Frequently Asked Questions

Frequency and Locations

When do the trains operate?

Airtrain operates seven days a week. The Domestic and International Airtrain stations are staffed and open from 4:50am weekdays and 5:50am weekends until the last train at 10:04pm from Domestic Airtrain station and 10:08 pm from International Airtrain station, every day of the year.

Does Airtrain operate on Public Holidays?

Yes, Airtrain operates every day of the year. On Public Holidays our trains run on the Sunday timetable or as otherwise outlined in our online timetable. The timetables are current and any special timetables for public holidays are usually updated online a month before the event.

How often do trains depart from the Brisbane Airport?

Trains depart every 15 minutes in peak periods and every 30 minutes in non-peak, Monday to Friday. All services on Saturday and Sunday operate every 30 minutes. Please refer to the online Airtrain timetable for a full list of up-to-date departure and arrival times.

Where are the train stations located at Brisbane Airport Terminals?

Both stations are located within easy walking distance from the Brisbane Airport Terminals. For the Domestic Airtrain station, make your way to the Skywalk (covered walkway) outside the terminal for the station and ticket office. There are escalators, travelators and lifts from the ground level of the Domestic Airport for ease of access. The International Airtrain station is located on Level 3 of the Airport’s International terminal, with easy access via a covered walkway.

Can I purchase tickets at the Airtrain stations on the day of travel?

Yes, Airtrain tickets are available for purchase at the Domestic and International Airport stations for same day travel.

Tickets and Payments

Can I buy a return ticket even if my flight arrives at the Brisbane International terminal but I’m leaving from the Domestic terminal?

Yes, our return tickets are flexible. You can use your return ticket to or from either of the Airport terminals.

Is there a discount for booking online?

Airtrain has a variety of offers and discounts available, when you make your booking online the website will automatically calculate the cheapest fare for you! For information see Offers & Discounts.

Why have I not received a confirmation email?

Your confirmation email should arrive within 10 minutes of making a successful booking. If you have not received your email in this time and it hasn’t appeared in your Junk Mail folder, please email [email protected] or call freecall 1800 119 091 and quote your reservation number so the confirmation can be re-sent.

How long does my eTicket remain valid?

The eTicket is valid for two days either side of the travel date on the ticket. It can only be used for one journey.

The eTicket I bought has my name on it. Can someone else use it?

Yes. The Airtrain eTickets are fully transferable

What is an eTicket?

When tickets are purchased online with Airtrain, an eTicket is issued. A bar-coded ticket with a booking reservation number will be sent by email once the online purchase has been completed. This ticket can either be printed at home and presented to the station staff to be scanned as a valid ticket for travel, uploaded using the link in the email to your smartphone for scanning, and added to your Apple Wallet or Google Wallet.

Do I receive a ticket when I book online?

Yes. You will receive an email with an eTicket attached which can be printed for scanning or use the link provided to upload your eTicket to your smartphone. You will need to present your eTicket at the beginning and end of your journey.
Please Note: Airtrain do not confirm a train time when you book online. Your ticket is valid for any train service on the date booked

What forms of payment are accepted?

Our ticket offices accept cash, debit cards, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, and UnionPay. You can also use PayWave at our Domestic and International Airport stations.
Our website accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and PayPal. Apple Pay and Google Pay are also available.

Can I purchase tickets online if I’m traveling from my local train station to the airport?

Airtrain's eTickets can be purchased online for travel from any station to and from the Brisbane Airport. Simply print your ticket before you travel and have it with you when travelling, or upload the eTicket to your smartphone using the link in the confirmation email.

How much does an Airtrain ticket cost?

Airtrain ticket prices vary, depending on the station of your destination or departure. You can use our fare calculator to get a price and then book your ticket.

Smart Ticketing FAQs

What is Smart Ticketing?

How do I use Smart Ticketing?

Remove your physical card from your wallet or have your smart device ready to tap.
Tap your card or smart device at the start of your journey in the centre of the validator screen and wait for a message to be displayed. You don't need to physically touch the screen.
- A large white tick, green lights, and a positive sound means your tap was accepted.
- A large white cross with red lights and a negative sound means your tap was declined. If your tap was declined, you can try again, use a different payment method or purchase a paper ticket.
- A large white tick with orange lights and an alert tone means your tap was accepted, but there’s something regarding your account that requires attention. You should check your go card account online or contact Translink on 13 12 30.
Tap off with the same card or smart device at the end of your journey in the centre of the validator screen and wait for a message to be displayed. If you do not tap off at the end of your journey (or use a different payment when using Smart Ticketing), you will be charged a default fare for your travel. You will need to contact Translink on 13 12 30 to discuss a fare adjustment.

