Fast track commute to Commonwealth Games with Brisbane Airtrain

Written by Yevonne Cheung

Flying into an unknown city for a large event is often stressful and requires careful planning but for those travelling via Brisbane for the Commonwealth Games can have a stress-free trip from Brisbane Airport by catching the Brisbane Airtrain and bypassing Gold Coast and M1 traffic.

With the Commonwealth Games in full swing, event attendees should start thinking about travel alternatives, with changes to the M1 Motorway such as speed reductions and road closures likely to impact travel times.

The Brisbane Airtrain offers seamless travel from the Brisbane Airport domestic and international terminals direct to the heart of Surfers Paradise and all major stops in between thanks to the launch of the Gold Coast Light Rail Stage Two connection at Helensvale station.

Airtrain CEO Chris Basche said Airtrain’s connection with G:link offers greater accessibility for interstate attendees to reach the events faster and easier than ever before.

“The Gold Coast is expected to welcome more than 600,000 visitors for the Games which will undoubtedly cause congestion on the roads, particularly along the M1 Pacific Motorway, leading up and during the event,” said Mr Basche.

“It’s vital to be prepared and start thinking of alternatives to avoid possible traffic issues. With the Airtrain line starting at the domestic terminal, travellers have immediate access to transport that can take them to the action quickly and conveniently.

“A family can travel to the Gold Coast for less than $70*, bypassing the pressures of traffic congestion and finding a park on arrival.

“Attending an event with the whole family can often be costly, but having the convenience of simply tapping on with a GoCard and sitting back, families can rest assure they’ve chosen the most cost effective and stress free way to commute to the Games.”

Airtrain offers services every 15 minutes during peak times and every 30 minutes during off peak times between 5:00am and 10:00pm.

To see the traffic hotspots in your area, plan your journey, or find out how much you can save when taking the Airtrain, visit www.airtrain.com.au/journey-planner

*Based on a family of two adults and two children up to and including the age of 14 travelling off-peak and using Go Cards.

About Airtrain

Brisbane Airtrain is privately owned by Airtrain CityLink Limited and commenced operations in Brisbane in May 2001. The Airtrain service is completely integrated into the Queensland Rail suburban network, consisting of an 8.5km elevated railway line and stations at Brisbane Airport’s International and Domestic terminals and it is the only rail service connecting Brisbane Airport directly to Brisbane City and on to the Gold Coast and Redcliffe. In December, 2017, the completion of Gold Coast Light Rail Stage Two connection at Helensvale means Airtrain passengers can now travel direct from Brisbane Airport to the Gold Coast’s famous beaches. More than 1,500 passengers travel on Airtrain’s network daily, and in its 16 years more than 21 million passenger trips have been taken.