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Getting around · Brisbane

Getting Around Brisbane

Queensland’s river city runs on one integrated TransLink network — buses, the new Brisbane Metro, CityCat ferries and suburban trains — all for a flat 50¢ a trip. Here’s how to move through Brisbane like a local.

Travel guide · Updated 31 May 2026 · By the Cooee Tours team

Each section below covers a way to get around, with quick links to the official timetables and operators — followed by our own transfer and charter services and a few common questions.

The 50¢ flat fare

Brisbane sits inside TransLink’s South East Queensland network, where a single journey on any bus, train, ferry or the Brisbane Metro is a flat 50¢ — no matter how far you travel.

Pay with a go card, a contactless debit or credit card or phone, or a paper ticket. The network is cashless on board, so top up a go card at a station machine or retailer before you ride. The Airtrain airport line is separate and not part of the 50¢ fare.

Buses & Brisbane Metro

Brisbane’s bus network, run by Transport for Brisbane under TransLink, is the backbone of city travel, with high-frequency routes feeding the CBD along dedicated busways. The Brisbane Metro adds two turn-up-and-go lines — the M1 and M2 — running electric bi-articulated vehicles every few minutes.

Look out for the high-frequency BUZ routes and the blue and maroon CityGlider services, which run around the clock on Friday and Saturday nights.

Trains

Queensland Rail’s suburban network links the CBD with the suburbs, the Gold Coast, Ipswich, Caboolture and the Sunshine Coast line, with the main interchanges at Roma Street, Central and Bowen Hills. Trains are part of the 50¢ flat fare.

The one exception is the Airtrain to Brisbane Airport — it runs on the same tracks to both terminals but charges its own premium fare.

CityCat & ferries

Few cities commute by river the way Brisbane does. The CityCat catamarans run the length of the Brisbane River — the all-stops F1 connects the University of Queensland at St Lucia with Northshore Hamilton, while express services skip stops in peak.

Smaller KittyCat ferries handle the cross-river hops, and the free CityHopper loops the inner-city terminals. All up it’s a fleet of 28 CityCats and a network of terminals — and yes, ferries are 50¢ too.

TramsNot in Brisbane

Brisbane retired its tram network in 1969, so there are no trams in the city today — the busways and Brisbane Metro fill that role. The only tram (light rail) system in Queensland is the Gold Coast’s G:link, about an hour south.

Taxis

Taxis are easy to find at ranks across the CBD, the airport and major venues, or booked on demand. The big operators are 13CABS and Black & White Cabs. Metered fares apply, with higher night and public-holiday tariffs.

Rideshare

Brisbane is well served by rideshare — Uber, DiDi, Bolt and Ola all operate across the city and the airport, often a few dollars cheaper than a taxi outside surge periods.

Let us handle the getting-around

Timetables are great until you’re tired, on a deadline or travelling as a group. When it counts, our sister services take the guesswork out of Brisbane.

Airport Transfers

Door-to-door airport transfers — meet-and-greet, fixed prices and no surge pricing, with a driver waiting when you land.

Book a transfer

Coach Charters

Private coaches and mini-buses for groups, events, weddings and corporate travel — your own driver, your own schedule.

Charter a coach

Explore Brisbane

Guided tours and day trips around Brisbane that handle the logistics so you can enjoy the view.

Explore Brisbane

Common questions

How much is public transport in Brisbane?

A flat 50¢ per journey on any TransLink bus, train, ferry or Metro across South East Queensland, regardless of distance. Children under five travel free, and 5–14 year-olds ride free on weekends with a child go card.

Do I need a go card in Brisbane?

Not necessarily — you can now tap on with a contactless debit or credit card or phone on most services. A go card or paper ticket still works, and the network is cashless on board.

How do I get from Brisbane Airport to the city?

The Airtrain links both terminals to the city and Gold Coast lines in about 20 minutes (it charges its own fare, separate from the 50¢ network). Door-to-door, a private airport transfer or taxi is the simplest option with luggage.

Are the CityCat ferries worth it?

Absolutely — at 50¢ they’re some of the best-value sightseeing in the city, gliding past South Bank, the CBD and the Story Bridge.

Getting around other regions