Brisbane: Flights

Internal Flights and Major International Airports in Brisbane

Brisbane Airport is the city's main airport and is Australia’s third busiest after Sydney Airport and Melbourne Airport respectively. Situated in the north-east corner of the city centre with daily domestic and international passenger services, Brisbane Airport routinely handles around 18.5 million passengers per year. Archerfield Airport, located in Brisbane's southern suburbs, acts as a general aviation airport.

Getting to and from the Airport in Brisbane

Located approximately 15-20 minutes drive (13 km) from Brisbane, the airport is readily accessible by road with several regular transport services into the city centre. Most affordable and efficient is the Brisbane Airtrain, which provides a regular rail service from Brisbane's city centre to and from the airport, alongside several bus routes as well as a steady flow of taxis. Brisbane Airport is conveniently located along the Gateway Motorway which is the main highway link to the Gold and Sunshine coasts.

Travel Costs in Brisbane

In the main, Brisbane offers several efficient and regular transport links, more affordable than Sydney and most other major cities. Dub to the compact size of the city, Buses are rarely more than a few dollars per journey and stretch to every area in and around Brisbane, with unlimited day passes available for $5-10, dependant on how far you wish to go outside the city limits. The network of CityRail trains cost comparatively less than most other cities and charge about $15-25 for a day pass. Ferries also run along Brisbane River - be sure to purchase a ‘Translink’ pass if you wish to buy a ticket that operates across Brisbane’s public transport network. Taxis are the most expensive option but still comfortably within most people’s spending limits for short trips, averaging out at around $3 a km. However, make sure to steer clear of unlicensed taxis, as they tend to charge a great deal extra for tourists.

Renting Cars in Brisbane

Car hire in Brisbane is easily arranged and, due to large amounts of competing companies, fairly good value if you are willing to shop around. Visitors must hold a valid driving licence with no infringements for dangerous or drunken driving in the last 5 years. You must be aged 18 or over to rent a car in Brisbane. For Car Hire in Sydney expect to pay approx $35-60 per day but do watch out for bargains.

Drivers License Requirements in Brisbane

Visitors wishing to drive must possess a Certificate of Insurance or an International Green Card, a valid Driving Licence or International Driving Permit.

Driving Rules in Brisbane

In Australia, like Britain, they drive on the left-hand side of the road. Be sure to drive carefully as many of the roads are quite clustered and busy throughout the most important trunk routes central districts for most of the day and night. The city also has an extensive one-way-street system and parking is very difficult in the inner city. The legal default urban speed limit in Queenland is 50 km/h, but the city has introducing 40 km/h zones in many built-up areas during recent years. Note it is an offence to hold a mobile phone whilst driving a moving vehicle. Drivers and adult front seat passengers must wear seat belts. Children must wear seat belts or a suitable child/infant restraint, in both front and rear seats. Brisbane has similar provisions to the UK, with regards to fixed alcohol limits and roadside breath testing. The penalties in Brisbane are severe, large fines or up to 6 months in prison plus unlimited disqualification from driving. It is an offence to drive whilst under the influence of drugs. If you are involved in an accident you must stop and phone the Police for the correct course of action. Failure to do so is an offence.

Buses in Brisbane

It is both easy and affordable to access all areas of Brisbane using the local bus service, which was primarily set up to provide public transport to areas outside the reach of the metropolitan train lines. There are many regular routes through the northern, eastern, and southern corridors of the city, providing road systems where only buses are permitted. Services to the northern and eastern suburbs are good quality while the buses in the south region often run late during peak times, which leads to overcrowding issues. Buses operate on a 5am to midnight timetable with some Friday and Saturday night 24 hour services operated by Brisbane city council buses. Prices vary for buses as to whether you are an individual couple or family, but expect a one-day individual pass to cost around £5-10 and a family to cost $15-30.

Taxis in Brisbane

Throughout the suburbs and central business district of Brisbane, taxis are regular, convenient and easy to flag down. Large taxi ranks can always be on Edward St and Roma St, as well as busy areas of commerce and at all train stations. The two major cab companies operating in Brisbane are Yellow Cabs and Black & White Cabs. Both companies offer same rate service (regulated by the government and Taxi Council). Taxis charge around $3 per km and tipping is common; but not mandatory. Extra charges are made for waiting time and luggage not carried in the passenger compartment. It is advisable to always ask the taxi driver for a receipt in case of any complaints or queries you may have on a taxi fare as it can only be dealt with if a receipt exists.

Cycling in Brisbane

The steep hills, narrow streets and volume of motorised traffic do not make Brisbane a particularly easy city in which to cycle, but an extensive network of pedestrian and cyclist pathways have been created along the banks of the Brisbane River to form a Riverwalk network, which provides excellent links to the beautiful City Botanic Gardens. Buses are allowed on buses and city trains outside of peak hours and there are many bike shops scattered across the city, all accept credit cards but most will expect a reasonable deposit.

Water Transport in Brisbane

Excellent for sightseeing and very affordable, CityFerry and CityCat are ferry services operated on the Brisbane River by Metrolink Queensland. CityCat uses catamarans, while the area covered by the CityFerry service differs in that it is smaller with stops spaced closer together, and is operated with 12 monohull ferries, varying slightly in appearance from one another. CityFerry is perhaps best for those looking to see Brisbane as it operates all along the river from Queensland University in the south and Bretts Wharf in the east, stopping en-route at North Quay, South Bank, Riverside and New Farm Park. Fares depend on the number of ’sectors’ crossed and cost around $5 for a full river journey.

Hitchhiking in Brisbane

Although hitchhiking is a popular method of transport for travellers in Australia, the potential dangers are huge and cases of violence and abduction not unheard of so it is not a recommended form of travel.