Brisbane to Gold Coast
The M1 between Brisbane and the Gold Coast is arguably Australia's busiest regional corridor. Train tickets on the G:link are $12 each way and take over 2 hours. A RideMates carpool cuts that to an hour and costs about the same, with door-to-door pickup.
Distance
78 km
Drive time
1h
Seat from
$12
Cost comparison
Brisbane to Gold Coast, every which way
Carpool
$12 to $14
per seat on RideMates
Flight
Not practical
plus bags and transfers
Bus
$25 to $35 on Greyhound
slower, more stops
Drive solo
around $20 in fuel
fuel and wear, before tolls
Why RideMates
Why carpool this route?
Faster than the train
The Gold Coast line takes over 2 hours with a transfer at Beenleigh. A direct carpool via the M1 is 60 minutes.
Packs of drivers every Friday
Surfers Paradise, Burleigh, Coolangatta. Dozens of drivers post rides to the coast every Friday night. Seats go in minutes.
Short-route minimum pricing
Short trips like this start at around $12 per seat, cheaper than a lot of Gold Coast Ubers.
On the way
Common stops between Brisbane and Gold Coast
Most drivers take a break somewhere along the route. Some will drop passengers off here too.
FAQ
Brisbane to Gold Coast questions
How much is a carpool from Brisbane to the Gold Coast?
Short-distance rides like this hit the $10 minimum driver seat price. Passengers typically pay around $12 to $14 per seat.
How long is the drive?
About 1 hour via the M1. Friday afternoons can stretch to 1h 30m with traffic, especially during school holidays.
Can the driver drop me in Surfers Paradise?
Yes. Most Gold Coast drivers will drop passengers anywhere between Coomera and Coolangatta. Message your driver before the ride to confirm pickup and drop-off.
Is this better than the train?
For most people, yes. The train is $12 but takes over 2 hours and you still need transport from Helensvale or Nerang. A carpool is door to door in 1 hour.
Further reading
More on the Brisbane to Gold Coast run
More carpools from these cities
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