Fare costs are set by Translink, the public transport authority for South East Queensland. Queensland’s permanent 50 cent flat fares apply across the network — every G:link journey costs 50 cents, no matter how many stops or zones you travel.
How much is the Gold Coast tram?
| Payment | Price |
|---|---|
| go card, contactless card, phone, smartwatch, or paper ticket | 50¢ per journey |
| Children 4 years and under | Free |
| go explore visitor day pass | $1.50/day unlimited Gold Coast buses & trams |
There is no peak/off-peak price difference on the 50¢ flat fare. Airtrain (Brisbane Airport private rail) is not included in the 50¢ scheme.
How to pay
- Tap on with go card, contactless card, phone or smartwatch at the platform validator
- Ride the tram
- Tap off when you exit — always tap off for the correct fare and free transfers within the rules
Paper tickets are available from fare machines at stations. Cash can be used at machines to buy tickets or top up a go card. Validators themselves are contactless.
Penalty: Travelling without a valid ticket, or failing to tap on/off, can result in a $333 fine (Translink may also issue warnings during ticket checks).
Is go explore worth it at 50¢ fares?
At 50¢ a ride, a $1.50 go explore day pays for itself around the fourth trip in a day (or sooner if you would have used many short hops). It still wins for visitors who want unlimited tram + Gold Coast bus travel without topping up. Always confirm current product rules on Translink’s go explore page.