BYRON BAY EXPRESS

Gold Coast to Byron Bay Express Bus Service

Daily EXPRESS shuttle bus between
Surfers Paradise – Gold Coast Airport – Byron Bay

For LAST-MINUTE bookings (15 minutes prior to departure time)
please call 0418 364 364

Fast. Efficient. Affordable. Get on board!

Are you travelling between the Gold Coast & Byron Bay?

Byron Bay Express is a local, family-owned shuttle bus service that has been transporting happy customers from Surfers Paradise and Gold Coast Airport (OOL) to the bustling heart of Byron Bay since 1999. The best part is it’s the most affordable way to travel, at just $40 ONE WAY or $75 RETURN!

Byron Bay Express Timetable

 If you are planning to travel between October - April (summer), please note that we operate across two different states and two different time zones. During DAYLIGHT SAVINGS, there is a one hour time difference between QLD & NSW.

- DAYLIGHT SAVINGS runs from October 01, 2023 to April 06, 2024
- Surfers Paradise and the Gold Coast / Coolangatta Airport (OOL) are in Queensland (QLD)
- Byron Bay is in New South Wales (NSW). All times are displayed in local state times.  

daily Timetable

Departs

SURFERS PARADISE (QLD)

Departs

GOLD COAST AIRPORT (QLD)

Arrives

BYRON BAY (NSW)

WINTER (EST)
(3 April 2023 - 30 Sep 2023)

SUMMER (DST)
(1 Oct 2023 - 6 April 2023)

-

9:00am (QLD)

9:50am (NSW)

10:50am (NSW)

9:30am (QLD)

10:10am (QLD)

11:00am (NSW)

12:00pm (NSW)

12:00pm (QLD)

12:45pm (QLD)

1:35pm (NSW)

2:35pm (NSW)

2:00pm (QLD)

2:40pm (QLD)

3:30pm (NSW)

4:30pm (NSW)

Departs

Byron Bay (NSW Time)

Arrives

Gold Coast Airport (QLD Time)

Arrives

Surfers Paradise (QLD Time)

WINTER (EST)
(3 April 2023 - 1 Oct 2023)

SUMMER (DST)
(1 Oct 2023 -
6 Apr 2024)

10:00am (NSW)

11:00am (NSW)

10:50am (QLD)

11:30am (QLD)

11:30am (NSW)

12:30pm (NSW)

12:20pm (QLD)

1:00pm (QLD)

2:00pm (NSW)

3:00pm (NSW)

2:50pm (QLD)

-

4:00pm (NSW)

5:00pm (NSW)

4:50pm (QLD)

5:30pm (QLD)

Winter *EST: Eastern Standard Time (3 April 2023 - 1 October 2023)
Summer *DST: Daylight Standard Time (NSW only: 1 Oct 2023 - 6 April 2024) 

All bookings can be made directly through our website. For last minute bookings (within 15 minutes before departure time), please call our office on 0418 364 364 to book over the phone. 

Gold Coast to Byron Bay

Surfers Paradise to Byron Bay

If you’ve booked a break in Surfer’s Paradise, you should absolutely make the trip from the Gold Coast to Byron Bay. Experience one of the world’s most famous and beloved coastal towns, with stunning natural attractions, boutique shopping and dining, world-class festivals, and general vibrant feel.

As if that wasn’t enough to convince you, maybe the sight of the imposing and immediately recognisable Cape Byron Lighthouse at the most easterly point of the Australian mainland will. What’s more, between June and November, humpback whales can frequently be spotted from headland viewpoints, such as the Captain Cook Lookout.

Pickup & Drop-off Locations

Gold Coast Airport

Byron Bay

Gold Coast to Byron Bay Bus

In Surfer’s Paradise we’ll pick you up or drop you off at the S​urfer’s Paradise Transit Centre, 10 Beach Rd, (out the back of the building at BAY 7) a central and easy-to-access location.

View Surfers Paradise Pickup Location

In Byron Bay we’ll pick you up or drop you off at the Byron Bay Bus Interchange in Butler Street, a convenient location right in the heart of the town.  Please wait at STAND D.

View Byron Bay Pickup Location

Need picking up or dropping off on the Gold Coast Highway? No problem!

For your ultimate convenience, there are a number of additional pick-up and drop off points along the Gold Coast Highway that we can arrange for you. 

Please make sure to call us on 0418 364 364 to organise pickup / drop off at any of the additional stops listed.

How do I book?

Gold Coast to Byron Bay Shuttle

Our online booking system has been designed for ease of use, and offers instant availability details. Simply find a time that suits you on the Byron Bay Express shuttle timetable and follow the prompts to check availability and book your seat. Remember to keep in mind the estimated journey time: Surfers Paradise to Byron Bay is 90 minutes, Gold Coast to Byron Bay is 50 minutes (and is the same journey time in the reverse orders). 

After you book online, you’ll then receive an email confirmation of your booking. There’s no need to print this for presentation to the driver as you board, but please do keep the email receipt handy for your own records.

Many people ask whether they can simply turn up on the day and hope there’s space to accommodate them. While we’ll always do our best to find you a seat on the next available service, we highly recommend booking your journey in advance to avoid disappointment and a lengthier than necessary wait.

What happens next?

