Airport Transfer Guides — Everything Worth Knowing Before You Book
From $90 to Gold Coast Airport (OOL) or $185 to Brisbane Airport (BNE) — and every guide we’ve written, in one place.
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The Short Answer
Transfers start from $90 to Gold Coast Airport (OOL) or $185 to Brisbane Airport (BNE) for central Gold Coast addresses — per vehicle rather than per person, with the price locked when you book. This page collects every guide we’ve written. If you’re still deciding whether to book a private transfer at all, start with how to choose an airport transfer, which compares all the options honestly, including where we’re not the answer. If you’ve decided and just need to know which vehicle, read the pricing guide. If you want the price for your exact suburb, both route directories list every stop we serve — the Gold Coast Airport route directory and the Brisbane Airport route directory. If you fit a specific situation — a baby, a group of twelve, surfboards, a wedding weekend — jump straight to that guide. Every quote includes GST, with the Gateway Motorway toll on BNE runs and any after-hours fee already inside the figure. No surge, ever. Standard hours 5am–9pm, with pre-booked after-hours pickups 9pm–5am. 5.0 stars from 62 Google reviews.
Pricing at a Glance
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| Vehicle | Passengers | To OOL | To BNE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan / Toyota RAV4 | 1–3 | from $90 | from $185 |
| Kia Carnival | Up to 7 | from $120 | from $240 |
| 12-seat VW Transporter | 8–11 | from $260 | from $485 |
Per vehicle, not per person, for central Gold Coast addresses. GST included. The Gateway Motorway toll on BNE runs and any after-hours fee (9pm–5am pickups) are inside the locked figure. No surge at any time; a higher rate applies only on Christmas Day and Easter Sunday. No last-minute surcharge — the same rate today as four weeks out. Outer suburbs, the Tweed Coast and Byron Bay are quoted per kilometre on the exact address — see the OOL route directory and BNE route directory for your suburb.
Not sure where to start? Pick your question
- Should I even book a private transfer? → How to choose an airport transfer
- Which vehicle, and which airport? → Airport transfer pricing guide
- What’s the price for my suburb? → OOL route directory or BNE route directory
- What does it cost, and what’s included? → How CGC fixed pricing works
- What time will you pick me up? → How early to leave for Brisbane Airport
- Is it actually reliable? → Most reliable airport transfer
- Or just get a rideshare? → Private driver vs rideshare
- Or hire a car? → Airport transfer vs hiring a car
- I’ve got a specific question → The FAQ
On this page
The Fleet
Groups of 8–11 take the 12-seat VW Transporter (10 large suitcases, longer boards). Anything larger runs as multiple vehicles together.
Start Here
If you read a handful of pages before booking, read these. Between them they answer most of what people ask.
- How to choose an airport transfer service — private, rideshare, taxi, shuttle or train, compared honestly
- Airport transfer pricing guide — how the per-kilometre model works and which vehicle you need
- How CGC fixed pricing works — what’s inside the quote and why it doesn’t move
- How a private airport transfer works — the five stages from booking to drop-off
- Door-to-door explained — what the phrase actually means here
- Most reliable airport transfer on the Gold Coast — how the operation actually works
- Safety and reliability standards — licensing, insurance, driver and vehicle standards
- The FAQ — every answer in one place
- First-time travellers — if you’ve never done this before
Route Directories
Every suburb we serve, both airports, with the from-price for each. If you want the exact figure for your street rather than the central-Gold-Coast starting price, start here.
- Gold Coast Airport (OOL) route directory — every Gold Coast and Northern NSW suburb to OOL, from $90, with in-terminal meet and greet on every pickup
- Brisbane Airport (BNE) route directory — every Gold Coast and Northern NSW suburb to BNE, from $185, Gateway toll inside the quote
Booking and Timing
When to book, what time you’ll be picked up, and how the awkward hours work. The rate never changes with lead time — booking early buys availability, not a discount.
