Railways and Tramways of Australia
Queensland
Train services within Brisbane and the South East Queensland region are provided by Queensland Rail. Public transport journeys can be made using a go card, Gold Coast go explore card, go seeQ card, travel pass or paper ticket. Paper tickets are available for single public transport journeys and are valid for two hours from the time they are purchased. Return journeys require another ticket to be purchased. Most train services within regional Queensland are provided by Queensland Rail.
TransLink
TransLink is a division within the state government’s Department of Transport and Main Roads. It has responsibility for integrating train, light rail, bus and ferry services within South East Queensland, as well as long-distance train, coach and air services, and regional bus services. Although TransLink does not operate transport services, it works with transport service providers regarding services, ticketing, information and infrastructure.
The TransLink website provides information about transport services within Queensland. It includes timetables, maps, service updates and details about tickets and fares. The website also has a Journey Planner, which provides travel options between two locations identified by the user, including scheduled times of services and fares. Go cards can be purchased and topped up through the TransLink website. The MyTransLink app has features including a journey planner and real-time service information.
Go card
www.translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/go-card
A go card is a smart card used for most public transport services within the South East Queensland region, including by train, light rail, bus and ferry. Cards can be purchased and value can be loaded on to the card at Queensland Rail station ticket offices, selected retailers, by telephone (13 12 30) and online. Go cards can also be linked directly to credit and debit cards. There are four types of go card: adult, child, senior and concession. Purchase of the card requires payment of a deposit of $10 for an adult card and $5 for a child, senior or concession card, which is refundable if the card is no longer needed.
Fares for travel using a go card are at least 30 per cent cheaper than using a single paper ticket. Travel is free after nine journeys when using a go card within a Monday to Sunday period. Eligible seniors who use a go card for two paid journeys in one day then travel free for the remainder of the day. The fare is calculated based on the number of zones travelled through during a particular journey. There are eight zones within the South East Queensland region. Travel from 8.30 am to 3.30 pm and after 7 pm on weekdays, and all day on weekends, is considered off-peak. Fares during off-peak times are 20 per cent cheaper than peak go card fares. Using a go card involves touching on at the beginning of a journey and touching off at the end.
Go seeQ card
www.translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/ticket-types/visitors-and-tourists/go-seeq
A go seeQ card is a smart card for visitors to the South East Queensland region. It is used for public transport services within the region, including by train, light rail, bus and ferry. Cards can be purchased for three or five consecutive calendar days.
Gold Coast Go explore card
www.translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/ticket-types/visitors-and-tourists/go-explore
A Gold Coast go explore card is a smart card for visitors to the Gold Coast region. It provides unlimited travel on buses and light rail services on the Gold Coast for one day.
E-Tickets
www.airtrain.com.au/ways-to-travel
E-Tickets are bar-coded tickets purchased online for travel on Brisbane’s Airtrain. They can be printed and then scanned at the station, or uploaded to a smartphone for scanning. E-Tickets are valid for any train service for up to two days from the date of purchase, and can be used for travel between any station in the Citytrain network and the airport. Tickets for Airtrain can purchased at stations but discounts apply for E-Tickets. Go cards and go seeQ cards are also valid on Airtrain.
Queensland Explorer Pass
The Queensland Explorer Pass enables unlimited travel on most trains and connecting coaches throughout the Queensland Rail regional travel network. Passes can be purchased for durations of one month or two months. The pass includes travel in Economy class seats, but an additional payment can be made for upgrade to Business seats on the Tilt Train, RailBeds on the Spirit of Queensland and First Class Sleepers on the Spirit of the Outback. Travel on the Kuranda Scenic Rail and the Gulflander is not available. The Queensland Explorer Pass is only available to overseas visitors.
Queensland Coastal Pass
The Queensland Coastal Pass enables travel with unlimited stopovers in one direction between Brisbane and Cairns on trains and connecting RailBus services. Passes can be purchased for durations of one month or two months. The pass includes travel in Economy class seats, but an additional payment can be made for upgrade to Business seats on the Tilt Train, RailBeds on the Spirit of Queensland and First Class Sleepers on the Spirit of the Outback. Travel on the Kuranda Scenic Rail and the Gulflander is not available. The Queensland Coastal Pass is only available to overseas visitors.
Queensland Rail
Queensland Rail operates suburban and interurban train services within the South East Queensland region, as well as regional long-distance train services. RailBus coach services link some train stations with towns not serviced by passenger rail services. The second and second-last carriages of trains in south-east Queensland are quiet carriages and have signage indicating this. Passengers in these carriages should turn down electronic devices, switch mobile phones to silent and speak quietly.
Queensland Rail Travel
www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au
Most train services within regional Queensland are operated by Queensland Rail. The Queensland Rail Travel website contains timetables, maps, travel and destination information, service changes, and details about tickets and fares. Tickets for Queensland Rail services can be booked online, by telephone (1300 131 722), or at stations. Phone bookings are open from 7.00 am to 7.00 pm each day. Different classes of travel are available on most long-distance services:
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Tilt Train: Business seats and Economy seats
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Spirit of Queensland: RailBeds (seats that can be converted to a bed at night time) and Premium Economy Seats
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Spirit of the Outback: First Class Sleepers and Economy Seats
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The Westlander: Economy Seats
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The Inlander: Economy Seats
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Gulflander: Heritage Seats
G:link (Gold Coast Light Rail)
Journeys on the Gold Coast Light Rail line can be made using a go card, Gold Coast go explore card, go seeQ card, travel pass or paper ticket.