Brisbane Airport to City: Train, Airtrain, Bus or Rideshare?

Planning your Brisbane arrival should be easy, not a guessing game. Whether you want the fastest hop into the CBD, the best value for money, or a seamless door-to-door ride, this guide breaks down every option from Brisbane Airport to the city so you can step off the plane and go. We will compare the Airport train, commonly known as Airtrain, rideshare and taxis, plus buses and budget-friendly workarounds. Expect practical tips on travel time, tickets, luggage, accessibility, and how to save money without sacrificing convenience.

Brisbane rewards smart arrivals. Choose the right transfer, and you can be sipping coffee in the CBD or strolling South Bank’s riverfront in no time.

The quick answer

• Fastest and best all-rounder: Airtrain, the airport train into Brisbane City and South Bank
• Best for late-night arrivals or groups with lots of luggage: Rideshare or taxi
• Cheapest if you really need to save: The Skygate shuttle plus suburban bus and train combo, more time consuming
• Best for door-to-door with heavy bags or young kids: Rideshare, taxi, or Airtrain Connect style rail plus car combo

Below you will find all the details to decide with confidence.

Snapshot comparison

• Airtrain, Brisbane Airport train

  • Time: About 20 to 25 minutes to Central Station, slightly longer from the International Terminal
  • Frequency: About every 15 minutes in peaks, about every 30 minutes off-peak
  • Hours: Early morning to late evening, not 24 hours
  • Price: Adult one-way to city typically around AUD 18 to 22, online specials often available
  • Best for: Solo travelers, couples, light luggage, predictable arrival times, avoiding traffic

• Rideshare and taxi

  • Time: About 20 to 30 minutes outside peak, 30 to 50 minutes during peak
  • Price: Rideshare typically AUD 30 to 50 to CBD off-peak, higher in peak or surge, taxi often AUD 45 to 65 plus any tolls and airport charges
  • Best for: Late-night flights, door-to-door convenience, families or groups, oversized luggage

• Bus and shuttles

  • Time: Varies widely, often 50 to 90 minutes if using the budget route via Skygate and suburban services
  • Price: Cheapest public-transport option if you use local buses and trains, private hotel shuttles vary by provider
  • Best for: Ultra-budget travelers who are not time sensitive

Note on pricing and schedules: Fares and timetables can change. Always check the Brisbane Airtrain website and Translink journey planner before you travel.

Option 1: The Airport Train, Airtrain

The Brisbane Airport train, marketed as Airtrain, is the city’s signature airport-to-CBD link. It is reliable, traffic-proof, and easy to use with luggage. For most travelers, it is the simplest selection.

How Airtrain works

The Airport line serves both terminals:

• Brisbane Domestic Airport station sits beside the Domestic Terminal
• Brisbane International Airport station is adjacent to the International Terminal

Trains run from both airport stations through the Northern suburbs, then into the inner city. Key city stops include Fortitude Valley, Central, Roma Street, South Brisbane, and South Bank. Many services continue beyond to stations toward the Gold Coast. If your destination is in the CBD or South Bank, you can step off within a short walk or quick taxi rideshare hop to most city hotels.

Where the stations are

• Brisbane Domestic: Follow signs for Trains and Airtrain. It is a short, covered walk from arrivals.
• Brisbane International: Follow Trains and Airtrain signage. Escalators and lifts connect the terminal concourse to the station concourse.

Both stations have lifts, ticket machines, and fare gates that accept QR codes and go card.

Timetables and frequency

• Frequency: About every 15 minutes during weekday peaks and every 30 minutes at quieter times and on weekends
• Hours: Early morning into late evening, typically starting before the morning rush and finishing around late evening. Services do not run overnight.

Travel time

• Domestic to Central Station: about 20 to 23 minutes
• International to Central Station: about 22 to 25 minutes
• To South Bank: about 25 to 30 minutes

If your hotel is in Fortitude Valley, Central, Roma Street, South Brisbane, or South Bank, you can often walk or take a very short transfer from the station.

Tip: If you are catching a long-distance train or a coach after arrival, Roma Street is Brisbane’s gateway for regional rail and coach depots.

Tickets and pricing

Airtrain uses the same rail corridor as Queensland Rail’s city network but is a privately operated airport service with its own fare structure. You can pay in several ways.

Common options

• Online Airtrain ticket: Buy on the Airtrain website before you land for discounted fares. You receive a QR code to scan at the gates.
• go card: Translink’s rechargeable smart card works at the airport gates. You tap on at the station you start and tap off when you exit. There is an airport fee component, so the fare will be higher than a standard suburban trip.
• Paper ticket: Purchase at station machines or customer counters. Machines accept cards and sometimes cash.