- How far in advance to book — lead times by season, from a weekday Tuesday to Christmas week
- Pre-book airport transfers — what locking it in ahead actually secures
- Last-minute and same-day transfers — no surcharge, but availability is the constraint
- Early-morning and pre-dawn transfers — the 2am–5am pickups, plus the night-before checklist
- Late-night airport transfers — landing after 10pm at BNE or OOL
- Public holiday transfers — the only two days a year that cost more
- How early to leave for Brisbane Airport
- How early to leave Surfers Paradise for OOL
- How to avoid delays getting to Brisbane Airport — the M1 peak, and why the app’s number lies
When Things Go Wrong
Delays, cancellations and how to reach your driver. Most of it is handled without you doing anything.
- How flight delays are handled — monitoring, and the waiting that’s included
- Flight cancelled — what happens next — the credit tiers, and why timing matters
- How to contact and track your driver — no app, just a number that works
Families and Kids
Child seats, prams, mixed ages and the logistics of moving a family through an airport. The Carnival takes up to five Australian-Standards restraints, fitted before pickup.
- Airport transfers with kids — the main family guide: which restraint for which age
- Travelling with a baby — capsules, prams, and pre-dawn logistics with a newborn
- Large families — five or more, vehicle sizing, multi-suitcase loads
- School holiday transfers — peak windows and booking lead times
Groups and Events
More than seven people, or a weekend with a manifest attached. One booking, coordinated vehicles, one price.
- Large group transfers — the Transporter, multi-vehicle coordination, sports squads with kit
- Group travel planning — organising a manifest that actually works
- Wedding transfers — guest coordination across the weekend
- Honeymoon transfers — reception pickup, price locked weeks out
- Schoolies week — Gold Coast — parent-bookable, no surge
- Schoolies week — Byron Bay — and why the airport you fly into matters
Business and Conferences
Time-critical flights, delegate coordination, and an invoice that works.
- Corporate airport transfers
- Business and conference transfers
- Conference delegate transfers — multi-delegate arrivals across the major venues
- Corporate travel tips
Specific Travellers
Guides for people whose trip has a particular shape to it.
- Solo female travellers — knowing your driver’s name before you land
- Senior travellers — easier vehicles, family-bookable
- International students — arriving without a local SIM or card
- Cruise passengers — the Brisbane cruise terminal and embarkation timing
Luggage and Equipment
Boards, clubs, instruments and the things that don’t fit a boot.
- Surfboard transfers — what fits where, and the 7’2″ line
- Oversized luggage — golf clubs, instruments, sporting gear, boxed items
- What to pack — the travel checklist
Comparisons
Working out whether a private transfer is even the right call. These pages say so honestly, including when it isn’t.
- How to choose an airport transfer service — every option, side by side
- Gold Coast to Brisbane Airport — all transport options
- Private driver vs rideshare — the detailed two-way comparison
- Fixed price vs metered taxi
- Airport transfer vs hiring a car — including the hybrid most trips should use
Airports and Trip Planning
Service Pages
The main pages, covering every route and suburb.
- Brisbane Airport (BNE) transfers — every Gold Coast and Northern NSW suburb
- Brisbane Airport (BNE) route directory — every suburb to BNE, with from-prices
- Gold Coast Airport (OOL) transfers — every Gold Coast and Northern NSW suburb
- Gold Coast Airport (OOL) route directory — every suburb to OOL, with from-prices
- Byron Bay transfers — Byron and the Northern Rivers
- Kingscliff transfers
- Theme park transfers
- Day trip hire
- About CGC — and the full booking terms
- Contact us
- Book now
Not sure your address is covered? It almost certainly is. Call 0416 131 285 or get a quote online with your pickup address.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is an airport transfer on the Gold Coast?
From $90 to Gold Coast Airport (OOL) or $185 to Brisbane Airport (BNE) in a sedan; from $120 or $240 in the Kia Carnival (up to 7 passengers); from $260 or $485 in the 12-seat Transporter. Per vehicle, not per person, for central Gold Coast addresses — GST included, and locked at booking with the Gateway toll and any after-hours fee already inside the figure. For the exact figure for your suburb, see the OOL route directory or BNE route directory.
Where should I start on this page?
If you’re still deciding whether to book a private transfer at all, start with how to choose an airport transfer — it compares every option and is honest about where a rideshare or a shuttle would serve you better. If you’ve decided and just need the vehicle and the price, read the pricing guide, or jump to the route directory for your airport for the exact suburb price.
