Brisbane's International Terminal has free sun lounges past security and free showers, and two lounges sell entry by the visit. The three airport hotels are outside the terminals, so you need permission to enter Australia to use them.
Can you sleep at Brisbane airport during a layover?
Yes, for free, in the International Terminal: sun lounges past security on Level 3, near Gates 82 to 87, and couches on Levels 2 and 4 before it. Airside, you can wait without a visa only for a flight the same day, and International security closes from 1:30am to 4:45am. Plaza Premium charges from A$60 and Escape from A$55 (seen November 2026); the ibis, Pullman and Novotel sell day stays from 9am to 5pm.
Free places to rest
Brisbane Airport (BNE) has no airside hotel, but its International Terminal is set up for a long wait, and resting costs nothing.
- Past security, on Level 3: sun lounges and couches near Gates 82 to 87, in the departures area. You can reach them as a transit passenger, and on your way out after security and passport control.
- Before security, on Levels 2 and 4: couches open to anyone, including travellers who’ve entered Australia and come back early for a morning flight.
- At night: International security closes from 1:30am to 4:45am, so you can’t get back to Level 3 in those hours; plan to be through before 1:30am or wait landside until it reopens.
- In the Domestic Terminal there’s nowhere set aside for sleeping. Take the free Terminal Transfer Bus to the International Terminal instead.
Who can stay airside: only a transit passenger whose next flight leaves the same day. Brisbane doesn’t allow an overnight stay airside, so for a night-time connection you need an ETA, eVisitor or visa to pass the border. See visa and transit rules.
Hotels next to the terminals
All three hotels are landside, outside the terminals, so you need permission to enter Australia to use them.
| Hotel | Where | Airside or landside | How you get there |
|---|---|---|---|
| ibis Brisbane Airport | Beside the Domestic Terminal | Landside | A 5 to 7-minute walk from Domestic; from International, the hotel shuttle or the free terminal bus |
| Pullman Brisbane Airport | Beside the Domestic Terminal | Landside | A 5-minute walk from Domestic; from International, as for the ibis |
| Novotel Brisbane Airport | Near the Skygate shops | Landside | A 5-minute drive: the hotel shuttle, a taxi, or the free Skygate bus and a short walk |
The hotel shuttle runs a loop from 4am to 9am every day, calling at the ibis, the Pullman, the Domestic Terminal, the International Terminal and the Novotel. It costs A$8 a person. Outside those hours, take the free Terminal Transfer Bus (4am to 1:30am) to the Domestic Terminal and walk to the ibis or Pullman. For the Novotel, take the free Skygate bus from either terminal and walk across from the shops, or a taxi.
Day rooms
All three hotels sell a Day Stay and Refresh package from 9am to 5pm: a room for the day, for a sleep and a shower before an evening flight. Brisbane Airport’s pages don’t give the prices, so check with the hotel for your date. The day stay suits a morning landing and an evening departure; landing at night, book an ordinary room, or rest on the couches for free.
Lounges you can pay for
Two lounges in the International Terminal sell entry to anyone flying out, whatever your ticket. Both are on Level 3 near the gates, past security and passport control.
| Lounge | Where | From (seen November 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Plaza Premium Lounge | Level 3, near Gate 77 | A$60 for 2 hours, A$70 for 5 hours |
| Escape Lounge | Level 3 mezzanine, near Gate 82 | A$55 a person booked online, A$80 at the door |
Booking Escape online is the cheapest way in, and Escape also admits Priority Pass and DragonPass members; Plaza Premium suits a long wait, with 5 hours for A$70. Airline lounges in the same terminal, including Qantas, Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines’ SilverKris and Emirates, admit only their own eligible passengers. Among them, the airport lists showers only in the SilverKris lounge.
Showers
The airport’s showers are free, in both terminals. Bring your own towel and toiletries.
- International Terminal: in the Level 2 arrivals hall, before security, and on Level 3, past security.
- Domestic Terminal: on Level 2 near Gate 36, and in the satellite near Gate 26.
Coming back from town, use the Level 2 showers before you check in or go through security.
Left luggage
Self-service lockers stand in both terminals and at the Skygate shopping centre, open 24 hours, for a few hours or several days, in sizes from a backpack up. The airport doesn’t list prices online; the locker shows them before you pay. Leave bags here before heading into town: airport trolleys aren’t allowed on the Airtrain, and the City Hall clock tower turns away backpacks and large bags.
Connections, money and Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi is free throughout both terminals: join “BNE Free Wi-Fi” and register.
- Changing terminals: the free Terminal Transfer Bus runs from 4am to 1:30am, about every 10 minutes, from the stop outside Level 2 of the International Terminal; the Airtrain links the terminals for A$5. Arriving from abroad, you clear the border before you change.
- Money: Prosegur exchanges more than 50 currencies in both terminals. Contactless cards work on the Airtrain and city transport.
- Data: an eSIM set up before you fly saves hunting for a SIM on arrival.
- Prayer rooms: on Level 2 of the Domestic Terminal, and for now on Level 3 of the International Terminal, past security, opposite Gate 78.
- Help: visitor information desks in both terminals.
- No paid fast-track lane is listed among the airport’s services. The SmartGates are the quicker way through passport control for ePassport holders aged 7 and over.