Brisbane Travel Guide

Getting Around Brisbane

There are three main types of public transport in Brisbane: buses, trains and ferries (CityCats). Bus routes may be somewhat complicated for visitors, but they do cover most of the city. Buses need to be flagged down and will not automatically stop at bus stops. A free bus service covers the Downtown Loop from 6am to 6pm, serviced by distinctive red buses. Trains are quick and efficient, covering most of the city and suburbs. Most popular with visitors is the 14-stop CityCat ferry system, which serves points along the Brisbane River. Ticketing for all forms of transport is cheap, and works on a zoning system. A variety of passes, including a Go card, day and ten-trip saver passes, are available. Cycling is a popular option, and the city has 311 miles (500km) of dedicated cycle-paths. Trains, buses and ferries are equipped to carry bicycles. Brisbane''s taxicabs are either yellow or black & white, found in ranks in the city centre and near most major hotels. Taxis may be pre-booked or flagged and fares are around $1.40 per kilometre. Driving a car in the city centre can be confusing because it consists mainly of a grid of one-way streets. There are parkades available downtown.

The CityCat system sustained significant damage during the floods of January 2011. A rebuilding plan is underway, and is expected to be completed by mid-2012.