Brisbane Airport (BNE) is the airport for Brisbane, the capital of Queensland. Brisbane Airport is also a suburb in its own right, sitting about a 20-minute drive or Airtrain ride from Brisbane City. Both Qantas and Virgin Australia run hubs here. There are two passenger terminals in separate buildings: the Domestic Terminal for flights within Australia and the International Terminal for flights overseas. Knowing which one you need matters, because the two are a bus or train ride apart.

The airport runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This guide covers the airlines at each terminal, the Airtrain and other ways into the city, parking, facilities and what to allow for on the day you fly.

Terminals and airlines at Brisbane Airport

Brisbane Airport keeps domestic and international flights in two separate terminal buildings. The lists below come from the airport's own check-in information. Assignments do change, so check the terminal printed on your e-ticket before you set off.

Domestic Terminal

All domestic check-in happens on Level 1 of the Domestic Terminal, in zones grouped by airline. Qantas and QantasLink are at the northern end, Jetstar and Link Airways are in the centre, and Virgin Australia is at the southern end.

• Qantas
• QantasLink
• Jetstar
• Link Airways
• Virgin Australia

If your booking with one of these airlines is an international flight, confirm the terminal on your e-ticket, because this list describes domestic check-in.

International Terminal

The International Terminal handles flights to and from overseas. The airport's check-in page names these airlines for the International Terminal:

• China Southern Airlines
• China Eastern Airlines
• Air Niugini
• Solomon Airlines
• Nauru Airlines
• Vietjet
• Aircalin

Level 4 of the International Terminal is being redeveloped. While that work continues, check-in for China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines has moved to Level 2, and Air Niugini, Solomon Airlines, Nauru Airlines, Vietjet and Aircalin may also check in on Level 2. This is a temporary arrangement, so follow the screens when you arrive.

Other airlines at Brisbane Airport

The airport's airline directory lists many more carriers, but it does not say which terminal each one uses. These airlines fly from Brisbane Airport, and your e-ticket will tell you whether to go to the Domestic or International Terminal:

• Air Canada
• Air New Zealand
• American Airlines
• Batik Air Malaysia
• Cathay Pacific
• China Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• Emirates
• EVA Air
• Fiji Airways
• Korean Air
• Malaysia Airlines
• Philippine Airlines
• Qatar Airways
• Singapore Airlines
• United Airlines
• Rex
• Nexus Airlines
• Skytrans

On a codeshare booking, the operating airline is the one that matters for check-in, and your e-ticket names it.

Moving between terminals

The Domestic and International terminals are separate buildings, so you cannot walk between them. The free Terminal Transfer Bus is the usual way across. At the International Terminal it drops off on Level 4 and picks up on Level 2. At the Domestic Terminal it stops outside the Qantas end and the Virgin end.

Airtrain also links the two terminals in about 5 minutes, with a fare to pay. The free Skygate Loop and AIRPARK buses call at both terminals as well. If you are connecting from an international to a domestic flight, allow enough time for the transfer and for any bag recheck.

Getting to and from Brisbane Airport

Brisbane Airport is close enough to the city that most trips take around 20 minutes outside peak periods. Fares are shown at the station, the rank or in each operator's app.

Airtrain

Airtrain is the rail link from both terminals. At the International Terminal, go to Level 3 and follow the signs to the station. At the Domestic Terminal, take the Skywalk across from the front of the building. The trip to Brisbane City takes about 20 minutes, and Airtrain also runs express to the Gold Coast, which is useful if you are heading south.

Taxi

Taxi ranks outside both terminals operate 24/7. At the International Terminal the rank is on the Level 2 arrivals road, and at the Domestic Terminal it is at the centre front of the building. Outside peak periods, the drive to the city is about 20 minutes.

Rideshare

At the International Terminal, rideshare pick-ups are on Level 2 at the end of the building. At the Domestic Terminal, use the central road on either side of the Skywalk. Allow about 20 minutes to the city outside the peaks.

Con-x-ion shuttle

Con-x-ion runs a door-to-door shuttle across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Find it at the Visitor Information desk in the International Terminal, or on the forecourt toward the Virgin end of the Domestic Terminal. Journey times depend on where you are going and how many stops the shuttle makes.

Public bus (route 590)

Route 590 leaves from the Skygate Centre, which you can reach on the free Skygate Loop bus from either terminal. It runs to Toombul Interchange, where you can change to other public transport.

Car rental

The major car hire brands have desks on the airport. Collect your car after baggage claim, and give yourself a moment to get your bearings before joining the airport roads.

Parking at Brisbane Airport

Parking at the terminals comes in four types: short-term, long-term, premium and valet. Short-term suits pick-ups and drop-offs, while long-term and valet suit trips of several days.

