Published: April 2021
If you are landing at Queensland’s largest airport, there’s a good chance you may be wanting to to head direct from Brisbane Airport to the Gold Coast.
As Australia’s most loved winter getaway destination, the Gold Coast is known for kilometres of beautiful beaches, great nights out on the Strip, and it’s laid back vibes. While there is an International Airport which services the area (Gold Coast Coolangatta Airport) there are plenty of reasons to fly into Brisbane and head south.
But how do you get from Brisbane Airport to the Gold Coast? Let me share for you the top-four ways.
PS: Have a long layover in Brisbane? Why not spend the day at the beach or one of Queensland’s best theme parks to make your layover more memorable!
How to get from Brisbane Airport to the Gold Coast
By Airtrain….
By far the easiest and most cost efficient way to get from Brisbane Airport to the Gold Coast & Surfers Paradise in onboard the Brisbane Airtrain. The Airport Line departs from the Domestic Terminal, making a stop at the International Airport, Brisbane Central, and running through to Varsity Lakes on the Gold Coast.
There are 6 specific Gold Coast stops on the Airport Line, or you can connect onto the new G:Link tram that will take you all the way from the airport to the beach! With key destinations like Griffith Uni, Mainbeach, Surfers Paradise and finally Broadbeach South, the G:Link is the perfect connection as it takes you in close proximity to all the major hotels in the area.
The Airtrain departs Brisbane Airport to the Gold Coast every 15 minutes during peak times, and every 30 minutes during off-peak.
For more information, check out the Airtrain journey planner.
Cost: Tickets cost $35 one-way. Tickets purchased at the station on the day of travel cost $40.
You can get a Brisbane Airtrain tickets discount when advance purchase. Purchase your tickets 7-days out and save 5-15%!
For families, the best price for tickets is the Airtrain Connection Family Saver (again, book 7-days out to get the best fare!). The family fare includes a chauffeured vehicle to your accommodation and kids travel free!
Time: It takes approximately 90-minutes to travel from Brisbane Airport (Domestic) to Gold Coast (Helensvale Station). From the Helensvale you can connect onto the G:Link to get the the beachfront area or continue on the Airtrain.
PS: when booking your Gold Coast Accommodation, be sure to ask if they have train transfers. Many do!
By Shuttle…
One of the most convenient travel options to and from Brisbane Airport to the Gold Coast is by airport shuttle. Airport shuttles are fast, comfortable, and without the high cost of a taxi or rideshare.
Many offer airport-to-hotel connections throughout the Gold Coast, Broadbeach, Main Beach and Surfers Paradise making it a handy way to travel to the Gold Coast from Brisbane Airport.
Three of the best Brisbane shuttle services are listed below:
- Redy2Go – Qantas Frequent Flyers can also earn points when booking them Redy2Go!
- Con-X-ion – from shuttle services beginning at $35
- Link Transfers
Please note: due to COVID restrictions impacting travel around Australia, shared services may be limited at this time.
READ NEXT: Why Qantas Frequent Flyers Should Skip the Gold Coast and Go Direct to Brisbane
[Coming soon!]
By Taxi/Rideshare…
The quickest way to get from Brisbane Airport to the Gold Coast is by taxi or rideshare.
Taxis:
It’s easiest to get into a taxi at Brisbane Airport as the taxi ranks are all directly outside the Arrivals Halls/Baggage Pick-up area. Taxi’s in Australia are safe and – with added competition from rideshare operators – usually clean and professional.
Rideshare:
There are a number of rideshare operators in Australia, but Uber, Ola and Didi are the most popular.
If you’ve touched down in the Domestic terminal, you’ll need to head toward the Pre-Booked Express and Ride Booking pickup area. For bookings made from the International terminal, walk toward the buses and coaches passenger pickup zone.
Please note: at the time of writing, Sydney Airport charges a $3.90 fee for all pickups and this fee will be automatically added to your fare.
Cost: Approx. $100-$180 depending exactly where in the Gold Coast you want to go, and what time of day you travel. Didi and Ola may offer slightly cheaper.
Time: 1-hour in normal traffic conditions.
Planning a trip to Queensland? Read these articles first!
Early morning flight or layover? Discover the best hotels near Brisbane Airport
Flying out to Coolongatta? Click here to find the best hotels near Gold Coast Airport
[coming soon!]
