Broadbeach is one of the most popular places to stay on the Gold Coast, with the beach, plenty of restaurants, Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, The Star Gold Coast and the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre all nearby.
But first, you need to get there.
Gold Coast Airport is around 18 kilometres south of Broadbeach, and you can make the trip by public transport, airport shuttle, taxi, rideshare, private transfer or hire car.
I usually use public transport. It’s incredibly cheap, although a recent change to the Gold Coast transport network means you now need to change from the bus to the G tram at Burleigh Heads to reach Broadbeach.
Here are all the options so you can choose the one that works best for your trip.
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Gold Coast Airport to Broadbeach at a Glance
Cheapest: 777 bus + G tram – just 50 cents for the whole journey if you follow the transfer rules
Best for most solo travellers and couples: Public transport
Best with lots of luggage: Taxi, rideshare or private transfer
Best for groups: Compare a taxi, larger rideshare and private transfer
Best for door-to-door on a budget: Shared airport shuttle
Best if arriving late: Taxi, rideshare or pre-booked private transfer
Best if exploring beyond the Gold Coast: Hire car
Travel time by car: Around 25–30 minutes, depending on traffic
Public Transport from Gold Coast Airport to Broadbeach
Public transport is how I usually get from Gold Coast Airport to Broadbeach, and at just 50 cents for the journey, it’s by far the cheapest option.
There has recently been an important change to this route.
Bus 777 used to travel all the way from Gold Coast Airport to Broadbeach South, but this changed in September 2026 when the G tram line was extended south to Burleigh Heads.
The 777 now runs as a limited-stop service between Gold Coast Airport and Stockland Burleigh Heads. To continue to Broadbeach, get off at Burleigh Heads station and change to the G tram.
The tram then travels north through Miami, Mermaid Beach and Broadbeach before continuing towards Surfers Paradise, Southport and Helensvale.
The 777 runs frequently throughout the day, but timetables can change, so check the current Translink journey planner before you travel.
How Much Does Public Transport Cost?
Queensland public transport fares are now just 50 cents per journey, making this an incredibly cheap airport transfer.
Even though you need to change from the bus to the tram, you only pay 50 cents for the whole journey as long as you follow Translink’s transfer rules.
You need to make the transfer within one hour and use the same payment method for both services.
How to Pay
The easiest option for most visitors is contactless payment.
Simply tap on and off for each bus and tram trip using a contactless Visa or Mastercard, or a digital wallet such as Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Make sure you use the same card or device throughout the journey. Your physical bank card and the same card stored in Apple Pay, for example, are treated as different payment methods.
Also remember that each traveller needs their own payment method. You can’t tap the same bank card multiple times to pay for several people.
You can still use a go card if you already have one, but most visitors no longer need to buy one specifically for a Gold Coast holiday.
Public buses on the Gold Coast are accessible, with low-floor entry, ramps and allocated spaces for wheelchairs and mobility devices.
For most visitors arriving while public transport is running, the combination of the 777 and G tram is hard to beat for value.
Con-X-ion Shuttle from Gold Coast Airport to Broadbeach
If you want something more convenient than public transport but don’t want to pay for a taxi or private transfer, a shared airport shuttle is another option.
Con-X-ion operates transfers from Gold Coast Airport to accommodation around the Gold Coast, including Broadbeach. You’ll share the vehicle with other passengers, so there may be a few stops along the way.
The big advantage is being dropped at your accommodation rather than changing from the bus to the tram and then making your way from the tram stop.
This can be particularly useful if you have a lot of luggage or your accommodation isn’t close to the G.
Prices vary depending on your destination, so check the current fare when booking.
Check prices and book a Con-X-ion Gold Coast Airport transfer here
Taxi from Gold Coast Airport to Broadbeach
Taking a taxi is one of the easiest options, particularly if you have a lot of luggage or are travelling with other people and can split the fare.
The taxi rank is at the southern end of the terminal, near International Arrivals and opposite Rydges Gold Coast Airport. There’s generally no need to book ahead.
The drive to Broadbeach takes around 25-30 minutes, depending on traffic and exactly where you’re staying.
Larger taxis are available for groups and passengers with extra luggage. Accessible taxis are also available, but if you need a particular type of vehicle, I recommend arranging it in advance.
Taxi fares vary depending on traffic, your destination and the vehicle you need, so I wouldn’t rely on a fixed price quoted online.
If there are a few of you travelling together, compare the cost with rideshare and private transfers before deciding.
Rideshare is another easy option if you want to go straight to your accommodation.
Uber, DiDi and Shebah currently operate from Gold Coast Airport, with designated pick-up areas.
Uber passengers are picked up at the southern end of the terminal, just outside Domestic Arrivals. Other rideshare providers use designated kerbside pick-up points near Departures, so follow the signs and check your app for your exact meeting point.
