At a glance
- Cost
- 50 cents per journey, however you pay, as of October 2026
- How to pay
- Contactless Visa or Mastercard, a go card or a pre-purchased paper ticket
- Cash
- Not accepted on South East Queensland services
- Not included
- Airtrain, which has its own fares
- Concessions
- Off-peak, concession and frequent journey discounts do not apply while the flat fare does
- Free travel
- Children aged five to 14 on weekends with an orange child go card, and children aged four and under at all times
- Help
- Translink 13 12 30
As of October 2026, a G:link tram trip costs a flat 50 cents per journey, whether you tap a contactless card, use a go card or buy a paper ticket. Translink says the flat rate applies across all zones and modes, including trams, regardless of how far you travel.
Translink’s pages describe the 50 cent fare as applying “during this time” and do not give an end date in the text we read, so check Translink’s 50 cent fares page before you plan a trip far ahead. Details below are from Translink’s pages, checked on Sunday 18 October 2026.
How much does a G:link trip cost?
| Payment method | Fare per journey |
|---|---|
| Contactless Visa or Mastercard, including a phone or watch | 50 cents |
| go card | 50 cents |
| Pre-purchased paper ticket | 50 cents |
| Airtrain (a separate operator) | Airtrain fares apply |
A journey can include more than one service. Translink’s South East Queensland fares page says that if you catch more than one bus or train to reach your destination, it all counts as one journey and you pay 50 cents, as long as you tap on and off correctly. Translink’s contactless page says you can pay with contactless when transferring between any station or service, as long as you tap on and off with the same payment method.
How do I pay with a contactless card?
Tap on at the start of your trip and tap off at the end with the same card or device. Translink accepts Visa and Mastercard, including cards in a digital wallet such as Apple Pay, Google Wallet or Samsung Pay.
- A virtual card on your phone and the physical card behind it count as two different payment methods. If you tap on with your watch, tap off with it too.
- Present one card or device at a time. A phone with a card stored in its case can cause a declined tap or the wrong fare.
- A successful tap shows a large white tick with green lights and one beep. A white cross with red lights and a double beep means the tap was declined.
- When you tap off, the screen shows the fare charged.
Translink’s how to use contactless payments page also explains how to view your trip history in the Ticketing Assistant.
What happens if I forget to tap on or off?
Translink may charge a default fare if you do not tap on at the start of a trip or tap off at the end. Its FAQ mentions a $2.50 charge. If you think you were charged in error, you can request a fare adjustment through the Ticketing Assistant or by calling 13 12 30 within 120 days of the charge.
Can I use a go card or a paper ticket?
Yes. The 50 cent flat fare applies to go card, credit or debit card and paper ticket payments. Paper tickets are sold from fare machines at train, tram and busway stations, including some bus interchanges. The South East Queensland network is cashless, so you cannot pay cash on a tram. You can use cash to top up a go card at fare machines at bus and train stations or at go card retailers, but not on board.
Do concessions and discounts still apply?
Not while the flat fare applies. Translink says the 20% off-peak discount, the 50% concession fares and frequent journey discounts such as “8 journeys and half price” do not apply during this time, because everyone pays 50 cents. Two groups keep their free travel:
- Children aged five to 14 can still travel free on weekends with their orange child go card.
- Children aged four and under can still travel free at all times.
Is the tram free at the Gold Coast 500?
Yes, for ticket holders. For the Gold Coast 500 on 23 to 25 October, a pre-purchased event ticket gives free travel on G: services. Our Gold Coast 500 free public transport guide has the details. If you are heading to the tram from the airport, see our guide to the Gold Coast Airport to Surfers Paradise route.
For questions about tickets and fares, call Translink’s contact centre on 13 12 30.
More guides: Gold Coast public transport guide
Sources
- Translink — 50 cent fares (checked 18 October 2026)
- Translink — South East Queensland fares and tickets
- Translink — Contactless payments
- Translink — How to use contactless payments
- Translink — go card
OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with Translink or G:link. Check Translink’s pages before you travel, as fares and conditions can change.