Brisbane is a city in Queensland, Australia, known for its relaxed atmosphere and abundant sunshine. The city is often called "River City" because it's split in two by the Brisbane River. The Brisbane River flows into Moreton Bay, dividing the city into two bustling centers, the Central Business District in the north and the South Bank in the south.
The city is famous not only for its river, but also for its green areas. The green areas have urban infrastructure that is friendly to pedestrians and cyclists, providing good air quality and making it a pleasant place to be.
There are also numerous public transportation options that operate not only in the city center but also as far south as South East Queensland. This metropolitan area includes Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and other cities. So, you can choose the transportation based on your needs. Here are some of the recommendations!
Also read: Let’s Go! Travel Tips to Brisbane, Australia
Sumber: Shutterstock @IngeBlessas
Routes: The City Loop bus is one of Brisbane's most popular buses. This bus has a characteristic purple color with a lane around the Brisbane area.
This bus has two routes, i.e., route 40 and route 50. Route 40 is a clockwise route, and route 50 is counterclockwise. You can take the City Look bus to have a picnic with your family at the Botanic Gardens. There is also train access from Central Station and shopping access at Queen Street Mall.
Fares: You don't need to worry about the price because this bus is a facility provided by Brisbane City Council. So, it is suitable for those of you who are traveling solo or want a low-budget vacation.
Operational Hours: This bus runs every Monday to Friday, starting from 07:00 am to 06:00 pm for route 40. As for route 50, the bus will run from 07:05 am to 06:05 pm. Buses will arrive every 10 minutes, so ensure you arrive on time.
Source: Shutterstock @haireena
Routes: Brisbane also has a train system. The train has 12 lines in 8 zones that serve both short-distance and long-distance travel. You can choose from the Beenleigh and Cleveland trails that stop at South Bank and the intercity links to the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. These two destinations are Queensland's most popular surfing destinations. You can also use this train to get to Brisbane Airport.
Fares: Train fares are determined by the number of zones traveled, the time of travel, and the payment method used.You'll save around 20% when traveling outside peak hours and paying with the Go Card.
The off-peak time is from 08:30 am to 03:30 pm and 07:00 pm to 06:00 am. If you purchase paper tickets at the station, you will not get a price discount when you travel.
Tips: As a tip, you can use the MyTranslink application. With the application, you can find the fare, route, and train departure schedule. You can use the journey planner feature in the application while in Brisbane to make it easier.
Source: Shutterstock @EQRoy
Advantages: Brisbane also provides the CityCat ferry. Ferries are the best alternative to exploring Brisbane's CBD and other places on its riverside. By using the ferry, you will be free from traffic jams and can enjoy the city's beautiful scenery. You can also enjoy the breeze while enjoying the beauty of the Brisbane River.
Routes: Before using the ferry, you need to know first about the routes and nearby tourist attractions that can be reached. CityCat ferry has 18 terminals from the University of Queensland St Lucia to Northshore Hamilton. These terminals are also connected to Express CityCat, NightCat, and CityHopper services.
There are also exciting places that you can visit, such as Eat Street Northshore. This culinary center offers dishes from six continents and is located 250 meters from Northshore Hamilton.
Fares: This ferry has different fares during peak and off-peak hours. You will pay around AUD 3.45 during rush hours and AUD 2.76 outside of rush hours. For payment, you can do it through Go Card. If you use a paper ticket, you will be charged around AUD 5.
Operational Hours: Usually, the CityCat ferry operates from 5:25 a.m. to 00:55 a.m. You can use the TransLink application or check the official CityCat ferry page for the latest schedule.
Source: Green Cabs official website
Advantages: The Green Cab is an eco-friendly transportation option that takes the form of a modern green rickshaw. The driver of the Green Cab will pedal his bike and pull the passenger train seated behind him. This train can carry two adults and two children. This vehicle is relatively friendly and affordable because it uses human labor.
Routes: There are two routes that you can choose from. The first is the 50-minute Brisbane Highlights route. The second is the 70-minute Brisbane Explorer route. Green Cab drivers will take you to popular tourist attractions along the route.
Fares: The Green Cab fare will be calculated based on the distance traveled. The minimum price is about AUD 10, with a distance of 1 to 2 blocks. If you want to choose a tour package, you will pay around AUD 100 for the Brisbane Highlights package and AUD 140 for the Brisbane Explorer package.
How to book: Then how do you order a Green Cab? You can visit the official page at Greencabs.com.au for reservations as well as the most updated price and departure schedule.
Operational Hours: This Green Cab will operate from 05:00 pm to 00:00 am on Friday. Meanwhile, it will operate from 11:00 am to late at night on Saturday. Green Cab also operates on Sundays from 11:00 am to 06:00 pm.
Source: Shutterstock @Alex+Cimbal
Advantages: If you prefer a more private mode of transportation, you can take a taxi, which allows you to freely choose where and when you want to go. Brisbane has different types of taxis, such as maxi taxis for 11 people and wheelchair-accessible taxis.
Fares: Taxis have different prices depending on the distance and type of service you choose. The minimum price set is around AUD 2.9 from 07:00 am to 07:00 pm and AUD 6.30 from 00:00 am to 05:00 am. After that, you will be charged according to the distance and travel time.
These are the best transportation options in Brisbane that you can try. You’ll no longer wonder how to get around during your trip. Make sure you have enough cash for other transportation options. You can also use the Go Card, which is available at nearby supermarkets and stations.