In 2026, getting from Brisbane City to the Gold Coast is incredibly affordable due to the permanent 50-cent flat fare for all public transport in Queensland. The most efficient way is to take the Gold Coast Line train from any central station (like Roma Street or Central) to Helensvale Station. From Helensvale, you can seamlessly transfer to the G:link light rail (tram), which runs every 7.5 to 15 minutes and takes you directly to Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach. The entire journey takes roughly 90 to 100 minutes. For those who prefer a faster route, driving via the M1 motorway takes about 60 minutes, though traffic can be heavy during peak hours. Private shuttles like Con-X-ion are also available for around $50, and Greyhound buses offer a direct "city-to-city" service for about $20. For travelers arriving at Brisbane Airport, the Airtrain remains a popular, albeit more expensive (approx. $40), option that connects directly to the Gold Coast rail line.