If you’re travelling to Brisbane Airport any time soon, you’ll find a wealth of useful information in our handy Brisbane Airport guide, with plenty of details about how to get to the airport, where to park and how much it costs, which facilities and services will be available to use once you get there. We aim to make it as easy as possible to plan your visit to Brisbane Airport, by providing updated information about the various airport lounges, Wi-Fi availability, charging point locations, storage lockers, food & beverage outlets, duty free shopping choices, and everything in between.
One of Australia’s busiest airports, Brisbane Airport (BNE) serves the Brisbane area alongside South East Queensland. The airport services 35 airlines, which fly to 52 domestic and 26 international destinations, with more than 20 million passengers transiting through BNE every year. A major hub for both Virgin Australia and Qantas, Brisbane Airport has two passenger terminals - the Domestic and the International Terminals, alongside a cargo terminal and a general aviation terminal.
The International Terminal at Brisbane Airport is one of the most modern passenger transport hubs on the East Coast, with extensive redevelopment work having been completed in 2015. Similar Brisbane Airport renovations are being done to the Domestic Terminal as of October 2023, to boost its facilities, amenities, and cope with increasing passenger numbers. In addition, the nearby Skygate area, which used to be known as the Airport Village, boasts a large variety of shops and food outlets.
If you haven’t flown from Brisbane Airport before, it’s important to note that the airport’s two passenger terminals are situated 4km apart, which means that you’ll need assistance when making the trip between the two. The airport operates a free shuttle bus service, which runs between the Domestic and the International Terminals, plus the Skygate area. The journey time takes approximately ten minutes, however, the buses run on a fixed schedule which stops overnight. If you’re travelling past 11.00 pm, you will instead have to take the Airtrain rail service, the AIRPARK bus, or hop in a taxi from either terminal.
There are several car parking at Brisbane Airport, which offers both short and long term parking. If you’d prefer to park close to the terminal buildings, there’s ParkShort and ParkLong, and if you’d like to take advantage of off-site parking to save money, there’s AIRPARK, Andrew’s Airport Parking Brisbane, and ParkLong. To compare prices across different stay lengths, please check the table below:
| Car Park | Cost per Week | Service + Travel Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew's Airport Parking | $150.99 | Shuttle: 5 min | Book |
| AIRPARK | $119.00 | Shuttle: 10 - 15 min | Info |
| ParkLong | $201.00 | Walk: 4 - 8 min | Info |
| Guaranteed Parking | $215.00 | Walk: 5 - 7 min | Info |
| Park&Fly | $269.00 | Walk: 5 min | Info |
| ParkValet | $269.00 | Walk: 2 - 4 min | Info |
| ParkPremium | $280.00 | Walk: 2 - 5 min | Info |
| ParkShort | $442.00 | Walk: 2 - 5 min | Info |
Getting to Brisbane Airport from the city is easy. The airport is located less than 20 kilometres away from Brisbane CBD, and there are a variety of different transport options available, both public and private.
You can travel to/from the airport by train, bus, shuttle, taxi, rideshare, or by car, meaning that you’re sure to find a way to get from A to B regardless of your budget and circumstances. For more information, read more about the major transport options below:
The Brisbane Airtrain operates between the airport, the CBD, and the Gold Coast, connecting with the Queensland Rail suburban network.
As of February 2024, maintenace is taking place on routes between Brisbane CBD and Brisbane Airport, so be sure to check the Airtrain's website in advance to see if your travel date will be affected. Tickets can be purchased for approximiately $18.00 for a 1 way ticket, and $21.90 for a round trip when booking online, as discounted fares apply.
When buying a ticket in person, a single trip will be $21.70, while a round trip would be $41.80, per person. Should you choose to purchase your ticket in-person, you can do so at the Airtrain desks located at the Domestic & International Terminal, or at any suburban train station on the Queensland Rail network. Card holders can also pay via GoCard.
*Note:Tickets bought in person at a station are permissable for travel on the day of purchase only, whereas online tickets can be used only any available date you booked your ticket for, in addition to 2 days prior or post your selected dates on your online booking.
Other routes available are:
Brisbane City Council operates a public bus service within the airport precinct. To catch the bus from the airport, you will need to make your way from either Terminal to the Skygate Centre, where bus route 590 runs seven days a week. You can take bus 590 to the rail network at the Toombul Interchange, and then transfer onto another bus or train to reach the city or suburban destinations.
