Eligible Translink journeys in Brisbane and across South East Queensland cost 50 cents per trip. That covers most buses, trains, ferries, the Gold Coast tram, Brisbane Metro and on-demand services, with Airtrain and dedicated school buses the main exclusions. For most households it means a family of four can travel into the city and back for about $4 in fares, which changes the maths on leaving the car at home.
The fare is the easy part. A good day out still depends on where you get off, how far you walk at the other end and how you get home. This guide explains the fare rules in plain language, then gives you a simple structure for turning a cheap trip into a relaxed local day. Prices and rules below were checked against Translink's published information on 1 October 2026; confirm the current details before you travel.
What does the 50 cent fare cover?
Translink's official 50 cent fares page lists the services that are eligible. In summary:
- Included: Translink buses, Queensland Rail City network trains, CityCat and ferry services, Brisbane Metro M1 and M2, the G:link tram on the Gold Coast, and Translink on-demand services.
- Not included: Airtrain between the airport stations and the city, dedicated school services, and any private operator that is not part of the Translink network.
The airport exclusion catches people out. Part of the Airtrain journey uses the suburban rail network, but the fare is set by Airtrain, not Translink, so do not plan an airport pick-up around a 50 cent ticket.
Is it a day pass?
No. The fare is charged per journey, and Translink's normal journey and transfer rules still apply. If you tap off and spend a long time at one place before boarding again, that will usually count as a new journey. In practice this matters very little: two or three journeys at 50 cents each is still cheaper than a single bus fare was before the scheme. It just means you should not treat one tap-on as unlimited travel for the day.
Do children and concession holders pay less?
Check the current fare table for your situation. Translink publishes the rules for children, concession cards and seniors on the same page, and they can change. The safest habit is to read the official page the week you travel rather than relying on something a friend told you last year.
How to pay: go card, contactless card or phone
You can pay with a go card or by tapping a contactless debit or credit card, phone or smartwatch. Translink's contactless payments guide covers the details. A few habits save trouble:
- Use the same card or device to tap on and tap off. A physical card and the same card loaded in a phone wallet are treated as different payment methods, so mixing them can produce an incomplete journey.
- Each passenger needs their own card or device. One phone cannot pay for two adults.
- Always tap off. A missed tap-off is charged as an incomplete journey at a higher fixed rate, which undoes the saving.
Choose one neighbourhood, not five
The temptation with cheap fares is to cram in several suburbs. A more enjoyable day usually comes from picking one compact area where your main activity, a food stop and the return transport are all within an easy walk. Good starting points depend on where you live, but these precincts are well served and easy to navigate:
- South Bank and South Brisbane: river walk, parklands, the cultural precinct, and bus, train, ferry and Metro options within a few hundred metres.
- The CBD and Queen Street Mall: the hub for almost every service, with the Botanic Gardens and riverfront a short walk away.
- New Farm and Teneriffe: CityCat terminals, parkland and a cafe strip without the crowds of the city.
- Bulimba and Hawthorne: a ferry ride across the river and a village-style high street.
Decide which activity is essential and which is optional. If the weather turns or someone gets tired, you can drop the optional part without losing the day.
Check the walk, not just the map
A destination that looks close to a stop can involve stairs, an indirect crossing or a longer path than it appears. Look at the actual walking route in your maps app and switch to the accessibility layer if you are travelling with a pram, a mobility aid or young children. Ferry terminals in particular can sit well below street level.
Work out the complete cost of the day
Transport is now the cheapest part of a Brisbane outing. The real spending happens on food, tickets and the small purchases that appear once you are out. A simple approach:
- Add up the fares. Two eligible journeys per person is $1, so a family of four doing a return trip pays $4.
- Set a spending limit for the rest of the day before you leave home.
- Choose one paid extra that matters most, whether that is lunch, an ice cream or a museum exhibition, and treat everything else as optional.
- Factor in parking at your starting station if you drive to a park-and-ride. Many are free, but not all.
The $1 figure assumes two separately charged eligible journeys and excludes Airtrain or any private service. Check the fare for your actual itinerary rather than treating it as a quote.
Make the return trip part of the plan
Most stress on a day out happens on the way home. Before you leave:
- Run the Translink journey planner for both directions and screenshot the return options.
- Check service alerts on the day. Weekend track work on the rail network is common and replacement buses take longer.
- Save the name of your return stop. It is often on a different platform or across the road from where you arrived.
- Allow a buffer if you have a booking or a tired toddler. Choosing a service one or two departures later than the earliest option gives you room to move.
If your day ends with an evening event, check the last services home before committing. Frequencies drop after about 7pm on many suburban routes.
Three sample days for under $5 in fares
River and parklands (families)
Train or bus to South Brisbane, walk the South Bank Parklands, use the free water play areas, then a picnic or cafe lunch and a CityCat back towards the city or on to New Farm. Fares for a family of four: around $4.
Ferry and village (couples or friends)
CityCat to Bulimba, breakfast on Oxford Street, a walk along the river path and the ferry back. Two journeys each: $2 for two people.
Metro trial run (anyone curious about the new service)
Ride the M2 from UQ Lakes through to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital or the M1 from Eight Mile Plains into Roma Street, stop for coffee near the city end and return. If you have not tried Brisbane Metro yet, read our Brisbane Metro M1 and M2 first trip guide first.
Bring the outing back to local businesses
A 50 cent fare makes it easier to try a cafe, shop or service in a suburb you would not normally drive to. Pick a business near your planned stop, confirm its opening hours directly and treat the fare saving as your excuse to spend locally instead. Trusted Locally lists independent Brisbane cafes and restaurants by suburb, with reviews from local customers.
Keep the trip simple: one area, one main activity and a clear way home. If you are planning a family day, our guide to free and low-cost things to do in Brisbane with kids pairs well with this one.
Frequently asked questions
Are Brisbane's 50 cent fares still running in 2026?
Yes. As at 1 October 2026, Translink's published fare information lists 50 cent fares on eligible bus, train, ferry, tram, Metro and on-demand services across South East Queensland. Check the Translink website for the current rules before you travel.
Does the 50 cent fare include Airtrain to Brisbane Airport?
No. Airtrain sets its own fares and is excluded from the 50 cent scheme, even though part of the journey runs on the suburban rail network. Dedicated school buses are also excluded.
Is the 50 cent fare a day pass?
No. It is charged per journey under Translink's normal journey and transfer rules. A return trip is two journeys, so $1 per adult. Remember to tap off every time or you will be charged a higher incomplete-journey fare.
Can I pay the 50 cent fare with my bank card or phone?
Yes. Translink accepts go card and contactless payment by debit card, credit card, phone or smartwatch on most services. Use the same card or device to tap on and off, and give each passenger their own card.
What is the cheapest way to do a family day out in Brisbane?
Travel by Translink for 50 cents a trip, pick one compact precinct such as South Bank or New Farm, pack snacks and decide on a single paid treat before you leave. A family of four can cover return fares for about $4.
