How to get around Brisbane

Brisbane may be affectionately known as a big country town, but believe us when we say this city has definitely grown up.  Getting around Brisbane is pretty easy and with more infrastructure on the way, it is only going to get better.  If you are coming to visit this beautiful River City, we have put together a list of options to get you from A to B.

Let's start with the most cost effective and hassle free option, walking. Say what? yes walking. The wonderful thing about Brisbane is the city itself is not as vast as Sydney or Melbourne and because the river wraps around, it makes for a beautiful trail around the river walk.  There are green bridges that also connect the CBD to Southbank so connectivity has never been better.  Also, think of all those steps you will get in.. winning.

Buses are everywhere in Brisbane and the network can get you where ever you need to be. The biggest thing to remember is to purchase a Go Card. You will actually need a go card for trains and also the CityCats. There are very few buses these days that will accept cash onboard or contactless payment to purchase your fare.   Go Cards can be purchased from most newsagencies, 7-Eleven stores and train stations.  If you would like a list of participating outlets just click HERE.  Translink is the best way to pre-plan your journey. You can simply enter your start, end location and also what time you wish to leave or arrive and Translink will do the rest.  It is that simple. There is also a FREE Brisbane City loop bus that runs in two directions around the CBD running every 10 minutes from any red city bus stop. They run between 7am and 6pm Monday - Friday.

If you are a little more adventurous you could try your hand at hiring a Neuron or Lime scooter from around the CBD or city fringes. With dedicated shared walkways and bike tracks, it makes it perfect for scootering.  Neuron has a pay per ride rate that varies between 0.45AUD to 1AUD per minute.  Pending how long you are staying in Brisbane you can also purchase a 3-day, weekly, or even a monthly pass and ride as many times as you wish. Lime charges a fixed rate to unlock a vehicle and then per minute as you ride. Rates and promotions may vary by city, day of the week and time of day. Download the Lime app for costs by tapping on a vehicle on the map.  Please remember helmets are mandatory.

Rideshare is available in Brisbane with Uber, Didi and Ola.  You will often find that some drivers work across multiple apps so really the choice is yours. Some of them run specials or promotional offers on select times or days of the week, so download the apps for more information.  The Brisbane taxi services are either 13cabs or Black and White.  13cabs allows you to book online, over the phone or via their app. Black and White cabs also have an app you can download.

Trains would be recommended more for those that wish to get out of Brisbane for a day trip.  You can go as far as Ipswich, Sunshine Coast, or the Gold Coast.  The train is also a good way of getting to and from the airport as there is a station at the terminal.  Click through to Translink for more information.

For those not in a hurry, you may like to jump on a CityCat to tour your way around Brisbane via the river.   You will find ferry stops all along the river, allowing you to hop on and off at your leisure.  There are a total of 23 terminals that finish and start between The University of Queensland at St Lucia and Northshore, Hamilton.  If you are interested in a speedier ride, there are the SpeedyCats that operate express services during peak hours each week.   Just remember to touch on and off with your go card each time. Just like the buses, there is also a FREE CityHopper that allows you to rediscover Brisbane.  These services run every 25 minutes between 5.30 am and midnight 7 days a week.

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