How Much Does It Cost to Get Around Brisbane?
Fifty cents a trip. Translink charges a flat 50 cent fare on every bus, train, ferry and tram in its network, whether you go one stop or across south east Queensland, and the Queensland Government made it permanent in November 2024. Two council bus loops in the city centre are free outright. The one thing that isn’t 50 cents is the airport train: Airtrain charges its own fares. For a visitor, that makes getting around Brisbane close to free, as long as you budget for the ride in from the airport.
TL;DR
- Every Translink bus, train, ferry and tram trip is 50 cents, any distance (Translink).
- The City Loop and Spring Hill Loop buses are free, no card needed (Brisbane City Council).
- CityCats are not free. They’re 50 cents like everything else.
- Airtrain to and from the airport charges its own fares.
Which buses in Brisbane are free?
Two council loops. The purple City Loop buses, routes 40 and 50, run every 10 minutes from 7am to 6pm on weekdays, past City Hall, Queen Street Mall and the City Botanic Gardens. The Spring Hill Loop runs every day. You just hop on.
Both are electric, air-conditioned and fully accessible, with low floors and ramps, according to the council. They connect with trains at Central and Roma Street.
Is the CityCat free?
No, and plenty of older travel guides still say a free ferry runs along the city reach. Brisbane City Council’s own CityCat page says CityCat and ferry services are paid services. At 50 cents a trip, it’s still the best-value view of the city you’ll get.
The CityCat runs the length of the river. For Games visitors, it’s the easiest way to link South Bank, the CBD and the inner suburbs. Our venues page shows which venues sit near the river.
What costs more than 50 cents?
The airport train. Translink says you can use a go card on Airtrain, but you’re charged Airtrain fares, not the 50 cent fare. Taxis and rideshare are priced as normal.
So the real transport cost of a Brisbane trip is the airport run, twice. Everything in between costs less than a coffee for the week. Our accommodation guide covers which suburbs sit on a train line.
Fares during the 2032 Games. The 50 cent fare is permanent policy today, but no government or organiser has said how Games-time travel will work, or whether event tickets will include transport. We’ll update this the day they do.
Frequently asked questions
How much is public transport in Brisbane?
50 cents a trip, any distance, on all Translink services.
Is there free public transport in Brisbane?
Yes: the City Loop (weekdays, 7am to 6pm) and the Spring Hill Loop (daily).
Is the CityCat ferry free in Brisbane?
No. It’s a paid service at the 50 cent flat fare.
Does the airport train cost 50 cents?
No. Airtrain charges its own fares, even on a go card.
How do visitors pay for Brisbane public transport?
Translink says the 50 cent fare applies however you pay. Check its ticketing page for current options.
Will 50 cent fares still apply during the 2032 Games?
Nobody has said yet. See the Games-time weather guide and our Starter Kit for the rest of your planning.
Sources. Translink, fares and zones, checked 8 October 2026. Queensland Government media statement, 30 November 2024. Brisbane City Council, free City Loop buses and CityCats and ferries, checked 8 October 2026.
BRIS2032 — Independent Coverage
