Well-known for its stunning beaches, warm weather, surfing and water sports, the Gold Coast is a popular holiday destination for international tourists and Australians alike. The Gold Coast has been described as “perfect one day and beautiful the next”; with a melting pot of unspoiled national parks, incredible dining options and being a great family holiday destination, it really has something magical for everyone – even it’s nightlife that has been making its mark in Australia for years.
So when landing at Brisbane airport (BNE), you have 3 different travel options to get to the Gold Coast; you can either take a taxi, a train or a shared shuttle bus. Taking a Brisbane airport transfer is definitely your most convenient option, providing a door-to-door service in the comfort of a private air-conditioned vehicle. Another cheaper option would be to take the Airtrain, however you will have to take a connecting train at Helensvale station to reach the Gold Coast, and your last transfer option is to take the Con-X-ion shared shuttle bus.
4 options to go from Brisbane Airport to city center
OPTION | PRICE | TIME | AVAILABILITY | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Welcome Pickups Private Transfer | €137 | 60min | 24/7 | Convenience | Book | |
Taxi | €132 | 60min | 24/7 | Convenience | Book | |
It is good to know that all taxis in Brisbane accept bank card and cash payments. | ||||||
Train | €52 | 55min | 05:00–22:00 | Convenience | Read more | |
The Airlink has ticket options to suit all travel needs - you can purchase a ticket at the station, use a go-card or pre-book online and save with exclusive specials for advance purchases, duo and group travellers as well as families with kids travelling for free. | ||||||
Shared Shuttle Bus | €55 | 90min | 06:00–02:00 | Convenience | Read more | |
Other shared shuttle buses run this route at cheaper prices, however they are less frequent and some take over 3 hours to reach the Gold Coast. If you wish to find out more, please see the link above. |
Although being the more expensive travel method, taking a Brisbane airport transfer is your best travel option from BNE to the Gold Coast as they provide fast and efficient door-to-door services; and nothing is better than going straight from a long flight to your accommodation. To travel the 85.3 km by taxi, it will take around 1 hour in normal traffic conditions.
Taxi fare from Brisbane airport to the Gold Coast
Taxis from Brisbane airport don’t offer flat rate fees to the Gold Coast, instead, they use a taximeter to calculate their fares based on the distance and time travelled.
This means that your final price will depend on your exact location within the city, but also, if you are travelling at night, during the day, at peak hours or on a weekend. Moreover, an extra $3.50 AUD will be added to your end fare for an airport tax. So when taking a Brisbane airport taxi to the Gold Coast, you can expect to pay around €132 ($205 AUD) for your 1 hour journey, on the condition that you are travelling during the day and outside any peak hour.
Nonetheless, if you wish to travel at a fixed price and avoid paying extra fees you can pre-book your private airport transfer service.
Where do I get it from?
The official Brisbane airport taxis ranks are easy to find as they are outside the International and Domestic terminals, both of which are staffed during peak times.
Convenience
Arriving in a new city after a long flight, and having to find your way to your accommodation with heavy luggage and potential family and friends can always be daunting. So, taking a Brisbane airport taxi is definitely a great, fast and comfortable way to travel to the Gold Coast. Going further, although the taxi trip can seem a little bit pricey, when you are travelling in a group and are able to split the end fare, taxis end up being the cheaper travel option.
Useful Tips
Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi
Learn moreIf you wish to take Brisbane’s public transportation system, the airport Airtrain is a great travel option for you. The Airtrain has a regular uninterrupted service between Brisbane airport, Brisbane City and the Gold Coast departing every 15 minutes during peak hours or every 30 minutes off-peak. However, if you wish to reach the Gold Coast from Brisbane airport you will need to take a connecting tram, the G:Link tram at Helensvale station to the heart of the Gold Coast at Surfers Paradise. The trip from BNE airport to Helensvale station takes 20 minutes, and the trip from this station to Surfers Paradise on the tram takes 35 minutes, bringing the overall journey time up to 55 minutes, excluding the waiting time.
