Travelling from Sydney to Brisbane
Nestled between the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast, Brisbane is where spectacular beaches and urban convenience combine. Experience the best of both worlds when you book flights from Sydney to Brisbane with Virgin Australia.
Ready to explore? Book Sydney to Brisbane flights with Virgin Australia now or read on for more information about flying to Queensland’s capital.
Arriving at Brisbane Airport
Brisbane CBD is approximately 12 kilometres from Brisbane Airport. The most value friendly and by far easiest commute option to central Brisbane is via Airtrain, a 20-minute journey. You can either pre-book your Airtrain ticket online or use a Translink go card (if you have one). Other options include taxi, rideshare, and rental car.
You will arrive into Brisbane’s Domestic Airport, from there make your way outside the terminal to the various transport services.
Transfer times and cost guide (to Brisbane City)
- Taxi and rideshare: 20mins – approx. $45-$55
- Shuttle bus: 20mins – approx. $15
- Airtrain: 20mins – approx. $15-$19.50 per adult (children 5-14 years inclusive travel free to the CBD with a paying adult)
Read more in our Brisbane Airport Guide.
Departing from Sydney Airport
Located 8km from Sydney CBD, Sydney Airport is best accessed by an easy 13-minute train ride on the Air Train service. Use your Opal Card, or alternatively tap on with your Amex, Visa or Mastercard.
You can also commute to Sydney Airport via shuttle or public bus, taxi, rideshare - or self-drive, utilising the airport parking options available.
In non-peak hour the drive is approximately 25-minutes from the centre of Sydney. We all know Sydney traffic can get congested, especially in peak time, so allow plenty of time.
Virgin Australia operates from Terminal 2 (T2) for your domestic flight to Brisbane.
What time do you need to arrive at Sydney Airport?
If you’re planning to check in luggage we recommend that you arrive at the airport 60 minutes prior to your flight time, as check-in is 45 minutes prior departure. This should allow you enough spare time to grab a coffee en route to the departure gate, without feeling frazzled.
Read more in our Sydney Airport Guide.
Brisbane Itinerary – What to do in a day?
Only have 24 hours in Brisbane? Here’s our handy guide so you can fit in as many attractions and things to do, without feeling like you’re a contender on The Amazing Race.
8.30am – Fortitude Valley-bound
From Brisbane Airport, hop on the Airtrain service through to Fortitude Valley, and once you’ve dropped off your bags at one of the many funky hotels (we love Sage Hotel and Calile Hotel on James Street), make your way to Jamie’s Espresso Bar for a morning caffeine fix, and enjoy a quick shop at the high-end boutiques on this stretch.
9.30am – Conquer the Story Bridge Climb
Time for an urban adventure and aerial view of Brisbane with Story Bridge Adventure Climb, just a short uber ride away. You’re booked in for the 2-hour climb at 10am, enjoy!
12.30pm – Lunching at Howard Smith Wharves
You’ve worked up a hunger on that climb – lucky you’re close to Brisbane’s dining and drinks venue hot-spot, Howard Smith Wharves, where lunch is planned. This once shipyard site now brings the old warehouses back to life, grassy lawns staged on the riverfront, and idyllic views of Story Bridge and Brisbane City. Option A is Greca Restaurant – a contemporary Greek taverna, or for Japanese - pick Option B, Yoko Dining.
2pm – Take in the arts at QAGOMA
As much as we know you’d like to Aperol Spritz the afternoon away at Mr Percivals cocktail bar there’s so much more to do today. Catch the handy bus #199 or #196 across to South Bank as you’re off to visit the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), home to over 1,700 works from art from around the world. Catch the latest exhibition and if you’re here over Summer look out for the “Up Late” events.
4pm – City sights and history at the Museum of Brisbane (MoB)
After a quick stroll through the beautiful Southbank Parklands’ rainforest walk, you are now Brisbane City-bound (by foot across Victoria Bridge) to experience Museum of Brisbane (MoB). This unique museum brings Brisbane’s vibrant culture, history and art to life through their (often quirky) exhibitions and special events. Make sure too to book the fun (and free) Clock Tower Tour.
Whilst in the City we’re off to explore the City Botanic Gardens followed by an easy walk along the river via Howard Smith Wharves, to your hotel in Fortitude Valley, for a freshen and frock-up for dinner.
