Brisbane
Getting around Brisbane: public transport, passes and taxis
Use the TransLink network — bus, train, ferry and tram — and tap on and off with a contactless card or phone; a 50-cent flat fare applies across the network (check). Drive or rideshare only for the outer suburbs, the coasts and late nights, when trains and buses thin out.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
GuideBrisbane
Key facts
- Best default
- TransLink bus, train, ferry and tram; tap on and off with a contactless card or phone
- Fare
- Flat 50-cent fare per trip across the TransLink network
- Tap on and off
- Required on every trip; fare evasion fines apply
- Ferry
- CityCat and KittyCat on the Brisbane River; standard fare applies
- Airport
- Airtrain to the city in about 20 minutes; a separate premium fare applies
- Rideshare and taxi
- Uber, DiDi and Ola in the city; taxi ranks at the airport, CBD and South Bank
- Driving
- Useful for the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Redlands; tolls on some motorways
Quick answer
For almost every visitor, the TransLink network is the answer: buses, trains, ferries and the Gold Coast light rail, all on one fare system. Tap on at the start of a trip and tap off at the end with a contactless bank card, phone or watch — no separate card is needed for most travellers.
A flat 50-cent fare applies across the network, which makes transit cheaper than driving for a couple. Ferries double as a cheap river cruise, and the train reaches the airport, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Rideshare and taxis make sense for late nights, the outer suburbs and anywhere the train does not go.
Options at a glance
Times are typical door-to-door for a city trip; costs are 2026 estimates in Australian dollars.
| Mode | Best for | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus | CBD, inner suburbs, university and hospital precincts | 10–40 min | 50c flat fare |
| Train | Airport, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, outer suburbs | 20–75 min | 50c flat fare; airport premium |
| Ferry (CityCat) | River hops: CBD, South Bank, New Farm, University of Queensland | 10–40 min | 50c flat fare |
| Tram (G:link) | Gold Coast: Helensvale to Broadbeach | 30–55 min | 50c flat fare |
| Rideshare | Late nights, outer suburbs, door-to-door | 10–30 min | A$15–45 city trips (2026 estimate) |
| Taxi | Airport ranks, groups, no-app travellers | 10–30 min | A$20–50 city trips (2026 estimate) |
| Car | Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Redlands, day trips | Varies | A$60–120 a day plus fuel and tolls (2026 estimate) |
| Walking and cycling | CBD, South Bank, Kangaroo Point, riverwalks | 5–30 min | Free; e-scooter hire extra |
Fares and timetables change; confirm on the TransLink site before you travel.
The detail
Brisbane's rail spine runs under the CBD, with Central, Roma Street, Fortitude Valley and South Brisbane the stations you will use most. Trains are frequent in peak hours and thin out at night and on Sundays. Buses fill the gaps, with the busway giving fast runs to the inner suburbs and the southside. The CityCat ferry is the pleasant option along the river, and the free CityHopper covers a short inner stretch.
Tap on and off every time, including on ferries. If you forget to tap off, you may be charged a default fare. Inspectors do patrol, and fines for travelling without a valid tap are significant.
The Airtrain links Brisbane Airport to the city in about 20 minutes, but it sits outside the standard fare and costs more. For two or more people, a rideshare or taxi from the airport can be competitive. See the airport transfer page for the full comparison.
Rideshare apps work well in the city and at South Bank, Fortitude Valley and the airport. Taxis wait at ranks at the airport, Central station, the CBD and South Bank. Late at night, after about midnight, your options narrow to rideshare, taxi or a night bus on a few routes.
Driving is worth it for the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Redlands and Ipswich, but parking in the CBD is expensive and some motorways carry tolls. If you drive, check whether your rental agreement allows tolls and how the operator bills them.
What it costs
The flat 50-cent fare makes transit the cheapest way to move around Brisbane, and it applies across buses, trains, ferries and the Gold Coast tram. Airport train fares are higher than the standard fare.
Rideshare and taxi trips inside the city typically run A$15–50 depending on distance and time of day (2026 estimate). A rental car costs about A$60–120 a day plus fuel at roughly A$2 a litre and any tolls (2026 estimate).
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single trip, any mode | 50c | Flat fare across the TransLink network |
| Airport train | Premium fare | About 20 minutes to the CBD |
| Rideshare, city trip | A$15–45 (2026 estimate) | Surges at peak and after events |
| Taxi, city trip | A$20–50 (2026 estimate) | Ranks at airport, CBD, South Bank |
| Rental car | A$60–120 a day (2026 estimate) | Plus fuel and tolls |
| Fuel | About A$2 a litre (2026 estimate) | Varies by region |
| E-scooter hire | Per minute | Geofenced zones in the inner city |
Tips
- Tap on and off every trip, including ferries, or you may be charged a default fare.
- Use the same contactless card or phone all day; each traveller needs their own.
- Take the CityCat for a cheap river trip instead of a paid cruise.
- Check the last train time before a late dinner; weekend services end earlier.
- For the airport, compare the train fare against a rideshare for two or more people.
- Keep a rideshare app installed for the trip home after midnight.
- If you drive, ask the rental company how tolls are charged before you take a toll road.
FAQ
Questions people ask
What is the best way to get around Brisbane?
Use the TransLink network of buses, trains, ferries and the Gold Coast tram, tapping on and off with a contactless card or phone. A flat 50-cent fare applies across the network. Rideshare, taxi or a rental car make sense for the outer suburbs, the coasts and late nights.
Is there a transit pass for Brisbane?
You do not need a separate card: tap on and off with a contactless bank card, phone or watch. A flat 50-cent fare applies per trip across buses, trains, ferries and the Gold Coast tram. Confirm current rules on the TransLink site before you travel.
Are taxis or ride-hailing better in Brisbane?
Both work. Rideshare apps (Uber, DiDi, Ola) are usually cheaper for city trips and easier to book, while taxis have ranks at the airport, Central station, the CBD and South Bank. Expect A$15–50 for a city trip (2026 estimate).
How do I get from Brisbane Airport to the city?
The Airtrain runs to the CBD in about 20 minutes, but charges a premium over the standard fare. A taxi or rideshare takes 20–30 minutes depending on traffic and can be cheaper for two or more people. See the airport transfer page for details.
Do I need a car in Brisbane?
Not for the city and inner suburbs, where buses, trains and ferries cover most sights. A car helps for the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Redlands and Ipswich day trips, but parking in the CBD is expensive and some motorways carry tolls.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check