Brisbane to the Gold Coast – 6 Easy Ways

Brisbane is located around 80 km north of the central Gold Coast area with numerous transport options connecting the two cities. Those options include Train, Car, Taxi, Limousine, and Shuttle Bus services. The Gold Coast is a popular getaway destination for people in Brisbane and the ultimate destination for many who fly into Queensland via Brisbane Airport (BNE).

TLDR; As of 2024; Bus and train are the cheapest, starting at around $17 (per person, or less with a gocard), while limousine and taxi options are the most expensive, starting at around $211 (for four passengers) which are of course the fastest and most convenient options.

If you are coming from Brisbane Airport or Brisbane City, this guide will help get you to the Gold Coast via any of those options. So, let’s review each one, and you can choose as you wish.

1. Brisbane to Gold Coast via Train

You can catch a train directly from either the Brisbane Domestic, Brisbane International, or Brisbane city stations and head to the Gold Coast.

The train begins at the Brisbane Airport Domestic terminal and then proceeds to the nearby International Terminal, then into the city. You can also catch the train in the Brisbane city at Eagle Junction, Wooloowin, Albion, Bowen Hills, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane Central, Roma Street, Cultural Centre/South Bank, or Park Road stations.

En route to the Gold Coast, it stops only at Coopers Plains, Loganlea, and Beenleigh.

On the Gold Coast itself, there are six stations: Ormeau, Coomera, Helensvale, Nerang, Robina, and Varsity Lakes.

On the Gold Coast, the train stations are located inland from the center of the city so you’ll likely need to catch a connecting tram, bus, or taxi to your final destination.

  • If you are coming from Brisbane to the theme parks, Southport, Surfers Paradise, Main Beach, or Broadbeach then you’ll likely want to get off at Helensvale Station and then take the bus, or G:Link light rail to your final destination.
  • If you are coming from Brisbane to Miami/Burleigh/Coolangatta then choose Varsity Lakes Station and take a connecting bus/taxi to your final destination.

For a large map showing all the stations see Brisbane and Gold Coast rail network, for timetables and planning bus connections from the stations see Translink’s Journey Planner.

There is also the Airtrain service, which is the same train as above but you can opt to have a chauffeured car for the connection rather than use the public bus which is called AirtrainConnect, see airtrain.com.au.

If you are going to be using public transport across South East Queensland then consider getting a go card, SEEQ card, or go explore card, they are prepaid and make traveling a breeze, see SEEQ Card from TransLink. More about Brisbane train services and Airtrain.

Train fare and travel time estimates:

  • Brisbane Airport (BNE) to Surfers Paradise/Broadbeach/Main using the train and then the G:link tram for the final connection will take around 2 hours and 44 mins (see route) and cost around $43 AUD (or less if you have a GoCard).
  • Brisbane City to Surfers Paradise would take about 1 hour and 48 min and cost around $16.60 AUD (or less if you have a GoCard).

2. Brisbane to Gold Coast via AirTrain

There is also the Airtrain service, which runs on the same line as the above train with fewer stops in the Brisbane urban area and more frequent services.

  • Ticket prices for the AirTrain from Brisbane Airport (BNE) to the Gold Coast start at around $44 AUD with a discount available for online booking, see airtrain.com.au.

3. Brisbane to Gold Coast via Taxi

Taxis offer fixed rates for travel between the two cities and from Brisbane Airport, prices start at around $237 AUD, and from Brisbane City, about $211 AUD to the Gold Coast. Standard taxis seat 1-4 passengers although they may struggle to fit 4 people with a lot of luggage, in such a case you’ll need a Maxi Taxi which is a little more than the standard taxi and can fit up to 11 people. Contact 13cabs or Black and White cabs for bookings.

  • A taxi will take around 60-90 minutes depending on traffic, costing from $211 AUD and up.

4. Brisbane to Gold Coast via Limousine

Limousines are a surprisingly popular method of transport in South East Queensland. Limousine companies offer luxury sedans and stretch limousines. For families and groups, it can start to become quite cost-effective to take a stretch limo, not to mention the convenience, luxury, and experience. For business travellers and those looking for extra service and time-saving, limos are the choice. Limousines are slightly more expensive than taxis. Contact My Gold Coast Limo for current prices.

  • A limousine will take around 60-90 minutes depending on traffic, costing from $219 AUD and up.

5. Brisbane to Gold Coast via Bus and Shuttle Services

There is no direct public bus linking the cities, see the train further below. Numerous privately run shuttle services operate between central pick-up points, airports of the two cities, and between hotels.

  • The Conxion company offers shuttle services from points in Brisbane including Brisbane Airport, IKEA, Logan Bus Stop, Beenleigh Train Station, and on the Gold Coast, BP Coomera, Caltex near Anaheim Drive Reserve, Hope Island Road, Surfers Paradise Transit Centre, and Caltex Mudgeeraba. Prices range from $50 AUD and up.
  • Greyhound Australia offers two daily coach services between the Brisbane Coach Terminal and Southport, Surfers Paradise (Transit Centre), and Coolangatta. Cost varies depending on how far in advance you book ranging from $18 to $22.

6. Brisbane to Gold Coast – Self Drive

If have your own car, or pick up a hire car at the Brisbane Airport, then driving to the Gold Coast is an easy option. You may like to avoid the morning and afternoon rush hours which usually lasts from around 7 am to 9 am and 4 pm to 7 pm. Outside of those peak times, it’s easygoing and normally takes just over an hour’s drive between the two cities.

You can leave Brisbane by taking the Pacific motorway and as you approach the Gold Coast area, you’ll need to consider which exit to take off the highway according to your final destination.

  • The Smith St Motorway will get you to Southport, Main Beach & Surfers Paradise.
  • For Broadbeach and Mermaid Beach take the Nerang-Broadbeach Road exit.
  • For Miami and Burleigh, take the Reedy Creek Road Exit.

There are several other exits and if you are not familiar with the exits and your destination I suggest checking in advance and having the destination set in your maps app. Also, note that speed cameras operate throughout the area, so check the speed limits and be mindful of your speed.

  • A hire car from Brisbane Airport will cost $147 and up. Fuel cost for the trip would average around $12-14 depending on the vehicle and fuel prices. Travel time is the same as for taxis and limousines, around 90 mins.

7. Flights?

There are no direct flights between Brisbane and the Gold Coast. You may find tickets available for sale that fly from Brisbane (BNE) with a stopover in Sydney (SYD) and then Gold Coast (OOL). It’s a ridiculous option (IMHO), flight time depends on how long the stopover is and ranges from 3.5 hrs to 9 hrs. Pricewise it ranges from $350-$900.

Where to Stay on the Gold Coast

Booking.com

What to do on the Gold Coast

The Gold Coast offers endless opportunities and experiences, from the theme parks’ wild rides to the hinterland’s peaceful nature escapes with sun-drenched beaches in between.

** Prices correct as of Feb 2024; via online quotation systems of the relevant services