Brisbane Transportation

Brisbane is serviced by a large network of integrated transport alternatives. Although the most preferred means of transport is car rentals, Brisbane transportation is made up of efficient bus, ferry, taxi, and rail services.


Road

From golden beaches along the coast to the lush bushland and sprawling plains of inland Australia, driving is an ideal way to explore this unique continent. Whether you journey along the coast or travel on the inland highways, there are plenty of exciting side trips and Australian landmarks to discover along the way. Driving from Brisbane to the Gold Coast takes about one hour. The distance between Brisbane and Sydney is 938 kilometres and the trip usually takes about 12 hours.

Much work has been done to the Pacific Highway making for a more enjoyable drive from the south. From the north, Noosa to Brisbane is a two hour drive, covering approximately 140 kilometres. Coming from Cairns is a drive best taken over a number of days. Whenever driving long distances, driver fatigue should be avoided by sharing the driving and taking rest breaks every two hours. Private road transport is available via taxi cabs and shuttle services. If you prefer to drive yourself, check out the car and caravan hire companies.


Bus

Brisbane operates one of the most extensive and modern bus services in Australia. Buses arrive daily to the Brisbane Bus Depot located at Central Station on Anne Street and offer a convenient and inexpensive way of getting to Brisbane from other cities within Australia. Most bus companies have ticketing offices located in the bus depot at Central Station. Traffic congestion and the difficulties of parking in the city during business hours when self-driving a vehicle make public transport an attractive option for commuters. All new buses are wheelchair accessible with ultra low floors and are air-conditioned, thus providing carefree and comfortable travel for everyone. Fares are calculated on the number of zones you cross on your trip. The bus conductor will explain how many zones you will cross when you board a bus.


Taxis

Two main cab companies function in Brisbane: Yellow Cabs along with Black and White Cabs. In addition to standard taxis, these two taxicab companies also provide Maxi-Taxis, designed to accommodate up to ten passengers as well as physically-challenged travellers.


Trains

Citytrain is Brisbane’s suburban rail provider, covering areas from Gympie to the Gold Coast. Citytrain is a great way to get around without any worry. Trains run frequently to all areas, providing passengers with air-conditioned comfort. Queensland Rail provides services to most Queensland regions including Cairns and the Whitsundays, so once you have visited Brisbane, you can venture on to other regions of this beautiful state.


Ferries

One of the most popular Brisbane transportation methods is the river taxi. Ferries and BCC Citycats provide transport on the Brisbane River from Newstead up to the University of Queensland. Ferry and charter cruises are available along the river and to the Moreton Bay islands. Get away from the traffic and catch a CityCat or ferry along the beautiful River Brisbane. CityCats and Ferries get you to any point on the river that you need to go to. The ferry service runs daily and round-the-clock.


Cycling

The traffic congestion and lack of parking space has made cycling quite a popular method of travelling in Brisbane.


Air

Airport transfers are readily available from the Brisbane International Airport and there are regular train and bus services direct to the city. Visit the information desk found in both the international and domestic terminals for help with transfers. International and interstate flights come into the Brisbane International Airport. The two smaller airports, Archerfield Airodrome and Caboolture, cater to small charters and private flights.