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Brisbane's 50¢ Public Transport Fares, Explained
Possibly the best value in Australian transport.
4 June 2026 · 5 min read
Fifty cents. That is the fare for a train, bus or ferry trip across most of South East Queensland, one of the best deals in Australian public transport and reason enough to leave the car at home.
Here is how the flat fare works, where it applies, and the one place it does not.
What 50¢ covers
The flat 50¢ fare applies to standard TransLink services: Queensland Rail trains, Brisbane buses, and the CityCat and ferry network. It does not matter how many zones you cross. A quick hop and a long haul out to the Gold Coast line cost the same.
You still tap on and tap off as usual with a go card or contactless card. The flat fare is applied automatically, so there is no special ticket to buy.
The one exception: the Airtrain
The Airtrain to Brisbane Airport is run separately and charges its own, much higher fare, so it is not part of the 50¢ deal. If you are weighing up the train versus a bus-and-walk to the terminal, our route planner flags when an Airtrain fare applies so there are no surprises.
How to make the most of it
When trips are this cheap, it makes sense to optimise for comfort and time rather than money. Take the CityCat for the scenic route, try a different line on a whim, or use live departures to catch the next service without overthinking the cost.
It also makes spontaneous trips painless, because a 50¢ fare is not something you need to plan around.
- Always tap off: miss it and you will pay a higher default fare instead of 50¢.
- The fare is the same on a go card or a contactless bank card.
- Fares and deals change, so check TransLink for the current rate before a big trip.
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Plan your trip →Common questions
Is every Brisbane public transport trip 50 cents?
The flat fare applies to standard TransLink trains, buses and ferries regardless of distance. The Airtrain to Brisbane Airport is operated separately and charges its own fare, so it is not included.
Do I still need to tap off with the flat fare?
Yes. You must tap on and tap off every trip. If you forget to tap off, you'll be charged a higher default fare rather than the flat 50-cent rate.
Does the 50-cent fare work with a contactless card?
Yes. You get the same flat fare whether you use a go card or tap on and off with a contactless debit/credit card or phone on supported services.
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