Brisbane to Gold Coast takes around 1 hour 35 minutes by Joey bus, departing Brisbane early afternoon and arriving into Surfers Paradise mid-afternoon. Buses run daily in both directions on the same hop-on hop-off pass used across the rest of the East Coast network.
This is the quick beach run, and it’s usually the leg travellers take once Brisbane’s museums and river walks have been ticked off and it’s time for sand, surf and nightlife. Short enough to get there quickly, long enough to feel like you’ve actually gone somewhere.
Brisbane To Gold Coast Bus
7 Days per week!
Total journey time is one hour and 35 minutes from Brisbane to Surfers Paradise in the Gold Coast.
● 12:45pm – Brisbane
276D Albert Street
● 2:20pm – Surfers Paradise
10 Pine Avenue, Surfers Paradise
● 2:35pm – Surfers Paradise
Hearts Distillery, The Esplanade
Why do backpackers take the JOEY bus for this leg?
Public transport between Brisbane and the Gold Coast exists, but it’s built for commuters, not a bus full of other backpackers doing the same East Coast trip. Joey’s version is the difference between a transit hop and the start of your Gold Coast trip before you’ve even arrived.
FAQs
How long is the bus from Brisbane to Gold Coast?
1 hours 35 minutes, with two stops in the Gold Coast.
See all JOEY Routes here
Where does the Joey bus drop off on the Gold Coast?
Two stops: 10 Pine Avenue and Hearts Distillery on The Esplanade, both in Surfers Paradise.
Check out all of the stops on the JOEY route here
Where does the Joey bus depart from in Brisbane?
276D Albert Street, in the Brisbane CBD.
How much does the Brisbane to Gold Coast bus cost?
From $67.50 per trip depending on pass size or $89 if you book a single trip pass. Current pricing on the Joey pass page.
Get your JOEY pass now.
Buy a Joey pass to travel this leg and the rest of the coast on one ticket.
See our Full route network and timetable
Add on activities and accommodation with the 8 Day Adventure or 11 Day Premium packages.
Find your perfect Joey route Pass.
Each pass comes with a set number of purchased trip uses, and each time you travel from one destination to another, it counts as one trip. Go in any direction, at any time, and add more trips whenever you need.
What’s included with each pass
- Any trip segment of your choice. For example, Byron Bay to Noosa will require 1 trip
- Add extra trips easily in your account
- Change your dates for free up to day before
- Immediate access in your Joey account
- Pass valid for 6 months from first trip use
- Bring one travel buddy on any trip (counts as an additional trip)
East Coast Route
Five destinations. A 350km route running the East Coast daily. Buses depart both Southbound and Northbound. Hop on anywhere, Hop off anywhere.
Rainbow Beach
Byron Bay
How it works
Hit the coast.
Cruise from Byron to Rainbow Beach with guided stops, secret spots and all the coastal magic in between.
Come for the ride, stay for the group chat.
Meet likeminded travellers, swap stories and make the kind of road-trip connections that last long after the ride is over.
trips end. friendships don’t.
The journey might wrap up, but the friendships you make along the way keep going long after the bus stops.
