Brisbane Airport (BNE) is the third busiest airport in Australia and the primary gateway to the state of Queensland.
The airport is located around 12 kilometers from Brisbane's city center, near the Port of Brisbane. It’s one of the most efficient airports in the world and frequently praised for its performance and high level of passenger comfort.
In 2024, Brisbane Airport handled over 23 million travelers making it an important hub for domestic and international air traffic in Oceania and beyond.
Major Airlines - Virgin Australia, Jetstar, Qantas
Brisbane Airport serves as the primary hub for Virgin Australia - the second biggest airline in Australia. The airport is also an important hub for Qantas - the largest airline and the nation’s flag carrier.
Not the least insignificant, Jetstar, the biggest provider of low-cost flights in Oceania, uses Brisbane Airport as a secondary base after Melbourne Airport.
On the international long-haul front, Brisbane Airport is connected to the world by the likes ot Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, and United Airlines. In total, the airport is served by over 25 airlines with flights to many destinations in Asia, Oceania, the Americas and the Middle East.
See all airlines that use BNE here.
Terminal Layout and Gates
Brisbane Airport has two passenger terminals:
- International Terminal: A modern four levels terminal with contemporary passenger amenities.
Level 1 houses airline offices and baggage services.
Level 2 is dedicated to arrivals.
Level 3 encompasses the departure lounge (airside) and additional offices (landside).
Level 4 is designated for departure check-in.
The terminal has 14 gates, all equipped with aerobridges. It can accommodate the Airbus A380 - the biggest commercial aviation passenger airplane in the world.
- Domestic Terminal: A two-story building with three distinct areas for:
Qantas
QantasLink
Virgin Australia.
The northern end caters to Qantas and QantasLink whereas the southern end to Virgin Australia.
The central area accommodates other carriers like Jetstar.
The terminal offers multiple gates equipped with aerobridges and several lounges for passengers.
The two terminals are 2 kilometers apart and are connected by a complimentary Terminal Transfer Bus.
Check-in Process
You should arrive at the airport at least 1 hour prior to a domestic flight and at least 3 hours before an international flight, to account for security screening and Immigration procedures.
Many airlines these days provide online check-in which will save you time queuing at the airport and in most cases get you a boarding card in a matter of minutes.
Should you need to check in in person, the manned desks are situated as follows:
For Domestic flights:
The northern end of the Domestic Terminal (Gates 1-25) for Qantas and Qantaslink.
The central area of the Domestic Terminal (Gates 26-32) for Jetstar, and Link Airways.
The southern end of the Terminal (Gates 38-50) for Virgin Australia.
For International flights, all check in desks are located on Level 4, i.e. the Departures Hall.
Dining Options at Brisbane Airport
As a big modern airport, Brisbane’s BNE houses many dining establishments, both fast food joints and proper sit-down restaurants.
These are just some of the places to eat at the airport:
The Coffee Club (2 locations in the International and 1 in the Domestic Terminal): A popular Australian cafe chain serving a selection of coffee, beverages, and light meals.
Boost Juice (1 location in each terminal): Prepares fresh juices and smoothies on the go.
Motto Motto (in the Virgin Food Court of the Domestic Terminal): a favourite casual Japanese restaurant.
Windmill & Co (after Security in the International Terminal): a bar and bistro with a delicious menu of salads, share plates and various beverages.
Lounges at BNE
Brisbane Airport houses several lounges, including airline specific ones and those open to anyone wishing to pay for access.
These include:
Qantas Club: Located in the Domestic Terminal's Qantas concourse. A stylish lounge with barista coffee stations.
Virgin Australia Lounge: Situated at the southern end of the Domestic Terminal. A relaxing environment perfect for quiet work or to indulge in the complimentary food.
Emirates Lounge: Found in the International Terminal, notable for being the first Emirates lounge outside Dubai with direct access to A380 aerobridges.
Air New Zealand: Located in the International Terminal. Notable for its sleek and spacious design.
Singapore Airlines: Located in the International Terminal. Notable for the specially designed productivity pods for privacy and comfort.
Plaza Premium Lounge: Also located in the International Terminal and welcomes all international travellers without the need to pre-book. Also eligible to enter are Priority Pass and Lounge Key members.
All lounges offer the standard amenities expected from contemporary VIP airport lounges - comfortable seating, buffet food and a fast wifi.
Transportation to and from Brisbane Airport
You have multiple options for transportation between Brisbane Airport and the city or other regional destinations.
Perhaps the most convenient public transport option is the Airtrain which provides regular services to Brisbane's Central Business District and surrounding areas. It stops at both terminals of BNE and takes around 20 minutes to reach Downtown. A single ticket costs 22.30 AUD. The last service is at 10.04pm every day.
Another option requires changing buses but isn’t too inconvenient. The free inter-terminal bus also goes to the nearby Skygate shopping precinct from where you can take the Translink bus route 590 and connect to many other buses and destinations in Greater Brisbane.
For private transport, your options are:
Taxi and Rideshare: Designated zones are available outside both terminals for convenient access to taxis and rideshare services. A taxi ride to Brisbane costs 45-55 AUD.
A private transfer. Check your options for private transfers from BNE.
The Visitor Information Centres at both terminals can organize coach, rail, limousine and corporate car bookings for you. They are located at Level 2 of International or Level 1 of Domestic.
Parking at BNE
Secure, undercover parking options are available just a short distance from both terminals of Brisbane Airport. Remote open air parking is another popular on-site option with free bus transfers every 15-30 minutes and an air-conditioned waiting lounge.
There are many options for parking at BNE: 6 different parking lots for the Domestic Terminal and 4 options for the International Terminal with options suitable for short-term and long-term parking.
Do note however, that parking at Brisbane Airport is a very expensive affair - long-term parking rates are 69 AUD per day and up to 189 AUD for stays between two to six days.
Hotels near Brisbane Airport
There are no hotels directly within the terminal buildings so you cannot snooze within the airport while in Transit.
The two airport hotels (situated in front of the Domestic Terminal) are:
Pullman Brisbane Airport: A luxurious choice with upscale amenities.
ibis Brisbane Airport: A budget-friendly lodging option with practically the same level of convenience.
Both hotels are next to each other, about a 10-minute walk from the Domestic Terminal. Both offer a shuttle service, handy if you have a lot of luggage.
For hotels outside the airport grounds, the closest neighborhood with a lot of options is Ascot, some 9 km away from the terminals.
Brisbane, QL, Australia
