Brisbane Layover Guide (BNE)

What are you looking for in BNE?
Tours/To do | Relax/Sleep | Internet/SIM | Transport | Storage | Money

Brisbane Airport (BNE) is an international airport located in Brisbane, Queensland. It’s situated about 14 km (8.7 miles) from downtown Brisbane. The airport officially opened in 1988. Brisbane is the third-largest city in Australia and is known for its vibrant lifestyle and warm climate. It offers a mix of urban culture and outdoor experiences, making it a popular destination for both business and leisure travelers.

Can you leave Brisbane Airport (BNE) airport during a layover? Do you need a visa?
Passengers on layovers at Brisbane Airport may leave the terminal only if they hold a valid Australian visa—either a Visitor visa (subclass 600/eVisitor) or a Transit visa (subclass 771). Most travelers need pre-approval before arrival. Apply online to confirm eligibility, obtain authorization, and bring visa grant and documentation before landing. (more info)

Tours, Things to do, Sightseeing

Layover Guide Organized Tours

Layover Guide Things to do / Sightseeing

• South Bank Parklands Escape to lush riverside South Bank Parklands with rainforest walks, lagoon swimming, weekend markets and riverside eateries perfect for relaxation. Official site (Time required: 2 hours / Airport to here: Airtrain to South Brisbane Station + 5-minute walk)
• Brisbane City Botanic Gardens Discover heritage-listed Botanic Gardens’ tranquil pathways, ornamental ponds and majestic fig trees offering urban serenity. Wander shaded avenues, explore the historic lookout and enjoy riverside views daily. (Time required: 1 hour / Airport to here: Airtrain to Central Station + 8-minute walk)
• Story Bridge Adventure Climb Conquer Brisbane’s iconic Story Bridge on a guided climb offering 360° city and river panoramas. Thrill-seekers will love dawn or dusk tours illuminating the skyline. Official site (Time required: 2½–3 hours / Airport to here: Taxi ~20 minutes)
• Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park Admire dramatic river views from Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park, picnic on grassy terraces or try beginner-friendly abseiling. Sunset here is unforgettable. (Time required: 1½ hours / Airport to here: Taxi ~20 minutes)
• CityHopper River Cruise Hop aboard the free CityHopper ferry for a leisurely cruise along Brisbane River, passing landmarks from New Farm to South Bank with onboard commentary. (Time required: 1 hour / Airport to here: Airtrain to North Quay + 3-minute walk)
• QAGOMA Explore world-class exhibitions at Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art showcasing contemporary and classic works across rotating collections and free public programs. Official site (Time required: 1½ hours / Airport to here: Airtrain to South Brisbane Station + 7-minute walk)
• Queen Street Mall Shop and dine along Australia’s longest pedestrian shopping mall featuring major brands, boutique stores and alfresco cafés ideal for a quick retail fix. (Time required: 1–2 hours / Airport to here: Airtrain to Central Station + 2-minute walk)
• Eat Street Northshore Savour global street food at Eat Street Northshore’s shipping-container stalls, live music and waterfront vibes adding a festive twist to your layover meal. Official site (Time required: 2 hours / Airport to here: Taxi ~25 minutes)

Things to Do in Brisbane Airport (BNE)

Relaxing and Sleeping

Airport Lounges and Relaxing
Brisbane Airport features airline-specific and pay-per-use lounges in both terminals. Options include Qantas, Virgin Australia, Emirates, Air New Zealand, Plaza Premium and Escape Lounges. Facilities offer locally inspired menus, complimentary drinks, barista coffee, showers, Wi-Fi, charging stations and work areas. Access by ticket class, membership or single-use purchase. » view all lounges or buy a lounge pass or membership online

Hotel and Sleeping
Three on-site hotels—ibis, Novotel and Pullman—sit within the Skygate precinct, minutes from both terminals. Each offers airport shuttle links, on-site dining, pool and fitness facilities, 24-hour reception and conference rooms. Rooms range from standard to executive suites, catering to quick layovers and extended stays alike. view all or book an airport hotel online

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Rest Area and Sleeping in Airport
For overnight terminal stays, Brisbane Airport recommends memory-foam pillows or improvised hoodie pillows and extra layers for cool air-conditioning. A 24-hour Woolworths and vending machines supply snacks; The Coffee Club opens until midnight. Free Wi-Fi renews every 30 minutes, ideal for downloading entertainment or catching up on work between flights.

WIFI/Internet and SIM Card

WIFI/Internet: Brisbane Airport provides free public Wi-Fi in both terminals. Sessions last 30 minutes per login, renewable unlimited times. Secure networks cover seating zones, shops and dining areas. Lounges and workstations in Aspire and pay-per-use lounges offer complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi and plentiful charging points, ensuring connectivity for casual browsing or business tasks.

SIM/eSIM Card: Physical SIMs from Vodafone and Optus are sold in the arrival hall of the International Terminal, open daily. Prepaid plans start at AUD 6.80 for 4 GB (Vodafone) or AUD 25 for 60 GB and unlimited calls/text (Optus). eSIM options, like Smartroam, offer instant activation and Telstra network coverage for travelers. » buy a global esim card for Layover Guide, that you can use for other countries as well!

Transportation to/from airport

Taxi: Official taxi stands sit outside both Domestic and International Terminals, manned 24/7 with Kerbside Officers during peak periods. Services are provided by 13cabs and Black & White Cabs, metered with luggage and toll surcharges. Average one-way fare to the CBD runs around AUD 50–60; payment by card or cash.

Train: Airtrain operates two stations—International and Domestic—adjacent to each terminal. Trains run every 15 minutes to Brisbane CBD and Gold Coast, with stops at South Bank and Fortitude Valley. Journey time to the city is about 20 minutes; a one-way adult fare is approximately AUD 19.80. (more info)

Bus: A free inter-terminal Skygate shuttle links both terminals, DFO and Novotel. From Skygate, TransLink bus route 590 departs to Toombul Interchange, connecting to Brisbane’s wider network. Buses run seven days a week; tickets and timetables available via TransLink. (more info)

Shuttle: Con-x-ion provides door-to-door shuttle transfers across Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. Pick-up and drop-off points are the Visitor Information desk in the International Terminal and the Virgin end forecourt at the Domestic Terminal. Tickets can be bought online or at terminal kiosks for seamless group or solo transfers.

Car rentals: Major car hire brands—Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Thrifty and Enterprise—operate on-airport counters: Level 1 baggage claim in the Domestic Terminal and Level 2 arrivals in the International Terminal. Off-airport providers offer transfer shuttles from clearly signed pick-up zones. In-vehicle toll tags and optional navigation systems are available. view available cars or rent a car now online

Parking: Brisbane Airport offers four 24/7 multi-level car parks: short-term and long-term at both terminals, plus AIRPARK off-site. Short-stay rates start at AUD 4 per 15 minutes, with daily caps of AUD 72; long-stay rates begin at AUD 2 for the first 15 minutes and AUD 55 for 4–24 hours. Valet parking at the Domestic Terminal.

Luggage Storage & Lockers

Self-service lockers are available 24/7 at Domestic and International Terminals and the Skygate Centre. Sizes: small (430×300×285 mm) at AUD 10/day, medium (430×605×355 mm) at AUD 16/day, and large (550×940×420 mm) at AUD 20/day. Lockers use unique PIN codes; attended storage runs 5 am–1 am at International arrivals. » book a luggage storage or locker at online (subject to availability).

Money Exchange and Withdrawal

- Brisbane Airport (BNE) ATMs, currency exchanges and banks