In short
- Light rail line L1 runs along the coast from Helensvale to Burleigh Heads in about an hour.
- Our Gold Coast timetables list 65 bus routes; route 777 links Gold Coast Airport with Burleigh Heads.
- Trains run from Varsity Lakes and Helensvale to Brisbane.
- Every trip costs a flat 50 cents with a go card, a contactless card or a paper ticket.
The Gold Coast has a light rail line along the coast, a bus network of 65 routes in our timetables and a direct train to Brisbane. Like the rest of South East Queensland, every trip currently costs a flat 50 cents. Fares were checked on 24 October 2026.
Where does the light rail go?
Light rail L1 runs from Helensvale, where it meets the train, through Southport, Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads. In our timetables the full trip takes about an hour. It is the easiest way to move between the beaches, hotels and shopping centres along the coast. See the stops on the Gold Coast map.
Which buses are useful?
Buses feed the light rail and cover the suburbs and the hinterland. The busiest stops in our data are Broadbeach South, Pacific Fair and Southport bus station. Route 777 links Gold Coast Airport at Coolangatta with Burleigh Heads, where you can change to the light rail. All routes are in the Gold Coast timetables.
How do I get to Brisbane?
Trains on the Gold Coast line run from Varsity Lakes via Robina, Nerang and Helensvale to Brisbane and on to Brisbane Airport. The ride to the city takes about 1 hour 15 minutes in our data. See Brisbane to the Gold Coast.
How much does it cost?
Every trip on light rail, buses and trains costs 50 cents, with a go card, a contactless credit or debit card or a paper ticket. Tap on and off. With a go card or contactless card you can transfer up to 3 times in one journey, each time within 1 hour. Children aged 4 and under travel free, and children aged 5 to 14 travel free on weekends with a child go card. Buses are cashless. The 50 cent fare does not apply on Airtrain to and from Brisbane Airport. Details on the Gold Coast tickets page.
Live departures
Translink publishes real-time positions, delays and service alerts for the Gold Coast, and buses.app shows them on every stop page.
