Brisbane Airport: Airtrain, Bus and Taxi

Brisbane has one passenger airport, Brisbane Airport (BNE), with Domestic and International terminals. The airport is 15 km from Brisbane’s central business district; the airport quotes about 25 minutes to the CBD, while road traffic can extend that journey. The terminals are 4 km apart, and the airport’s free transfer bus takes about 10 minutes between them. Check your terminal before choosing a pickup point or train station. (Brisbane Airport visitor information, checked 2026-09-28; Brisbane Airport terminal transfers, checked 2026-09-28)

Airtrain is the simplest rail option: it serves both airport terminals and runs directly to Brisbane City stations, including Central, Roma Street and South Brisbane. The airport says the city journey takes 20 minutes. From the International Terminal, follow signs from Level 3; from the Domestic Terminal, use the covered Skywalk to the station. Airtrain also continues towards the Gold Coast, with a change to the G:link tram at Helensvale for beach destinations. (Brisbane Airport transport options, checked 2026-09-28; Airtrain timetable, checked 2026-09-28)

For a cheaper public-transport combination, take the airport’s Skygate Loop to Skygate, then use Translink bus route 590 towards Toombul Interchange. The airport states that the loop connects both terminals with Skygate, while route 590 connects Skygate with the rail network and onward Brisbane suburbs. This route requires a transfer and is less convenient with large luggage. Con-X-ion provides a pre-booked shuttle between the airport and Brisbane City, including Roma Street, and door-to-door transfers to designated accommodation areas. Taxis and app-based rideshare vehicles wait in signed areas outside both terminals. (Brisbane Airport transport options, checked 2026-09-28; Translink route information, checked 2026-09-28; Con-X-ion Brisbane Airport shuttle, checked 2026-09-28)

Airtrain publishes a 20-minute airport-to-Brisbane-City journey. Treat that as the rail leg, not the time from aircraft seat to hotel door: add immigration or baggage collection, the walk to the station, waiting time and the final walk or local connection. The airport’s 15 km CBD distance and approximately 25-minute road figure describe a city-centre journey by road, not every hotel or traffic condition. (Brisbane Airport transport options, checked 2026-09-28; Brisbane Airport visitor information, checked 2026-09-28)

Con-X-ion’s current Brisbane Airport–Roma Street timetable pairs departures with arrivals 50 minutes later. The operator labels these travel times approximate and says regular traffic, accidents, road closures and other events can affect them. The service is scheduled rather than a turn-up-and-go city bus, so reserve a departure that leaves room for baggage and terminal formalities. (Con-X-ion Brisbane Airport–City timetable, checked 2026-09-28)

The Skygate and route 590 combination has no single airport-to-CBD time published by Brisbane Airport. It includes the terminal transfer to Skygate, waiting for route 590, the bus to Toombul Interchange and the onward train or bus. Use the Translink journey planner for your accommodation and travel date, and allow time to move between vehicles. A taxi or rideshare avoids the public-transport change, but the airport publishes a road estimate rather than a guaranteed door-to-door duration. (Brisbane Airport transport options, checked 2026-09-28; Translink route 590 timetable information, checked 2026-09-28)

Airtrain’s published Brisbane Airport–Brisbane City fare is A$23.30 for an adult. The airport lists A$23.80 for an adult travelling to another South East Queensland train station. Children aged 14 and under can travel free between the airport and Brisbane City when travelling with an adult on an eligible paper ticket or e-ticket; the operator’s terms do not make that rule universal for every payment method or destination. Use Airtrain’s fare calculator for the exact station and passenger mix. (Brisbane Airport Airtrain fares, checked 2026-09-28; Airtrain FAQ and child fares, checked 2026-09-28)

Translink’s current South East Queensland public-transport fare is 50 cents per journey on its buses, trains, ferries and trams. The flat fare does not apply to Airtrain. Route 590 and the Skygate Loop therefore need separate checks: route 590 is a Translink service, while the Skygate Loop is operated by Brisbane Airport and is identified by Translink as a non-Translink route. Tap on and tap off with the same card or device when using contactless payment. (Translink 50-cent fares, checked 2026-09-28; Translink contactless payments, checked 2026-09-28; Translink Skygate Loop timetable, checked 2026-09-28)

