South Australia, Australia
Kingscote Airport (KGC) is the sole commercial airport on Kangaroo Island, located approximately 13 kilometers (8 miles) southwest of Kingscote town. It operates as a regional airport.
No direct international flights reach Kingscote Airport. International travelers usually fly into a major Australian city first (Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane). From these cities, connect to a domestic flight to Adelaide, then the short QantasLink flight to Kangaroo Island.
Kingscote Airport is small with basic amenities: car rental desks (Hertz, Avis, Budget, local), restrooms, small cafe with limited options, and possibly limited Wi-Fi.
Car rental is the most popular choice from Kingscote Airport. Limited taxis are available; pre-booking is a strong recommendation. Some accommodation/tour operators offer shuttle services.
Explore flight deals using services like Dollar Flight Club or Skyscanner for potential savings on your journey to Adelaide or other Australian hubs.
Fly into Adelaide (ADL), then take a short QantasLink flight to Kingscote (KGC) on Kangaroo Island.
Drive to Cape Jervis on the mainland, then take the Sealink ferry to Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island.
Arrange for car rental, pre-booked taxi, or shuttle service from Kingscote Airport or Penneshaw Ferry Terminal.
Link SA operates bus services from Adelaide Central Bus Station to Cape Jervis, the departure point for the Sealink ferry to Kangaroo Island. The bus schedule coordinates with the Sealink ferry times. The journey takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.
Many visitors choose to drive to Cape Jervis and take their vehicle on the ferry. The drive from Adelaide to Cape Jervis takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, traveling south on sealed roads through the scenic Fleurieu Peninsula.
Many popular attractions have travel on unsealed roads. Exercise caution on unsealed roads, especially after rain, as they can be slippery. Reduce speed significantly on unsealed surfaces.
For car rental on the mainland before your ferry, DiscoverCars.com offers comparison from many providers. This can be a smart move for island exploration.
The main way to reach Kangaroo Island by sea is via the Sealink ferry. Sealink operates vehicle and passenger ferries daily between Cape Jervis on the mainland and Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island. The ferry crossing takes approximately 45 minutes.
Penneshaw serves as a common port of call for smaller cruise ships visiting South Australia. Cruise passengers typically embark on shore excursions organized by the cruise line directly from the Penneshaw terminal.
No river transportation options connect directly to or from Kangaroo Island. The island is located in the ocean.
For Sealink ferry passengers, no specific immigration procedures occur upon arrival at Penneshaw. This is domestic travel within Australia.
Upon arrival at Penneshaw Ferry Terminal: car rental, limited pre-booked taxis, tour buses meeting ferries, and the Link SA bus to Kingscote.
No specific exit fees or taxes are collected when departing Kangaroo Island by ferry or domestic flight to mainland Australia. Standard Australian international departure tax is part of international airfares from mainland Australia.
Facilities at both the Penneshaw Ferry Terminal and Kingscote Airport are basic. They serve light refreshments and waiting areas. They are smaller than mainland city terminals.
Many rental companies associated with DiscoverCars.com have convenient drop-off points at Kingscote Airport and Penneshaw Ferry Terminal.
Confirm your fuel policy (full-to-full is common) before returning the vehicle to avoid extra charges.
Before handing back the keys, inspect the car for any new damage and take photos for your records.
Reconfirm your ferry or flight times the day before departure. Weather conditions can sometimes change schedules.