7.30pm – An evening at Gerard's
Dinner has been booked near your hotel, at one of Brisbane’s signature restaurants, Gerard’s Bistro on James Street, a hidden treasure with mouth-watering modern middle eastern cuisine. If you can’t decide from the extensive menu ask the waiter for their recommendations, it’s always spot on.
9.30pm – After dinner drinks in Ashgrove
The last stop for your Brisbane adventure is a nightcap at Junk Bar, a funky vintage inspired vinyl-only bar lined in rainforest wallpaper, in the unexpected suburb of Ashgrove, a 7km taxi or uber ride away. Try the chocolate chili martini or forever deal with FOMO.
Where to stay in Brisbane?
Brisbane, fondly referred to as the ‘River City’, offers a diverse range of accommodation to suit all styles and budgets, throughout the city, winding around its River, and the unique inner-city precincts.
Brisbane CBD
Brisbane CBD is a central area to stay with key attractions including Museum of Brisbane, City Botanical Gardens, and luxury and street-wear shopping in abundance. You’ll find everything from Oaks Suites, historic Royal on the Park, and W Brisbane as options for your hotel stay.
Fortitude Valley
For an outstanding café, dining and designer shopping scene, you can’t go past a stay in Fortitude Valley (bordered by neighbouring New Farm, Newstead and Teneriffe). From coffee joints to mega clubs, gin bars to boutiques, a cinema to antiques – this area is the happening place to stay with plenty of accommodation options. There’s also Art Series Hotel, Fantauzzo, at nearby Howard Smith Wharves.
Southbank
The culture hub of Brisbane, we recommend artsy folk stay in Southbank. With Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), Queensland Art Gallery (QAG), and Queensland Performing Arts Complex (QPAC) all at your doorstep, Southbank also offers Southbank Parklands and The Wheel of Brisbane, upscale dining, cafes and premier accommodation including Emporium Hotel South Bank.
West End
For a relaxed hippy vibe we recommend a stay in inner-city West End, just over 1.5 kilometres from the City. A much smaller scale of Sydney’s Newtown, this is a community and arts neighbourhood with a great café and dining scene (particularly vegan-friendly) and the fabulous fresh produce Davies Park Market held every Saturday. It’s also home to Brisbane Distillery, where you can enrol in the ‘gin school’ and learn the craft of gin making. Fairly limited in accommodation options, book in advance if you want to stay in this area.
When to visit Brisbane?
Brisbane offers a mild sub-tropical climate all year with over 260 sunny days a year, making it the ultimate year-round destination to visit from Sydney.
Travelling to Brisbane from Sydney during March to May (Autumn) is the most ideal as the season brings comfortable, sunny weather, and there is little rainfall.
Winter is spectacular in Brisbane. Lap up the idyllic blue-sky days, and despite the fact locals eagerly don jackets and boots, you’ll experience a pleasant 22 degrees during the day.
The summer months (December to February) can be humid, however most venues are air conditioned – and besides, it’s perfect weather if you’re travelling to Brisbane for a beach holiday at nearby Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast.
What to pack for your trip to Brisbane?
Brisbane enjoys a warm sub-tropical temperature year-round, so pack light, breathable clothes. Brisbane is reasonably casual, so a mix of shorts, long pants, dresses and a light jacket should suffice for most of the year.
Bring comfortable shoes for your urban adventures, swimwear if planning on a beach day, and of course, sunscreen.
Naturally if you’re a fashionista be sure to pack some hip outfits too, Brisbane has upped the ante in the fashion-stakes, more than you may realise.
Must Packs
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- Summer: lightweight clothes, sunscreen, comfortable dresses for women, short- sleeved shirts for the men
- Autumn: a light jacket
- Winter: jeans, boots, short and long-sleeved tops, medium weight jacket
- Spring: a light jacket for cooler evenings
Frequently asked questions
The average time for your flight from Sydney to Brisbane is 1 hour and 30 minutes.
*Note: flight times should be used as a guide only. Carefully consider your requirements before travelling and always allow extra time to arrive at your destination.
You will travel over 730 kilometres on your flight from Sydney to Brisbane.
During peak periods, Virgin Australia flies up to 19 times a day from Sydney to Brisbane, operating regularly scheduled flights from 6.00am to 9.30pm.
Virgin Australia flies our Boeing 737-700 and 737-800 on the Sydney to Brisbane route. Find more information on our fleet here.