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Alice Springs Airport (ASP)
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Alice Springs Airport

Airport · Alice Springs, Northern Territory

ASP / YBAS4 airlines

About Alice Springs Airport

Red Centre gateway — entry point for the Outback, MacDonnell Ranges and Indigenous cultural touring. Closest airport to Alice Springs town centre.

Getting There

By bus

No public airport bus. Pre-arrange shuttle or hire car.

By taxi

Taxi to Alice Springs town: $20–$25, 15 minutes. Limited late-night availability.

Hire car essential

Most major hire companies at the terminal. 4WD essential for any outback touring — West MacDonnell Ranges, Finke Gorge, Larapinta Trail sections, Hermannsburg communities. Conventional cars suitable only for Alice Springs town and sealed Larapinta Drive.

Coach to Uluru

AAT Kings and The Rock Tour run multi-day coach trips to Uluru — pre-book at most Alice Springs hotels or online.

Transfers

Single small terminal. No transfer concerns.

Parking

**Short-stay**: $5 first 30 min. **Long-stay** car park: from $13/day. Cheaper than capital airports.

Visitor Tips

  • •15 min to Alice Springs town — taxi $20-25, no public airport bus
  • •Hire 4WD essential for any outback touring (West MacDonnell, Finke Gorge, Larapinta sections)
  • •Most Uluru tours are flown to AYQ (Ayers Rock) directly — Alice Springs is for the Centre, not the Rock
  • •Heat warnings Nov-Mar — temperatures regularly exceed 40°C
  • •Stargazing tours are world-class here — book before arriving

Airport Layout

Runway configuration and terminal area for Alice Springs Airport.

Runways

2 runways • longest 2,438m • total 3,571m • Narrow-body capable (e.g. Boeing 737, Airbus A320)

DesignationLengthWidthSurfaceHeadingsLighted
12/302,438 m45 mAsphalt120° / 300°Yes
17/351,133 m18 mAsphalt178° / 358°Yes

Security & screening at Australian airports

  • Domestic flights: arrive 60 minutes before departure
  • International flights: arrive 2–3 hours before departure (longer for first-time international travellers)

What you can carry on

  • Liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs): containers up to 100ml for international flights, all in a single transparent 1L resealable bag. Domestic flights have no LAG restrictions on most airlines.
  • Lithium batteries (in personal devices): allowed in carry-on only. Spare batteries up to 100Wh permitted in carry-on; batteries over 160Wh prohibited.
  • Sharp items including scissors with blades over 6cm, knives, and tools must be packed in checked baggage.

Prohibited items

  • Firearms (require declaration and approval)
  • Explosives, flammable liquids, compressed gases
  • Pepper spray, mace, tear gas
  • Self-defence weapons including knuckle dusters

Full list: ABF prohibited items

International arrivals — biosecurity

Australia has strict biosecurity laws. Declare all food, plant material, animal products, soil, wooden items, and outdoor equipment on your Incoming Passenger Card. Fines start at AUD $626 and undeclared prohibited items can result in penalties up to $660,000 or visa cancellation. When in doubt, declare it.

Nearby Attractions

Emily Gap

9km away

Emily Gap (Anthwerrke)

11.3km away

The Residency

12.2km away

Museum of Central Australia & Strehlow Research Center

12.3km away

Anzac Hill

12.6km away

Jessie Gap

13.3km away

Simpsons Gap (Rungutjirpa)

24.6km away

High Point

31.6km away

Quick Facts

Stay connected on arrival — Airalo eSIM

Skip airport SIM kiosks — install Airalo before you fly and activate the moment you land.

Quick Stats

Class
major regional
Runways
2
Longest runway
2,438 m
Max aircraft
Narrow-body capable
Elevation
545 m
Annual passengers
344,191(2022)

At a Glance

Airport Codes

IATA
ASP
ICAO
YBAS

Location

City
Alice Springs
State
Northern Territory
Timezone
Darwin

Plan Your Visit

Best Time
May-Sep is peak: cool days (20-25°C), cold nights, clear skies. Summer (Dec-Feb) brings extreme heat and storm risk.

Good to Know

Wheelchair Accessible

Airlines

QantasQantasLinkVirgin AustraliaAirnorth

Car Hire

HertzAvisBudgetEuropcarThrifty

Links

WikipediaOpen in Google Maps

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Nearby

Dump Points(3)

8.6km

Alice Springs Showground

Free · 8.6km

9.3km

Alice Springs Dump Point

Free · 9.3km

11.2km

Olive Pink Botanic Gardens

Free · 11.2km