Itinerary · Australia
Brisbane first trip: how do you get from the airport to the city, and how many days do you need?
Brisbane Airport to the city by train or taxi, the free CityHopper ferry and 50-cent fares, a 4-day route, spring and autumn climate normals and daily budgets.
Published
How many days for Brisbane? 4 days
Brisbane is the capital of Queensland, a relaxed city strung along the winding Brisbane River, with the CBD, parks and cultural venues on its banks. You can swim at the riverside beach and hop ferries along the river.
The guide suggests 4 days, or 6 with the Gold Coast. Plan two days in the city, one for a koala sanctuary and Mount Coot-tha Lookout, and one for a nearby island or the Gold Coast.
Check official Australian government information on entry requirements before you travel.
- Suggested stay: 4 days (6 with the Gold Coast)
- City: South Bank, Queensland Cultural Centre, Kangaroo Point Cliffs, Story Bridge
- Day trips: Moreton and North Stradbroke islands, the Gold Coast
- Entry: check official Australian government information
Airport to the city: airport train or taxi?
The main way from Brisbane Airport (BNE) to the city is the airport train (Airtrain). It runs straight to central city stations in about 20 minutes, for about A$20-25, with services continuing toward the Gold Coast.
Airtrain is excluded from Translink's 50-cent flat fare. Fares and payment methods can change, so check official information.
With lots of luggage or in a group, a taxi or ride-hailing is easier. Board at the airport ranks; it takes about 20-30 minutes to the city and costs about A$45-65. Many international routes connect via Sydney, Southeast Asian hubs or elsewhere, so compare connections and total travel time.
- Airport train: about 20 min to central stations, about A$20-25
- Taxi or ride-hailing: about 20-30 min to the city, about A$45-65
- Airtrain is not part of the 50-cent flat fare (check officially)
Getting around: ferries, 50-cent buses and trains, walking
River ferries link the CBD, South Bank, Kangaroo Point and more. The inner-city CityHopper ferry is free, great for sightseeing as you go.
Buses and trains form a dense network covering the city and suburbs. Translink buses, trains and ferries charge a 50-cent flat fare (Airtrain excluded), paid by go card or contactless card; check official information.
Pedestrian bridges link the CBD and South Bank, which makes walking easy, and riverside bike paths run along the water. A rental car is handy for the Gold Coast and national parks. Australia drives on the left.
- CityHopper ferry: free in the inner city
- Translink buses, trains and ferries: 50-cent flat fare (Airtrain excluded)
- Payment: go card or contactless card
- Rental car: drive on the left
A 4-day route: the river, the Cultural Centre, koalas and day trips
On day 1, take the airport train into the city, check in and walk the South Bank riverside. South Bank beach is a free sandy-beach lagoon; swim when lifeguards are on duty. In the evening, head to Kangaroo Point Cliffs, which face the CBD skyline across the river.
On day 2, visit the galleries and museum at the Queensland Cultural Centre in the morning. Permanent collections are generally free; special exhibitions may charge. Ride the ferries up and down the river in the afternoon, then go to Fortitude Valley for bars, live music and restaurants.
On day 3, see koalas and kangaroos up close at a suburban wildlife sanctuary (follow each facility's animal-interaction rules), then watch the sunset at Mount Coot-tha Lookout. Day 4 is a boat trip to the sand islands of Moreton or North Stradbroke, or a day on the Gold Coast by train. Book island ferries and check the weather.
- Day 1: airport train → check in → South Bank riverside and beach → Kangaroo Point at night
- Day 2: Queensland Cultural Centre → the river by ferry → Fortitude Valley
- Day 3: koala sanctuary → sunset at Mount Coot-tha Lookout
- Day 4: island day trip, or the Gold Coast by train
When to go: April-May and September-November
April-May and September-November are warm and pleasant. December-February is hot and humid with frequent afternoon storms, so check the forecast. June-August winters bring many clear, mild days.
By climate normals, October averages a high of 25°C, a low of 16°C and 72 mm of rain; April averages 26°C, 17°C and 67 mm. January averages 29°C and 22°C with 126 mm, and July 21°C and 9°C with 31 mm. These are 1991–2020 normals for Brisbane Airport station (Brisbane Aero) from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology submission to the WMO normals collection (NOAA NCEI). Check the official forecast for this year's weather before you go.
The UV is very strong. Pack a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. At beaches and the lagoon, follow lifeguard instructions and flags.
- April-May and September-November: warm and pleasant
- October normals: high 25°C, low 16°C, 72 mm
- April normals: high 26°C, low 17°C, 67 mm
- January high 29°C, 126 mm / July high 21°C, 31 mm
Budget and good to know
A daily budget per person is about A$130-180 with a hostel, supermarket meals and public transport, about A$250-400 with a city hotel, restaurants and tours, and about A$700+ with an upscale riverside hotel and private tours.
Café brunch costs about A$20-35, riverside fish and chips about A$15-25, and an Aussie meat pie, a quick meal, about A$6-10. Moreton Bay bugs, flat slipper lobsters from Queensland waters, are often sold at market price, so check first. Queensland mangoes, pineapples and other tropical fruit are sweet and cheap at weekend markets.
Tipping isn't required. Some restaurants add a surcharge on Sundays and public holidays. Public transport payment methods and fares can change; check official information.
- Per person per day: about A$130-180 / A$250-400 / A$700+
- Café brunch about A$20-35, fish and chips about A$15-25
- Tipping: not required; check Sunday and public holiday surcharges
- Entry: check official Australian government information
Plan your Brisbane trip
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FAQ
How many days do I need in Brisbane?
The guide suggests 4 days, or 6 with the Gold Coast: two days in the city, one for a koala sanctuary and Mount Coot-tha, and one for a nearby island or the Gold Coast.
How do I get from the airport to the city?
The airport train reaches central city stations in about 20 minutes for about A$20-25. A taxi or ride-hailing takes about 20-30 minutes and costs about A$45-65.
Are Brisbane ferries free?
The inner-city CityHopper ferry is free. Other Translink buses, trains and ferries charge a 50-cent flat fare (Airtrain excluded), paid by go card or contactless card; check official information.
When is the best time to go?
April-May and September-November are warm and pleasant. October normals are a high of 25°C and a low of 16°C (Australian Bureau of Meteorology submission, WMO normals collection, 1991–2020).
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