Planning your journey

This page contains information on how to plan your journey with Queensland Rail.

Before you travel

Getting ready for your trip on our South East Queensland network can help you feel more at ease. If you plan to travel with Queensland Rail Travel long-distance services visit the Queensland Rail Travel website, opens in new window to find out more.

Planning is the best way to get ready for your journey:

Check the Translink Journey Planner, opens in new window, or the MyTranslink app to confirm the timetable, platform and to check if there are any known disruptions. If you would prefer to speak with Translink you can call them on 13 12 30
View the Queensland Rail network map or text description
Visit the Your Station page to learn about your start and end stations and their features
If you require boarding assistance you can call Queensland Rail ahead on 13 16 17 (7.15am to 5pm (AEST), Monday to Friday) or text 0428 774 636 (text only). Please let our team know the time, start and end stations and the assistance you need. It is optional to call or text ahead of your journey.

Image below shows: station staff assisting a customer on a platform.

Customer being assisted on platform by station staff

Travel Training

Down Syndrome Queensland have resources to help with preparing for your journey. Including a manual designed for an individual (the traveller) to work through with the support of a 'travel coach' whether that be a parent, carer, friend, or support worker.

Travel coaches who will assist the individual with an intellectual disability, have all the tools and guidance needed to facilitate a training tailored to a traveller’s skill level. Included in the manual are homework activities and assessment tools that are designed to be written on/filled in while on the go. The manual is available both as a soft copy (online) or hard copy that can be delivered to you.

The guide provides a range of resources for all parties involved:

For the traveller

Learning materials
Homework activities
Travel diary

For the coach

Assessment tools
Route planning
Coaching strategies

Please see the Down Syndrome Queensland Travel Training webpage for more information.

Image below shows: a page from the Travel Training manual.

Travel Training Independent Traveller card worksheet

Tickets and fare information

Please see the Translink Ticket and fares page, opens in new window for information on fares, zones and tickets, smart ticketing and go card information.

If you are using a go card, top up ahead of time. Visit the Translink go card page, opens in new window for more information on topping up.

Translink offers concession go cards as well as a number of passes to support eligible customers with disabilities. For full details please visit the Translink Access Pass page, opens in new window.

Travelling with a support icon

Travelling with companions, carers or support workers

Companions travel for free on Queensland Rail South East Queensland services if the person with a disability has a Companion Card issued by any Australian State or Territory. The cardholder must have a valid ticket for travel. To apply for a Companion Card, please visit the Translink Companion Card page, opens in new window or call 13 74 68.

Travelling with a guide or assistance animal

Travelling with a guide, hearing or assistance animal

For the safety and comfort of all customers, animals are not permitted on any Queensland Rail service or station except for:

Guide, hearing and assistance dogs that are trained and certified in accordance with the Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act 2009 (Qld) with an identity card issued in accordance with that Act (Identification for handlers | People with disability | Queensland Government, opens in a new window, opens in new window). This includes a guide, hearing and assistance dog under training.

Animals that meet the assistance animal requirements as outlined in the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth), being animals that assist a person with a disability to alleviate the effect of the disability and meeting standards of hygiene and behaviour that are appropriate for an animal in a public place, with an Assistance Animal Pass issued by Translink. The Assistance Animal Pass allows you to bring your assistance animal on all Translink public transport services (excluding Airtrain). To find out more, visit the Translink Assistance Animal Pass page, opens in new window

What to bring for your comfort

Our trains can be bright. You may want to bring light filtering glasses if the bright lights hurt your eyes. Light filtering glasses may need to be removed to read the passenger information screens on the platform and onboard.

There are also lots of sounds you may hear at stations and onboard. During busy times and during events, stations and trains can be busy and loud.

If you prefer a quieter space, there are Quiet Carriages onboard our trains. They are the second and fifth carriages and can be found using signs inside and outside the train.

You may want to bring noise cancelling headphones if they help you feel more comfortable. If you choose to wear headphones, please keep aware of your surroundings, there maybe times when you need to listen for announcements while travelling with us.

Etiquette

Most customers do the right thing every day and show great train etiquette, which means acting politely. Please see the Train etiquette page for a guide on how to behave while using the Queensland Rail network. This helps everyone to have a pleasant journey.

Image below shows: cartoon of a busy train full of people.

Cartoon of passengers on a train