Typical one-way adult fare to Brisbane City sits around AUD 18 to 22, with online deals sometimes cheaper. Child, concession, and group discounts exist, and family promos appear during school holidays or weekends. Always check current offers on the Airtrain site.

Note: Brisbane is rolling out new smart ticketing technology across the network. If you prefer to use a go card, you can buy or top up at vending machines and selected retailers in the terminals.

How to buy and use your ticket

• Online: Purchase on the Airtrain website. You will receive a QR code. Keep it handy on your phone with enough battery or print it out.
• In person: Use the ticket machines at the station. Choose your destination, pay, and collect a paper ticket with a QR.
• go card: Tap on at the fare gates and tap off at your destination. If transferring to a bus or ferry later, taps continue to calculate your daily fare cap.

Luggage and accessibility

• Trains have dedicated luggage racks near doors and spaces for suitcases
• Carriages are level-boarding with small gaps, and stations have lifts for step-free access
• Prams and wheelchairs are accommodated, with priority seating available
• Trolleys cannot be taken through the gates, so transfer items from your trolley before entering the paid area

If you are carrying surfboards or unusually large items, check Airtrain and Queensland Rail size guidelines. Most standard suitcases are fine.

Pros and cons of taking the Airtrain

Pros

• Fast into the CBD, consistent travel time that is not affected by road traffic
• Good value for solo travelers and couples
• Frequent, easy to navigate, and comfortable with luggage
• Drops you at stations close to most city hotels and attractions

Cons

• Not 24 hours, so late-night arrivals may need rideshare or taxi
• Requires a short walk at each end, which can be inconvenient with very heavy bags
• Groups of three or more may find a rideshare is similar in price door to door

Step-by-step from Arrivals to the train

1. Follow the green Train or Airtrain signs in the terminal
2. Buy a ticket at the station or have your online QR code ready
3. Enter via the gates by scanning your QR code or tapping your go card
4. Check the platform screens for a city-bound train, then board
5. Stow your bag in the luggage rack and hold on as the train leaves the terminal
6. Alight at your preferred city station, then tap off or scan to exit

Beyond the CBD

• South Bank and South Brisbane: Ideal if you are staying by the river, near the Convention Centre, QAGOMA, or cultural precinct
• Fortitude Valley: Perfect for James Street, Howard Smith Wharves, or Valley nightlife
• Roma Street: Best for connecting with regional trains, coaches, and many hotel transfers
• Gold Coast: Stay on the same train, then transfer at Helensvale to the G:link light rail if heading to Surfers Paradise or Broadbeach. Airtrain also sells through-tickets for the Gold Coast.

Option 2: Rideshare and Taxi

Sometimes nothing beats door-to-door. Brisbane’s rideshare and taxi services are efficient, well signposted, and ready when the train stops running. If you arrive late at night, travel as a family, or simply prefer to step into a car and go, this is your route.

Where to meet your ride

Both terminals have clearly marked Ride Booking areas and taxi ranks.

• Domestic Terminal: Exit arrivals, follow signs for Ride Booking or Taxis. There are designated pickup zones for rideshare apps and a well-managed taxi queue.
• International Terminal: Follow the Ride Booking or Taxi signage from arrivals. Dedicated pickup areas are located a short walk from the terminal doors.

You will see signage for Uber, DiDi, Ola, and other platforms. Order your ride once you are kerbside, then match the number plate and driver in your app.

How long and how much

• Time: Off-peak, expect about 20 to 30 minutes to reach most CBD hotels. In peak periods, allow 30 to 50 minutes due to inner city congestion.
• Price:
  • Rideshare: Often AUD 30 to 50 to the CBD off-peak. Surge pricing can lift this, especially around big events or storms.
  • Taxi: Commonly AUD 45 to 65 for the CBD including the airport pickup charge, plus any road tolls if your driver uses the Airport Link tunnel or other tolled routes.

There is an airport access fee for pick-ups that is typically added to your fare. If your driver uses tolled tunnels for a faster run, those tolls are also passed through. You can request a no-toll route in the app or directly with your taxi driver, keeping in mind travel time may increase.

Which service to choose

• Uber, DiDi, Ola: Competitive pricing, clear in-app fare estimates, choice of vehicle sizes. UberX handles most needs, while Comfort or Premier offers more space. Choose UberXL for large groups or many bags.
• Taxi: Good for immediate kerbside departure, fixed fare options may be offered by some operators to the CBD, and maxi taxis can be requested for groups or extra luggage. Major operators include 13cabs and Black & White Cabs.

