The route at a glance
The Airlie Beach–Gold Coast corridor.
Airlie Beach to Gold Coast is a long-haul coach corridor most travellers break into segments of 1,189 kilometres. Through-services take around 18 hours and 55 minutes, and most travellers break the journey at a midway stop rather than ride straight through. Premier Motor Service and Greyhound Australia run scheduled services on this corridor, giving you a choice of departure times and price points. Hop-on hop-off passes can work out cheaper than buying segments individually if you plan to stop along the way.
Journey essentials
- Onboard
- Wi-Fi · Toilet · USB charging · Wheelchair access
- Luggage
- 1 × 40kg checked bag
Compare operators
Who runs this route.
Greyhound Australia
Wi-FiToiletUSB chargingWheelchair accessEco-friendly40kg luggageSold as a single ticket; the journey may involve a transfer at a hub.
Bookon Greyhound AustraliaFrom$236Services
Depart Arrive Runs 12:15 PM 12:15 PM+1 Daily 5:30 PM 3:20 PM+1 Daily Premier Motor Service
Toilet20kg luggageSold as a single ticket; the journey may involve a transfer at a hub.
Bookon Premier Motor ServiceFrom$245Services
Depart Arrive Runs 5:35 PM 3:25 PM+1 Daily
Fares are indicative. Live pricing may vary by date and availability. AusBus earns a small commission on some bookings at no extra cost to you.
Spotted an error or a missing operator on this route? Let us know.
Cheaper as separate tickets?
Save up to $149 by splitting this trip.
Booking this journey as separate tickets at each stop can be cheaper than the through-fare. We compared each operator's through-fare against the lowest combined price for each pair of segments and surfaced the splits that beat the direct fare by at least $5 and 10%.
via
Brisbane
- Leg 1
Airlie Beach → Brisbane
FlixBus Australia · 19h 30m
$69Book leg 1 - Leg 2
Brisbane → Gold Coast
FlixBus Australia · 1h 55m
$18Book leg 2
Important
- Each leg is a separate ticket; operators do not protect a missed connection on one leg with the other operator's service. Build a buffer; don't book back-to-back.
- Luggage allowance, accessibility provisions and refund rules may differ between operators. Confirm each operator's policy on their booking page before paying.
- Fares shown are the lowest indicative price we've observed and may not match the live operator quote on your specific date. Final price is confirmed at checkout on each operator's site.
Travel tips
What to know before you go.
Book at least seven days ahead during school holidays, the Easter long weekend, and the Christmas–New Year period. Long-haul corridors fill quickly during these windows and same-day fares can be double the advance-purchase price. Cyclone season (December to April) regularly disrupts the Bruce Highway around Tully, Cardwell and Ingham. Build a flexible day into your itinerary if you're travelling north Queensland in those months. Arrive at the terminal at least 15 minutes before departure. Most operators begin boarding 10 minutes prior to the scheduled time and won't hold the coach for late passengers. Pack snacks and a refillable water bottle. Rest stop options on regional corridors are sparse, particularly between major towns. Check the operator's luggage policy before you travel. Most include one checked bag (40 kg) and one carry-on, but allowances vary by carrier and additional bags usually attract a fee.
Worth timing your trip for
What's on in Gold Coast
OctoberGold Coast, QLDGold Coast 500Last weekend of October (3 days)
JanuaryGold Coast, QLDMagic Millions CarnivalEarly-to-mid January (sales week plus race day on the second Saturday)
JulyGold Coast, QLDGold Coast MarathonFirst weekend of July (2 days)
Route FAQs
Airlie Beach to Gold Coast, answered.
- Around 18 hours and 55 minutes for a typical scheduled service. Travel time can vary by 30 minutes or more depending on the operator, the number of intermediate stops, and traffic on the day.
- The coach route is about 1,189 kilometres. The coach covers it in around 18 hours and 55 minutes, allowing for stops.
- Premier Motor Service and Greyhound Australia operate services on this route. Use the operator comparison above to see which suits your travel date, budget and preferences for amenities like Wi-Fi, USB charging and onboard toilets.
- Yes. Premier Motor Service and Greyhound Australia run direct services on this corridor, so you can travel Airlie Beach to Gold Coast without changing coaches. Check the timetable above for current departure times.
- Services on this route offer Wi-Fi, an onboard toilet, USB charging and wheelchair access. Amenities vary by operator and vehicle, so check the specific service when you book.
- Not currently scheduled on this corridor. Most services run during the day with a meal stop midway. Check the timetable above for current departure times.
- Last-minute seats are sometimes available, but never guaranteed, particularly on Friday afternoons, Sunday evenings, and during school holidays. Booking online a few days ahead is strongly recommended and almost always cheaper.
- Most operators include one checked bag (up to 40 kg) and one carry-on bag in the ticket price. Additional bags usually attract a fee. Check the specific operator's luggage policy at the time of booking.
Keep going
Onward from Gold Coast.
Continuing past Gold Coast? These coach corridors carry on from your arrival city.
Related routes