Brisbane blends riverfront energy with laid-back Queensland charm, and getting around is easier than you might expect. This Brisbane Transport Guide breaks down the best ways to navigate the city using trains, ferries and buses, plus tips for moving between the CBD, South Bank and surrounding neighbourhoods. You’ll also find a curated selection of Brisbane’s most Instagrammable locations — skyline views, river walks, rooftop bars and sun-drenched cultural precincts. Practical, streamlined and created for solo travellers, this guide helps you experience Brisbane effortlessly while capturing it beautifully.
🌴 Brisbane Transport Guide
Explore Queensland’s sunny river city by ferry, train, bus, and bike. With 50-cent flat fares and free ferries, Brisbane is Australia’s best-value transport city.
Main Transport Options
Queensland Rail City Network
Suburban rail connecting Brisbane CBD to the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and outer suburbs
- 13 lines radiating from Central and Roma Street stations
- Airtrain connects to Brisbane Airport (separate fare)
- Gold Coast line runs to Varsity Lakes
- Runs from ~4:30 AM to midnight daily
CityCat & CityFerry
Fast catamarans cruising the Brisbane River — the most scenic way to get around the city
- CityCats run from University of Queensland to Northshore Hamilton
- CityFerry cross-river services at key points
- CityHopper: free inner-city ferry service
- Every 15 minutes during peak hours
Buses & Brisbane Metro
Extensive bus network plus the new Brisbane Metro high-frequency electric bus rapid transit
- 400+ bus routes across Greater Brisbane
- Brisbane Metro: high-capacity electric vehicles on dedicated busways
- CityGlider and Spring Hill Loop are high-frequency inner-city routes
- NightLink buses on weekends until late
Cycling & E-Scooters
Subtropical climate and flat riverside paths make Brisbane ideal for two-wheeled transport
- Riverwalk and Bicentennial Bikeway along the river
- Beam and Neuron e-scooters across the city
- Dedicated bike lanes in CBD and South Bank
- Great for exploring Kangaroo Point cliffs and New Farm Park
Passes & Tickets
Go Card
Queensland’s reusable smartcard — tap on/off for trains, buses, ferries, and trams
Best for: Regular commuters and visitors- 50-cent flat fare on all services
- Auto top-up available
- Refundable deposit: A$10
Contactless Payment
Tap your bank card, phone, or watch — same 50-cent fare applies automatically
Best for: Visitors who don’t want a go card- Same 50-cent fare
- No registration needed
- Works on all Translink services
Airtrain Ticket
Separate ticket for the privately-operated Airtrain to Brisbane Airport
Best for: Airport transfers- A$21.90 adult one-way
- Not included in 50-cent fares
- Connects to Gold Coast line
📱 Navigation Apps & Tools
MyTransLink
Official Translink app — journey planner, real-time arrivals, and go card balance
Google Maps
Reliable multi-modal routing with real-time transit info
Moovit
Real-time transit tracker with crowdsourced delay reports
Citymapper
Smart route planner with step-by-step navigation and live disruptions
📸 Most Instagrammable Transport Spots
CityCat past Story Bridge
Dramatic steel bridge framing the CBD skyline from the river
South Bank River Ferry
City lights reflecting on the Brisbane River at twilight
Kangaroo Point Cliffs
Take the ferry across and capture the entire CBD skyline from the cliff lookout
Howard Smith Wharves
Heritage precinct under the Story Bridge — arrive by ferry for maximum impact
Roma Street Parkland
Subtropical gardens just steps from the main train station
💡 Insider Tips
- 1 50-cent flat fares apply across ALL Translink services — train, bus, ferry, and tram for just 50 cents
- 2 The CityHopper ferry is completely free — runs between North Quay, South Bank, and Maritime Museum
- 3 Airtrain is NOT included in 50-cent fares — budget A$21.90 each way or take bus 590 instead
- 4 Brisbane River floods occasionally — check BOM weather warnings during summer wet season
- 5 Wear sunscreen year-round — Brisbane averages 283 sunny days per year
- 6 The Eat Street Northshore markets are best reached by ferry — arrive by CityCat for the full experience
ℹ️ Important Information
Emergency Contacts
- Australian Emergency: 000
- Translink Info: 13 12 30
- Police Assistance Line: 131 444
- Brisbane Visitor Info: +61 7 3006 6290
Safety Tips
- Wear sunscreen and a hat — Brisbane’s UV is extreme, even in winter
- Stay hydrated — summer temps regularly exceed 35°C with high humidity
- Check BOM for storm warnings — summer thunderstorms are sudden and intense
- Avoid swimming in the Brisbane River — use the free South Bank lagoon instead
