Do trains and buses run on public holidays?
Live holiday timetable announcements · updates automatically
Short answer: yes, Brisbane's network keeps running on public holidays — just less often, on a reduced holiday timetable. The longer answer depends on which holiday, and that's what this page tracks: the live panel below shows the current holiday arrangements the moment TransLink announces them.
How holiday timetables work
On a public holiday the network typically drops to a Sunday-style service: trains and main bus routes keep running with longer waits, peak-hour extras stand down, and ferries run their weekend pattern. The practical rule: don't trust your weekday muscle memory. Check the live departures board before you leave, and plan trips with the journey planner, which uses the actual day's timetable.
Heading out on the holiday?
Holidays are when Brisbane actually uses its network for fun — the venue guides cover getting to the theme parks, South Bank and the big days out, and if the night runs long, last service home knows the reduced timetable's final departures too. School breaks change the buses differently — that's the school holiday guide.
Public holiday questions
Do trains run on Christmas Day in Brisbane?+
Public transport generally keeps running on public holidays, including Christmas Day, but to a reduced holiday timetable with longer gaps between services. The exact arrangements are announced ahead of each holiday — the live panel above shows them once posted, and the journey planner reflects them on the day.
What timetable do buses run on a public holiday?+
Holiday timetables are usually similar to a Sunday service: everything still runs, just less often, and some peak-only routes take the day off. Check the live departures board on the day rather than assuming your usual times.
Is there extra transport on Anzac Day?+
Anzac Day is a special case: alongside the holiday timetable, extra early services often run for dawn services and marches. Watch the live panel here in the lead-up, and check the big event nights guide for how special-event services work.
How early are holiday arrangements announced?+
TransLink typically posts holiday timetable alerts days to weeks ahead. Because this page reads the live feed, the current holiday's arrangements appear here automatically as soon as they're published.
More live guides
🎒 School holiday bus timetables →
What changes on the buses each school break, live for the current holidays.
⛈️ Storms, flooding & your commute →
What Brisbane weather does to ferries, buses and trains, with live alerts.
🎡 Ekka transport & Exhibition station →
Brisbane's only special-event train station, and getting to the show without parking.
🎆 Big event nights: getting home →
Riverfire, NYE, Origin — the extra services running now and your way home.
Live information on this page comes from TransLink's service alerts feed and updates automatically. Plan any trip with the journey planner.