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Are Brisbane Fares Still 50 Cents?
Still 50c. Checked against TransLink on 3 August 2026.
From GoThere Brisbane, the free live journey planner for South East Queensland.
Updated 3 August 2026 · 5 min read
Yes. As of 3 August 2026, public transport across South East Queensland is still a flat 50 cent fare, and it applies however far you go. Most pages answering this question were written when the fare was announced and never revisited, which is why so many people end up asking whether it is still current.
Here is what the fare covers today, the one service it does not, where children and seniors travel free, and how confident you can be that it stays this way.
Is it still 50 cents? Yes, as at 3 August 2026
We check this against TransLink's own fares page rather than repeating an announcement. On the date above, the flat 50 cent fare was current across the network, with no expiry date published.
On whether it lasts: the Queensland Government has said the fare is permanent, and there is legislation before parliament dealing with fare changes, including a proposal that the public get 28 days' notice of any increase. That is a political commitment rather than something we can promise you, so this page carries the date it was last verified instead of claiming the fare is fixed forever. If you are reading this a long way past that date, treat it as a strong indication rather than gospel.
What 50¢ covers
The flat 50¢ fare applies across all zones on bus, train, ferry, tram and on demand services in South East Queensland, plus regional urban buses elsewhere in Queensland. 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.
Who travels free
The flat fare replaced the old discount structure, so the concession rate is effectively suspended: nearly everyone pays the same 50c whether or not they hold a concession card. A few groups do better than that.
Children under 4 travel free at all times. Children aged 5 to 14 travel free on weekends with an orange child go card, and pay the flat 50c on weekdays. Seniors with a valid card continue to travel free on Brisbane City Council buses during off-peak times.
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.
- The Airtrain to the airport is the exception, and charges its own much higher fare.
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Plan your trip →Common questions
Are Brisbane train fares still 50 cents?
Yes. Checked against TransLink's own fares page on 3 August 2026, the flat 50 cent fare was current with no published end date, and it applies across all zones on train, bus, ferry, tram and on demand services in South East Queensland. The Queensland Government has said the fare is permanent. This page carries the date it was last verified, because a fare is set by policy rather than by anything we can see in a live feed.
Is Brisbane public transport free?
No, but it is close. Nearly every trip costs a flat 50 cents however far you travel. Children under 4 travel free at all times, children aged 5 to 14 travel free on weekends with an orange child go card, and seniors with a valid card travel free on Brisbane City Council buses during off-peak times.
Is the Brisbane to Gold Coast train 50 cents?
Yes. The fare is flat across all zones, so the run down the Gold Coast line to Varsity Lakes costs the same 50 cents as a single stop in the city. It is one of the best value long trips on any network in the country.
Is every Brisbane public transport trip 50 cents?
Almost. The flat fare applies to standard TransLink trains, buses, ferries and trams 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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