Pros and cons of rideshare or taxi

Pros

• True door-to-door convenience, no transfers or walking with luggage
• Best option when trains are not operating late at night or very early morning
• Ideal for families with kids, seniors, or travelers with heavy or bulky bags

Cons

• Prices can jump in peak traffic or during surge periods
• Subject to traffic congestion, which can add time and cost
• Airport access fees and potential tolls add to the total

Tips to save money on car transfers

• Check multiple apps at once, prices can vary by 20 percent or more
• Avoid tunnels if you are not in a hurry, tolls can add several dollars
• Travel slightly outside peak periods when possible, especially weekday mornings and late afternoons
• If staying near a central train station, compare the cost of Airtrain plus a short rideshare from the station versus a full rideshare from the airport

Option 3: Bus, Shuttles, and Budget Hacks

If you search for a direct public bus from Brisbane Airport to the CBD, you will come up empty. Brisbane’s public transport planners have optimized the rail link instead. That said, there are still buses around the airport precinct and private shuttles that can make sense for certain travelers.

Is there a public bus from the terminals to the city

There is no direct Translink public bus from the Domestic or International terminals to Brisbane CBD. The train is the designated public transport link from both terminals. You will see buses elsewhere on airport land, but they serve precinct routes and nearby suburbs rather than a CBD trunk.

The Skygate budget route explained

For budget diehards, there is a low-cost workaround using the Skygate precinct. Here is how it can work.

• Free terminal shuttle: Brisbane Airport operates a free loop bus between the terminals and Skygate, which is the airport’s retail and services hub. This shuttle is designed for precinct access, not city travel, but it is useful as a connector.
• From Skygate: You can use a local Translink bus, such as a service toward Toombul or other interchanges, then transfer to a suburban train into the CBD.

Pros

• Can be the cheapest way into the city if you already have a go card and want to minimize costs
• Useful if you want to shop at DFO or Skygate before heading into town

Cons

• Much slower and more complex than Airtrain
• Not recommended with heavy luggage or children
• Multiple transfers increase the chance of delays

If you are tempted by this route, use the Translink journey planner for live connections, and allow generous buffer time.

Hotel shuttles and private transfer vans

Some private operators run pre-booked shuttle vans or sedan services from the airport to Brisbane hotels and suburbs. Prices vary by distance and group size.

• Shared shuttles: Per-person pricing, may be cost-effective for solo travelers if services align with your arrival time
• Private transfers: Fixed price for your group, very convenient for families and corporate travelers
• Airtrain Connect style products: Rail into the city combined with a chauffeur or shuttle to your hotel from a central station. This can be great if you want rail speed plus a guaranteed last-mile ride.

Always confirm operating status and pricing before you land, especially if arriving late in the evening.

When to choose which option

Every traveler’s priority is different. Here is a simple framework.

Choose Airtrain if

• You land during operating hours and want a consistent 20 to 30 minute trip into the city
• You are traveling solo or as a couple with standard luggage
• Your hotel is walkable from Central, Roma Street, South Brisbane, or South Bank
• You want to avoid traffic and prefer a predictable schedule

Choose rideshare or taxi if

• You arrive after the last train or before the first train
• You prefer door-to-door convenience, especially with kids or bulky bags
• You are a group of three or more splitting the fare
• Your hotel is not near a train station or involves steep hills or complex connections

Choose buses or shuttles if

• You are on a strict budget and have time to spare
• You want a pre-booked van or sedan with a meet-and-greet for peace of mind
• Your destination is outside the inner city and a private direct route is more efficient

Practical tips for a smooth arrival

A little planning goes a long way. These quick tips will help you glide from runway to room.

• Check your terminal: Domestic and International stations are separate. Confirm which terminal your flight uses before navigating.
• Download the right apps: Airtrain’s website for tickets, Translink for journey planning, and your rideshare app of choice. Screenshots or saved QR codes help if your mobile data is patchy after landing.
• Travel times by day:
  • Weekday morning peak around 7 to 9 am: Roads can be slow, the train shines
  • Weekday afternoon peak around 3 to 6.30 pm: Consider Airtrain if you want to avoid traffic
  • Weekends: Traffic is lighter, rideshare becomes more competitive
• Luggage handling: On the train, use the racks near the doors. In rideshare, consider UberXL or a maxi taxi for 3 or more large suitcases.
• Accessibility: Both airport rail stations are step free. If you need assistance, ask airport staff or station staff on arrival.
• Payment options:
  • Airtrain online tickets accept major cards
  • go card is available at stations and selected retailers in the terminals
  • Rideshare and taxis accept cards, taxis also accept cash
• Safety: Brisbane is generally safe. In the late evening, wait in well-lit areas. Follow in-app instructions to verify your rideshare driver and number plate.
• Special events and sports nights: The Gabba, Suncorp Stadium, and Riverstage events can spike traffic and rideshare pricing. Book early or choose the train.

