Brisbane Airport Guide: Terminals, Transport, Taxis and Hotels

Brisbane Airport (BNE) has separate International and Domestic Terminals, approximately four kilometres apart, connected by a free transfer bus. This guide explains how to change terminals, choose onward transport and find suitable accommodation before or after your flight.

Brisbane Airport at a glance

Detail	What to know
Airport code	BNE
Location	Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Passenger terminals	International Terminal and Domestic Terminal
Terminal connection	Free terminal transfer bus
Before travelling	Confirm your terminal, onward arrangements and entry or transit requirements

Which terminal do you need?

The International Terminal serves overseas flights; the Domestic Terminal serves flights within Australia. Check your booking and airline instructions rather than assuming a connecting flight leaves from the same building.

Brisbane Airport code BNE for flights and airport travel

How to transfer between terminals

The airport’s dedicated transfer page lists a free bus approximately every 10 minutes, operating daily from 4:00am to 1:30am. It lists a five-minute journey, while the airport’s connecting-flights guide gives approximately 10 minutes. Allow roughly 5–10 minutes on the bus, plus waiting time. Neither estimate represents the total time needed for a flight connection. 

At the International Terminal, the terminal transfer bus collects passengers on Level 2 and drops off on Level 4. Follow the orange transfer-bus signs at the Domestic Terminal, and check the current terminal transfer information before travelling. Paid alternatives may be useful outside the bus timetable.

Connecting from an international arrival to a domestic flight

You must complete passport control, collect checked baggage and clear customs and biosecurity before continuing domestically. Ask your airline whether you can use a domestic transfer desk in the International Terminal or must take your bags to the Domestic Terminal for check-in. Allow for the terminal journey and security screening, and confirm your airline’s connection requirements—especially on separate tickets.

Brisbane Airport terminal transfer between International and Domestic Terminals

Choosing transport from Brisbane Airport

Compare the whole journey: passenger numbers, luggage, your destination, walking or interchange requirements, service hours and the price available for your travel date. Convenience depends on your circumstances; no option is automatically best for every traveller.

Option	Consider it when	Check before choosing
Airtrain	You can use rail and complete the journey from a station	Timetable, fare and onward connection
Taxi	You prefer a direct road journey	Metered fare, pickup charge, tolls and vehicle capacity
Rideshare	You prefer booking through an app	Current quote and designated pickup point
Private transfer	You want to arrange the vehicle in advance	Confirmed inclusions, waiting policy and cancellation terms
Bus connections via Skygate	You are comfortable making connections	Full route, service hours and luggage practicality

How do you get a Brisbane Airport taxi?

Use the signed taxi ranks outside either terminal. The International rank is on Level 2 Arrivals Road; the Domestic rank is centrally located in front of the building. The airport lists 24-hour taxi availability, subject to conditions and demand.

Taxi fares to Brisbane City

The airport publishes an indicative one-way city fare of A$67–A$82, with a A$4.86 airport pickup fee added and tolls charged separately. Treat this as a guide, not a guaranteed total.

Private airport transfers Brisbane for convenient transportation from the airport

Rideshare pickup

Book in your chosen app and follow signs to the designated rideshare pickup area, which differs from taxi and passenger pickup zones. Check the fare and terms at booking; prices can change. The airport currently lists a A$4.86 rideshare pickup fee.

Airtrain and bus connections

Airtrain connects the airport with Brisbane and onward rail destinations. Its timetable currently lists the first airport departure at 5:04 am on weekdays and 6:04 am on weekends and public holidays, and the last at 10:04 pm. Check your station, travel date and service changes in the Airtrain timetable; this is not an overnight service.

For a bus-based journey, check connections via Skygate. Translink identifies the free terminal–Skygate bus and route 590 as relevant services. Plan the complete route and verify stops and operating hours rather than assuming route 590 departs directly from your arrivals exit.

Private airport transfers in Brisbane

Independent operators offer pre-booked private transfers from BNE. Availability and inclusions depend on the provider. Before paying, confirm:

• The correct terminal, meeting point and destination.
• Passenger and luggage capacity, including any child-seat requirements.
• Whether the quote includes airport charges, tolls and parking.
• Waiting time, flight-delay arrangements and cancellation terms.

Compare the confirmed total for your group rather than assuming a private transfer is cheaper or includes every extra.

Accommodation near Brisbane Airport

ibis Brisbane Airport and Pullman Brisbane Airport are within walking distance of the Domestic Terminal. Novotel Brisbane Airport is in the Skygate precinct and requires a transfer to the terminals. Do not assume a hotel convenient for Domestic is equally convenient for an International departure.

Before booking, confirm the walking route or shuttle timetable, any transfer charges, reception arrangements, room availability and cancellation terms. A hotel advertising a shuttle does not necessarily provide transport whenever your flight arrives.

Airport hotel or city accommodation?

An airport hotel may suit an early departure or overnight connection. City accommodation may be more practical for several days of sightseeing. Compare the total room-and-transport cost and the time you will actually have at the hotel.

Arriving on an international flight

For passengers entering Australia, the usual sequence is passport control, baggage collection, customs and biosecurity, then onward transport. International transit passengers should follow their airline’s transfer instructions.

Declare relevant food, plant and animal products and other biosecurity-risk items as required. If you are unsure, declare them and ask an officer. Follow your airline and border authorities’ current instructions for the arrival declaration that applies to your flight.

How early should you arrive for departure?

Brisbane Airport recommends arriving about three hours before an international flight and 90 minutes before a domestic flight. Follow your airline’s check-in and bag-drop deadlines and allow additional time for assistance needs or busy periods. These arrival guidelines are not guaranteed connection times.

During International Terminal redevelopment, some airline check-in locations may change. Follow current flight information screens and airline instructions.

Brisbane Airport international departures and check-in before a flight

Layovers and Australian transit requirements

Remaining inside an airport does not automatically remove visa requirements. Transit without a visa is limited to eligible travellers who meet every applicable condition, including an onward flight to a third country within eight hours and no need to clear immigration. Check the official transit-without-a-visa rules for your travel document and itinerary.

If you need to collect baggage, change to a domestic flight or leave the transit area, check the appropriate entry arrangements before travel. Airport facilities can also affect whether you must clear immigration. Confirm the itinerary with your airline and read the Home Affairs transit-facilities guidance. Do not book sightseeing or an airport hotel on the assumption that a short stopover allows entry.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Brisbane Airport code?

BNE is the code used for Brisbane Airport in flight bookings and baggage information.

Can you walk between the terminals?

Plan to use terminal transport rather than a walking connection. Check the free bus timetable and leave time for the full transfer process.

Is Airtrain available overnight?

No. Check the timetable for your travel date before relying on it for an early departure or late arrival.

Can international transit passengers use an airport hotel?

Check entry permission before booking. Staying at a hotel outside the transit area requires you to meet the applicable requirements to clear immigration.

Before your trip

Confirm your terminal, travel documents, entry or transit requirements and onward arrangements before departure. Use current official guidance for visa decisions and application channels.

For questions about available support, contact Australian Immigration Services (auimmigration.org) to ask what assistance is available for your circumstances. This is an independent service, not an Australian Government website.