Further out, the AIRPARK open-air car parks are linked to the terminals by a free transfer bus that runs 24 hours. Rates vary with the length of stay, so check and book on the airport's parking pages.

Opening hours at Brisbane Airport

Brisbane Airport operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with no curfew. Flights can take off and land at any hour, and the taxi ranks outside both terminals are open around the clock too.

That makes BNE a practical choice for late arrivals and very early departures. If you are leaving in the small hours, the free AIRPARK transfer bus also runs 24 hours.

Facilities at Brisbane Airport

Both terminals cover the basics for a wait between check-in and boarding. Here is what each offers, starting with the questions travellers ask most.

Terminal layout

The Domestic Terminal keeps all airline check-in on Level 1, grouped from north to south as described above. The International Terminal is laid out over four levels. Check-in is on Level 4 in the Departures Hall. After security and passport control, the departure lounge is on Level 3. Arrivals and baggage claim are on Level 2, and the ground floor is Level 1.

Lounges

Airline lounges are found in both terminals, including lounges for Air New Zealand, Emirates, Qantas, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Australia. The International Terminal also has pay-per-use options: Escape Lounges, with one on Level 4, and the Plaza Premium Lounge. Access to an airline lounge depends on your fare class or membership, so check with your airline before you go looking for it.

Luggage storage

Self-service lockers are available 24/7 at both terminals. In the Domestic Terminal they are in the covered median strip outside the Qantas and Virgin areas. In the International Terminal they are on Level 1, next to the car park entrance. More lockers are at the Skygate Centre, where Smarte Carte also stores oversized items.

Smoking areas

Smoking is not allowed inside either terminal. At the Domestic Terminal, there are sheltered smoking areas outside at either end of the building. The International Terminal has one smoking balcony on Level 3 in the departures lounge, after security and passport control.

Currency exchange and ATMs

ATMs are available before and after security in both terminals, and Prosegur currency exchange stores trade in both terminals as well.

Free Wi-Fi and charging

BNE Free Wi-Fi covers all areas of both terminals, after a quick registration. USB and plug-in charging stations are in the Domestic Terminal food courts and in the international arrivals and departures areas.

Showers

Showers are free to use, but you need to bring your own towel. In the International Terminal they are in the Level 2 arrivals hall and on Level 3 after passport control. In the Domestic Terminal they are on Level 2 in the central area and in the central satellite.

Prayer rooms

Each terminal has a non-denominational prayer room. In the Domestic Terminal it is on Level 2, next to the bathrooms. The International Terminal prayer room has temporarily moved to Level 3, after security.

Pharmacy and first aid

The Airport Pharmacy is in the Domestic Terminal. Security officers trained in first aid and defibrillators are on hand in both terminals.

Families and accessibility

Parenting rooms are in both terminals. The Domestic Terminal has a Changing Places bathroom, while the International Terminal one is temporarily unavailable. Travellers arriving on international flights can use trolleys free of charge.

Tips for departing and arriving at Brisbane Airport

Brisbane Airport recommends arriving 3 hours before an international departure, to allow for security screening and passport control. For a domestic flight, arrive 1 hour before departure. Add extra time in busy periods such as school holidays, or if you plan to claim a refund under the Tourist Refund Scheme. Your airline's own check-in cut-off still applies.

Before you leave home, check which terminal you need. Getting this wrong at BNE costs time, because the terminals are in separate buildings. International departures pass check-in on Level 4, then security and passport control before the Level 3 lounge. Domestic travellers check in or drop bags on Level 1 and then go through screening.

Arriving from overseas, you clear immigration and customs before reaching the Level 2 arrivals hall. Australia's entry requirements are set by the government, so check the official guidance for your passport before travelling. For current departure and arrival times, use the Traveloka flight status page.

Flights and flight schedule from Brisbane Airport

Use this page to plan your next trip out of BNE. The fare cards show fares from Brisbane to popular destinations, so you can compare routes before choosing dates. The flight schedule tables list upcoming departures and arrivals at Brisbane Airport by date, along with the airline and the scheduled times. They are a selection rather than a full timetable.

Choose a route, compare airlines and times, and note whether the flight leaves from the Domestic or International Terminal. If you want to wait for a better fare, set a Price Alert and Traveloka will notify you when the fare moves. After booking, your e-ticket is sent by email and saved in the app.

Popular routes from Brisbane Airport include:

• Brisbane to Sydney flights
• Brisbane to Melbourne flights
• Brisbane to Cairns flights
• Brisbane to Townsville flights
• Brisbane to Perth flights
• Brisbane to Bali flights
• Brisbane to Auckland flights
• Brisbane to Tokyo flights

From a quick hop to Sydney to a holiday in Bali, compare flights from Brisbane Airport on Traveloka and book the one that suits your trip.