Example arrival scenarios

• Morning business trip, carry-on only

  • Best bet: Airtrain to Central or Roma Street, quick walk or short rideshare to your meeting
  • Time: Around 20 to 30 minutes to the CBD

• Family of four with two large cases, mid-afternoon arrival

  • Best bet: UberXL or maxi taxi straight to your hotel
  • Time: 25 to 45 minutes depending on traffic, usually cost-effective per person

• Late-night landing after the last train

  • Best bet: Rideshare or taxi from the designated pickup zone
  • Tip: Check multiple apps for the best price. Ask to avoid tolls if time allows.

• Budget backpacker not in a rush

  • Best bet: Airtrain if daytime and within budget. If pinching pennies, the Skygate shuttle plus suburban bus and train route will save cash but add time.

How to align your hotel choice with your transfer

If you plan around the train, pick a hotel close to one of these stations:

• Central Station: Near Queen Street Mall, Spring Hill, and much of the CBD
• Roma Street: Handy for Suncorp Stadium and connections west
• South Brisbane or South Bank: Perfect for riverfront stays, museums, and convention events
• Fortitude Valley: Ideal for nightlife and boutique shopping

If you plan around rideshare, most CBD hotels have clear drop-off points. In peak hours, allow an extra 10 to 15 minutes for set-down queues at larger properties or during conference season.

Sustainability and comfort

If you want to reduce your footprint without sacrificing speed, the train is hard to beat. Rail transfers are among the lowest emission options per passenger, and Brisbane’s airport line delivers you right into the core without idling in traffic. If comfort is your priority, rideshare or taxi puts you in climate-controlled seats, door to door. There is no wrong answer, only the right fit.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Brisbane Airport from the city center?

• Roughly 12 to 15 kilometers, depending on your exact destination. Off-peak, that is about a 20 to 30 minute drive.

Does the Brisbane Airport train run 24 hours?

• No. It operates from early morning through late evening. If your flight lands after services end, use rideshare or a taxi.

How often does the Airtrain run?

• Typically every 15 minutes at busy times and about every 30 minutes off-peak. Check the live timetable on the day.

What is the Airtrain fare to the city?

• Expect around AUD 18 to 22 one way for adults with potential online discounts. Child and concession rates are available. Always verify current prices.

Can I use a go card at the airport stations?

• Yes. Tap on and off as usual. The airport journey includes a station access component in the fare.

Is there a direct public bus from the terminals to Brisbane CBD?

• No. The train is the primary public transport link from both terminals.

Where do I meet my Uber or taxi?

• Follow Ride Booking or Taxi signs from arrivals at either terminal. Dedicated pickup areas are clearly signed.

How much is a taxi from Brisbane Airport to the city?

• Often between AUD 45 and 65 to the CBD, plus any tolls if used. Prices vary with traffic.

Is the train good with luggage?

• Yes. Trains have luggage racks and level access. You will need to wheel your bags to and from the station.

What if I am going to South Bank or the Convention Centre?

• Take the train to South Brisbane or South Bank stations. Many hotels and venues are a short walk from there.

What if I am headed to the Gold Coast?

• Stay on the Airtrain to Helensvale, then transfer to the G:link light rail for Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach. Through fares and tickets are available.

Can I pre-book a private transfer?

• Yes. Several companies offer pre-booked sedans, SUVs, and vans with meet-and-greet service. This is convenient for families or late-night arrivals.

The bottom line: choose your best Brisbane Airport transfer

• If you want speed and certainty at a fair price, take the Airtrain to Central, Roma Street, South Brisbane, or South Bank. It is the smoothest way to bypass traffic and get straight into the heart of Brisbane.
• If you want door-to-door comfort, especially outside train hours or with a group, book a rideshare or taxi. It is simple, flexible, and often cost-effective when the fare is shared.
• If you are on a tight budget and do not mind extra time, use the Skygate shuttle and suburban public transport. It works, but it is not for everyone.

Brisbane is a city that starts strong right from the airport. Pick the transfer that matches your schedule and style, and you will be unpacked and exploring the riverfront in record time. For the latest fares and timetables, check Airtrain and Translink before you fly, then enjoy a smooth arrival into Queensland’s capital.