MOP 412 Cheap Flights from Sydney to Brisbane

Fly from Sydney to Brisbane takes about 1 hour 30 minutes. Brisbane is ​​0–1 hour behind​​ Sydney, as they are in different time zones (Brisbane does not observe daylight saving time, while Sydney does).

​​Departure:​​ Flights depart from ​​Sydney Airport (SYD)​​—Australia’s busiest airport. Domestic terminals are ​​T2​​ (Virgin Australia/Jetstar) and ​​T3​​ (Qantas). Arrive ​​2 hours early​​; security queues can exceed 25+ minutes during peak hours (6–9 AM).

​​Arrival:​​ Flights land at ​​Brisbane Airport (BNE)​​. Travel to the CBD (≈15 km northeast) via ​​airtrain​​: runs every 15–30 mins to Central Station (18 mins; ​​$20.50 AUD​​ one-way). You can also ​​take 25 mins by Taxi or Uber which may cost ​​$50–60 AUD​​.

​​Airlines:​​ Qantas​​, ​​Virgin Australia​​, and ​​Jetstar​​ often dominate the airlines. About carry-on limits, Qantas/Virgin: ​​10–14kg​​ (free). But Jetstar has strict limit​​ (7kg)—extra kg cost ​​≈$15–25 AUD/kg​​. As for ​onboard Services​​, Qantas and Virgin provides complimentary snacks and drinks. But for Jetstar, all food/drinks need to be paid (​​≈$4–10 AUD/item​​).

Source from Sydney Airport Official Website

Airports in Sydney

Sydney currently has one major commercial airport, Sydney Airport (SYD), also known as Kingsford Smith Airport. There are also a few smaller airports, like Bankstown Airport and Camden Airport, that handle general aviation and freight. A second major airport, Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, is under construction and is scheduled to open in 2026. 

Sydney Airport (SYD) (Kingsford Smith)​​

• Location:​​ 8 km (5 miles) south of downtown Sydney.
• Major gateway to Asia-Pacific​​ (44+ million passengers/year).
• ​​Three terminals:​​ T1 (International), T2/T3 (Domestic).
• ​​Terminals connected by:​​ Free shuttle bus (runs every 10 mins, 4am–11pm; 10-min trip).
• ​​Check-in tip:​​ Arrive 2+ hours early – peak-hour security queues stretch 30+ mins.

​​Getting from Sydney to SYD​​

• Airport Link Train:​​ 18.90 AUD from Central Station (13 mins direct to terminals).
• ​SydneyTrains:​​ Cheaper suburb to Mascot Station+10−minwalk (4–5 AUD from Central).
• ​Taxi/Rideshare: ​45–60 AUD to downtown (20–35 mins; harbour crossings add tolls).

Bankstown Airport (BWU / YSBK)​

• Location:​​ ​​22 km (14 miles) west of downtown Sydney, near Bankstown CBD.
• ​​Major Role:​​ Australia's busiest ​​general aviation airport​​ (300,000+ flight movements/year).

​Getting from BWU to Sydney

• Train + Bus:​​ Take Bus 905/906 (15 mins) to ​​Bankstown Station​​ → Transfer to T3 Line train (45–55 mins direct to Central Station).
• ​​Taxi/Rideshare:​​ ​​55–70 AUD to Sydney CBD (50-65 mins traffic-dependent).
• ​Car Rental:​​ Essential onsite (Hertz/East Coast) – GA precincts are spread out.
• ​​Flight Training Transfer:​​ Most schools offer shuttle pick-ups from Bankstown Station.

Source from Wikipedia

Airport in Brisbane

Brisbane ​​operates with one primary airport​​, designated ​​Brisbane Airport (BNE)​​. The airport ​​features two terminals​​: a ​​Domestic Terminal​​ and an ​​International Terminal​​. Though serving as the ​​sole aviation hub​​, these two terminals ​​exclusively manage all domestic and international flights​​, respectively.

Brisbane Airport (BNE)​

• ​​Location:​​ 17 km northeast of downtown Brisbane.
• ​​BNE is Australia’s third-busiest airport​​ (23+ million passengers/year).
• ​​Terminals connected by:​​ Free ​​ATB Shuttle Bus​​ (runs every 10 mins, 5am–10pm; 5-min ride).

​​Getting from BNE to downtown

• ​​​Airtrain:​​ Direct to Central Station (20 AUD, 25mins). Runs 5:30am–8:30pm.
• Bus590: ​​To city via RBWH (5 AUD, 50+ mins; limited baggage space).
• Taxi/Rideshare:​​ 50–65AUD to downtown (25–35mins; Airport Link tunnel toll 5.75).

Best Time to Fly to Brisbane

• Best time:​​ ​​May–August​​ or ​​September–October​​. Pleasant temperatures (12–25°C), sunny dry conditions—optimal for beaches/hikes. Peak event season (Riverfire in September!).
• ​​Dec–Feb:​​ Heat and humidity (25–35°C) with monsoon storms. Ideal for coastal trips (Gold Coast 1hr away)—reserve 3+ months early for NYE. Potential flood events.
• ​​Mar–Apr:​​ Comfortable warmth (20–28°C), reduced tourist traffic. Perfect for mountain escapes (glowworm caves at Tamborine Mt.). Common discounted fares post-Easter.

Where to Stay in Brisbane

Book Brisbane hotels on Trip.com! Trip.com offers Free Cancellation, so plan your trip stress-free!

• ​​South Bank:​​ If you ​​love beach vibes​​, you can’t miss this artificial beach with ​​GOMA gallery​​ and riverfront dining. Just ​​5 mins​​ from CBD via ​​Direct CityCat ferry​​.
• CBD/Riverside:​​ It’s ​​best for first-timers!​​ You can easiiy walk to ​​Queen Street Mall​​, ​​South Bank Parklands​​, and ferry terminals. I suggest ​​Sofitel Brisbane Central (luxury)​​ and ​​Ibis Brisbane (budget)​​.
• ​​Fortitude Valley/New Farm:​​ It’s ​​really the Hipster paradise!​​ You must see ​​James Street boutiques​​, live music venues, and hidden bars. Find trendy lofts/B&Bs near the ​​Powerhouse arts hub​​. Walk to CBD in ​​20 mins​​ or hop on the ​​free City Loop bus​​.
• ​​Paddington/Milton:​​ It’s tthe vibe of ​​Leafy hillside chic​​. Discover ​​cafés​​, indie bookstores, and river views. Stay at historic B&Bs + retro apartments (​​15-min bus to CBD​​).

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