Brisbane Tours

Brisbane’s Public Transport System

Brisbane uses TransLink, an integrated public transport network of buses, trains, ferries, and trams throughout South East Queensland.

Amazing News for Tourists!

Brisbane now has permanent 50 cent flat fares across all Translink services! This flat rate of 50 cents applies to all zones and modes including buses, trains, ferries, and trams across the network (excluding Airtrain to the airport).

Payment Options

Go Card: Brisbane’s smart transport card that works on all TransLink bus, train, and ferry services. There’s a refundable deposit of $10 for adults and $5 for child/concession/senior cards.

Smart Ticketing: You can use contactless payments with your debit or credit card or smart devices with Apple Pay, Google Wallet, or Samsung Pay on trains, ferries, and some buses.

Where to Get Go Cards: Purchase at Brisbane Airport, convenience stores, train stations, and designated retailers throughout the city.

FREE Bus Services in the City

City Loop (Routes 40 & 50)

Free bus services operate in the city centre in both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions, departing every 10 minutes between 7am and 6pm. The City Loop stops at popular locations such as QUT, Alice Street, Botanic Gardens, Queen Street Mall, City Hall, Central Station, Riverside and Eagle Street Pier.

Spring Hill Loop

A free loop stopping at popular locations in Spring Hill, operating between the CBD and Spring Hill.

High-Frequency CityGlider Services

Blue CityGlider (Route 60)

Runs from West End ferry wharf via the Cultural Centre busway station, Adelaide Street, Fortitude Valley and Newstead to Teneriffe ferry wharf. Connects outer city CityCat stops to the CBD.

Maroon CityGlider (Route 61)

Operates from Ashgrove to Coorparoo connecting major sporting, entertainment, shopping and dining precincts.

CityGliders operate at least every 10 minutes in peak periods and at least every 15 minutes in off-peak periods, seven days a week, with 24-hour service on Friday and Saturday nights.

Brisbane River Ferries

CityCat Ferries

CityCat services operate from UQ St Lucia to Northshore Hamilton, stopping at West End, Guyatt Park, Regatta, Milton, North Quay, South Bank, QUT Gardens Point, Riverside, Howard Smith Wharves, Sydney Street, Mowbray Park, New Farm Park, Hawthorne, Bulimba, Teneriffe, Bretts Wharf and Apollo Road.

CityCats depart approximately every 15 minutes and cost just 50 cents per trip!

Special Feature: Two ‘CityDogs’ ferries wrapped with Bluey and Bingo characters from the popular Brisbane animated series will take visitors to the new Bluey’s World Brisbane attraction at Northshore Hamilton.

CityHopper Ferry

Note: There are conflicting reports about CityHopper service. Some recent reviews indicate the CityHopper may not be running as of January 2025, but historically it was a free inner city ferry service servicing eight stops between North Quay and Sydney Street, New Farm, running every 36 minutes between 6am and midnight. With the 50-cent flat fare now in place, all CityCat services are very affordable alternatives.

Getting to Major Tourist Attractions

South Bank

• CityCat Ferry: Stop at South Bank terminal
• Train: South Bank or South Brisbane stations
• Blue CityGlider (Route 60): Via Cultural Centre

South Bank hosts events, exhibitions, the iconic Wheel of Brisbane and man-made Streets Beach.

Fortitude Valley

• Train: Fortitude Valley Station
• Blue CityGlider (Route 60)
• Major train stations include Central Station and Roma Street Station, from which you can reach attractions including the Queensland Museum, Gallery of Modern Art, and destinations such as South Bank or Fortitude Valley

Brisbane Metro (New!)

Brisbane Metro commenced with Route M2 on January 28, 2025, and Route M1 on June 30, 2025. This is a high-frequency bus rapid transit system running through Brisbane CBD every 5 minutes during peak times.

Planning Your Journey

Apps & Resources:

• Download the Translink app for journey planning, real-time travel alerts, service arrival times, and the option to personalize your travel with favorite stops
• Use the TransLink website’s Journey Planner tool
• Service Capacity Tracker to check expected onboard space available

Important: Always tap on and tap off when boarding and exiting services, even with the 50 cent fare, as this provides valuable data for service planning.

Brisbane’s incredibly affordable 50-cent fares make it one of the cheapest and most tourist-friendly public transport systems in Australia!