Airtrain at Brisbane Airport

Both terminals at Brisbane Airport have train stations a short walk from the buildings. From the international terminal, the station is accessed via a covered walkway from level three. Access to the station at the domestic terminal is from the upper level and there are lifts and escalators to the ground level.

The train service is called  Airtrain, and it links the airport with Brisbane city centre and the suburbs to the south-east along the Gold Coast. It is the quickest and most direct route to the city. Trains run every fifteen minutes at peak times and every thirty minutes off-peak, with the journey taking twenty minutes.

The key stations along the route include:

• Brisbane International Terminal > Brisbane Domestic Terminal > Fortitude Valley Station > Central Station Brisbane City > Roma Street Station > South Brisbane Station > South Bank Station > Commera Station > Helensvale Station > Nerang Station > Robina Station > Varsity Lakes Station

An added bonus of the Airtrain is that children of fourteen years and under can travel free between the airport and city centre stations when accompanied by an adult (T&C apply). You can also use the Translink go card on the Airtrain.

The service runs from 05:04 to 22:04 on weekdays and from 06:04 to 22:04 at the weekends. For the full timetable click here.

Fares

A single ticket from the domestic or international terminal to Brisbane central costs AU$18.00 and a return is AU$34.00. To transfer between terminals using the Airtrain takes two minutes and costs AU$5.00. (There is a free bus available for terminal transfers. More information is available here.) 

If you are travelling to destinations on the Gold Coast, single fares range from AU$29.00 to Ormeau up to AU$37.00 for Varsity Lakes, with return tickets at AU$56.80 and AU$72.00 respectively.

Discounts of up to 15% are available by buying your tickets online, and increase the further in advance you buy. For regular Airtrain travel, you can also buy a Smartpass for 3, 5, 7 or 10 days. A fare calculator is available on the website.

Train & Transfer

Airtrain also offers a Train & Transfer service called Airtrain Connect which provides a direct transfer from the airport to your Gold Coast holiday accommodation or private address. This premium service includes the train and a transfer in a chauffeur driven vehicle. A list of the suburbs served by this service can be found here.

You can also include a city break in Brisbane, either on your way to or from the Gold Coast with Airtrain Connect, at no extra cost. When you have made your booking, contact them on the details below stating how many days you want to spend in the city.

• Telephone: 1800 119 091
• Email: reservations@airtrain.com.au
• Website: https://www.airtrain.com.au

Other Destinations

For other destinations in South-East Queensland, such as the Sunshine Coast, Airtrain links up with Translink services at certain stations in Brisbane. For the connections, you can consult the Translink journey planner.

Translink

Translink operates the integrated transport system for South-East Queensland incorporating trains, buses, trams and ferries. Services operate across eight zones and fares are calculated according to how many zones you are passing through. For details of the fares and zones, click here.

Go Card

The go card is a travel card which gives discounted fares and can be used on the entire Translink network and the Airtrain. You scan the card at the beginning and end of your journey and the fare is deducted from the balance on the card.

You can buy the card at train and bus station ticket offices and fare machines, from certain shops, by phone or online. Only Australian credit cards are accepted online and over the phone, but international cards can be used at retail outlets. You can load the card with a minimum of AU$20.00 up to AU$200.00. When your balance runs out you can top up by the same means.

• Website: https://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/go-card
• Telephone: 13 12 30

SeeQ Card

For visitors to South-East Queensland, the seeQ card provides travel on all Translink trains, buses, trams and ferries for three or five consecutive days. The card can be bought online or at retailers and is valid for twelve months, although it can only be used on consecutive calendar days within that period.

The three-day card is AU$79.00 for adults and AU$40.00 for children five to fourteen years of age. The seven-day card is AU$129.00 and AU$65.00 respectively. For details click here.