Gold Coast Airport (OOL), known for many years as Coolangatta Airport, is the airport for the Gold Coast in Queensland. It sits in Bilinga at the southern end of the Gold Coast, about 30 minutes by car from Surfers Paradise and roughly 90 km south of Brisbane. Domestic and international flights share one main terminal, so arrivals, departures and check-in for every airline are under the same roof. The airport is run by Queensland Airports Limited.

There is a quirk worth knowing: the main runway crosses the border between Queensland and New South Wales, but the airport keeps Queensland time all year. That matters when you read the terminal hours and the curfew, both covered below, along with the airlines, transport to the beaches, parking and the facilities inside.

Opening hours and curfew at Gold Coast Airport

Gold Coast Airport is not a 24-hour airport. The terminal opens at 4am and closes at 11pm every day. Entry is restricted outside those hours, and overnight stays in the terminal are not permitted, so if your flight lands late or leaves early, arrange where you will spend the night.

A legislated curfew applies from 11pm to 6am Queensland time. During the curfew most aircraft operations are restricted. Emergency aircraft and a limited number of other operations may fly, and any other flight needs a dispensation. Both sets of times are given in Queensland time, which the airport keeps all year.

Terminal and airlines at Gold Coast Airport

The single terminal handles both domestic and international flights. The operator's airline list names six passenger carriers, and the airport does not split them into domestic and international. Check your e-ticket to see which kind of flight you have, because check-in and screening differ.

Gold Coast Airport terminal

These airlines fly from the Gold Coast Airport terminal:

• Jetstar
• Qantas
• Virgin Australia
• FlyPelican
• Air New Zealand
• Fiji Airways

Air New Zealand and Fiji Airways run international services, and Jetstar flies to New Zealand as well as around Australia.

Finding your way between domestic and international

Because both sides are in one building, there is no transfer bus to catch. From international arrivals, walk north to reach domestic check-in. From domestic arrivals, leave the domestic arrivals corridor and turn left for check-in. Taxis and international arrivals are at the southern end of the building.

Getting to and from Gold Coast Airport

Buses, taxis, rideshare and shuttles all leave from the terminal. Fares are shown by each operator, at the desk or in the app.

Bus and tram (route 777)

Translink route 777 is a limited-stop bus from the Gold Coast Airport bus stop to Broadbeach South tram station. From there, the G:link tram continues to Surfers Paradise and Southport. It is a handy option if you are staying near the tram line.

Bus and train to Brisbane (route 760)

Translink route 760 runs from the same airport bus stop to Varsity Lakes train station, where you change to the train to Brisbane. Allow plenty of time for the combined journey, as it involves a change.

Taxi

The taxi rank is at the southern end of the terminal, near International Arrivals. By car, Surfers Paradise is about 30 minutes away and Byron Bay is about 45 minutes away.

Rideshare

The Uber pick-up zone is at the southern end of the terminal, outside Domestic Arrivals. Other rideshare services use kerbside pick-up points near Departures. Expect about 30 minutes to Surfers Paradise.

Shared shuttle

Shared airport transfers to Burleigh, Brisbane and Noosa can be booked at the transfer desk or e-kiosk inside the terminal. Journey times depend on the drop-off points along the way.

Car rental

Rental car desks are inside the terminal. Surfers Paradise is about 30 minutes away by car, and Byron Bay about 45 minutes.

Parking at Gold Coast Airport

Short-term terminal parking is at the front of the terminal. For longer stays, choose from saver, budget covered and uncovered, ParkFast and premium car parks. All of them are open 24/7.

You cannot park directly in front of the terminal, and the kerbside drop-off is a no-parking zone, so use a car park if you need to wait. Prices vary by car park and length of stay, so compare them on the airport's parking pages before you leave.

Facilities at Gold Coast Airport

The terminal is compact and easy to get around. Here is what you can expect, starting with the facilities travellers look for first.

Duty free shopping

Tax and duty free shopping is in the International Departures Lounge. On the domestic side, there is a duty-free style store plus fashion, tech and newsagency shops after security. The Tourist Refund Scheme desk is in the International Departures Lounge, near the top of the escalators.

Terminal layout

Domestic check-in and bag drop are at the northern end of the terminal. After check-in comes the central security screening point. International passengers then pass a second screening point into the International Departures Lounge on Level 2. Taxis and international arrivals are at the southern end.

Lounges

Both lounges at Gold Coast Airport serve domestic passengers. The Virgin Australia Lounge is at the southern end of the terminal, and The Qantas Club is just to the left after security. Entry depends on your membership or ticket.

Food and drink

Cafes, bars and quick eats are before security in front of domestic check-in and after security in the domestic departures lounge. The International Departures Lounge has a cafe-bar.

Luggage storage

Self-service luggage lockers are before security at the front of the terminal and are available 24/7. Oversized-item storage and bag wrapping are offered too.

Smoking areas

Smoking and vaping are not allowed inside the terminal or airside. Designated outdoor smoking areas are at the northern end of the terminal, along the northern car park walkway, on the centre walkway and in the southern forecourt.

Currency and ATMs

Multi-currency ATMs throughout the terminal dispense Australian dollars, New Zealand dollars and Japanese yen.

Free Wi-Fi and charging

Free Wi-Fi covers the whole terminal. Power points are available in the domestic departures lounge area.

Prayer rooms

There are three multi-faith and prayer rooms: near the main security point opposite domestic screening, in the Domestic Departures Lounge, and in the International Departures Lounge on Level 2.

Pharmacy

A pharmacy is located after security in the terminal.

Families and accessibility

A Changing Places adult change facility is after security in the Domestic Departures Lounge, opened with an MLAK key or a code from the duty manager. There is a family and assistance screening lane, and the Hidden Disabilities sunflower program is supported with a sensory map and quiet rooms. Lifts, hearing loops, braille signage and two assistance dog zones before security round out the accessibility features.

Tips for departing and arriving at Gold Coast Airport

For domestic flights, aim to be at Gold Coast Airport 60 to 90 minutes before departure, as airlines require check-in at least 60 minutes before. For international flights, arrive 2 to 3 hours before departure. The airport itself recommends three hours before.

The terminal opens at 4am, so a first-wave departure means arriving close to opening time rather than waiting inside overnight. Domestic travellers go from check-in at the northern end to the central security point. International travellers add a second screening before the Level 2 departures lounge.

If you are landing from overseas, you clear immigration and customs before the southern arrivals area. Entry requirements for Australia are set by the government, so check the official guidance for your passport. For departure and arrival times on the day, see the Traveloka flight status page.

Flights and flight schedule from Gold Coast Airport

Use this page to plan your next getaway from OOL. The fare cards show fares from the Gold Coast to popular destinations, so you can weigh up routes quickly. The schedule tables underneath group upcoming Gold Coast Airport services by date, naming the airline and the planned times for each one. They show a selection of flights rather than everything that operates.

Choose a route, compare airlines and departure times, and keep the 11pm to 6am curfew in mind for late connections. If the fare is not right yet, set a Price Alert and Traveloka will let you know when it changes. Your e-ticket arrives by email and in the app once you book.

Popular routes from Gold Coast Airport include:

• Gold Coast to Sydney flights
• Gold Coast to Melbourne flights
• Gold Coast to Adelaide flights
• Gold Coast to Perth flights
• Gold Coast to Hobart flights
• Gold Coast to Canberra flights
• Gold Coast to Auckland flights
• Gold Coast to Bali flights

Heading home after the beach or off on a new trip? Compare flights from Gold Coast Airport on Traveloka and book the one that suits you.