Does the price change?
No. It’s locked when you book — no surge at any time of year, no meter, no fuel levy, and no last-minute surcharge. GST is included, the Gateway toll on BNE runs is inside the figure, and any after-hours fee for a 9pm–5am pickup is confirmed in the quote. A higher rate applies only on Christmas Day and Easter Sunday.
Which vehicle should I book?
A sedan for 1–3 passengers with 2 check-in and 2 carry-on bags. The Kia Carnival for up to 7 passengers, up to 5 child seats, 6 large suitcases or surfboards to roughly 7’2″. The 12-seat Transporter for 8–11. Flag child seats, boards or anything oversized at booking and the vehicle is matched to it.
Do child seats cost extra?
Yes — they’re an optional extra, itemised in the quote at booking so you see the total before confirming, and fitted before pickup. Australian-Standards capsules, forward-facing seats and boosters are all available, with up to five in the Carnival. Bring your own and the driver fits them at no charge.
What if my flight is delayed?
Flight monitoring runs on every airport pickup. The collection follows your actual landing at no extra charge, and waiting is included — 45 minutes from wheels down on domestic arrivals, 90 minutes on international, which covers immigration, biosecurity and the bag belt.
What’s the cancellation policy?
Standard cancellations more than 24 hours before pickup receive a full credit toward a future booking; within 24 hours, no credit applies, as the vehicle and driver are reserved. If your flight itself is cancelled: full credit with more than 4 hours’ notice, 50% between 1.5 and 4 hours, none within 1.5 hours. Credits are non-refundable. Full terms on the about us page.
How do I pay?
Online by card at the time of booking — no cash and no in-car payment, so nothing is handled on the day. Corporate accounts are available by prior approval.
My pickup address isn’t listed anywhere — do you go there?
Almost certainly. Every Gold Coast suburb, the hinterland including long unmarked driveways, and across Northern NSW to Byron and Ballina. The OOL and BNE route directories list the named suburbs, but the network is wider than the lists — call 0416 131 285 or put the address into the booking form and you’ll get a locked quote back.
How far ahead should I book?
The rate’s the same whenever you book, so there’s no financial reason to rush — but availability tightens in school holidays, over Christmas and New Year, at Easter and during Schoolies. Three to seven days is comfortable for most bookings; four to eight weeks for peak windows or larger vehicles.
Should I fly out of OOL or BNE?
If your flight leaves from one of them, that’s your answer. Otherwise: OOL is 25–45 minutes from most of the Gold Coast on a toll-free road and handles domestic and short-haul international. BNE is closer to two hours but carries the full long-haul network — and the drive is roughly $95 dearer.
Where will my driver meet me?
At Gold Coast Airport, meet and greet is included — your driver meets you and walks you to the vehicle. At Brisbane Airport, your confirmation SMS gives your driver’s name, contact number and the exact meet point.
Get a Quote — from $90
From $90 to Gold Coast Airport (OOL) or $185 to Brisbane Airport (BNE) for central Gold Coast addresses. Per vehicle, GST included, locked at booking. Your driver confirmed by SMS with their name and contact number. Flight monitoring on every airport pickup, with 45 minutes’ waiting included from wheels down domestic and 90 on international. Meet and greet included at OOL. No surge — a higher rate applies only on Christmas Day and Easter Sunday. Child restraints available as an optional extra, up to five in the Carnival. Door-to-door from any Gold Coast or Northern NSW address. 5.0 stars from 62 Google reviews.
Get an instant quoteExternal Authority Resources
Brisbane Airport publishes terminal maps, check-in cut-off times and carrier timetables for both BNE terminals. Gold Coast Airport publishes the equivalent for OOL. Queensland Traffic reports live M1, Logan Motorway and Gateway Motorway conditions. On child restraints, the Queensland Government sets out how the rules apply to booked hire and personalised transport services, and the NSW Government publishes the NSW child car seat rules, which differ from Queensland’s. Queensland Transport and Main Roads publishes the Booked Hire licensing framework under which CGC operates.