Brisbane Airport, Brisbane

1 more image

Brisbane International/Domestic Airport is functional - it doesn't deliver a "wow" kick but it doesn't warrant plenty of yawns too. It is a busy airport, operating 24 hours and is the largest capital city Airport in area in Australia. There are a number of DFSs as well as cafes and eateries for you to wear some time away.

And you will be pleased to know as a visitor, Brisbane Airport is located just 20 minutes from the CBD so no long torturous rides.

One of the easiest way to get into the city is to hop onto the Airtrain. It is very comfortable, cool, clean and effortless, connecting Domestic and International Airports with the city.

The same Airtrain also connects to The Gold Coast after passing through the City along the same line.

The price of the ticket is A$13.50 1 way from Airports to City (circa Aug 08) but you can actually grab cheaper tickets along Queen Street Mall at A$12 (which I did). You can also book online for the tickets and get a 10% discount.

Airports don’t excite most people, only the destinations to which they lead. Some are better than others though. Some are subject to curfews and so on.

Brisbane is fortunate to have the newest airport of all major Australian cities: it opened as recently as 1988 and replaced the (adjacent) Eagle Farm airport. There is scope to extend both its runways and terminals, to avoid future congestion – quite important, in view of the large traffic increases. The International Terminal is currently being expanded (see photo).

For travellers, a key consideration at Brisbane is that it is not subject to curfews, as is Sydney – this can be an important issue for international flight schedules. Domestically it also is the base for VirginBlue Airline and is well served by both Jetstar, Qantas and regional airlines, and has large modern terminals, so you can travel onwards from here to most Australian destinations with little difficulty. The airport is adjacent to the Gateway Motorway and a rail link provides a connection between terminals (see next tip) and from the airport to the City and to the Gold Coast.

Airport to Brisbane:
If you are driving into Brisbane from South or North - you don't need to go back into Brisbane City as the Motorway from the north and south coast gives you the option of going direct to the airport.
Or, there is a mono-rail which connects the airport to the city centre which leaves every couple of minutes. V. cool.

1 more image

Brisbane Airport, have you wondered how far it is from Brisbane? Yes?
Answer ...15kms [20mins] or from the Gold Coast, about 85kms or 45mins,

Sunshine coast is about 1hour, depending from where you are coming from. If from Noosa, allow approx 2hours.

Want to use the Internet whilst waiting,
No problem,Internet Kiosks are located on levels 2 and 3 of the International Terminal.

Baggage a problem?
There are now lockers available in all sizes at the International Terminal (ground floor at the entrance to the public carpark), a much needed addition.....
Here are the prices for 4hours.... Initial Fee Second Hire Period (4 hours) Additonal Fee Third Hire Period (16 hours) Total (24 hour period)

Small
$AUD 4.00 $AUD 2.00 $AUD 2.00 $AUD 8.00

Medium
$AUD 6.00 $AUD 2.00 $AUD 2.00 $AUD 10.00

Large
$AUD 8.00 $AUD 2.00 $AUD 2.00 $AUD 12.00

From oversea's and can't find you way around?
No need to worry, here we have Volunteer's who just love helping visitor's to Brisbane. Don't be afraid to go and ask for help!

In Transit?
I can vouch for the lovely, comfortable departures lounge, I just sink into them and relax, I am sure you will too! Don't feel like a sleep, well, the local television is on and there are desks for writing up your diary!

If you are here for a longer time, then there is a
FREE A NO 1 COURTESY BUS to the DFO SHOPPING CENTRE
which is a Direct Factory Outlet with a wide range of retail stores and eateries. It departs regularly from the International Terminal on Level 4 and the Airport Village bus stop, just a short 10min drive.

Hungry?
Plenty of options for food, most of them are on Level's 3&4, but one on Level 2.

Shopping
A good choice of duty free shopping

Money Exchange
Travelex for all types of money exchange, and they also have an ATM located on each level for Australian and foreign cash withdrawals.

Need a Car?
Hire car companies are located on Level 2.

If somebody is coming to pick you up, then tell them to come later than your arrival time, as the Airport car parking is very expensive.
I find it better for me to wait an extra 10mins outside at the pick-up and drop-off area, rather than them arriving early and paying a large fee.
Remember, Attendants will ask your friend or who ever is picking you up to move on if you are not there. It is just that, pick up....drop off!

The Airtrain from the Airport to Gold coast is express train, or if that is not available at the time you require, then catch the air train to the city, change at one of the city stations like Roma street or Central station to the Beenleigh line to Nerang, Robina or Varsity Lakes [the end of the line]
It is only a matter of changing lines, the one ticket of about $23 [2010] will cover the whole cost.
Trains to the Gold Coast depart half hourly
Be aware that the first train from the airport departs at 6:00am and the last train departs at 8:00pm

Please check this page for timetable...............
http://www.airtrain.com.au/timetable.php

The trains have plenty of space for luggage with lifts & escalators available at both airport stations to make life easier!

Time to reach Nerang would be about 1.5hours.

You will need to get off at Nerang then catch the shuttle bus to Surfers Paradise.
No train goes directly to the coast itself, where the beaches are.

Luggage Lockers are available at the International Terminal and there are also lockers located at the Village Markets and Roma Street Transit Centre in Brisbane City.

LOCKERS ARE NOT available at the Domestic Terminal.

Lockers are available 24 hours a day, [single use] and fees for them are by the size of the locker.
They can be paid for by .....
Credit card, AUD notes and coins

Prices and details..............

Initial Hire Period (4 hours) Initial Fee Second Hire Period (4 hours) Additonal Fee Third Hire Period (16 hours) Total (24 hour period)

Small Locker
$AUD 4.00 $AUD 2.00 $AUD 2.00 $AUD 8.00

Medium
$AUD 6.00 $AUD 2.00 $AUD 2.00 $AUD 10.00

Large
$AUD 8.00 $AUD 2.00 $AUD 2.00 $AUD 12.00

At the nearby Airport village, limited amount of lockers are also available at the Village Markets, which are located approximately 6 kilometres from the domestic terminal and approximately 3 kilometres from The International Terminal.
They are located to the right hand side of the Woolworth's supermarket entrance, might be handy if you are doing some shopping at DFO!

Lockers are available from Monday to Friday between 7am and 10pm and Saturday and Sunday between 7am and 7pm and are coin operated.

Located close to the Airport is the DFO & AIRPORT VILLAGE........
Direct Factory Outlets [DFO] are Brisbane's biggest outlet sale super stores, with the Airport DFO having 120 individual stores. Located here is a food court for that snack or lunch!

Hours are 7 days : 10am to 6pm.

It is located at 1 Airport Drive, which is only 4kms from the Airport.

The Brisbane Airport has a complimentary [orange] courtesy bus which runs every 20mins between the International Airport and DFO & AIRPORT VILLAGE from 6.30am to 6.30pm

Want to get to and from the Brisbane Airport without hassles? the the Airtrain is the best way to go.
It is only a 20 minute journey from the Airport to the City Centre. It also services both the International and the Domestic Airports.

If you are travelling to or from a suburban station, then you will have a change of Trains, but going from the City to the Airport is direct.

Tickets can be bought before you leave home through your Travel Agent, or at the Airport and Train Stations and online.
You CANNNOT book your ticket TO THE AIRPORT ONLINE.

The Trains run on time as it has its own track, in the air, Hence the name "Airtrain" The Trains stop at five stations in the city, they are, Roma Street, South Brisbane, South Bank, Central Station and Fortitude Valley.

It is cheaper than a Taxi, cost in 2009 was $14aus.
The website is excellent, will tell you everything you need to know