How much is a ticket on the Airtrain from Brisbane airport to the Gold Coast?
A one-way Airtrain and G:Link combined ticket costs €26 ($40.10 AUD) and can be purchased at the Airtrain desks in each of Brisbane’s terminals, directly at the train station or online. It is good to know that if you purchase your Airtrain ticket online you can save 15% on your fare. Online tickets can be used two days either side of the booked date.
The Airtrain runs from 05:00 to 22:00 on weekdays and 06:00 to 22:00 on weekends.
Where do I get it from?
The Airtrain has a station outside both domestic and international terminals at Brisbane airport.
For the domestic terminal: You can find the Airtrain at the elevated Skywalk and is easily accessed using travellators.
For the international terminal: The Airtrain is located on level 3 (the arrivals are on level 2). Simply follow the “trains” signs to level 3 using the travellators or lifts.
Convenience
The Airtrain offers comfortable and regular journeys in their modern fleet of trains, with air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, space for luggage, restrooms on board and LED screens to help you navigate your journey. However, you will have to take a connecting tram at Helensvale station before reaching the Gold Coast and tickets can get costly if you are travelling in a group.
Timetables
Airtrain schedule
Airtrain tickets
G:Link tickets and timetables
Useful Tips
If you are looking for a public transportation method that doesn’t require a connexion, then taking a shared shuttle bus from Brisbane airport to the Gold Coast would be your best option. The Con-X-ion shuttle bus provides great transportation to-and-from the Gold Coast and BNE airport. Although providing a direct route, the bus does stop multiple times along the way, making this travel method the longest.
How much is a Con-X-ion shuttle bus ticket from Brisbane airport to the Gold Coast?
A one-way ticket from Brisbane airport to Surfers Paradise on the Con-X-ion shuttle bus costs €27.50 ($42.40 AUD). Children under the age of 3 years travel for free, but need to be seated on one of their parent’s laps.
You can purchase your tickets online in advance or at the Con-X-ion sales kiosk at each airport terminal. Passengers will then be directed to their departing shuttle bus.
The Con-X-ion shuttle bus runs from 06:00 to 02:00 with longer waiting times during the night service.
Where do I get it from?
As you land at Brisbane airport, you can make your way to the Con-X-ion desk and check in to your departing bus shuttle. You will then be directed to your designated departure point.
Convenience
Although the Con-X-ion shuttle bus from the airport to Brisbane’s city centre is a comfortable and safe option, it is not considered the most convenient. Tickets are slightly higher than those of the Airtrain, for a longer travel time, and waiting times can be long in between services. Moreover, if you are travelling in a group of 2 people or more, taking a taxi is a cheaper option to get from the airport to the Gold Coast.
Timetables
Shared shuttle bus timetable
Con-X-ion
Bus company timetables and prices
CheckMyBus
Useful Tips
Frequently asked questions
How far is Brisbane airport (BNE) from the Gold Coast?
Brisbane airport (BNE) is located 85.3 km away from the Gold Coast, and you have 3 different travel options to get there; you can either take an airport taxi, the Airtrain or a shared shuttle bus.
How much is a train ticket from Brisbane airport to the Gold Coast?
A one-way combined ticket on the Airtrain and G:Link tram costs €26 ($40.10 AUD) and can be purchased at the Airtrain desks in each of Brisbane’s terminals, directly at the train station or online. Please note that children travel for free between the airport and the city stations, when accompanied by a paying adult.
How long does it take to get from Brisbane airport (BNE) to the Gold Coast?
If you are travelling by taxi, it will take around 1 hour in normal traffic conditions. If you choose to take the train from Brisbane airport to the Gold Coast it will take 55 minutes excluding the waiting time and if you choose to travel by shared shuttle bus, it will take 1 hour 30 minutes.
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