Taxi Service

Metered taxis hit Brisbane CBD from BNE in 20–30 minutes

Taxis sit outside both the International and Domestic terminals at Brisbane Airport, lined up on the front forecourt 24/7. You’ll see the main rank directly outside each arrivals hall, with marshals on duty during peak hours to keep cars moving and point you to the next cab.

A typical ride from Brisbane International to the CBD runs about 20–30 minutes off-peak, but can blow out past 40 minutes in bad Gateway Motorway traffic. Most trips into central Brisbane land somewhere around AUD $45–$65 depending on time of day, route, and waiting at lights.

From the Domestic terminal, distance is slightly shorter, so CBD fares usually sit a few dollars lower than from International. Both terminals use the same metered pricing structure set by Queensland regulations, and meters start with a fixed flagfall amount before adding per‑kilometre and per‑minute charges.

All standard Brisbane airport taxis take card, including Visa, Mastercard, and most contactless wallets, with a typical surcharge of around 1–2%. Cash is still fine, but drivers appreciate smaller notes for fares under AUD $50. You’ll see the card terminal mounted near the dash or handed back at the end of the trip.

Taxis can handle normal checked baggage for 2–3 people in a standard sedan, and maxi taxis are available on request from the rank marshal for groups of 4–10 or anyone with extra luggage. A maxi from BNE International into the city usually prices higher than a standard cab, often in the AUD $70+ range depending on distance and time.

Late at night, taxis still run from both terminals even after the last Airtrain service shuts down around 10 pm. If you land after midnight, expect a clearer run into the CBD in 15–25 minutes and less waiting at the rank, but similar metered rates plus a possible night tariff.

Practical tip: before you load bags, ask the driver for a rough fare to your exact suburb (for example, New Farm vs South Bank) and confirm payment method; it avoids surprises on a busy Friday evening when the Gateway and Inner City Bypass both crawl.”