Brisbane Airport has two terminals, and they are not next to each other. The Domestic Terminal is on the north side. The International Terminal is about 2 km south. You cannot walk between them, and that split decides where you should stay.
The short version
- Flying domestic: stay at Pullman or ibis. Pullman is a five-minute covered walk and ibis seven to eight minutes, both via the Skywalk.
- Flying international: there is no hotel at the terminal. Take the free terminal bus to Domestic, then walk to Pullman or ibis. The $9 hotel shuttle is direct but only runs 03:35–09:55; book a seat ahead.
- Family or a long stay: Novotel at Skygate has rooms for four, a pool and a shuttle.
- Budget: ibis budget is the cheapest room, but it needs a taxi. ibis is usually the better total.
The walkable hotels
Pullman and ibis sit together at 2 Dryandra Road, beside the Domestic Terminal.
Pullman Brisbane Airport is the five-star option: 132 rooms, a rooftop pool, a restaurant that opens at 6am, and day-use rooms from 9am to 5pm. It is about a five-minute covered walk from domestic check-in via the Skywalk. The front desk and room service are both 24 hours.
ibis Brisbane Airport is next door: 243 rooms, a restaurant that opens at 5:30am, and day-use rooms. It is about a seven to eight-minute covered walk from check-in via the Skywalk, and usually the cheapest hotel you can walk from. The front desk is open 24/7.
Both hotels are linked to the Domestic Terminal by the covered Skywalk. Leave the hotel, head up the travelators or escalators, and follow the covered walkway over the roads, past the Airtrain station and the terminal car park, into the terminal. It is lit 24/7.
Neither is walkable from International. From there, take the free terminal bus to Domestic and walk, or the $9 hotel shuttle (book ahead).
The precinct shuttle is run by Specialised Transport Australia. At International it picks up on Level 2 (Arrivals), at the Bus and Coach Zone down the ramp, and drops at Level 4 (Departures). At Domestic it picks up in the commercial bus lanes outside arrivals, at the Bus & Coach Charter Bays or the Orange Terminal Transfer Bus stops.
The Skygate option
Novotel Brisbane Airport is at Skygate, near DFO, about 5 km from the Domestic Terminal. It has 157 rooms, rooms with two double beds that sleep four, and a rooftop pool. Reception and room service are 24 hours, and it is about a seven-minute drive or shuttle ride from the terminals.
It runs a shuttle to both terminals, but only from about 03:35 to 09:55. Book a seat in advance. Outside those hours, you need a taxi or the free Skygate bus. It is the best choice for a family or a longer stay, not for the shortest transfer.
Travelling with children
No standard room at Pullman, ibis or Novotel sleeps five. Four is the practical maximum in one room; for five, book two rooms or an apartment.
| Hotel | Room that sleeps 4 | Children free | Cots and rollaways |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pullman | Superior Room with Two Double Beds, or Deluxe Executive Double | Up to 2 children 12 and under | Cot free; rollaway A$60 a night |
| Novotel | Standard Double, or Premier Twin | Up to 2 children 12 and under | Cot free; rollaway A$60 a stay |
| ibis | No standard room sleeps 4; Standard Twin sleeps 3. Book interconnecting rooms for 4 | 1 child 11 and under | Cot free; no rollaway in standard rooms |
| ibis budget | Family room (queen bed and bunks) | Children 3 to 11 | Cot subject to availability; no rollaway |
The two-bedroom apartments at Airport International Motel sleep five and have a kitchen, if one unit matters more than being at the airport.
The budget and off-airport options
- ibis budget Brisbane Airport is in Hendra, about 10 to 15 minutes by car. It has small rooms, a family room that sleeps four, and parking at about A$40 a day. The staffed desk closes at 10pm; after that, check-in is by an outdoor self-service kiosk. A shuttle is reported but not confirmed, so our total uses a taxi at about $30 to $35.
- Best Western Airport 85 Motel is in Ascot, about 10 minutes by car. It has studios and apartments, free parking, a pool, and free breakfast when you book direct. No airport shuttle.
- Airport International Motel Brisbane is in Hamilton, about 10 to 15 minutes by car. It has two-bedroom apartments that sleep five and free parking. No airport shuttle, and all rooms are upstairs.
These are useful if you are driving or staying longer. For one night before a flight, the walkable hotels are simpler.
What is coming
Brisbane Airport is planning two new hotels: one adjacent to the International Terminal and one at Skygate. The international site would be the first hotel to directly serve the International Terminal. There is no operator or opening date yet.
What we would book
- Early domestic flight: Pullman for comfort, ibis for value. Both are a covered walk from check-in.
- Early international flight: Pullman or ibis, using the free terminal bus or the $9 hotel shuttle (book ahead).
- Late international arrival: Pullman or ibis, using the free terminal bus to Domestic and the covered walk via the Skywalk.
- Family: Novotel for the rooms and the pool.
- Budget: ibis if you want to walk; ibis budget only if the saving beats the taxi.
The terminal-by-terminal comparisons are on the Domestic and International pages.