If you’d prefer to use a door to door bus service to and from the airport, you can book with the Con-x-ion shuttle company. Con-x-ion operates from both Terminals, and offers a pick-up and drop-off service that goes door-to-door across various locations around Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and Sunshine Coast. Shuttle bus tickets can be purchased from the sales kiosks at each Terminal. Travellers can find the Con-x-ion shuttle bus at the Visitor Information desk in the International Terminal, and outside the Domestic Terminal on the forecourt, by the Virgin Australia drop off.
Taxis are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, whether you’re travelling to or from the airport. If you’re departing from Brisbane CBD, you can pre-book a taxi from either 13cabs (Tel: 13 22 27) or Black & White Cabs (Tel: 13 22 22), or if you’re travelling from the airport, you can wait by the sheltered ranks outside the Domestic and International Terminals.
Passengers should expect to pay around $50.00 for a one way trip from the airport to the city, plus a $4.00 airport levy. Outside of peak hours, the journey takes approximately twenty minutes.
BNE was one of the first airports in Australia to allow rideshare services to pick-up and drop-off passengers at the terminals, including Ola and Uber. To book, simply use your preferred app and then follow the signs to the designated meeting points to find your driver.
It’s important that you allow yourself plenty of time to check-in, clear airport security, and get to your gate. It’s always better to arrive early than to arrive late. There are plenty of services and facilities at Brisbane Airport, and you’ll find restaurants, cafes and bars, shops, seating, airline lounges, and free Wi-Fi, at both the Domestic and International Terminals.
If you have arranged connecting flights between the International and the Domestic Terminals, you should give yourself two hours to clear immigration, catch the terminal transfer bus, check your bags, and then go through security screening for your next flight.
Brisbane Airport runs a complimentary bus service between the Domestic and International Terminals and the Skygate Centre. There are stops outside of each of the terminals, marked by orange transfer signs. The journey takes around ten minutes, and the buses run between 4.00am and 11.00pm. After 11.00pm, you’ll need to use the AIRPARK Transfer Bus service.
The Airtrain also offers a transfer service between the International and Domestic Terminals, for a fee of $5.00 per person. The transfer time is approximately five minutes.
All passengers and visitors, plus their belongings, must be screened before they enter the departures areas of the terminals. The routine screening program at Brisbane Airport includes body scanning, belongings scanning, and an explosives test.
If you’re flying internationally, you’ll need to comply with the security limits on travelling with liquids, aerosols, and gels in carry-on baggage. This means that you can only take liquids, aerosols, and gels that fit into 100ml size bottles or less, in your hand luggage. These bottles need to be stored in a resealable, transparent plastic bag that measures approximately 20cm x 20cm.
You’ll find a variety of services and facilities at Brisbane Airport, from airport hotels, ATMs, baggage storage, luggage trolleys, charging stations, currency exchange, first aid, food outlets, rental car services, lost property, lounges, parent rooms, postal services, prayer rooms, telephones, shops, showers, smoking areas, vending machines, and Wi-Fi. To find out more about any of these services, please check our short summaries below:
If you have an early morning flight, or if you’re transiting through BNE, can stay close to the airport, by booking into one of several Brisbane Airport hotels. You’ll find both the Ibis and Pullman Brisbane Airport, conveniently located within a six-minute walk from the Domestic Terminal, while the Novotel Brisbane Airport is located in the Skygate precinct, a ten-minute drive from the airport. The Novotel offers a shuttle service between the terminals and the hotel, making it easier to get to your flight in time.
There are Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) in both terminals, before and after security. These can be used to withdraw cash in Australian dollars.
There are self-service storage solutions at the Domestic and International Terminals, as well as at the Skygate Centre. Rental storage options are available 24/7, with lockers that range in size. You should be able to store anything from a backpack to a stroller, for as long as you need to.
There are baggage trolleys available in both terminals, to help you make your way through the building with ease. Trolleys can be used free of charge in the International Terminal, but cost $4.00 at the Domestic Terminal.
You’ll find dedicated USB and plug-in charging stations throughout the two terminals. If you’re travelling from the Domestic Terminal, you’ll need to head to the Food Courts to charge your device, whereas if you’re at the International Terminal, you’ll find charging stations located in Arrivals and Departures.
There are Travelex currency exchange stores located across the International and Domestic Terminals.
If you become ill at Brisbane Airport, there are first aid facilities and trained staff at both Terminals. For medical supplies and medicines, you can visit the Airport Pharmacy in the Domestic Terminal or the Direct Chemist Outlet at the Skygate Centre.
