Gold Coast Airport

Gold Coast Airport is about 27 km (17 miles) south of Surfers Paradise, roughly 35 minutes by car outside peak traffic. Broadbeach is about 18.5 km away and Burleigh Heads just under 14 km. Taxis and pre-booked cars go door to door, while bus 777 runs to Burleigh Heads, where the G:link tram continues north to Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise.

Yes. The airport was called Coolangatta Airport until 1989, and many people still use that name because it sits beside Coolangatta, at the southern end of the Gold Coast. Its entrance is in Bilinga, Queensland, and its code is OOL. It is the only airport on the Gold Coast, so every flight to the Gold Coast lands here.

Gold Coast Airport has one terminal building for all passenger flights. Domestic check-in, security and gates are at the northern end, and the international area, with its own security and the International Arrivals hall, is at the southern end. The airport refers to the two ends as the Domestic Terminal and the International Terminal, and you walk between them inside the building.

Jetstar flies the most routes from the Gold Coast, across Australia and to New Zealand and Bali. Virgin Australia serves Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra and Bali, and Qantas flies to Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland. Air New Zealand flies to Auckland and seasonally to Christchurch, Fiji Airways to Nadi, and FlyPelican to Newcastle.

There is no train station at the airport, but Translink buses stop outside the terminal. Route 777 is a limited-stop express to Burleigh Heads, where you can change to the G:link tram for Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise. Route 760 runs to Varsity Lakes station, for trains to Brisbane, and to Robina. Tap on with a contactless bank card or a Go Card.

The taxi stand is at the southern end of the terminal, near International Arrivals and across from Rydges Gold Coast Airport. Taxis from 13 Cabs and Black and White Cabs serve the airport, and both can also be booked by phone. A taxi goes door to door to Coolangatta, Burleigh Heads, Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise and Tweed Heads.

Uber has a signposted pickup zone at the southern end of the terminal, just outside Domestic Arrivals, with an Uber Lounge where you can wait. DiDi and Shebah drivers collect passengers from designated points at the curb near Departures. Follow the rideshare signs after you collect your bags, and check the car and driver details in the app.

Byron Bay is about 67 km (42 miles) south of Gold Coast Airport, in New South Wales, roughly 45 to 60 minutes by car along the Pacific Highway depending on traffic. Gold Coast Airport is the closest major airport to Byron Bay. Remember that New South Wales uses daylight saving time from October to April, while the airport stays on Queensland time.

Gold Coast Airport is about 90 km (56 miles) south of Brisbane by road, along the Pacific Motorway. Travelers without a car can take bus route 760 to Varsity Lakes station and change to Queensland Rail's Gold Coast line for Brisbane, or book a shared shuttle or private transfer. Brisbane Airport is a separate airport north of the city.

Gold Coast Airport runs on Queensland time, Australian Eastern Standard Time (UTC+10), all year, because Queensland does not use daylight saving. Tweed Heads, Byron Bay and the rest of New South Wales move one hour ahead from early October to early April, so in those months your destination's clock can differ from the airport's by an hour.

Except for New Zealand citizens, every visitor needs a visa or travel authority before flying, such as an ETA through the AustralianETA app or an eVisitor for many European passports. On the plane you fill in the Incoming Passenger Card and declare all food, plant material and animal products. Biosecurity officers check bags after baggage claim, and undeclared items can bring penalties.

No. The terminal is open daily from 4:00 to 23:00, and overnight stays inside the building are not permitted. The parking lots stay open 24 hours. If your flight lands late or leaves early, Rydges Gold Coast Airport is a short walk from the terminal, and Coolangatta's hotels are only a few minutes away by car.

Yes. Two airline lounges are in the domestic departures area after security: the Virgin Australia Lounge, at the southern end opposite Gate 18, and The Qantas Club, just to the left after screening. Entry follows each airline's eligibility rules for status, membership or ticket class, so check with your airline before you fly.