Getting around · Brisbane · Australia
Getting around Brisbane
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Inner Brisbane is walkable and well served by Translink's buses, trains and ferries on one fare system. The CityCat and CityHopper ferries are the most enjoyable way to move along the river. Not for the city, where ferries, trains and buses cover the main sights.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Ferry
- Airports
- BNE
- Need a car?
- Sometimes
- Travel pass
- go card
Ways to get around
Ferry
CityCat catamarans run between the University of Queensland and Northshore Hamilton, and the free CityHopper ferry shuttles between riverside stops in the inner city.
The free CityHopper is a no-cost way to see the river between South Bank, the CBD and Kangaroo Point.
Bus
An extensive bus network covers the city and suburbs, including routes to Lone Pine and Mount Coot-tha.
Train
Suburban trains connect Central, Roma Street and Fortitude Valley with the suburbs, the Gold Coast line and the Sunshine Coast line.
Walking
The CBD, South Bank, Kangaroo Point and Fortitude Valley are linked by riverside paths and pedestrian bridges, including the Goodwill and Kurilpa bridges.
Scooter
Shared e-scooters and e-bikes are available across the inner city through app-based operators.
Tickets and passes
go card
Translink's reloadable smartcard for buses, trains and ferries across southeast Queensland, including the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.
From the airport
Brisbane Airport is about 15 km northeast of the city. The Airtrain runs from the domestic and international terminals to Central and Roma Street in about 20–25 minutes, and continues to the Gold Coast line. Taxis and ride-hails take about 20–30 minutes outside peak hours.
Do you need a car?
Not for the city, where ferries, trains and buses cover the main sights. A car is useful for Tamborine Mountain, Lamington National Park, the Glass House Mountains and Noosa.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Gold Coast | About 1–1.5 hours by train and light rail | Train to Helensvale, then G:link light rail to Surfers Paradise |
| Australia Zoo | About 1 hour 15 minutes by car | Car, or train to Beerwah and the zoo's shuttle |
| North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) | About 1.5–2 hours by train and ferry | Train to Cleveland, then passenger or vehicle ferry |
| Moreton Island (Mulgumpin) | About 75 minutes by ferry | Ferry from the Port of Brisbane to Tangalooma |
| Tamborine Mountain | About 1 hour 15 minutes by car | Car or tour |
| Glass House Mountains | About 1 hour by car | Car |
| Noosa | About 2 hours by car | Car or coach |
Questions travellers ask
+Do you need a car in Brisbane?
Not for the city, where ferries, trains and buses cover the main sights. A car is useful for Tamborine Mountain, Lamington National Park, the Glass House Mountains and Noosa.
+How do you get from the airport to Brisbane?
Brisbane Airport is about 15 km northeast of the city. The Airtrain runs from the domestic and international terminals to Central and Roma Street in about 20–25 minutes, and continues to the Gold Coast line. Taxis and ride-hails take about 20–30 minutes outside peak hours.
+What is the best way to get around Brisbane?
Ferry: CityCat catamarans run between the University of Queensland and Northshore Hamilton, and the free CityHopper ferry shuttles between riverside stops in the inner city.