If you need to cancel your travel, simply tap the same payment method at the same station within 20 minutes of your first tap to successfully cancel your tap. There is no charge for cancelling a tap.

What payments are accepted on Smart Ticketing devices?

Smart Ticketing payment methods include contactless Visa, Mastercard or American Express debit or credit cards. These can be used as a physical card, or a card stored in the digital wallet of your smartphone, smart watch, or other wearable devices. The digital wallet includes Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay but must be linked to a Visa, Mastercard, or American Express card. Smart Ticketing devices also accept go card (including child and concession), go explore, and go seeQ.
Customers using Smart Ticketing payment methods will be charged the same adult go card fare.
The Smart Ticketing devices do not accept prepaid debit or credit cards, gift cards, paper tickets, Airtrain ticket books, Airport staff weekly tickets, Airport staff ticket books, or Airtrain e-Tickets. Please see an attendant at the station to assist you.

How do I travel on a concession fare?

You will need to travel on a concession go card, or purchase a paper ticket from the station. Smart Ticketing will be available for concession fares when fully rolled out.

How do I request a refund?

To request a refund, call Translink on 13 12 30. You will need to provide Translink with:

The station and time you tapped on
The card or device details you tapped on
A copy of your Airtrain ticket (if applicable).

How do I check my trip history for Smart Ticketing payment methods?

If you have an enquiry regarding fares paid using Smart Ticketing payment methods and you would like to check your trip history, you will need to call Translink on 13 12 30. Airtrain station staff cannot access this information.

How will Smart Ticketing payments appear on my bank statement?

You will see an aggregated fare charge for all trips taken over a 24-hour period on your bank statement.
Mastercard and American Express: On the day that you use your Mastercard or American Express to tap on and off, a $1.00 authorisation fee will temporarily appear on your bank account. This is a temporary authorisation fee only and will not be charged to your account or appear on your bank statement. The authorisation will remain on your account until the final aggregated fares for the day are charged to your account. Depending on your bank, it may take a few days before this final fare is charged to your account and the $1.00 authorisation is removed from your account.
Visa: Visa uses a different account verification method, and a $0.00 authorisation fee will temporarily appear on your bank account.
For more information on banking fees, charges and transactions, please contact your financial institution.
For more information on Smart Ticketing visit translink.com.au

How do I obtain an activity statement for tax purposes?

Your activity statement will show your travel history and associated fares for tax purposes. To request an activity statement for tax purposes, you will need to call Translink on 13 12 30. Airtrain station staff cannot access this information.
You will need to provide Translink with:

Your dates of travel to be shown on the activity statement
Your email address for the activity statement can be emailed to you

Please note that it can take up to 10 business days to receive the activity statement.

Cancellations and Refunds

How do I request a Smart Ticketing refund?

Smart Ticketing is the new Translink ticketing system that allows you to pay with your Visa, Mastercard, and American Express debit and credit cards at a station gate or validator. These can be a physical card, or a card stored in the digital wallet of your smartphone, smart watch, or other wearable devices.
Smart Ticketing is not yet available at the Brisbane Airport Domestic or Brisbane Airport International train stations.
If you travel from another station using Smart Ticketing, you will need to purchase a valid ticket for your journey from the ticket office on arrival and seek a refund from Translink. To request a refund, call Translink on 13 12 30. You will need to provide Translink with:

The station and time you tapped on
The card or device details you tapped on
A copy of your Airtrain ticket (if applicable).

Is it possible to get a refund on my eTicket?

Refunds are permitted under certain circumstances - See Cancellation and Refunds for more information in our Terms and Conditions.

I have made a purchase online for an eTicket, can I cancel the booking?

Bookings cannot be cancelled online, however you can email [email protected] to request a cancellation. Airtrain Terms and Conditions apply.

Queensland Rail and Airtrain Services

How much CO2 emissions do I save by using the Airtrain?

We are serious about the environmental benefits of using the train to get to the airport. Our emission savings are calculated by analysing every ticket sold and the track distance from the airport to the QLD Rail station. For example; from Brisbane International Station to Central station, a journey length of 14.44kms you will save 0.43kg CO2 emissions.

What is an Airtrain City station?

Airtrain City stations include: Eagle Junction, Wooloowin, Albion, Bowen Hills, Fortitude Valley, Central Station, Roma Street, and South Brisbane.

Will I have to change trains to get to my destination?

If you are travelling to or from the Gold Coast or Brisbane City, you will not need to change trains. When travelling from Queensland Rail suburban stations to or from the Brisbane Airport, you will need to change trains to an Airtrain service. Please see the Network Map for the best station to change trains at the platform required. Additional cues are also provided on trains and at the stations.

Is Airtrain a part of Queensland Rail?

