This guide will give you an intro to public transport on the Gold Coast including links to the latest schedules and routes. The public transport system on the Gold Coast consists of
- The G:Link Light Rail service which connects Broadbeach South through to Helensvale.
- Public Buses via Surfside Buslines
- Intercity Trains via the Gold Coast Rail Line which connects the Gold Coast and Brisbane
- Taxis operated by different companies
- Limousines and Ride Hailing Apps
- Water Ferries operated by various companies servicing the waterways
G:Link – Gold Coast Light Rail
G:Link is the new rapid transit system (aka metro/tram/light rail) that operates between Helensvale and Broadbeach. In the future, it should connect through to Burleigh Heads (2023) and eventually connect all the way to the airport at Coolangatta.
Suburbs currently serviced by the G:Link are Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise, Main Beach, Southport, Parkwood, and Helensvale.
- You can explore more about the light rail service at http://ridetheg.com.au/
- You can search for G:Link/bus/train routes via the journey planner at https://jp.translink.com.au/plan-your-journey/journey-planner
Public Buses
The Gold Coast public bus service is operated by Surfside bus lines who hold the contract with Queensland Transport for the provision of local scheduled bus services for the region extending from Dreamworld (at Upper Coomera) in the north to the Qld/NSW border. Surfside Buslines also has the contract for the Northern NSW region from Murwillumbah and the Tweed Coast to the NSW/QLD border.
- You can search bus timetables by bus number here https://jp.translink.com.au/plan-your-journey/timetables
- You can search for bus routes (and train/light rail) via the journey planner at https://jp.translink.com.au/plan-your-journey/journey-planner
Gold Coast Rail Line (GC <> Brisbane)
The Gold Coast train system is operated by Queensland Rail with stations at Varsity Lakes, Robina, Nerang, Helensvale, and Coomera.
The train runs through to Brisbane city and also through to Brisbane Airport. If heading to Surfers Paradise or Broadbeach, the best station to depart from is Nerang from which you will need to take a connecting bus to Surfers/Broadbeach. For more details visit our guide at Getting to the Gold Coast and how to get from Brisbane to the Gold Coast.
- You can search for intercity rail schedules via the journey planner at https://jp.translink.com.au/plan-your-journey/journey-planner
Making Travelling Easy with a Go Card
You can also buy a rechargeable touch card called the ‘Go-Card’. Rather than asking for the price of the fare or buying tickets you simply ‘touch on’ when you get on the bus and ‘touch off’ when you get off. The fare is automatically deducted from your card. The fares are also a little cheaper using the card than paying with cash. You can buy go-cards at 7-eleven stores, train stations, selected tourist information desks and selected newsagents.
There is also a go-card especially for tourists, it’s prepaid and called the SEEQ card, see SEEQ Card from TransLink. The SeeQ card features
- Travel three or five consecutive calendar days on all TransLink bus, train, ferry or tram services.
- Includes 2 journeys on Airtrain services to anywhere on the TransLink network.
- Prices: 3 days* $79 or 5 days* $129
A new option is the Go Explore Card which offers
- Unlimited travel on any Gold Coast bus or tram service
- Price: $10 a day and $5 for children (aged 5-14 years inclusive). Children under 5 years travel free.
Gold Coast Taxis
Taxi services on the Gold Coast are operated by Regent Taxis and Yellow Cabs. Drivers are friendly and courteous and the vehicles are of good standard. In peak periods, or if a timetable is a priority, it would pay to look to a-pre booked service (limo, shuttle) as waiting times can escalate.
Gold Coast Cabs – phone: 131008 https://www.gccabs.com.au
Black and White Cabs – phone: 133222 www.blackandwhitecabs.com.au
| Qld Taxi Fares: Brisbane – Gold Coast (Current as of July 2018) | ||
| 7am – 7pm Mon to Fri except for public holidays | All other times including public holidays except Midnight – 5am Mon to Sun | Midnight – 5am Mon to Sun including public holidays except Anzac Day (25 April) |
| Flagfall: $2.90 Distance: $2.17 per Klm Time: $0.82 per minute Booking: $1.50 | Flagfall: $4.30 Distance: $2.17 per Klm Time: $0.82 per minute Booking: $1.50 | Flagfall: $6.30 Distance: $2.17 per Klm Time: $0.82 per minute Booking: $1.50 |
Hopo – Water Ferry
Hopo is a new water ferry service that connects Surfers Paradise, HOTA (Home of the Arts, Bundall), Seaworld, and Broadwater Parklands. You can buy a day pass and hop on off as much as you like or pay for single journey.
- Hop On / Hop Off Day Pass
Adult: $25
Child/Concession: $18 - Single Zone
Adult: $5 Single | $10 Return
Child/Concession: $4 Single | $8 Return - Multiple Zones
Adult: $10 Single | $18 Return
Child/Concession: $8 Single | $13 Return
Zone A includes Surfers Paradise and HOTA, Home of the Arts. Zone B includes the Broadwater Parklands, Marina Mirage and Sea World. You can read more here hopo.com.au.
Other Gold Coast Water Ferries
There are water taxis and ferry services that service the waterways between the Casino at Broadbeach through to Stradbroke Island and Moreton Bay.
Broadwater Taxi – Runaway Bay Marina – www.broadwatertaxi.com.au
Zanes Water Taxis – Runaway Bay Marina – inzanewatertaxis.com.au
Cove Water Taxi – Sanctuary Cove – covewatertaxi.com.au
Limousines
Not exactly within most people’s definition of public transport, but they are hugely popular on the Gold Coast. For more info and a list of companies, visit our page on Gold Coast limousine services.