Con-X-ion lists scheduled shuttle fares from Brisbane Airport to Brisbane City from A$15 per person; Roma Street is also from A$15 per person. For a door-to-door transfer, enter the travel date, full pickup and destination addresses, and passenger count, then confirm the booking total before paying. Brisbane Airport quotes A$67–A$82 one way from the airport to Brisbane City by taxi, plus a separate A$4.86 airport fee; tolls are additional. (Con-X-ion Brisbane Airport–City timetable, checked 2026-09-28; Con-X-ion Brisbane Airport transfers, checked 2026-09-28; Brisbane Airport taxi information, checked 2026-09-28)

Airtrain operates every day. The operator publishes trains every 15 minutes during weekday peak periods and every 30 minutes during weekday off-peak periods; Saturday and Sunday services run every 30 minutes. The airport stations open from 4:50 am on weekdays and 5:50 am on weekends, while the timetable lists the first airport departure at 5:04 am on weekdays and 6:04 am on weekends and public holidays. The last train leaves the airport at 10:04 pm from Domestic and 10:08 pm from International. Check the interactive timetable for your date before booking an early flight. (Airtrain FAQ, checked 2026-09-28; Airtrain timetable, checked 2026-09-28)

The Airtrain timetable is date-selectable because Queensland Rail network changes and special public-holiday schedules can affect the wider journey. Airtrain says its tickets are valid for any service on the booked date rather than a guaranteed train time. If you are connecting from a suburban Queensland Rail station, the operator says you normally change to an Airtrain service for the airport; Brisbane City and Gold Coast passengers do not need that change on the direct airport service. (Airtrain FAQ, checked 2026-09-28; Airtrain service changes, checked 2026-09-28)

Con-X-ion publishes pre-scheduled daily departures rather than a fixed interval. The current Brisbane Domestic Airport–Roma Street table includes services from 2:00 am through 11:59 pm, but the return table has its own departure pattern and does not provide an equivalent all-night frequency. The operator says timetables are updated regularly and can change without notice. Route 590 and the Skygate Loop likewise require a date-specific Translink check, especially for early or late flights. (Con-X-ion Brisbane Airport–City timetable, checked 2026-09-28; Translink Skygate Loop timetable, checked 2026-09-28)

A late arrival after Airtrain’s published last airport departure needs a taxi, rideshare, pre-booked shuttle or another confirmed road transfer. Airtrain explicitly says it does not operate a 24-hour service. Brisbane Airport’s taxi ranks operate 24/7 outside both terminals, and the airport lists 13cabs and Black & White Cabs as its taxi companies. Rideshare pickup is also available in dedicated areas, but the airport adds a A$4.86 fee to rideshare fares collected from the airport. (Airtrain journey planner, checked 2026-09-28; Brisbane Airport taxi and rideshare information, checked 2026-09-28)

Con-X-ion’s published timetable includes a 2:00 am airport-to-city departure and a 11:59 pm departure, but the operator says its service is pre-scheduled and subject to change. Its arrival procedure requires passengers to check in at the airport desk or counter and says shuttles cannot wait for delayed flights or late passengers. If your flight arrives after the booked shuttle, contact Con-X-ion immediately; do not treat the timetable as a promise that a missed service will be held. (Con-X-ion Brisbane Airport–City timetable, checked 2026-09-28; Con-X-ion Brisbane Airport shuttle instructions, checked 2026-09-28)

Sunday is a normal operating day for Airtrain, with trains every 30 minutes and the published weekend first and last-departure pattern. Translink’s 50-cent fare applies on Sundays to its eligible buses, trains, ferries and trams, but not to Airtrain. The Skygate connection and route 590 still need checking in the Translink planner for the travel date, while Con-X-ion’s Sunday departures are the times shown in its live schedule rather than an all-day interval. (Airtrain FAQ, checked 2026-09-28; Translink 50-cent fares, checked 2026-09-28; Con-X-ion Brisbane Airport–City timetable, checked 2026-09-28)