Airtrain is a privately owned and operated company. We work very closely with Queensland Rail to provide a safe, reliable and cost effective service to and from the Brisbane Airport.

go Card

Can I purchase a go Card at the Airtrain Stations?

Adult, Concession (except for Post-secondary student), Senior, and Child go Cards can be purchased at the Airport stations. For more information please click here.

What go Card facilities are available at the Airtrain stations?

At the Domestic and International Airport stations you can top-up, check balance, change expiry date (within the 3 month grace period), and obtain a refund on the go Card deposit/ balance. To obtain a refund the go card must be in credit and it is limited to a maximum of $50.
Please note: that priority will be given for customers travelling on the departing train before refunds can be processed.

Do I get a discount when using my go Card on Airtrain?

There is no discount when using a go Card. Please see www.translink.com.au for the fares charged by Translink when using a go Card to travel with Airtrain.

Can I use my go Card on the Airtrain?

Yes, you can use a go Card at both the Domestic and International Airport stations, as well as when you’re travelling between the Airport and any South East Queensland rail station.

Travel for families and children

What is the age range for a child fare?

The child fare applies for children aged 5yrs-14yrs (inclusive). Children under 4 years travel free of charge to any of the stations, and children aged 5yrs-14yrs travel free when traveling to and from the Airtrain Brisbane City stations (when travelling with an adult on a paper or eTicket, this does not apply to go card travel).

Is there a discount for children if I book online?

All children aged 14 and under travel free* between Airtrain's Brisbane Airport and Brisbane City stations (when travelling with an adult on a paper or eTicket, this does not apply to go card travel). If travelling to any suburban station including Gold Coast stations, the fare charged on the website is only the Translink portion of the fare.
*T&Cs apply.

Airport staff travel

I work at the Airport, can I get a discount to use the Airtrain?

Yes, we offer discounted Airtrain tickets for all workers of the Brisbane Airport Precinct. Please click here for more information.

Concession and companion fares

Does Airtrain accept Companion Card?

Yes, one (1) carer can travel free to all Brisbane City and Suburban stations when travelling with a Companion Card holder. However, the Companion Card holder requires a valid ticket to travel.
For more information and the list of applicable concession cards please click here.

What concession cards does Airtrain accept?

Concession fares do not apply for travel between Brisbane Airport and Brisbane City stations. Concession fares only apply when travelling to and from Brisbane Suburban stations.
Please Note: You are unable to purchase a concession fare online.
For more information and the list of applicable concession cards please click here.

Brisbane Airport Facilities

How do I get to Skygate & Direct Factory Outlet (DFO)?

Use the free courtesy bus outside the Brisbane Domestic and International Airport terminals. See www.bne.com.au for details.

Are lockers available at Brisbane Airport?

Lockers are available at both the International & Domestic Airports. See www.bne.com.au for details.

On-board experience and wheelchair accessibility

Can animals travel on the train?

For the safety and comfort of all passengers, animals are not permitted on any Airtrain or Queensland Rail train service, even if they are in travel cases. We do however, allow guide, hearing and assistance dogs (that are trained and registered in accordance to the Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act 2009) to travel with Airtrain.

Is there room for luggage on the train?

Yes, there is space for luggage on the train, most oversized luggage (such as prams, golf clubs, surfboards, and pushbikes) can be catered for. Train carriages also have fold-away seating to accommodate wheelchairs.

Are Airport luggage trolleys allowed on the train?

No, trolleys are not allowed on the train services.

Are Airport stations Wheelchair accessible?

Airtrain’s Airport stations were purposely built to accommodate passengers needing wheelchair access. Both the Domestic and International Airport stations have lifts provided.
For more information, please click here.

Service updates and track work

If these passengers are at a station during the closure requiring assistance, what do they do?

If you are at the Domestic or International Airport stations, please see a staff member for assistance.
If you are at any other Queensland Rail station, please call 13 16 17, or SMS 0428 774 636 for assistance.

Do you require wheelchair accessible services during this time?

If you are at the Domestic or International Airport station, please see a staff member for assistance.
If you are travelling from any other Queensland Rail station, prior to the closure please call 13 16 17, or SMS 0428 774 636 for assistance.

What times do the rail replacement buses leave?

Please refer to the service update page for information on track work. Use the translink journey planner. to find your fastest travel option.

Do I have to pay for the bus service?

Yes, you need to travel use a valid ticket (go card, a paper ticket, or an eTicket) to travel on any service.

What can I catch instead of the train?

Please refer to service update page for information on track work which will identify what service will be available.

Lost Property Information

I lost something on my journey, how do I retrieve it?

Please email [email protected], fill in a contact us form, or call freecall 1800 119 091 to enquire about lost property at Airtrain. To enquire about lost property found on rail replacement buses, at Queensland Rail stations, and on rail services please phone Queensland Rail on 13 16 17.