TRAINS. There are frequent trains from Brisbane City (Central station) to Varsity Lakes Train Station with connections via the 760 bus route to the Gold Coast Airport.

You cannot catch a train directly to the front door of the Gold Coast Airport (OOL). The Queensland rail network ends several kilometers away from the airport terminal. To get from Brisbane to the Gold Coast Airport using public transport, you must take a "train-to-bus" connection. The most common route is taking the Gold Coast line from Brisbane (e.g., Roma Street or Central) to Varsity Lakes station, which is the final stop. From Varsity Lakes, you then transfer to the high-frequency Route 760 bus, which takes you the rest of the way to the airport. Alternatively, you can take the train to Helensvale station and transfer to the G:link light rail (tram) toward Broadbeach, then catch the Route 777 express bus to the airport. While the journey is affordable and reliable, it typically takes about 2 to 2.5 hours in total, which is significantly longer than the 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minute drive. For a more direct (though more expensive) option, many travelers use the "Airtrain" to reach the Gold Coast region but then rely on a shuttle or rideshare for the final "last mile" to ensure they make their flight on time without navigating multiple transfers.