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
TransLink go card
For those of you who enjoy getting out and about, it makes sense to pick up a TransLink go card. Valid on buses, trains and ferries, this little electronic smart card will not only save you time fumbling about for tickets and cash, it will actually save you money. Using a go card is an impressive 30% cheaper than buying a paper ticket, and if you travel in off-peak you can save 20% more. Be sure to register your card online. This allows you to protect your remaining money if the card gets lost, top up online and easily check your balances.
Top tip: Uni students are entitled to a concession card that allows you to apply for 50% concession fares on public transport, as well as on some regional routes.
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
When the sun is shining for over 280 days a year, it makes complete sense to get out into the fresh air as much as possible. And with endless amounts of cycleways available for use, Brisbane really is leading the charge when it comes to sustainable travel. CityCycle – Brisbane’s popular bikeshare initiative – has made this incredibly easy with 150 stations located across the city centre. Each station has a minimum of 10 bike racks meaning you should never have a problem when you’re ready to offload your bike – and hiring and returning is available 24/7. Try a free half hour and if you’re keen for more time, you can even use your go card for payment. Too easy!
Top tip: Find the best dock for your bike and check live availability right here.
Photo by Kon Karampelas on Unsplash
