Brisbane Airport is the only one of the big three with a train that runs straight into the terminals. The Airtrain stops at both the domestic and international stations and carries on to the city.
The facts
| Journey | About 20 minutes between the airport and the city |
| Hours | About 4:30am to 10pm |
| Frequency | Every 15 minutes at peak times |
| Fare | Translink listed fares from about A$23 each way in April 2026. Check the current fare before you go. |
| Paying | Tap on and off with a go card, or with a Visa or Mastercard card or device |
| Children | Under 15s travel free with a paying adult between the airport and any Brisbane City station |
Use one card or device and tap on and off with the same one. Tapping off with something different can mean an extra charge. The train serves both airport stations, so it also links the two terminals. See getting between Brisbane Airport terminals.
Is it worth the price?
The Airtrain costs more than an ordinary Brisbane train fare because it includes an airport charge. Whether it is worth it depends on who is travelling.
- One or two people with a bag: yes. It is fast, it does not get stuck in traffic and the fare is easy to know in advance.
- A family: the free travel for under 15s softens the cost. Check how it works if you are using go cards.
- Three or four adults: a rideshare or taxi costs the same for the vehicle, so the maths often favours the car. Get a live estimate before you decide.
- Concession card holders: concessions generally do not apply on the Airtrain, so do not count on a discount.
When it does not work
The Airtrain stops running around 10pm and starts at about 4:30am. A very early flight or a late arrival can fall outside those hours, and then you are on a taxi or rideshare. Brisbane has no curfew, so late and early flights are common. See airport curfews.
If your flight is early or late
The easiest answer to an awkward train timetable is to sleep nearby. Brisbane has a number of hotels close to the terminals, and the Brisbane where to stay guide explains the options. If your flight is international, see whether there is a hotel at the international terminal. To plan around the timing of your flight, use the early flight and late arrival short lists.