transperth trains run from Perth Railway Station to Currambine and Clarkson in the north, Armadale and Thornlie in the south, Midland in the east and Fremantle in the west (weekdays 0530-2400). Trains run until 0200 on Friday and Saturday and until midnight on other nights.

Ferries operate between the City at Barrack Street jetty across the Swan River to Mends Street jetty in South Perth. Services are between 0700 and 1915 (until 2130 on Friday and Saturday).

The fare structure for all forms of transport is based on nine zones. Tickets can be purchased from the driver on buses and ferries or from coin-operated and credit card-enabled machines at train stations equipped with SmartRider technology. If travelling outside the free CAT zones and staying for any length of time in Perth, you will find it more convenient to purchase a credit card-style SmartRider card ($10 for card, minimum value $20) and ‘tag on' and ‘tag off' at the SmartRider machines each time you enter and leave stations.

Expensive, meter-operated taxis gather at transport terminals, taxi ranks and hotels. Taxis can also be hailed in the street. Booking by phone is possible with Black & White Taxis (tel: (08) 131 008) or Swan Taxis (tel: (08) 131 330; www.swantaxis.com.au). Tipping is generally not required unless the service is exceptional or you have a lot of luggage the driver has helped you with; rounding up to the nearest dollar is always appreciated.

Traffic moves relatively quickly in central Perth, except during very wet conditions (the rainy season is May to August), when a combination of caution and accidents slows down the traffic considerably. The tunnel under Northbridge, on the Graham Farmer freeway, also has significantly reduced traffic through the city.

Parking stations are marked by the standard blue P symbol used across Australia. Stations are scattered across the city, including Pier Street, Hay Street, Murray Street and Mounts Bay Road. Available at staffed car parks, the City of Perth Park Card (tel: (08) 9461 1710) is an alternative to change as a means of payment at outdoor parking stations.

All major car hire companies have offices in Perth, including Avis, 46 Hill Street (tel: (08) 9325 7677; www.avis.com) and Hertz, 39 Milligan Street (tel: (08) 9321 7777; www.hertz.com). The minimum age for hiring a car is usually 21 years. A credit card is required, as is an International Driving Permit (in English). Insurance is not included in the price of hire and fees are often added for administration and kilometres per day.

Perth has many cycle routes that are fun to navigate. Bicycle helmets must be worn at all times. Providers include About Bike Hire, 17 Read Place, Dianella (tel: (08) 9221 2665) and Ace Cyclery, 14 Carrington Street, Palmyra (tel: (08) 9339 3765; www.acecyclery.com.au).