Brisbane Airport Guide

NEWS: Construction of a second parallel runway is scheduled for completion.

Domestic terminal Brisbane Airport, Virgin's section

If ever there was a large, modern, bustling international airport that few people outside of Australia have heard of, it is Brisbane.

The third busiest airports in Australia, Brisbane Airport is a key gateway to Queensland's capital and popular Gold Coast region: it is also the hub of Virgin Australia.

Brisbane Airport is 10 miles east of the city centre of Brisbane, on the flood plain at Eagle Farm: as a result of this, many locals still call the airport Eagle Farm.

Although a Qantas base since 1926, the airport terminals are very new: the main part of the International Terminal was built in 1995 and it has won many awards. Despite the number of passengers using it - about 20 million a year, with the twelfth busiest passenger air route in the world - the airport is generally calm, quiet and easy to use.

Brisbane Airport has two passenger terminals - Domestic and International. They are totally separate. Most people get to and from the airport on the airtrain, and this train has two stations at the airport, one for each terminal.

Transfer between terminals

Brisbane airport Terminal Transfer Bus

The Domestic and International Terminals are pretty much a mile apart (1.8km): you can't walk it.

They are linked by the Airtrain, which is free so long as you have a Qantas or Virgin Australia boarding pass. There is a station directly opposite each terminal, but trains can sometimes run only every half hour: check if you have a tight connection.

The T-Bus also offers transfers landside: just head to the bus signs outside the terminal. The service is free, and it does a loop from the International terminal, to Qantas then Virgin Domestic, and back again.

Brisbane Airport International Terminal

Brisbane International Terminal is a delight to use. The International Terminal was built in 1995 and was hugely expanded in 2012, giving it 2 airbridges capable of handling the A380, included among the now 17 main gates.

Brisbane airport International Terminal

If you like airports, you'll like the international terminal: many Australian's rate it as one of the best in Australia. True, there aren't that many shops, and the catering options are a bit basic, but it's still quite civilised.

Check in is on level 3, and there are a few shops here behind the check in desks. Otherwise you have to decend through to immigration, and then there are further shops and the lounges on level 2.

The International Terminal has bureaux de change and ATMs on levels 2, 3 and 4, with several directly after customs.

There is a baby change room in the International Terminal. Showers are available in the public toilets in arrivals.

There is free wifi - just logon to the BNE Free WiFi service from the network settings and start browsing.

Brisbane Airport Domestic Terminal

Domestic terminal Brisbane Airport, Virgin's section

The Brisbane Airport Domestic Terminal is one large building, but it is split into three distinct areas serving Qantas at the north, Virgin Australia at the south, and other carriers such as Jetstar, Tiger and Skytrans in the centre at the common user section.

The Qantas concourse has 9 bays served by aerobridges including 1 served by a dual bridge (which is rarely used). It has three lounges - the Qantas Club, the Qantas Business Class lounge and a very small Chairman's Lounge.

Virgin Australia occupies what was the former Ansett Australia end of the terminal. Its has six airbridges but 11 parking bays: half of the time you have to walk over the tarmac to your aircraft. It has one lounge - The Virgin Australia Lounge which is located in the former Ansett Golden Wing Club.

There aren't that many shops in domestic, and indeed if you don't have access to the lounges or want to spend time in the pub, there isn't a lot to do other than look at the aircraft.

Oddly, the Domestic Terminal has bureaux de change facilities on level 2, although you usually get a better rate at international.

Brisbane Airport Pay in, First & Business Class lounges

Brisbane Airport Terminal Map

Brisbane Airport transportation

Transport to and from Brisbane Airport is pretty quick easy and cheap to Brisbane itself.

Brisbane airport

Brisbane Airport train

The Airtrain runs direct to Brisbane Central Station, taking only 20 minutes, although at off peak times it runs only every 30 minutes. Fare is A$15.50, or A$30 for a return: you will get a small slab ticket for your return journey, and you must fill in the return date before you get on the train.

Trains also run now to the Gold Coast (journey time: 90 minutes; fare: A$30).

The Airtrain stations are located directly outside the Domestic and International Terminals - you really can't miss them. There is a great view of the trains from the Virgin lounge.

