How to Use the Gold Coast Light Rail

Riding the Gold Coast Light Rail (G:link) is simple. With a flat 50 cent fare, air-conditioned trams, and frequent service along the coastal corridor, it is one of the easiest ways to get around the Gold Coast.

Here is everything you need to travel confidently.

1. Plan your journey

• Use the My G: app or the Translink Journey Planner for real-time times and alerts.
• Check direction: northbound toward Helensvale, southbound toward Broadbeach South and Burleigh Heads.
• Station signs and platform displays show the next tram.

Pro tip: Save favourite stations in My G: for quick departure times. Full hours and frequency: tram timetable guide →

2. Get payment ready

• Contactless (easiest for visitors): credit/debit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or smartwatch.
• go card: ideal if you ride often or transfer to buses/trains across SEQ.
• Paper ticket: buy from fare machines at stations where available.
• go explore visitor day pass: unlimited Gold Coast buses and trams for $1.50/day — useful if you take many short hops (at 50¢ a trip, three or more rides can tip the value).

Important: Have payment ready before boarding. SEQ is largely cashless at validators; cash can top up go cards or buy tickets at machines.

3. Tap on before boarding

• Find the pink or branded Translink smart ticketing validators on the platform.
• Tap on before you board — wait for the beep and success light.
• Failure to tap on can mean a fine (currently $333 for invalid travel).

4. Board safely

• Stand behind the yellow safety line.
• Let passengers exit first.
• Hold on if standing; keep bags clear of doors.

5. During the ride

• Watch the next-stop displays and listen for announcements.
• Enjoy the coastal views through Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

6. Tap off and exit

• Alight, then tap off at the platform validator.
• Always tap off so the correct fare is charged (and transfers work properly on go card).

Transfers (bus, train, tram)

With a go card or contactless payment, transfers across Translink bus, train and tram in South East Queensland usually work within the published transfer windows — still only 50¢ for the journey under flat fares. Always tap on/off for each leg. Check Translink for transfer rules if you change modes often.

Quick hours reminder

• Weekdays: roughly 5:00 am – midnight
• Weekends: 24-hour service pattern (overnight trams less frequent)
• Peak frequency: about every 7–10 minutes

Full timetable & frequency guide →

Safety tips

• Stay clear of doors while the tram is moving.
• Watch your step at the platform edge.
• Report issues via My G: or Translink channels.
• Keep off the tracks between stations — fines apply.

FAQ for visitors & regulars

• Do I pay again when I transfer from bus to tram? Under Queensland’s 50¢ flat fares, a single journey with valid tap on/off and allowed transfers is still 50¢ — use go card or contactless and follow Translink’s transfer rules.
• Is Stage 3 to Burleigh open? Yes — passenger services from 9 August 2026. See Stages and Translink for live times.
• Where do I get live next-tram times? My G: app or Translink Journey Planner — we don’t publish a full clock timetable that goes stale.

Related

• Current fares (50¢)
• Timetable & hours
• Stations list
• Route overview