Brisbane: Getting there & around

Orientation

Located in the southeastern corner of Queensland, Brisbane is a river city, situated 25km (15mi) upstream from the mouth of the Brisbane River. The compact city centre is built along and between the looping meanders of the river, making it easy to explore on foot. The transit centre, where you'll arrive if you're coming by bus, train or airport shuttle, is about 500m (550yd) northwest of the city centre. The airport is about 15km (9mi) northeast of the city centre.

Brisbane has plenty of backpackers' hostels and there are also quite a few well-priced hotels, motels and self-contained apartments within a few blocks of the city centre. Most of the action, however, happens in the inner suburbs. Brisbane's restaurant and cafe scene has blossomed in recent years and you'll find there's no shortage of good eateries, many of which have taken advantage of the balmy climate and provide outdoor eating areas.

Getting There

Brisbane's Eagle Farm Airport is a busy international arrival and departure point with frequent flights to Asia, Europe, the Pacific islands, North America, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. A shuttle bus runs between the airport and the Transit Centre about every half-hour till mid-evening. There are also shuttle buses to the Gold and Sunshine Coasts. There are always taxis available to take you into the city centre. The easiest way to get to or from the airport is to take the Airtrain from either Roma St or Central stations.

The main bus terminal is the Transit Centre on Roma St, and all the main bus companies arrive and leave from here. Buses run to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Cairns, as well as towns up and down the coast. Trains also arrive at the Transit Centre. There are direct trains to Sydney, but if you want to go any further south or west, you'll have to go via Sydney. Rail travel within Queensland is slower and more expensive than the bus, but it's often more comfortable, and you can get rail passes.

Back to top ^

Getting Around

In addition to normal city buses, there are Cityxpress services, which run between the city centre and the suburbs, and Rockets (fast peak-hour commuter buses). The fast Citytrain network has seven lines, and there is an efficient ferry service along and across the Brisbane River. There is a riverside bicycle track from the City Botanic Gardens out to the University of Queensland.

Back to top ^

Shop Online

Advertisement

Hotels & Hostels

Booking hotels is simple with Lonely Planet. See our reviewed and recommended hotels in one place and book online. Browse hotels ›

Lonely Planet Newsletters

Updates, offers and inspiration - straight to your inbox.
Subscribe now ›

Disclaimer: We've tried to make the information on this web site as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information (like visas, health and safety, customs and transportation) with the relevant authorities before you travel.

Lonely Planet