Getting Around Brisbane
Find the best way to access the city from anywhere.
Brisbane Airport information
Brisbane Airport (BNE) is South East Queensland’s main international gateway with 24/7, no‑curfew operations and fast access to the CBD in about 20 minutes by car via the Gateway Motorway and Airport Link tunnels.
The airport has extensive dining, shopping, and multiple parking options, plus dedicated terminals for domestic and international flights. Direct rail access is provided by Airtrain from both terminals, and a free Terminal–Skygate bus connects the precinct.
Location: About 14 km/20 minutes to Brisbane CBD in typical traffic.
Airtrain: Direct from both terminals; ~20 minutes to Central; every 15–30 minutes, ~4:30/5:00–22:00.
Skygate link: Free terminal–Skygate shuttle; route 590 also serves the precinct.
Facilities: Wide range of shops, eateries, and parking choices across domestic/international.
The airport has extensive dining, shopping, and multiple parking options, plus dedicated terminals for domestic and international flights. Direct rail access is provided by Airtrain from both terminals, and a free Terminal–Skygate bus connects the precinct.
Location: About 14 km/20 minutes to Brisbane CBD in typical traffic.
Airtrain: Direct from both terminals; ~20 minutes to Central; every 15–30 minutes, ~4:30/5:00–22:00.
Skygate link: Free terminal–Skygate shuttle; route 590 also serves the precinct.
Facilities: Wide range of shops, eateries, and parking choices across domestic/international.
Brisbane Train
Greater Brisbane’s suburban rail plus the dedicated Airtrain provide direct links from the airport to the city and the Gold Coast with through-ticketing and contactless payment.
Airtrain typically runs every 15 minutes at peaks and about every 30 minutes off‑peak, with a city journey around 20 minutes and express options to the Gold Coast via Helensvale. Fares can be paid via go card or contactless, with kids 14 and under free to/from Brisbane City when accompanied by an adult on Airtrain.
Frequency/time: ~15 minutes peak, ~30 off‑peak; ~20 minutes Airport–CBD.
Gold Coast: Tram (G:link) to Helensvale then Airtrain through to BNE; integrated ticketing.
Payment: Airtrain tickets, go card, or contactless; online discounts often available.
Hours: Generally ~4:30/5:00 a.m. to ~10:00 p.m. daily; check timetable for first/last trains.
Airtrain typically runs every 15 minutes at peaks and about every 30 minutes off‑peak, with a city journey around 20 minutes and express options to the Gold Coast via Helensvale. Fares can be paid via go card or contactless, with kids 14 and under free to/from Brisbane City when accompanied by an adult on Airtrain.
Frequency/time: ~15 minutes peak, ~30 off‑peak; ~20 minutes Airport–CBD.
Gold Coast: Tram (G:link) to Helensvale then Airtrain through to BNE; integrated ticketing.
Payment: Airtrain tickets, go card, or contactless; online discounts often available.
Hours: Generally ~4:30/5:00 a.m. to ~10:00 p.m. daily; check timetable for first/last trains.
Brisbane Ground Information
River ferries (CityCat, CityHopper, and cross‑river KittyCat) and a comprehensive bus network complement rail, with new 2025 cross‑river ferry services improving frequency to every ~15 minutes on key inner‑city links.
Free City Loop and Spring Hill Loop electric buses circulate through the CBD and nearby precincts at high frequency on weekdays, with CityGlider and BUZ routes offering frequent span and late service across major corridors.
Use go card or contactless for most services; CityHopper and CBD loops are free.
Ferries: CityHopper free inner‑city shuttle; new 2025 KittyCat cross‑river routes every ~15 minutes.
Free loops: City Loop (routes 40/50) and Spring Hill Loop run frequently and are free to ride.
Frequent buses: CityGlider 24 hours Fri–Sat, long hours other days; BUZ routes every ≤15 minutes most of the day.
Tickets: Pay with go card or contactless across most services; free for CityHopper/loops.
Free City Loop and Spring Hill Loop electric buses circulate through the CBD and nearby precincts at high frequency on weekdays, with CityGlider and BUZ routes offering frequent span and late service across major corridors.
Use go card or contactless for most services; CityHopper and CBD loops are free.
Ferries: CityHopper free inner‑city shuttle; new 2025 KittyCat cross‑river routes every ~15 minutes.
Free loops: City Loop (routes 40/50) and Spring Hill Loop run frequently and are free to ride.
Frequent buses: CityGlider 24 hours Fri–Sat, long hours other days; BUZ routes every ≤15 minutes most of the day.
Tickets: Pay with go card or contactless across most services; free for CityHopper/loops.
Brisbane Bus
Explore Brisbane’s neighbourhoods through a comprehensive bus service that runs throughout the city, connecting the outer and inner suburbs to the CBD, major shopping centres, entertainment and dining precincts, railway stations and ferry terminals. Take advantage of special NightLink bus services running after midnight on Fridays and Saturdays for late-night travellers. Or get around the inner city with the free City Loop and Spring Hill Loop. Plan your trip now on Translink’s journey planner.
While cash is acceptable on most services, the cheapest and most efficient way to pay is by purchasing a go card. It will set you back $20 to begin with (including $10 credit) but you can top it up anytime online, over the phone or at a 7-Eleven convenience store.
While cash is acceptable on most services, the cheapest and most efficient way to pay is by purchasing a go card. It will set you back $20 to begin with (including $10 credit) but you can top it up anytime online, over the phone or at a 7-Eleven convenience store.
