Renting a Car at Brisbane Airport
Last updated: April 2026
Brisbane Airport (BNE) has its car rental center on the ground floor of the domestic terminal multi-level car park — a 5-minute shuttle ride from the international terminal. Hertz, Avis, Budget, Thrifty, and Europcar share the space, along with Australian operators East Coast and Redspot. BNE is the starting point for two of Australia's iconic drives: the Gold Coast southward and the Sunshine Coast northward.
🎯 Quick Tip
If driving to the Gold Coast (1 hour south), skip the M1 motorway during Friday afternoon rush and take the inland route via Mt Tamborine instead — it's 20 minutes longer but dramatically more scenic and stress-free.
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Airport Pickup Tips
From the international terminal, take the free inter-terminal shuttle (every 10 min) to the domestic terminal, then follow signs to 'Car Rental' on the ground floor of the car park. Present your passport, home license (English-language licenses are accepted; others need an IDP), and credit card. Australian operators are relaxed and efficient — 10–15 minutes typical.
Check for stone chips on the front bumper and windscreen — Queensland's highways kick up gravel, and windscreen replacements cost AU$400–600. Also inspect the roof for hail dents if you're visiting in storm season (November–February). Brisbane's subtropical sun fades paint, so look carefully for color-matched touch-ups hiding previous repairs.
For detailed guidance, see our pre-drive checklist.
Explore Brisbane by Car
Brisbane is your gateway to the Gold Coast's surf beaches, the Sunshine Coast's hinterland, and the epic Pacific coastal route to Byron Bay. Queensland's warm weather makes it ideal for convertible road trips.
Top drive from Brisbane: Sunshine Coast hinterland — Glass House Mountains
Full Brisbane Car Hire Guide →
Getting from Brisbane Airport to the City
BNE is 16 km northeast of Brisbane CBD. Take the Gateway Motorway (M1) south — 20 minutes in clear traffic. For the Gold Coast, continue on the M1 south (1 hour to Surfers Paradise). For the Sunshine Coast, take the Bruce Highway (M1) north, then exit to the Sunshine Motorway (75 min to Noosa). For the Scenic Rim, head west via Ipswich Motorway.
East Coast Car Rentals operates from Nudgee Road, 3 km from BNE. They offer complimentary airport transfer and specialize in 4WDs and campervans for longer Queensland road trips. Rates are typically 20–25% below terminal operators, and they include free additional drivers.
What to Know Before Driving from BNE
Australia drives on the left. Speed limits: 110 km/h on motorways, 100 km/h on rural highways, 60 km/h in suburbs, 40 km/h in school zones. Queensland uses point-to-point speed cameras on the M1. Fuel is in litres, distances in kilometres. Kangaroos and other wildlife are a serious hazard at dawn and dusk — avoid rural driving between 5–7 PM.
Australia drives on the LEFT. Verify you're comfortable with the right-hand driving position and left-side indicator stalk. Brisbane traffic uses merge-heavy motorway interchanges — select the correct lane early. Set your GPS to avoid toll roads if you don't want electronic tolling charges; you'll need to register with Linkt for toll roads otherwise.
Fuel Stations Near BNE
Caltex, BP, and United stations are on Airport Drive and the Gateway Motorway, within 5 km of BNE. Average fuel prices: ULP91 approximately AU$1.95/L, diesel AU$1.85/L. Brisbane fuel prices cycle weekly — cheapest on Tuesdays, most expensive on Thursdays. Use the PetrolSpy app to find the cheapest station near your return route.
Local Driving Tip
The Gateway Motorway (M1) and Clem Jones Tunnel use electronic tolling via Linkt — your rental should have a transponder, but check the daily fee cap. Kangaroos are a genuine road hazard at dawn and dusk on suburban fringe roads.