How to make time in transit fly at Brisbane Airport

In the world of travel, spending hours in transit is part of the adventure, but you don’t need to be soaring in first-class luxury to turn your time at the airport into an enjoyable experience. Whether you have an hour in between domestic flights or a night to spare at one of the airport hotels on your way to the northern hemisphere, we’ve got food, activities, shopping, and hotels to get you in the holiday state-of-mind.

Domestic Terminal

Transform your layover into a holiday-worthy shopping expedition and head into Blue Illusion for a complimentary personal styling appointment to pick up a stylish outfit to wear on your getaway. If you’re travelling for a special occasion and in need of a last-minute present, head to Mott & Mulberry for some gifting inspiration with a curated selection of products from talented Australian artists and designers.

For relaxation enthusiasts, immerse yourself in the pages of the latest gripping crime-thriller or a flirty beach read from News@BNE or Bound and sit back until final boarding is called. You can also take advantage of the free Wifi and charging stations to binge your favourite podcast of streaming series from inside the terminal too.

If you have more than an hour on your hands, receive a touchup or full makeover from Mecca or MAC to arrive at your destination refreshed, glowing, and with flawless makeup.

Stomach rumbling? Elevate your dining experience at The Aviary, where table service and runway views meet locally sourced produce and Insta-worthy cocktails. If you’re more into the beer scene than on the cocktail chase, take a seat at Newstead Brewing Co for craft beer brewed in Brisbane and a delicious selection of meals and tapas to fill you up for the next flight. Or maximise on shopping time after grabbing a quick bite from the Virgin Food Court's grab-and-go offering, including McDonalds, MICA, Soul Origin and Red Rooster.

If you’re short on time but still need the energy to keep your eyes open in the air, swing by Bound for a top-tier coffee and cake combo. We recommend picking up some home-made gourmet Aussie snacks, like the Tropical North Queensland-based Kuranda Cookies, on your way out to sweeten your journey.

​Do you need to zip between terminals before you can think about how you’re going to spend your transit time? Jump on the free electric transfer bus arriving every 10 minutes, or every 25 minutes off-peak.​

International Terminal

From cocktails to souvenir shopping, there’s plenty of options to explore in the International Terminal. Make a detour to Lotte Duty Free to pick up a new fragrance to wear throughout your getaway or get in the holiday spirit by taste testing some too.

If you’re on your way home from a tropical trip down under, make sure to stop by the Australian Produce Store and Australian Way to collect some last-minute souvenirs on the way out. Better late than never!

If you’re not under the pump for time, park your suitcase at Windmill & Co and enjoy full table service and meals to take your tastebuds to new heights. With filling breakfasts with locally sourced produce, mains made fresh to order, delicious vegetarian options such as the iconic falafel wrap, and cocktails served from 5am, you’d forget you were even at the airport if it wasn’t for the runway views. A Bloody Mary as the sun rises over the tarmac? Yes please!

Whether you have half an hour or three hours on the clock before take-off, we highly recommend lounging around (literally) in the luxury of one of the International Terminal’s six lounges. Most lounges do have their own entry requirements or memberships, however, if you’re looking for somewhere a little more sophisticated as a one-time travel treat, the Plaza Premium Lounge has a pay-to-play system where memberships aren’t required, and you can pay for an all-inclusive experience on the day.

Airport Precinct and beyond

If BNE is a short stopover why not venture out of the terminal and briefly explore the Sunshine State? For a comfy nap, swim or gym work-up make the most of the airport hotels day rates. For those with a shopping itch, Skygate and DFO Brisbane await your exploration with a free and easy shuttle running from each terminal. Home to a 24/7 Woolworths you can stock up on snacks and supplies or enjoy one of the precincts cafes for a meal.

Time permitting hit the town and explore Brisvegas with the Airtrain providing an easy trip into the city without the costs of a rental car, taxi or ride share.