Make your way to your designated or agreed pick-up point at either Surfer’s Paradise, Gold Coast Airport, Byron Bay or one of the locations en-route, and one of our friendly drivers will be there to greet you with a smile. If we can be of assistance in any way, just let us know! From helping you with your luggage, to answering the questions only a local would know the responses to, we’re always happy to help.

Are price, comfort and reliability important to you?

If the answer is yes, Byron Bay Express really is the only option to ensure you have the most positive experience as you travel between Australia’s most iconic destinations.

While various limited alternatives exist, other bus services tend to make multiple frequent stops, adding to the overall journey time. They also tend to carry a higher price tag. With no trains in the area, the other alternative is to hire a car, or book an Uber or Taxi, all of which would work out to be far more expensive, and aren’t guaranteed to reduce the time of the journey. Save time and money by booking with Byron Bay Express.

Fast. Efficient. Affordable. Get on Board!

Catching a bus from Byron Bay to the Gold Coast?

Looking for the quickest and most hassle-free way to travel between Byron Bay and Surfer’s Paradise, all for the best price? There are a number of ways to travel between these two must-do Aussie locations, but none offer the same regular, fast service as Byron Bay Express. Our buses and routes have been planned to offer you optimal comfort, as we get you to your destination quickly and safely.

Byron Bay to Gold Coast

If you’re spending time in Byron Bay, why not consider checking out iconic Surfer’s Paradise at the same time?

This stunning metropolitan beachside city acts as the Gold Coast’s major hub, playing host to an eclectic mix of national and international music, arts and sporting events, as well as being home to one of the largest nightlife districts in Australia.

As its name would suggest, it’s renowned for its world class surf beaches, but beyond that is equally recognised for its impressive culinary scene, wine bars, craft beer tap houses, and rooftop cocktail bars.

Our Service

Safety has always been our number one priority, which is why we employ only the most highly-experienced drivers. We are also committed to your comfort, and offering a prompt service so you can rest assured we will get you to where you need to be, and with time to spare.

Travel can be stressful, particularly if you’re unfamiliar with the area. Just know that Byron Bay Express is here to make your entire transport experience as hassle-free as possible.

Pickup & Drop-off Locations

Byron Bay Pick Up

Byron Bay to Gold Coast Bus

Byron Bay to Surfers Paradise

In Byron Bay we’ll pick you up from the Byron Bay Bus Interchange on Butler Street.  Please wait at Stand D.

View Byron Bay Pickup Location

At Coolangatta airport we’ll drop you off at the easy-to-find Coach Transit Centre, at the Northern end of the small terminal building.

View Airport Map

In Surfer’s Paradise we’ll pick you up or drop you off at the S​urfer’s Paradise Transit Centre, 10 Beach Rd, (PLEASE WAIT AT BAY 7 out the back) a central and easy-to-access location.

View Surfer’s Paradise Pickup Location

About Our Buses

When it comes to these sorts of trips, we believe you can’t beat Toyota Coaster, Toyota Commuters and Iveco Daily’s for both safety and comfort. High roofs and lots of legroom make for a relaxing drive, no matter how many passengers are on board, or how and loaded up with luggage the vehicle is.

Our fleet of three modern, fully-air-conditioned buses operates regularly, with additional trips scheduled during peak times of year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hidden Field First
How safe is it to travel by express bus, in light of COVID-19?

All drivers are required to have completed an industry COVID-19 hygiene course, while the vehicles themselves are meticulously and thoroughly cleaned and sanitised in accordance with all official government guidelines. Hand sanitizer is also made available to all passengers.

Medical advice recommends face masks should remain in use in indoor settings where physical distancing is hard to maintain, which would include our buses and all other methods of public transport.

Do your busses have seat belts?

Yes. The safety and comfort of passengers is our number one concern. For that reason, all of our shuttle buses are fitted with seat belts.

What can you bring on the bus?

There are no specific restrictions on what you can bring onto the bus with you, with the exception of pets. Our spacious vehicles have enough room for large amounts of luggage per guest, even bigger items such as bikes and surf boards. And while other transport services tend to charge for what they consider ‘excess baggage’ our philosophy is if it fits, load it on!

Having said that, prior arrangements do need to be made if a passenger has more than two items of luggage larger than the size of a standard suitcase or backpack, more than one surfboard, or if the surfboard is longer than eight feet in length.

What is the capacity of your busses?

Our larger Gold Coast to Byron Bay shuttle buses can seat up to 20 passengers, while our smaller vehicles are built for groups no larger than 16.

Hidden Field First
What happens if I miss the bus?

While we’d advise you to leave a large enough window to avoid missing your departure time, we understand that sometimes circumstances outside of your control can prevent this from happening. If all else fails and you do miss your pick-up time, we will do all we can to ensure you are found a spot on the next available service.

I’m coming to Byron Bay to surf. Will you charge me extra for transporting my surf board?

We are one of the few Gold Coast to Byron Bay transfer service providers that does not charge additional fees for larger items of ‘excess baggage’. Rest assured, your surf board can travel for free!

How long does the shuttle bus take from Byron Bay to Surfer’s Paradise?

The shuttle bus from Byron Bay to Surfer’s Paradise takes approximately 90 minutes, depending on traffic.

Fast. Efficient. Affordable. Get on Board!