Brisbane to Gold Coast Transfer

[chrisb]

Does anyone have a recommendation for BNE to Gold Coast Hotel transfer? We'll be arriving at 6.20am (ish.. it's qantas) from Perth, so simple would be good. I doubt I'll have much patience after being up for 24 hours...

I'm aware of the AirTrain - I'm wondering if a bus transfer might be quicker/simpler.

I did search for this - i'm surprised I didn't find an answer.

 

[Blackswan]

I've always gone with Airtrain - trains every half an hour or so, pretty fast, clean and no need to transfer trains.

Depending on where you're staying on the coast will depend on which station you hop off. If its in Central Surfers, then hop off at Nerang - connecting with a Surfside bus.

If its anywhere between Burleigh and Tweed Heads, then hop off at Robina, and connect with Surfside Bus.

I know Con-X-ion run quite a few transfer services between the airports, but you will have to check their website.

I've done the overnighter from PER many times, and found the train more than adequate.

 

[Mal]

Have a look at CoachTrans as well:

Coachtrans Australia

 

[Dave Noble]

I would go for hiring a car

Dave

 

[pyffii]

I do the transfer from Brisbane to Surfers Paradise at least 5 times a year and always rent a car from Hertz...The one way transfer costs around $42.00 before any add ons ( cheaper if you hire a Gertz manual ) and if you have a pre-existing excess cover then all you need is $10.00 for petrol...You will be in Surfers 70 minutes after leaving the airport ....I find this the quickest and cheapest transfer down

 

[chrisb]

I would go for hiring a car
Dave

Normally yes, but not after a day at work followed by a midnight redeye to BNE...

 

[Travel Guru]

Normally yes, but not after a day at work followed by a midnight redeye to BNE...

I've done the transfer every which way you can think of, air train, car hire, coach trans, private car, and other than car which you're not keen on, the best I can recommend is a company called Business Class Transfers, if theres only 1 person it works out a bit more than coach trans but its direct and you can have the van to yourself.
If there's a group (eg 3+ pax), it doesn't work out much more than a coach trans which can take up to 3 hrs depending on # of stops on the way.

The Air Train is okay, but on most weekends there's track work which requires you to get off the train at one point, bus it to another station and get back on, which if you're luggage free is fine, but with luggage is a pain in the ***.

I've always found BCT professional, courteous and offer cold water and magazines.

Airport Transfers - Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast


Hope that helps.

TG

 

[pyffii]

Have used BCT for ages until my recent preference for a car and can highly recommend the drivers,cars and ease of transfer

 

[possumoz]

Have a look at using AirtrainConnect. You take the Airtrain from the aiport down to the coast then an Chauffear drive meets you at the station the tranfers you direct to the hotel. You can book it online from the Airtrain website (I have less than 10 posts so can't paste the webaddress here).

Cheers

 

[JohnK]

Normally I would recommend the air train but depending on connection times and where you need to go it could take up to 2 hours to get to the Gold Coast.

Coachtrans as Mal mentioned is another alternative and I may be trying them tonight as I get into BNE after the last airtrain....

 

[Mal]

The airtrain is ok, but once it passes the Brisbane CBD, as it's a general Gold Coast bound train, can attract a few bogans. Nothing too bad, just the general scum trying to smoke in the gap between carriages, or similar non threatening anti-social behaviour.

I think it's nearly 2 hours of travel. Route is nothing special scenic wise, plus there is the taxi/limo/bus or other connection to your eventual place of residence.

It also gets very busy during afternoon peak hours (~4pm - 7pmish).

If no other option was available (eg driver transfer or rental car), then I'd probably use Coachtrans. I have it in the back of my head that Greyhound also might do transfers, but can't find the evidence to back up my claim.

Not sure if the Coachtrans service changes (mini)busses at Roma St Station, or is a direct - Gold Coast service.

 

[chrisb]

Ok - we're only down there for a few days - What do people think of hiring a car once we get down to the Coast and then using it to get to the theme parks and then back to Brisbane?

I'm not sure what the bus transfers to the the theme parks cost or what parking is like. We're only down there for about 3-4 days.

(As i've said, picking up the car in BNE isn't an option - i'm not confident to drive for over an hour after being awake potentially for 24hrs...)

Thanks all.

 

[Mal]

I'm not sure what the bus transfers to the the theme parks cost or what parking is like. We're only down there for about 3-4 days.

Parking at the theme parks is generally ok. Middle of school holidays (I think we're in school holidays at the moment?) might get a bit difficult. But all theme parks have large carparks. Suppose getting their early is a good option just in case.

Otherwise, have a look at TransLink - Public transport information for some public transport options. There are also specialist companies that can take there (connexions does come to mind), but not sure of costs etc.

 

[NM]

I think we're in school holidays at the moment?)

yes, Qld schools are on holidays this week and next week.

 

[holdenvxman]

From someone who lives on the gold coast, I have taken the Airtrain a number of time I find it long and a pain - my 1st option would be a 1 way hire car or the shuttle bus that you can get from the airport on the day - the airtrain is now my last option - Keep in mind that he railway station is nowhere near Surfers and is a pain to get from the stn to surfers - ie bus or a $30 taxi

 

[medhead]

I'm not sure what the bus transfers to the the theme parks cost or what parking is like. We're only down there for about 3-4 days.

(As i've said, picking up the car in BNE isn't an option - i'm not confident to drive for over an hour after being awake potentially for 24hrs...)

We parked at dreamworld ok during the last school holidays. Maybe numbers were down being in the cold part of the year, but the car park I could see (there might ahve been another round the back or something) was about 3/4 full.

No doubt there are plenty of bus services, but driving is more flexible.

The drive down is pretty easy, mostly highway type driving, until you turn off to get into the gold coast itself, so very few lights and no fighting brisbane traffic, except getting out of the airport. Just get straight on the gateway bridge road and off you go. You would also most likely be going against the peak hour flow in the morning.

 

[Travel Guru]

The airtrain is ok, but once it passes the Brisbane CBD, as it's a general Gold Coast bound train, can attract a few bogans. Nothing too bad, just the general scum trying to smoke in the gap between carriages, or similar non threatening anti-social behaviour.

Not sure if the Coachtrans service changes (mini)busses at Roma St Station, or is a direct - Gold Coast service.

Definately have to agree with MAL, you get alot of anti-social types, especially youths who think they're heroes with their mates, but when you consider the train does go via Beenleigh and Loganholme (or Boganhome as the locals call it), it's not surprising.

As for Coachtrans, Door to Door is another similar company which goes direct to houses/resorts, though if you can afford it, Business Class Transfers would still be my choice.

Car Parking at the theme parks shouldnt be an issue even in School holidays, and is definately easier than catching the local transport there and back.

TG

 

[holdenvxman]

Definately have to agree with MAL, you get alot of anti-social types,
TG

The train dose pass through Logan ha ha

 

[chrisb]

An update - We used Coachtrans on the way from BNE to Surfers. It departed spot on time, then stopped at the International terminal before heading off. Pickup to drop off was about 90minutes for us. We didn't have to change buses, so it was a nice easy point to point trip. While down at Surfers we picked up a rental car from Avis and used it to get around the theme parks, and down to Byron Bay. This turned out to be a good choice - Parking at the theme parks was easy and it allowed us to keep our own schedule and explore a bit too. On the way back we had a relaxing drive back from Surfers via a very long lunch at a nice winery along the way (Sirromet). It was quite a relaxing and easy drive back to the airport and a nice end to the long weekend away.