Explore Brisbane’s free public transport options, including CityHopper ferries and inner-city buses, for budget-friendly travel around the city
The Brisbane Travel Guide acknowledges the Turrbal and Yuggera people, the Traditional Custodians of the land on Meanjin (Brisbane) is situated. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and emerging, and recognise their continued spiritual and cultural connections to Country. Always was, always will be, Aboriginal land.
While you can currently go anywhere in Brisbane on public transport for just 50c, did you know you can actually travel for absolutely nothing within the CBD?
From free ferries to inner-city buses, Brisbane’s free transport offerings provide an efficient way to see the city’s top attractions.
If you’re a budget traveller and want to find out more about these free transport options, then this is one guide you don’t want to miss!
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Free Ferries: The CityHopper
The CityHopper operates between North Quay and Sydney Street terminals, stopping at popular locations such as South Bank, Eagle Street Pier, Kangaroo Point, and New Farm. It’s a great way to access landmarks like the Queensland Art Gallery, the Maritime Museum, and the Brisbane Powerhouse.
The current stops include:
- North Quay: Located near the heart of Brisbane’s Central Business District (CBD), providing easy access to city attractions.
- South Bank: Adjacent to the South Bank Parklands, this stop is ideal for visiting cultural institutions and recreational areas.
- Maritime Museum: Close to the Queensland Maritime Museum, offering insights into the state’s nautical history.
- Riverside: Situated near the Riverside Centre, a hub for dining and entertainment.
- Holman Street: Located at Kangaroo Point, providing access to the Kangaroo Point Cliffs and surrounding areas.
- Howard Smith Wharves: A lively dining precinct with great bars and restaurants.
- Dockside: Provides easy access to the Story Bridge Hotel & Bridge Climb
- Sydney Street: This stop is near the historic New Farm Park and the Brisbane Powerhouse arts venue.
The CityHopper runs every 36 minutes from 5:30 AM to midnight, seven days a week.
Free Buses: CBD, South Brisbane and Spring Hill Loops
For those exploring Brisbane’s central business district (CBD) or nearby areas, the City Loop and Spring Hill Loop buses are excellent options.
City Loop Buses
The City Loop buses operate clockwise (route 40) and anti-clockwise (route 50) routes around the CBD, stopping at key locations like Queen Street Mall, Central Station, Riverside, Botanic Gardens, QUT, City Hall and the Treasury Casino.
These buses operate every 10 minutes, Monday to Friday, from 7 am to 6 pm. They do not run on weekends or public holidays.
Just look for the purple bus and bus stops, and when you see the bus, signal the bus driver that you wish to board and jump on when they stop.
Spring Hill Loop
Meanwhile, the Spring Hill Loop (route 30) connects CBD (from Queen Street) to the Spring Hill area, including stops at Central Station, Roma Street Station, Roma Street Parklands and more.
This bus route operates daily, every 10 minutes. On weekdays, this service operates from 6 am to 9.30 pm, on Saturdays from 8 am to 9.30 pm, and on Sundays from 8 am to 7 pm.
Just look for the yellow bus stops, and when you see the bus, signal the bus driver that you wish to board and jump on when they stop.
South Brisbane Loop
The South Brisbane loop (route 86) travels in an anti-clockwise direction along Grey Street, Montague Road, Vulture Street and Tribune Street, stopping at popular locations including the Cineplex, Gallery of Modern Art, South Brisbane station, Cultural Centre station, Davies Park and South Bank busway station.
This bus route operates daily, every 10 to 15 minutes. On weekdays, this service operates from 7 am to 9.30 pm and weekends from 8 am to 9 pm.
Just look for the green bus stops, and when you see the bus, signal the bus driver that you wish to board and jump on when they stop.
Enjoy Exploring Brisbane
Hopefully, you found this guide to Brisbane’s free public transport helpful.
We have a range of other Brisbane transport guides, which you may also find helpful, including a guide to using Brisbane’s public transport and how to get to and from the Brisbane Airport.
For more help getting around Brisbane, I recommend you join our free Queensland and Brisbane Travel Guide Facebook community, where you can ask all your questions.