The Iglu Guide | Blog
Getting around Brisbane
Brisbane has an amazing public transport system that’s made even better by good weather and sustainable thinking. Using waterways, cycleways and motorways alike, Brisbane makes city living an absolute breeze. For the fastest ways to meet friends, grab a coffee or get to that lecture on time – here’s what you need to know.
Ticketing
For those of you who enjoy getting out and about, it makes sense to plan how you’ll pay for public transport in South-East Queensland. You can choose from a few different options:
- Tap on and off with a contactless Visa, Mastercard or American Express (including prepaid, reloadable and non-reloadable travel cards and gift cards);
- Use a Translink go card; or
- Buy a pre-purchased paper ticket from fare machines at train, tram and busway stations, and some bus interchanges. Just remember: cash is not accepted on board, and you can’t top up your go card or buy paper tickets once you’re on the service.
Thanks to the new 50 cent fare, all trips across buses, trains, trams, ferries and on-demand services in South East Queensland are now permanently capped at just 50 cents—no matter how you pay—making it easier and more affordable to explore Brisbane and beyond.
Top tip: If you’re tapping on with a contactless card or device, make sure you tap off with the same one to ensure your fare is calculated correctly.
Getting around for free
Not only does Brisbane come up trumps with the transport options, there are ways to get around the city without spending a penny. Grab a bus for free in the inner city with the City Loop and Spring Hill Loop bus services. Circling the city every 10 minutes on weekdays, these bright red and yellow buses cover the city centre itself and connect the CBD to the Spring Hill precinct. You can pinball from shopping and cafes to parklands and monuments all day long – without spending a penny! And if you fancy switching out to Southbank or simply taking in the river air, you can jump onto the CityHopper service that travels all along the river from North Quay terminal to Sydney Street, New Farm.
Top tip: Find out what other fun can be had for free in Brisbane.
Ferries
The perfect way to get around this sunny city, travelling by ferry is a mainstay for the Brisbane community. Operating between some 25 ferry terminals, the CityCat catamaran service has boats commuting up and down the Brisbane River every 15-30 minutes. Handy stops include the University of Queensland (St Lucia), South Bank, the CBD and New Farm.
Top tip: Just hop on board and tap your TransLink go card as you pass, or simply buy your tickets on arrival.
Buses
Quick, cheap and efficient, the Brizzy bus network is not surprisingly a very popular way to travel. With two major bus stations handily located in the CBD (Queen Street and King George Square) and another one on Southbank, using the city busways to get around is a hassle-free ride. With over 400 routes across the city and beyond, buses are the perfect way to connect to the outer suburbs, as well as a convenient way to access shopping centres, entertainment and train stations. They generally run every 10 minutes up until 11pm, after which time they are replaced by the NightLink. There are also some high frequency bus routes such as Buz and CityGlider who operate daily and without a timetable.
Top tip: Hop online and plan your bus trip before you leave!
Trains
With six colour-coded railway lines running in and out of the city, the TransLink service will take you as far north as the Sunshine Coast and as far south as the Gold Coast. All services go through the CBD’s Central Station as well as Roma Street and Fortitude Valley making it extra easy to jump aboard. Enjoy modern surrounds, air-conditioning and plenty of seating in these electric-powered -newbies and don’t forget to swipe your go card every time you board!
Top tip: Even if you mix and match your travel options, you can still use your go card and you will never pay more than the cheapest available fare. Clever!
Bikes
With more than 280 days of sunshine each year, Brisbane offers the perfect backdrop for an active, outdoor lifestyle. From riverside cycleways and leafy parklands to weekend trips to the beach, it’s easy to see why so many students choose to study here. The city’s extensive network of bike paths makes cycling a safe, scenic and sustainable way to get around—whether you’re commuting to class, exploring local neighbourhoods, or just soaking up the sunshine. Bring your own bike or use one of the many app-based bikeshare services available throughout the city.
Top tip: Download a bikeshare app before you ride, and check live availability and pricing.
Photo by Kon Karampelas on Unsplash
