Use the Train from Brisbane to Gold Coast: Cheap Public Transport!

If you’re a first-time visitor to South East Queensland trying to navigate the public Transport, you might be asking How to use the Train & Tram from Brisbane to the Gold Coast. With multiple lines, station changes, and different ticketing options, it’s not always obvious without confusion.

A major problem for first timers is understanding where to change, which station to get off at, and whether the train, tram, or a mix of both is the best option for their trip. What should be a simple journey can quickly feel stressful, especially if you’re trying to avoid expensive transfers or car hire.

As a local to Brisbane and used the public transport many times, this guide is written specifically for first-time visitors who want a clear, step-by-step way to travel. I’ll walk you through exactly how the train and tram work together, so you can travel confidently, save money, and enjoy the journey.

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How to use Public Transport from Brisbane to the Gold Coast?

The journey using Public Transport from Brisbane to the Gold Coast will take about 2 hours from start to finish. More importantly, in an effort to help reduce the stress of the cost of living, all one way fares on this service are currently 50 cents.

You will need to transfer from the Heavy Rail train to the G-link Tram. But, there is limited walking between and on the most part, wheel-chair assessable.

NOTE: Personally, I hope the cheap fares continue! But it might be handy to check Translink when you know your travel dates to Brisbane.

If this has you intrigued, then please read on for more detailed information and how to use the GoCard/Smart ticketing system, Costs and navigating the Translink App.

However, If you need a visual of everything in this blog today, please click the picture below and watch my video on the whole process.

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Starting at Brisbane Airport

The heavy rail train service will leave from both the Brisbane International and Domestic Airport. These will depart around every 30 minutes, and travel through to Brisbane City and down the coast.

The Airtrain is a privately owned company and runs on a different (more expensive) pricing regime. But, you can still use your Go Card or Contactless Device to pay for it, or purchase a separate ticket online. 

Generally, traveling from the Airport to Brisbane Central Station with your Go Card will cost just around $20 dollars one way per Adult. However, you can save money by purchasing this portion separately online and with a return journey, or you can look into my Airtrain alternative to save some money.

Just know from the Airport to the Gold Coast, it’s likely that you won’t need to change trains in Brisbane City. But there are still plenty of attractions in Brisbane, so you could get off and explore some of the highlights.

Starting from Brisbane Central Station

If you’re getting on the Train in the city, then please look for the schedules travelling South & West on the Gold Coast Line (pictured below). They say this is supposed to be yellow in colour but I think it’s more of an ochre.

It will display the Platform number and how many minutes until the next train is due to leave. Note, these are the same TV displays you’ll see at the Airport!

The “EXP” notification just means that some of the service is running express and will miss some of the southern stations in Brisbane. This helps get you to the Gold Coast faster.

If you wait a minute or two, the display screen will change and actually tell you all the stations it will be stopping at and which areas are express.

As you enter the station, don’t forget to Tap on at the Machine or at the Gate for the start of your Journey. You’ll know it’s activated when the big tick shows up, but with Go Cards, your card balanced also displayed.

Please walk to the correct platform to wait.

Trains to the Gold Coast will leave at least every 30 minutes. But, always make sure you stand back from the Yellow line for safety.

• Wait for the train to stop
• Press the button in the middle of the door
• Train door will open and you step up to board it!

Please note, It’s customary to wait for people to exit the train, before you go ahead to board. Plus, If someone has already pressed the Door control from the inside, then you won’t need to press it from the outside.

Train Journey from City to Helensvale

It’s around 80 Kilometres or 50 miles in distance between Brisbane City and Surfers Paradise (the heart of the Gold Coast).

From start to finish the Public Transport will take roughly 2 hours in total. This require changing onto different services between the Train, Tram and/or the Bus (Tram is the easiest). In comparison, travelling by car will take around 1 and a half hour , but could be longer depending on the time of day and heavy traffic.

Along the way you can enjoy a pleasurable journey with sites of the city, Old heritage Buildings, and Brisbane’s southern Suburbs.

You could also just sit back and read a book, listen to music or talk to the other passengers.

There will be crowds on the trains if you’re travelling with the Monday to Friday working traffic. But, weekends and school holidays will be be pretty cruisy and you shouldn’t have any issues getting a seat.

Since it is a longer journey, there is a bathroom on board and like most the trains in South East Queensland. They also have free Wi-Fi and all air-conditioned for your comfort.

There are also quite carriages!

These are situated on the second and second last carriage of every service. Which means, there is no talking loudly, chatting on your phone, or playing music.

All the other carriages are to have noise kept to a minimum, with a little more leeway than the quiet carriages.

This section will take about 1 hour a 10 minutes travelling through 5 zones. I must admit the zones meant more when the fares were more expensive, so something to consider checking when you know your travel dates.

Do you need help planning your trip to Queensland? Book a one-on-one consultation call with me, to get your questions answered & personalised help!

Transferring to G-Link Tram at Helensvale

For todays journey, will be travelling on the train as far as Helensvale Station and connecting to the G-Link Light Rail Tram service to Surfers Paradise.

But please note, the Helensvale stop is not your only option to get to the Gold Coast. You could also stay on the heavy rail train for other stops including Nerang, Robina and Varsity lakes. This will then connect to a bus for other southern suburbs on the Gold Coast.