There are plenty of places where you can grab a bite to eat before your flight. At the Domestic Terminal, you’ll find the Aviation Pier Cafe & Bar, Boost Juice, Carl’s Jr, Coffee Royal, Fonzie Abbott, Glasshouse Bar, Graze Grill & Bar, Krispy Kreme, Mad Mex, Merlo Caffe, Mezze Za Za, Mi Casa Burritos, Roll'd, Seeds by Bruno Loubet, Sumo Salad, Sushi Sushi, The Coffee Club, The Lord Lamington, The Market Place, Trader & Co, Upper Crust, Upper Westside Deli, and Ze Pickle.
At the International Terminal, you’ll find Boost Juice, Brisbane River Grill, Burger Urge, Dandelion & Driftwood, Hudsons Coffee, Mad Mex, Red Rooster, Subway, Sushi Sushi, The Coffee Club, Tuk Chop, and Windmill & Co.
Most major car hire brands have an office right at the airport. There are plenty of car hire options to choose from at BNE, including Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Enterprise Holdings, and Thrifty.
The lost property team at Brisbane Airport are tasked with scouring the terminals, car parks, transfer buses, to ensure that lost items are returned safely. Items that are found in Brisbane Airport managed areas will be brought to the lost property office, and can be collected from the Visitor Information desks by prior arrangement. If you left an item on the plane, you’ll need to get in touch with your airline.
Brisbane Airport has various airline lounge facilities in the Domestic and International Terminals. If a lounge stay is not included in your ticket price or frequent flyer membership level, you can make use of My Lounge or the Plaza Premium Lounge and Wellness Spa, in the International Terminal, which both offer pay-per-use services for airport passengers.
Brisbane Airport offers parenting rooms located throughout the Domestic and International Terminals. These rooms are equipped with baby change facilities, feeding chairs, and microwaves to heat milk and baby food.
There are three Australia Post Regular and Express Post mailboxes located kerbside outside each of the Terminals, but no retail shops or postage services in the airport itself.
You’ll find the non-denominational prayer room on Level 4 of the International Terminal, down the corridor from the flight centre.
Pay phones are located throughout the terminals, and can be operated using coins, credit cards, or phone cards. You can purchase a phone card at News Travels retailers or at the Visitor Information desk.
There are numerous retail stores at BNE, including duty free shopping. If you’re flying from the Domestic Terminal, you’ll find Airport Pharmacy, Australian Way, Blue Illusion, Carry On, Cosmetique, Country Road, Gadget Shop, Jo Malone London, Lorna Jane, M.A.C, Mecca Maxima, Mimco, Mott and Mulberry, New Farm Confectionery, News Travels, news@bne, Oxford, Peter Alexander, Rip Curl, Samsonite, Seed Heritage, Sunglass Hut, Tech2go, Wine Selectors, Witchery, xpress@bne, and Zoodle.
At the International Terminal, you’ll find: Australian Produce Store, Australian Way, Benefit, Billabong, Blue Illusion, Carry On, Cosmetique, Country Road, Dreamtime Journey, Flight Centre, Gadget Shop, Lotte Duty Free, Lotte Watch Co., M.A.C, Mecca Maxima, Merino Collection, Mimco, Mott and Mulberry, New Farm Confectionery, News Travels, news@bne, Peter Alexander, Protectabag, R.M. Williams, Rip Curl, Samsonite, Seed Heritage, Sunglass Hut, Tech2go, Travelex, Wine Selectors, Witchery, xpress@bne, and Zoodle.
There are shower facilities in both the Domestic and International Terminals. Showers are free of charge, however passengers will need to bring their own towels and shower products.
Brisbane Airport is a smoke-free zone - smoking is only permitted in dedicated smoking areas outside of the terminal buildings.
Vending machines are located throughout both the Domestic and International Terminals, stocked with plenty of savoury and sweet options. There’s also a health pod vending machine, containing personal health and hygiene items such as face masks, hand sanitiser, and gloves, on Level 4 of the International Terminal.
Free Wi-Fi is available across all areas of the Domestic Terminal and the International Terminal. You’ll need to register your details in order to access the Wi-Fi services.
Please note that the information above is provided for reference only, and does not constitute travel advice. For the most recent and relevant information about Brisbane Airport, you should check the official website. Additionally, the Brisbane Airport car park rates quoted in this article were taken based on drive-up rates accurate at the time of publication in March 2024, but are subject to change without notice. Please note that it is not possible to book at any of the official Brisbane Airport car parks through Flyparks at present.
