School holiday tips

on November 22, 2024 at 3:30pm

Airline ticket purchased? Check.

Bags packed? Check.

Ready to travel to the airport during the school holidays? You will be after you read this guide or watch our short video!

For the upcoming school holidays, Brisbane Airport will expect to see a lot of people pass through the Domestic and International Terminals between 13 - 29 September 2024. With international travellers up this school holidays, it's best to allow extra time.

Be prepared, we are expecting the busiest travel days at Brisbane Airport Domestic Terminal to be;

Thursday 12 December
Friday 13 December
Thursday 19 December
Friday 20 December
Monday 23 December

The busiest days at International Terminal are expected to be

Saturday 21 December
Sunday 22 December
Saturday 4 January
Sunday 5 January
Thursday 9 January

Whether you're a frequent flyer or this is your first flight in a long while, be prepared and allow for extra travel time this holiday season.

TIP 1: It. Will. Be. BUSY. Allow extra travel time

It will be busy inside the terminals as well as the pick-up areas and on the roads to and from the terminals. Keep your chill by allowing extra travel time to and from the airport and to get to your gate - we recommend arriving 90 minutes before your scheduled Domestic flight and three hours before an International flight.

Travel Tips - Book car parking online in advance

TIP 2: Book your parking online in advance

If you are looking to book car parking at the airport for your trip or to pick someone up, book online as far in advance as possible is our biggest travel tip (you'll get the best savings too). Adding a car park to your travel plans is the most convenient way to arrive and depart during this busy holiday time.

P.S. As a result of the P2 Domestic Parking Extension, changes have occurred at the Domestic Terminal waiting area and over height zone. The over height vehicle parking space is now closed. Passengers with vehicles over 2.4m high will need to use AIRPARK, with free buses to and from the terminal. We recommend allowing extra time for travel. 30 minutes of free parking at the Domestic ParkShort car park (located on Level 2 of the P1 car park) is now available. Learn more about the P2 Domestic Parking Extension.

TIP 3: Use the waiting areas

If you are on pick-up duty and not planning to park, use the waiting areas until your passengers are at the pick-up zone and ready to go. Using the waiting areas will help reduce the traffic on the surrounding roads and your frustration if you are asked to move on and loop around because your passengers are not quite ready to be picked up yet.

If you're picking up a passenger from the Domestic Terminal, the first 30 mins of ParkShort will be free of charge. You will find ParkShort at level 2 of the P1 car park.

TIP 4: Track your flight status

Whether you're flying out or picking someone up, you can track flights using Facebook Messenger by adding the flight information into the direct message and receive notifications. If you are using our flight schedule you can tap the Messenger icon from the website to start following updates about the flight.

TIP 5: Extra prep for International travellers

Our International Terminal is returning to its pre-covid glory and our tip is that with a little bit of extra preparation you can save time and unnecessary travel worry. Here is your checklist to prepare at home BEFORE you get to the International Terminal:

If you are wanting to claim your GST back on all your holiday shopping using the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS), we recommend preparing your claim online in advance of arriving at the airport through the My TRS Claim web app by Australian Border Force. It'll make getting your refund at the airport easier though we still recommend adding 90 minutes to your arrival time if you are planning to claim.
Pack your Powders, Liquids, Aerosols and Gels (PLAGs) separately and make it easily accessible in your carry on for security screening.
We are expecting that some queues may take longer than usual at Border and Customs processing. Particularly for families, we recommend utilising the free BNE wifi to stream favourite YouTube clips or packing quick and easy activities in your carry-on to keep little ones interested in potential long arrival lines.
Trying to time your airport pick-up? Keep in contact with your driver by connecting to the free BNE wi-fi when you land and be sure to share your arriving flight details with them so they can track the status of your flight.

Holidays begin here travel tips find your cheer

TIP 6: Pre-flight celebration

Once you’re in the terminal, through check-in and security this is your time to start your pre-flight preparations or kick-start your holiday cheer. A few ideas we prepared earlier:

At the Domestic Terminal:

Activities are coming to the International and Domestic Terminals this school holidays. Discover what's on here.
Missing a present? New Farm Confectionery have a range of perfectly packaged gift boxes that are easy to travel with.
Farewelling family or friends? Wave them off over a coffee and croissant at Trader & Co conveniently located before security near the Jetstar check-in.
Get your complete fashion fix and browse Witchery, Country Road, MAC, Jo Malone London and a full line Seed Heritage stocking women’s and children apparel (and more).
Have time for a sit-down meal? Take a seat at The Common or The Aviary for a delicious meal and some plane spotting
Fuel up before you fly and head to The Food Collective where you can find Mi Casa Burrito’s, Roll’d, YO! Sushi or Nippon Ramen. You’ll find something for everyone.

At the International Terminal:

Find out what is open at the International Terminal before you fly.
Make sure you pop into Australian Produce Store for all your inflight snacks and hacks. We’re talking everything from Tim Tams to lanolin oils and lip balms to ensure you’re prepped for the long haul. Find our snack guide here.
If you’ve got your hands full with the kids but don’t want to miss out on duty free shopping, make sure you pre-order your Lotte Duty Free for collection to end your holiday on a high note

TIP 7: Lost and found

Remember to pack your valuables securely including your passports and ID, phones and favourite toys. If you do misplace something in the terminal, get in touch with our lost property team to try and find your items.

Lost passports must be handed in to the Australian Border Force.

If you think you lost your item near the boarding gate, on the place or if you are missing your luggage, you’ll need to contact your airline’s lost property team.

TIP 8: Plan ahead: Busy travel times at Brisbane Airport

School holidays are often the busiest travel times at Brisbane Airport, if you are planning future travel be aware of our typically busy times below.

The start of school holidays and returning home just before the school holidays end.
Easter holiday break.
Leading up to Christmas - 22, 23 and 24 December.
Traffic impacts from Black Friday Sales and Boxing Day Sales at the nearby DFO.

Important travel planning dates: Queensland School Holidays