Home › Routes › Brisbane to Gold Coast
How to get from Brisbane to Gold Coast
Queensland Rail's Gold Coast line runs from central Brisbane to the Gold Coast in about 1 h to 1 h 15, and the G:link tram from Helensvale takes you on to Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach. Driving on the M1 takes about 1 h outside peak times.
Best option: Train. The train is frequent, cheap and avoids M1 congestion, and it connects directly with the Gold Coast tram.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| train Queensland Rail Gold Coast line from Roma Street, Central or South Bank to Helensvale, Nerang or Varsity Lakes, then the G:link tram from Helensvale to Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach | about 1 h 15 to 1 h 30 to Surfers Paradise | every 15–30 minutes | low Translink fares; pay with a go card or contactless bank card | Some trains start at Brisbane Airport and run straight through to the Gold Coast. |
| car M1 Pacific Motorway | about 1 h, often 1 h 30 at peak | fuel only; no tolls on the M1 | Beachfront parking in Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach is limited and often paid. | |
| bus Airport and hotel shuttle coaches between Brisbane and Gold Coast hotels | about 1 h 15 to 1 h 30 | several a day | about AUD 40–60 | Useful with heavy luggage; book ahead. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
Open the route in Google Maps →
Book the trip
Partner links: TonyPlan may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips
- Tap on and off with your go card or bank card on both train and tram to pay the correct fare.
- Change at Helensvale for the tram to Surfers Paradise; it is a same-platform-level transfer.
- Avoid driving the M1 southbound on Friday afternoons and northbound on Sunday evenings.
- The theme parks have their own bus links from Helensvale and Nerang stations.
Common questions
Is there a train from Brisbane to the Gold Coast?
Yes. Queensland Rail's Gold Coast line runs every 15 to 30 minutes from central Brisbane stations to Helensvale, Nerang, Robina and Varsity Lakes in about an hour to an hour and a quarter. From Helensvale, the G:link light rail runs to Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach. Pay with a go card or contactless bank card.
How long does it take to drive from Brisbane to the Gold Coast?
About an hour, roughly 80 km on the toll-free M1 Pacific Motorway. At weekday peak times and holiday weekends it can take an hour and a half or more because of congestion. Allow time to find parking near the beach in Surfers Paradise or Broadbeach, which is limited and often paid.
Can I get from Brisbane Airport to the Gold Coast by train?
Yes. Airtrain services from Brisbane's domestic and international terminals continue onto the Gold Coast line, so you can travel directly to Helensvale and change to the tram for Surfers Paradise. The trip takes about an hour and a half. Shuttle coaches to Gold Coast hotels are an alternative with heavy luggage.
Can I do the Gold Coast as a day trip from Brisbane?
Yes. Trains run from early morning to late evening, and the trip is just over an hour each way, so a beach day or a theme park visit is easy. The fares on Queensland public transport have recently been very low, but check current prices on the Translink website before you travel.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.