Brisbane Metro runs two routes. The M1 links Eight Mile Plains and Roma Street along the South East Busway, and the M2 links UQ Lakes at St Lucia with the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital at Herston, passing through South Bank, the CBD and Spring Hill. Both use high-capacity electric vehicles on the existing busway network, run frequently through the day and cost 50 cents under Translink's current fare scheme.
If you have not yet built Metro into your routine, this guide is the practical introduction. It covers where the routes go, how Metro differs from a normal bus or train, how to plan a trip door to door and what to check if you are travelling with children, a pram or a mobility aid. Details were checked against Brisbane City Council and Translink information on 1 October 2026.
Where do the M1 and M2 go?
Brisbane City Council's Brisbane Metro page is the official source for routes and stations. In brief:
M1: Eight Mile Plains to Roma Street
The M1 follows the South East Busway through the southern suburbs, serving busway stations including Upper Mount Gravatt, Griffith University, Holland Park West, Greenslopes, Buranda, Mater Hill and South Bank before crossing into the city to Roma Street. It is the route to know if you live along the Pacific Motorway corridor or use Garden City or Griffith University.
M2: UQ Lakes to Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital
The M2 starts at UQ Lakes on the St Lucia campus, crosses the Eleanor Schonell Bridge to Dutton Park, then runs via Boggo Road, Mater Hill, South Bank, the CBD and Spring Hill to the RBWH at Herston. It connects the university, two major hospitals and the cultural precinct, which makes it useful for students, shift workers and anyone visiting the Mater or RBWH.
Both routes share the busway between Mater Hill and the city, so for trips across South Bank and the CBD you can board whichever arrives first. Use the official route map and the Translink journey planner to confirm your stop and direction. Proposed Metro extensions are not services you can board today, so treat anything described as future or planned as exactly that.
How is Metro different from a bus or a train?
Metro is a bus rapid transit system, not a railway. The vehicles are long, bi-articulated electric buses with multiple doors and level boarding at busway stations. The practical differences passengers notice:
- Boarding is through any door at busway stations, which speeds up stops.
- Services run at a set frequency through the day rather than to a published timetable at every stop, so you check the next departure rather than planning around a specific minute.
- Vehicles are fully electric and charge at the end of each route.
- Fares, cards and tap-on rules are the same as the rest of the Translink network.
Plan door to door, not stop to stop
Your journey time includes walking to the first station, waiting, riding, transferring if needed and walking to the final address. A twelve-minute ride is not quick if it ends with a difficult ten-minute walk uphill.
- Enter the full street address of your destination in the journey planner, not just the suburb.
- If you have an appointment, plan by arrival time and add a buffer of at least ten minutes.
- Note the station exit. Larger busway stations such as South Bank, Mater Hill and Roma Street have more than one exit, and choosing the wrong one adds a few minutes.
- Record the return stop. It may be on a different platform or require crossing the road.
If you are meeting someone, agree on a specific exit or a street landmark rather than just saying South Bank.
Try a low-pressure first journey
Do not make your first Metro trip a job interview or a hospital appointment. Pick a daytime outing with a flexible finish so you can learn how the stations fit together without a deadline. Three easy options:
- M2 to South Bank: walk the parklands, visit the museum or gallery, lunch nearby, and return.
- M2 to UQ Lakes: a stroll around the lakes and the campus, then back across the green bridge.
- M1 from the southside into Roma Street: a short walk to Roma Street Parkland or down into the city for coffee.
Once one route feels familiar, add a transfer or a second stop. This is especially useful if you usually drive and have never had a reason to learn the busway network.
Travelling with children, a pram or a mobility aid
Busway stations are generally level-boarding with lifts and ramps, but entrances vary. Before you travel, review the accessibility information for your specific stations on the Council and Translink sites. Things to think about:
- Whether the lift is at the entrance you plan to use and whether it is working on the day (check service alerts).
- The distance and surface between the station and your final destination.
- Shelter at the station if the weather is hot or wet.
- Space on board. Metro vehicles have dedicated areas for wheelchairs and prams, but they fill at peak times.
If someone in your group needs more time to board, plan a less rushed itinerary and travel outside the morning and afternoon peaks where you can.
Check fares and disruptions separately
Route information will not tell you about ticketing or today's disruptions. Before you leave, check Translink's current fare information and the service alerts page. Tap on and off with the same card or device, and give each passenger their own. For the fare rules in detail, read our guide to Brisbane's 50 cent fares.
Make two checks: one when you plan, and one shortly before you walk out the door. Timetable screenshots from months ago are not reliable, especially on weekends or during major events at the Gabba, Suncorp Stadium or South Bank.
Use the route to discover somewhere local
Every Metro station sits near cafes, shops and services that are easy to reach without parking. Once you have chosen your stop, look for a nearby place to eat, meet a friend or run an errand, and confirm opening hours directly with the business. Trusted Locally lists independent cafes, restaurants and services across Brisbane suburbs, with customer reviews, so you can turn a new route into a new routine.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Brisbane Metro M1 go?
The M1 runs along the South East Busway between Eight Mile Plains and Roma Street, serving busway stations including Upper Mount Gravatt, Griffith University, Buranda, Mater Hill and South Bank.
Where does the Brisbane Metro M2 go?
The M2 runs between UQ Lakes at St Lucia and the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital at Herston, via Dutton Park, Boggo Road, Mater Hill, South Bank, the CBD and Spring Hill.
How much does Brisbane Metro cost?
Brisbane Metro is part of the Translink network, so the current 50 cent fare applies per journey. Pay with a go card or by tapping a contactless bank card, phone or smartwatch, and tap off at the end of the trip.
Is Brisbane Metro a train?
No. It is a bus rapid transit service using long, bi-articulated electric vehicles on the busway network. It has level boarding, all-door boarding at busway stations and high frequency, but it is not a rail service.
Is Brisbane Metro accessible for wheelchairs and prams?
Metro vehicles have level boarding at busway stations and dedicated spaces for wheelchairs and prams. Station access varies, so check the lift and entrance information for your specific stations and the day's service alerts before you travel.
