Flying into Brisbane (BNE) and staying on the Gold Coast? It's about 85 km from the airport to Surfers Paradise, and you have four main ways to make the trip. Here's how they compare, from a local private driver who does this run regularly.
See Brisbane Airport faresSee all fares
First, check your terminal
Brisbane Airport has two separate terminals, Domestic and International, about 3 km apart. They aren't connected by walkway, so check which one you land at before you arrange anything.
- International Terminal: arrivals are on Level 2. You come out into the public Arrivals Hall after collecting your bags and clearing customs.
- Domestic Terminal: baggage collection and arrivals are on the ground floor.
Option 1: Airtrain and tram
- How it works: Airtrain leaves from stations at both terminals and runs through Brisbane and down the Gold Coast line. Most Gold Coast services go via Helensvale, where you change to the G:link tram for Southport, Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.
- Time: about 1 hour 20 to 30 minutes to Helensvale, and 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours to most Gold Coast tram stops.
- Frequency: every 15 minutes in peak times and every 30 minutes off-peak, from early morning until about 10 pm.
- Cost: one Airtrain and tram ticket from around $24 per adult. Check current fares at airtrain.com.au.
Best for: solo travellers with light bags staying near a tram stop. Late flights can miss the last train, and weekend track work sometimes replaces trains with buses.
Option 2: Shared shuttle
Con-X-Ion runs door-to-door shared shuttles from both terminals to many Gold Coast hotels. You book online or at its kiosk. At International, you meet it at the Visitor Information desk; at Domestic, outside on the forecourt towards the Virgin end.
Best for: budget travellers who don't mind stops at other passengers' hotels. Allow extra time, as the shuttle drops off several groups along the way.
Option 3: Taxi or Uber
- Taxi ranks are right outside both terminals. At International, go through the doors on Level 2 and out to the left.
- Rideshare pick-up at International is behind The Coffee Club on Level 2, down the signed ramp. At Domestic, it's on the central road either side of the Skywalk, two crossings out from the terminal.
- Extra costs: the airport adds a pick-up fee to taxi and rideshare fares, and tolls are charged on top.
Best for: a quick decision on the spot. For a trip this long, metered and surge-priced fares can climb at busy times, and you'll be walking your bags out to the kerb.
Option 4: Private transfer
Your driver tracks your flight, meets you inside the terminal with your name on a sign, helps with your bags and drives you straight to your door. The fare is fixed before you travel, with tolls included and no surge pricing.
- Domestic: I meet you at the baggage carousel for your flight.
- International: I meet you in the Level 2 Arrivals Hall, just outside the customs exit.
Best for: families, couples and groups of up to 3 with luggage, late arrivals, and anyone who'd rather not change trains after a long flight. See exactly where I'll meet you.
How long is the drive?
- Surfers Paradise: about 85 km, around 1 hour 20 minutes outside peak hours.
- Tweed Heads: about 105 km, roughly 1 hour 25 minutes.
- Eden Retreat and Gwinganna: about 70 to 90 minutes. See Eden Retreat and Gwinganna transfers.
- Byron Bay: around 2 hours, across the NSW border.
The M1 between Brisbane and the Gold Coast is busy on weekday mornings and Friday afternoons, so allow extra time then.
Heading south of the border? Watch the time zone
Brisbane and the Gold Coast are on Queensland time all year. Tweed Heads, Kingscliff and Byron Bay are in NSW, which is an hour ahead from October to April. Your flight times are in Queensland time, but your hotel check-in may not be.
Flying home from Brisbane?
- Allow plenty of time: airlines generally recommend arriving 3 hours before an international flight. Add the 80-minute drive and a buffer for M1 traffic.
- Check your terminal before you leave, especially if you're flying domestic first and connecting to an international flight.
- Book early for dawn flights. The first Airtrain doesn't leave early enough for many morning departures.
Details here were checked against Brisbane Airport and Airtrain information in November 2026. Services and fares can change, so check the Brisbane Airport website before you fly.
Landing at Coolangatta instead? Read the Gold Coast Airport arrivals guide. Staying at Eden Retreat or Gwinganna? See the Eden and Gwinganna arrival guide.