brisbane to gold coast

The Gold Coast lies only an hour’s drive south of Brisbane and boasts miles of beach, thrilling theme parks, and an exciting cultural scene.

Explore it all with Lonely Planet Pocket Brisbane & Gold Coast, your go-to pocket guide that offers top things to do, hidden gems, tips & recommendations and much more!

Table of Contents

Flights

Flying between Brisbane and the Gold Coast is one of the easiest ways to travel between these sun-kissed Australian cities, with numerous cheap flights offering convenient solutions that suit both budgets and travel dates.

Visit Brisbane and support local music by taking in one of the live shows available during your stay. Known worldwide for its incredible live music scene, you won’t have any difficulty finding an enjoyable show with friends in Brisbane.

If you want to save money when flying from Brisbane to Gold Coast, try switching up your travel dates and booking outside peak season. Skyscanner also makes this easier by showing the lowest fares for every day of your chosen travel dates – an approach which could potentially yield big savings!

Train

Booking train tickets early can be the safe and economical solution to getting from Brisbane to Gold Coast City, providing fast speeds at much more reasonable costs than flying. In order to guarantee yourself the date that works for you – holidays and weekends often sell out quickly – make sure that you book them online as early as possible and avoid missing out.

Buses offer an environmentally-friendly means of travel from Brisbane to Gold Coast, using up to 30 times less fuel than airplanes or cars and offering luggage storage, reclining seats and Wi-Fi connectivity. If you prefer an even quieter journey, consider upgrading to a higher class bus.

Buses from Brisbane to Gold Coast typically offer the lowest fare when booked seven days in advance, though prices can fluctuate, so make sure to confirm the price before making your reservation. Purchasing tickets online could save money or purchase an unlimited train pass that will give you unlimited rides while in Gold Coast.

Bus

If time and budget are both limiting factors in your travels, taking the bus from Brisbane to Gold Coast may be the right solution for you. These regular services run regularly and provide convenient transport while giving passengers a chance to view local scenery first hand.

Choose between luxury bus or economy class buses; the former offer more luxurious experience with air conditioning, soft reclining seats, Wi-Fi connectivity, bathrooms and much more luxurious features compared to their counterpart. However, they tend to cost slightly more.

At peak seasons and weekends, it is wise to purchase tickets early online in order to guarantee yourself a seat and avoid delays.

Moovit makes traveling by bus easy, which is why over 1.5 million users – including travellers from Brisbane – trust us as their one-stop transit app. You can easily locate the best bus fares and schedules between Brisbane and Gold Coast City with our online trip planner, while making your ride more enjoyable by creating a music playlist to listen to onboard the bus ride.

Car

Driving between Brisbane and the Gold Coast is the cheapest and easiest way to travel between these cities, taking only an hour if traveling straight between them – though you could make stops along the way to explore Queensland’s scenic wonders or visit one of its numerous attractions.

Car rental is an ideal way to explore Queensland, especially if traveling as part of a group. At Apex Gold Coast Airport you’ll find affordable rates from companies such as Budget, Avis, Hertz and Europcar; some even provide one-way rentals up to Brisbane; be sure to read up on terms and conditions when making your booking!

Brisbane and the Gold Coast offer visitors an idyllic weekend getaway, outdoor adventures, culinary trips or shopping experiences to satisfy every taste. Enjoy year-round warm weather while exploring Australia’s New World City; soak up rays at beaches; admire art masterpieces in museums; or ride thrill rides in mega theme parks along Australia’s Gold Coast!