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Brisbane to the Gold Coast by Train: The Gold Coast Line
Beach day, minus the M1 traffic.
13 June 2026 · 5 min read
The Gold Coast line is the great Brisbane escape hatch: a single train that trades the M1 car park for a window seat all the way to the coast. Whether it's a beach day, the footy at Robina, or a theme-park run, the train usually beats driving once you factor in parking.
Here's how the line works, where it'll drop you, and how to reach the bits the train doesn't quite touch. When you're ready, the trip planner will give you live times for your exact stations.
Where the line goes
Gold Coast line trains run from the Brisbane city stations — Roma Street, Central and Bowen Hills — south through Beenleigh and on to the coast, finishing at Varsity Lakes. The southern stations are the useful ones to know: Coomera, Helensvale, Nerang, Robina and Varsity Lakes.
Each opens up a different slice of the coast: Coomera for the theme parks and Westfield, Helensvale for the light rail (more on that below), Robina for the town centre and the stadium, and Varsity Lakes for the southern end.
Getting to Surfers Paradise and the beach
Here's the key trick: the heavy-rail line runs inland, not along the beachfront. To reach Surfers Paradise or Broadbeach, take the train to Helensvale and change to the G:link light rail, which glides right down the coast strip.
It's one easy transfer, and the same fare system covers both. Let the trip planner stitch the train and tram together so you can see the whole door-to-beach journey in one go.
How long it takes, and what it costs
Brisbane city to Varsity Lakes is roughly an hour and a half, depending on the service and how many stops it makes — express runs are quicker. Rather than trust a round number, check the live time for your specific stations before you leave.
And the best part: it's a standard TransLink trip, so the whole run is covered by the flat 50¢ fare — a detail we never get tired of mentioning in our 50¢ fares guide.
- City to coast: about 1.5 hours to Varsity Lakes — check live times for your trip.
- For Surfers Paradise / Broadbeach: train to Helensvale, then the G:link tram.
- Flat 50¢ fare the whole way (the Airtrain to the airport is the one exception on this corridor).
Coming home
Heading back late after a day or night on the coast? Services thin out in the evening, so it's worth checking the last one before you settle in for that final drink. Our last service home tool finds the latest safe train back to your Brisbane stop so the beach day doesn't end in a very expensive rideshare.
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Plan your trip →Common questions
How long does the train take from Brisbane to the Gold Coast?
Roughly an hour and a half from the Brisbane city stations to Varsity Lakes, depending on the service and number of stops — express runs are faster. Check the live time for your specific stations before travelling.
How do I get to Surfers Paradise by train?
The Gold Coast heavy-rail line runs inland, so take the train to Helensvale and change to the G:link light rail, which runs along the coast through Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach. The same fare system covers both.
Where does the Gold Coast line end?
The Gold Coast line terminates at Varsity Lakes, at the southern end, after stops including Coomera, Helensvale, Nerang and Robina.
Is the Brisbane to Gold Coast train 50 cents?
Yes. It's a standard TransLink service, so the flat 50-cent fare applies regardless of distance. The only exception on this corridor is the separately-run Airtrain to Brisbane Airport.