Whether you’re living in Brisbane or landing into Queensland’s largest airport as a visitor, you can now save 5-15% on your Airtrain tickets by booking them online or by following a link through the Airtrain iPhone app.
On the day of travel or the day prior the savings come in at 5%; between two and six days before travel (inclusive) sees that boosted to 10%, while passengers reserving tickets a week or more in advance get a 15% discount.
Normally you’d pay $17 for a one-way ticket from the airport to the CBD or $32 for a return – but when booking via the Airtrain website at least 7 days before travel, that drops to $14.45 and $27.20, respectively, with that 15% discount.
Larger groups also benefit from higher discounts that make catching the train roughly the same price as hailing a taxi, yet without the peak hour traffic.
Two passengers travelling together on the same booking would pay $28 in one direction or $54 round-trip (down from $31.11 and $60, respectively).
For groups of three, the prices drop from $40 and $80 for one-way and return to $36 and $72, while groups of four pay virtually the same as a taxi: $45 in one direction, or $90 for a round-trip ticket.
Again, that’s a further discount on an already discounted group fare, which can be booked on the go – even as you’re taxiing from the runway to the gate in Brisbane – and used by presenting a barcode on your mobile phone to staff at the station.
Airtrain’s iPhone app has a handy ‘next trains today’ feature, which would allow Qantas Platinum members or Velocity Gold and Platinum flyers who have arrived into Brisbane to spend more of their waiting time in the lounge, rather than sitting at the outdoor station in the heat.
You'll also find similar functionality on Airtrain's new mobile site, which has a convenient countdown clock until the next train departs:
Airtrain’s app also links to the online ticketing tool, although the transaction takes place on the regular Airtrain mobile website rather than within the app itself – so if you’re going to close your Safari window before walking to the station, we’d recommend taking a screenshot of your QR code (barcode) just to be safe.
Travellers with Android or Windows phones – or indeed, without a smartphone – can still take advantage of the 5-15% online booking discount when buying their Airtrain ticket via the main Airtrain website and printing the barcode, or the Airtrain mobile portal.
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Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
04 Nov 2012
Total posts 212
Can seniors obtain an annual card for a one of fee?.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
10 Jan 2012
Total posts 258
There are only Adult and Children fares, and one way or return tickets.
But you can buy a book of 10 tickets for a discounted rate if you're a frequent traveller on the Airtrain.
05 May 2012
Total posts 32
A mate and I tried to buy online last Saturday on our respective iPads, then phones, using PayPal and a few credit cards - each time the transaction did not go through.
When we notified the staff at the ticket window of our difficulties, we were met with blank looks and were charged the normal ticket fee.
Lesson - buy well before you fly...rather than on the fly.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Dec 2011
Total posts 95
Lucky Brisbane, Melbourne doesn't have a train to Tulla. And I don't think we will ever get one. As a Labor Government is for sure.
Thai Airways International - Royal Orchid Plus
15 Jan 2013
Total posts 458
Yes.And it is a disgrace nearly all cities of the world have an airport train to and from the city.Even Sydney has one.Adelaide makes do due to it's proximity to town with a bus for the price of a local bus ticket and there are probably other examples I can think of.
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