In order to connect to the Tram when you get off at Helensvale Station, you need to move up the stairs (or use the lift, if needed),

Pass through the Ticket Gates and Tap OFF from the Hard Rail Train.

Then, walk about 100 metres down the stairs (or use a different Lift), to the G-link Light Rail Trams service.

Also know from Helensvale, it’s your link to most of the Theme Parks including Dreamworld, White Water World, Wet n wild, and Movieworld. The TX7 bus connection can drop you off at your chosen park nearby. However, SeaWorld is located at Main Beach and will require another Bus connection after getting closer to the Gold Coast.

If you’re interested in visiting them, you can find out which Theme Park is suitable for you in this guide.

But since we aren’t going to the parks today, you’ll TAP ON on for the Tram here and jump on the next one heading into the Gold Coast. To be honest, I think they link up to the trains, so we only waited 5 minutes before seeing the next one.

Riding the G-link Trams to Gold Coast

I found the Trams very new and comfortable, but watch where you’re walking as there are elevated or lower seats.

They are all air-conditioned and have Wi-Fi available! There’s also a convenient TV board to tell you where you are, the next stop and more importantly, how long it will take to your chosen stop.

The Tram connects commuters to 19 stations across a 20.3 kilometre stretch. This includes stops at places like the Griffith University, the Hospital, Southport, Broadwater Parklands, Main Beach and Surfers Paradise (where we are going today). But, also continues further south as far as Broadbeach (where the Casino is).

They run about every 10 minutes and I find it the best way to get around the Gold Coast. Variations to the frequency are:

• Peak Times  – every 7.5 to 10 minutes
• Off Peak – every 15 minutes
• 12am to 5am – every 30 minutes

Essentially, you can sit back and enjoy the scenes, coastal views and city streets. But, it will be stopping every few minutes until you reach your chosen destination.

If you’re going as far as Broadbeach, then you will need to source a bus service to continue south from there.

However, Tourist central will be one of the Surfers Paradise Stops. This is either Cavil Avenue, or a kilometre away near the Q1 building for the Skypoint Observation deck,  

Just don’t forget to TAP OFF when you get off the Tram, so you don’t get charged an excess amount.

However, If you’re now looking for entertainment, then please look into the attractions of Surfers Paradise and start planning out your days.

Otherwise, I have a 3-day Itinerary that will help you plan.

How to use the Go Cards?

The Public Transport options in South East Queensland are through the Translink Network. This includes the Trains, Trams, Buses, and Ferry’s services that you can take from the Gold Coast, through Brisbane and up to the Sunshine Coast.

Any Translink service can be used with the one convenient Go Card. This ends up working out about 30% cheaper than a single paper ticket.

You can purchase these either online with a credit card, manned train stations, or at a local retailer like 7 elevens or News agency’s that display the Go Card signs.

Alternatively, Adult Go Cards can be purchased from Self-Service fare machines (pictured below). But, these same fare machines can sell you the single paper tickets, as well as topping up your Go Cards with extra money, or checking your balance.

Know that card balances are also displayed when you tap them on and off.

You can Top up your card by signing up for an “Auto top up” when you register the card, add a one-off payment to your card online, or paying at the same retailers you buy the card.

What is the Smart Ticketing System?

The Smart Ticketing system has been newly introduced across the network.

This means you can use a contactless Credit/Debit card, or device like a phone or watch (linked to a card) to Tap on and off. However, this can only be used for an Adult fare only and more importantly, only covers a single (1) person.

IMPORTANT: You CAN’T use a single Go Card or Smart Ticketing device to pay for a family, couple or more than ONE person travelling on the service. In this instance, you will need to find a manned train station, or self-service kiosk to purchase a Group or separate ticket for every person travelling.

Using the Translink App?

Your prior research for any Translink service can all be done online from your Desktop, or on your Tablet or Phone through the Translink App with Apple or Android.

This uses Trains, Trams, Bus, Ferries & walking from point A to point B that you select and provide a detailed response including:

• The cost.
• Walking distance to and from your location and destination.
• the train platform number.
• Service times.
• and the service numbers.

But, please remember that you will need Data or Internet Service to use the Translink App.

How Much does it cost?

All Translink Public Transport Fares in Queensland are currently 50 Cents for a one way journey. How long these cheap fares will be in place is undetermined.

Outside of the current special period, the Public Transport fares price are charged in zones.

A single Zone starts at peak times with an Adult price of $3.55 and up to $21.48 for 8 zones. Off peak is slighter cheaper, but you must make sure to tap on and off from each service.

Failure to tap off your Go Card at the end of the journey will result in a fixed amount deducted.

Wrap Up!

In the end, I hope this has helped you get from Brisbane to the Gold Coast with Public Transport. Based on the information in this blog, while it might seem involved, it will get easier after using it a couple of times.

So, what’s next? Well, now that you’ve arrived at your destination, I have a lot more resources, and you can click here for my extra Gold Coast Articles.

• Best Place to Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef
• 10 Day Brisbane to Airlie Beach Road Trip Stops, Itinerary & Map
• Best Beaches in Queensland with Map & Photo’s
• Tips to know BEFORE planning a Queensland Road Trip
• Closest Motels/Hotels to Brisbane Airport
• Sydney Vs Brisbane – Which is Better to visit?
• 5 Day Brisbane Itinerary in South East Queensland