Travelling from the Airport to Brisbane CBD: Your Options

The Airtrain is a popular way to get to and from the Airport. You can board the train in the CBD at Central Station or Roma Street station before stopping at suburban stations Fortitude Valley, Bowen Hills, Albion, Wooloowin and Eagle Junction before traveling to Brisbane’s Domestic Terminal.

For those traveling overseas, the last stop is the International Terminal. For those traveling from southern suburbs, the trainline continues through South Brisbane, South Bank, Park Road and all the way through to the Gold Coast. Book your Airtrain tickets online.

​Make sure you check the timetable works for your flight time, and allow for some contingency to get to the airport, through security and to your terminal.

A private car service is the ultimate in luxury and convenience. This service is one of the most reliable and private options you can choose. Your driver will take you door to door from your hotel, home or office to the airport in style. All your luggage will be handled for you.

Operators like Specialised Transport Australia (STA) offer a range of vehicle options depending on your group size, preference or budget.

​Popular options are the luxury sedans and SUVs, however Specialised Transport Australia can provide people movers, mini buses, stretch limousines and more.

There is no shortage of taxis or rideshare services around the Brisbane Airport or CBD. Head to your nearest taxi rank to hail a cab, or call your favourite rideshare service, to get you to or from the Airport.

Taxi and Rideshare services do offer a good economical and safe service, however some passengers have reported reliability can often be impacted when bookings are canceled for no reason.

​This can cause stress for some passengers who have a plane to catch!

Some airport hotels in Brisbane have a shuttle bus service to and from the Airport. These can be a good option if you need door to door service from your hotel and need a convenient option you can book at any time of day or night.

​If you are staying at Novotel Brisbane Airport, Ibis Brisbane Airport, Pullman Brisbane Airport or the Brisbane Airport Conference Centre, you can book a premium shuttle service run by the highly reputable Specialised Transport Australia.

You can hire a car directly from the airport, which makes securing your transport needs anywhere in and around Brisbane a breeze.

You can also collect and return vehicles at the airport, or any of the hire car company’s locations in Brisbane, Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast.

Airport rental collections do come with premium location surcharges, but the convenience can often win out, especially if you plan to do lots of driving during your visit to Brisbane.

​If you are arriving early in the morning, or very late at night, check with your preferred hire service to ensure you have the car arranged, in case the kiosk in the Airport is closed.

Brisbane now has a Skybus service that airport goers can use. As demand increases the frequency of this service will be improved, however the Brisbane Skybus currently only departs every two hours.

​This may not be a suitable choice for some passengers. If you don’t mind the small delay, this can be an economical option for many travelers. Skybus stops are at both the domestic and international terminals and then Hamilton, Newstead, Fortitude Valley and the CBD.

There are a range of public transport options if you are on a tight budget, such as the Brisbane City Council Bus or Train.

You’ll need to ensure you have a prepaid Go Card, and bring extra patience as the time to get from A to B is usually more when using public transport.

​Make sure you factor traveling time in your plans so you don’t miss your flight!  Use Queensland’s TransLink website to plan your journey.

A great (and free) way to travel is with help from your friends or family. Turn your Mum or partner into your personal chauffeur and get a ride from door to door.

Unlike a private chauffeur service, you may have to carry your own bags with this option – sorry!

​There is a Domestic Terminal Pickup Waiting Area car park where you can park for free for 30 minutes while you make your way out to the pickup area.