Brisbane Airport shuttle bus services

Queensland Rail Train at Brisbane Airport

The two main shuttle companies are very similar, and both have a journey time of about 30 minutes, and both charge A$38 return.

The two are Coachtrans and Sunair.

Brisbane Airport taxi services

Shuttlebus stop At Brisbane Domestic Airport

Car Hire at Brisbane Airport

Brisbane Airport Hotel

There is just one airport hotel at Brisbane airport: the recently-opened Novotel Brisbane Airport Hotel, which is a short distance from the terminals: for every other place calling itself a 'Brisbane Airport hotel' you will have to take a taxi, or take the train into the city. The Novotel Brisbane Airport Hotel has just opened, and it is (just) within walking distance of the terminals, but there is also a paid-for shuttle service to and from the terminals. Facilities include a dedicated conference centre, rooftop pool, and a restaurant and bar.

Brisbane Airport Left Luggage

Left-luggage lockers are available at the car park entrance in the International Terminal only - there are none at Domestic.

Car parking

Brisbane airport car parking is quite good. Short and long-term parking is available at the International and Domestic Terminals. Valet parking is also available at the Domestic Terminal. Brisbane Airport is located on Airport Drive, with direct links off the Gateway Motorway (Exit 108) and East West Arterial Road.

Brisbane Airport Southern Cross Memorial

Southern Cross Memorial Brisbane Airport

The Southern Cross is the name of the Fokker trimotor monoplane which in 1928 was flown by Australian aviator Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and his crew in the first ever trans-Pacific flight to Australia from the United States, about 7,250 miles. Shortly before Kingsford Smith's death in 1935, he donated the Southern Cross to the Commonwealth of Australia It is now preservied at Brisbane Airport, in a special glass hangar memorial on Airport Drive, near the International Terminal at Brisbane Airport.

Brisbane Airport Bars and Restaurants

International - Botanist Bar

The Botanist Kitchen and Bar offers cafe-style meals in a relaxed and comfortable setting overlooking the runway at Brisbane Airport.

Brisbane airport

Serving modern Australian cuisine, The Botanist Kitchen and Bar heroes local produce on its menu from an open plan kitchen where diners can watch their food being prepared.

International - Moreton Bay Ale House

It's not particularly relaxing, with hard wooden chairs, and a large flat screen TVs tend to blare out sports, but it does also have a pool table.

International - Windmill & Co

Brisbane airport

One of the landmark locations for taking selfies at Brisbane Airport has to be pre-departure drinks at Windmill & Co.

It has uninterrupted views of the runway, ans serves local brews from Newstead Brewing Company and The Burleigh Brewing Co.

Very much a key place to kickstart holiday-mode with a final taste of Queensland.

International - Corretto Café & Bar

Brisbane airport

Open: 0600-0100 International Terminal, Landside.
Another place landside to say Bon Voyage with a bew is Corretto Café & Bar.

Located before security lines, it's the perfect place to wave goodbye to someone.

It also serves Kolsch, Pale Ale or Pacific Ale from Four Pines Brewery, which is an environmentally conscious brewery from the northern beaches of New South Wales.

Domestic - The Lord Lamington

The Lord Lamington in the Central Terminal Satellite of the Domestic terminals offers Mid-Tide or 28.

Domestic - In Bar Go

Pretty much the only pub to be found in the Virgin part of the domestic terminal, it has a rather stark and clinical atmosphere, but at least it knows that almost all its customers know how much beer costs, and doesn't hike it up too much.

In Bar Go Brisbane Airport domestic

Schooners are around the $7 mark, and it also serves pints, and some basic pub food.

There are power outlets in the wall, and often if you nip in for a pint, you can also see people having a recharge at the same time.

Brisbane airport BNE: Brisbane Airport Guide - Terminal map, airport guide, lounges, bars, restaurants & reviews with images Airport review with maps by loungeindex
Loungeindex rating: 7 out of 10
Brisbane Airport Code: BNE
ICAO Code:	YBBN	Timezone:	UTC+10
Elevation:	13 ft (4 m)	Runways:	2
Latitude:	-27.384	Longitude:	153.118