At a glance
- Route
- Route 777 bus from Gold Coast Airport to Burleigh Heads station, then the G:link tram north
- Change since 7 September 2026
- The 777 no longer runs to Broadbeach South; it ends at Stockland Burleigh Heads
- Bus frequency
- Every 15 minutes in the Saturday 17 October morning sample, 17 to 18 minutes to Burleigh Heads station
- Tram
- Every 7.5 minutes at peak and every 10 to 30 minutes off-peak between Broadbeach South and Burleigh Heads
- Train
- No train station at the airport. Route 760 connects to Varsity Lakes
- How to pay
- Contactless card, go card or go explore card
- Help
- Translink 13 12 30
The public transport route from Gold Coast Airport to Surfers Paradise is the route 777 bus to Burleigh Heads station, then the G:link tram north. Since Monday 7 September 2026, the 777 no longer goes as far as Broadbeach South station: it runs as a limited-stop express between the airport and Stockland Burleigh Heads, and the tram extension carries the rest of the trip.
Some older pages still describe the 777 as connecting to Broadbeach South, including Translink’s own airport services page when we checked on Saturday 17 October. The Translink service notice on the bus and tram changes and the airport’s own website both say Burleigh Heads.
How do I get from the airport to Surfers Paradise by bus and tram?
- Catch the route 777 bus from the public bus stop at Gold Coast Airport. The airport’s transport page still mentions that the public bus stop was temporarily relocated during overnight Terminal Drive works on the nights of 12, 13 and 14 October, which ended at 4am on 15 October. If signs at the terminal point you to a temporary stop, follow them and the airport’s directions.
- Get off at Burleigh Heads station. The 777 stops at Palm Beach on the way.
- Change to the G:link tram at Burleigh Heads station and travel north.
The Gold Coast Airport website describes the 777 as a limited-stop express service linking the airport to Burleigh Heads via Palm Beach, where you connect with the G:link to Broadbeach, Surfers Paradise, Southport and beyond.
How long does the 777 take, and how often does it run?
The Translink route 777 timetable for Saturday 17 October shows these times for the next five trips from the airport that morning:
| Stop | Trip 1 | Trip 2 | Trip 3 | Trip 4 | Trip 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Coast Airport, Bilinga | 8:00am | 8:15am | 8:30am | 8:45am | 9:00am |
| Palm Beach | 8:09am | 8:24am | 8:39am | 8:54am | 9:09am |
| Burleigh Heads station | 8:18am | 8:33am | 8:48am | 9:03am | 9:17am |
| Stockland Burleigh Heads, stop B | 8:23am (drop-off only) | 8:38am (drop-off only) | 8:53am (drop-off only) | 9:08am (drop-off only) | 9:22am (drop-off only) |
In that sample the bus leaves every 15 minutes and takes 17 to 18 minutes to reach Burleigh Heads station. Service hours differ between routes, and the airport website tells passengers to check the timetables before they fly, so use the Translink journey planner for early and late flights.
How often does the tram run?
Translink says trams run between Broadbeach South and Burleigh Heads every 7.5 minutes during peak times and every 10 to 30 minutes off-peak. The extension added eight new stations: Mermaid Beach, Mermaid Beach South, Nobby Beach, Miami North, Miami, Christine Avenue, Second Avenue and Burleigh Heads. Translink’s notice does not give a journey time from Burleigh Heads to Surfers Paradise, so check the journey planner for the full trip.
Is there a train to the airport?
No. The airport’s FAQ says there is no train station at the airport. You can take a bus or shuttle from Varsity Lakes or Helensvale train stations. The Airtrain, which Translink describes as linking Brisbane’s airports with Brisbane City and the Gold Coast, serves Brisbane Airport and not Gold Coast Airport.
The other Translink bus from the airport is route 760, which runs to Varsity Lakes train station and Robina Town Centre, and south to Coolangatta and Tweed Heads. At Varsity Lakes you can connect with trains to Brisbane. Translink says the 760 now runs to an adjusted timetable that reflects quicker travel times after roadworks finished. If you are going to Surfers Paradise, the 777 and the tram are the direct combination.
How do I pay?
All public transport in South East Queensland needs a pre-paid fare. The airport lists tapping on and off with a contactless Visa or Mastercard, or a digital wallet such as Apple Pay or Google Pay, as the easiest way. You can also use a go card, which charges per trip, or a go explore card for unlimited daily travel. WHSmith in Domestic Arrivals sells and tops up go cards and go explore cards. The airport’s page does not list fares, so check the fare in the journey planner.
What if I arrive late at night?
Route 70 is the overnight tram replacement bus, running between Burleigh Heads and Helensvale stations every 30 minutes between midnight and 4am, Monday to Thursday. Translink does not say when the last 777 leaves the airport, so for a late arrival check the journey planner, or use the airport’s taxi rank at the southern end of the terminal near International Arrivals or the Uber pick-up zone at the southern end outside Domestic Arrivals. The airport lists Surfers Paradise at about 30 minutes by car.
If you are heading to the Gold Coast 500 from 23 to 25 October, our Gold Coast 500 transport and parking guide includes the airport route. For help with services, call Translink on 13 12 30.
More guides: Gold Coast public transport guide
Sources
- Translink — Bus and tram changes to connect the coast (last reviewed 8 September 2026; checked 17 October 2026)
- Translink — Route 777 timetable
- Gold Coast Airport — Transport options
- Translink — Airport services
OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with Translink, Gold Coast Airport or Airtrain. Check the official pages above before you travel, as timetables can change.