Flight Status at Brisbane Airport Arrivals and Departures

Brisbane departures information

Brisbane has the third busiest airport in Australia, behind Sydney Kingsford Smith and Melbourne Tullamarine. It has two terminals: one for international flights and one for domestic flights. These terminals are two miles apart and are joined by a train and bus service, both of which cost $5 to use.

Virgin Australia uses Brisbane Airport as its hub, while fellow Australian airlines Jetstar, Qantas and Tigerair also use it heavily.

Checking in for international flights

Check-in desks for international flights can be found on level four of the international terminal. Once you've collected your boarding pass, head downstairs for customs and security checks on level three. After this area you'll find departure gates to the left and right, with a wide choice of shops and restaurants in the centre.

Checking in for domestic flights

Those flying on a route within Australia need to check in on level one of the domestic terminal. Once you've checked in, Qantas flights can be found to the far left of the terminal and Virgin Australia flights to the far right. Other airlines leave from the centre of the terminal, at the back.

Cafes, shops and fast food stores can be found throughout this area beyond security, while airport lounges are on level two.

Brisbane arrivals information

Passengers on overseas flights arrive in level two of the international terminal. From here, you'll pass through duty-free before reaching customs and baggage carousels. Once cleared, passengers can visit car hire desks, get information about Brisbane and buy tickets for public transport.

Domestic arrivals come in on level one of their dedicated terminal. There are two areas for baggage collection. One of these is by the arrival gates for Virgin Australia flights, the other is more central. Both of these areas are well sign-posted.

Pick up and drop off at Brisbane Airport

Drop off and pick up zones are monitored to make sure that no vehicles stay too long.

Drop off for international departures is on level four, pick up for international arrivals is on level two. The arrivals section has a mobility space in front of the terminal that allows extra time, but the driver must stay with the vehicle at all times.

The domestic terminal has a shared space for pick up and drop off vehicles, again with no waiting time allowed.

For those who arrive a bit early, a public waiting space is available near the parking area, just off Dryandra Road. This is free for up to 30 minutes.

Where should I park at Brisbane Airport?

Park and ride

AIRPARK is a park and ride scheme that offers the cheapest long-term parking at Brisbane Airport.

Parking here costs $23 for the first day and $20 for subsequent days, with a week costing $123. Each day after that is an additional $10. Hourly rates are also available, starting at $6 for two hours.

The park and ride car park is five minutes from the terminals by bus, which departs every 15-20 minutes around the clock.

Domestic terminal parking

The domestic terminal has a number of different options, including short term, long term, premium and valet parking.

Short term parking costs $8 for up to half an hour, $20 for two hours and $55 for more than four hours. Each day is capped at $55.

Long term parking starts at $53 and costs $163 for eight days, with each subsequent day costing $12.

A car wash service is also available.

International terminal parking

The international terminal's parking options are limited to short term, long term and valet parking.

Short term parking costs $3 for 15 minutes, $20 for two hours and $27 for four hours. Long term parking starts at $53 and costs $163 for eight days, with each extra day an additional $12.

The valet service starts at $103 for 1-2 days, up to $183 for 7-8 days. Each extra day costs another $12.

How to get to and from Brisbane Airport

Brisbane Airport is located nine miles northeast of the city centre. As well as driving between the two, passengers have the choice of bus, train and taxi.

Brisbane by car

When driving from either terminal, take the Airport Link to the city. As you approach the CBD, veer left onto the M3. From there, take a left onto Countess Street and another left onto Roma Street to approach the centre of Brisbane. This route has tolls.

In low traffic levels, this trip should take under 20 minutes, but during peak times the approach into the city can take considerably longer.

Taxi ranks are found outside each terminal. A fare into Brisbane is likely to cost around $40.

Brisbane by train

The Airtrain connects both terminals of the airport to Brisbane and the Gold Coast. A trip to Brisbane's Central station has five stops and takes 20 minutes, with departures every 15 minutes.

Brisbane by bus

Local bus routes 369 and 590 connect the airport to the city. Route maps can be found online, or you can speak to the staff at the information booth inside the terminal to find out if these buses go close to your hotel.

Many hotels in Brisbane operate shuttle services which can be arranged at the time of your booking. Independent shuttle services are also available, such as Con-x-ion Airport Transfers which operate to coincide with plane arrivals.

The company has a kiosk on level 2 of the international terminal and by the road outside the domestic terminal. One-way tickets are around the $20 mark, but this depends on the location of your accommodation. Buying a return journey is always more economical than buying two one-way tickets.

Please note: all information is correct as of October, 2016.