I recommend collecting your luggage before requesting your ride so your driver isn’t waiting while you’re still at the baggage carousel.
The drive to Broadbeach generally takes around 25–30 minutes, depending on traffic.
Rideshare works particularly well if two or more people are travelling together, you have luggage you don’t want to take on public transport, or your accommodation isn’t conveniently located near a G stop.
Fares vary depending on demand, time of day and your exact destination, and surge pricing can make rideshare considerably more expensive during busy periods. Check the price in the app and compare it with a taxi before booking.
If you’re travelling with a larger group or lots of luggage, check whether a larger vehicle option is available.
Private Transfer from Gold Coast Airport to Broadbeach
If you’d prefer to have everything organised before you arrive, you can book a private transfer from Gold Coast Airport to Broadbeach.
Your driver will meet you at the airport and take you directly to your accommodation, so there’s no waiting for other passengers or working out public transport after your flight.
While a private transfer can look expensive, it can be surprisingly good value for a group. Divide the total price by the number of people travelling and compare the per-person cost with several shuttle tickets or other transport.
It’s also worth considering if you have plenty of luggage, are arriving late or simply want the convenience of knowing your transport is already organised.
If you have accessibility or particular vehicle requirements, check these when booking so an appropriate vehicle can be arranged in advance.
Check prices and book a private Gold Coast Airport transfer here
Hire Car from Gold Coast Airport to Broadbeach
If you’re hiring a car for your Gold Coast trip, picking it up at the airport is an easy option. Major rental companies have desks in the Domestic Arrivals Hall, and booking ahead is recommended, particularly during busy periods.
The drive to Broadbeach takes around 25–30 minutes, depending on traffic.
Before booking, though, consider whether you actually need a car.
If you’re mainly staying around Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise and the central Gold Coast, public transport is cheap and convenient, and parking at your accommodation may cost extra.
A hire car becomes much more useful if you want to explore the Gold Coast hinterland or other places away from the main coastal public transport routes.
If you do hire one, check whether your Broadbeach accommodation includes parking before booking.
I use Discover Cars to compare rental car prices from different companies in one search. Check Gold Coast Airport car hire prices here.
Which Gold Coast Airport Transfer Should You Choose?
For most travellers, I’d start by considering public transport. At just 50 cents, the combination of the 777 bus and G tram is incredibly good value.
The downside is that you now need to change at Burleigh Heads, so it’s not quite as convenient as the old direct 777 service to Broadbeach South.
If you want door-to-door transport without paying for a private vehicle, consider the shared shuttle.
A taxi or rideshare makes more sense if there are two or more of you, you have plenty of luggage or you simply don’t want to change between bus and tram after a flight.
For a larger group, don’t automatically dismiss a private transfer as too expensive. Once you divide the cost between everyone, it can be better value than you expect.
And if you’re planning to explore the hinterland or travel beyond the main Gold Coast strip, hiring a car may be the most practical option. If you’re simply spending a few days around Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise, you probably won’t need one.
Getting to Broadbeach from Gold Coast Airport
Getting from Gold Coast Airport to Broadbeach is straightforward, whichever option you choose.
For me, public transport is still hard to beat. Even with the new change at Burleigh Heads, paying just 50 cents to travel from the airport to Broadbeach is remarkable value.
But if you’re travelling with others, carrying lots of luggage or arriving late, paying more for a taxi, rideshare or private transfer may be worth it for the convenience of being dropped straight at your accommodation.
Once you arrive, Broadbeach is an easy area to get around without a car, with the beach, restaurants, shops and G tram all within easy reach.
Still looking for somewhere to stay?
Check the latest Broadbeach accommodation options and prices on Booking.com
Visiting the Gold Coast with kids? Check out this awesome list of things to do.
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TRAVEL PLANNING ESSENTIALS
Flights – Book direct with the airline, always.
Book accommodation – My go to is Booking.com
Hire a rental car – DiscoverCars.com is where I search many car rental companies in one place
Get travel insurance – I use CoverMore for my insurance.
Pick up an eSIM – My eSIM of choice is Airalo
Book activities, tours & attractions – I use a few different websites for this. Viator, Get Your Guide and Klook are my first options.
Stay safe with a VPN – I use NordVPN to keep me safe online
Manage your money – I use Wise and ING (Australia) for my travel accounts.
Please share this with your friends and pin for later
Great to know for when we next head up to the Gold Coast – Thanks Josie 🙂
Thanks Natalie
I love having detailed, easy to follow information to follow when travelling. Pinned this for future reference when I get to Australia!
Thanks Alison. I hope you get to visit Australia soon.
Great to know! I really appreciate practical posts like these. Really hoping to visit Australia someday soon!
Thanks Cate