Maxi Cab vs Driving to Brisbane Airport: What Actually Costs Less?

Brisbane Airport has several parking options. The Short Stay car parks (P1, P2) at the Domestic and International terminals cost from $8 to $15 per hour depending on duration, with daily rates capping at $60 to $80. The Long Stay car parks are cheaper: from approximately $19 to $25 per day uncovered.

For a 7-day trip, long-stay parking at Brisbane Airport costs approximately $133 to $175 depending on the car park and booking timing. For a 10-day trip, that rises to $190 to $250. These are costs before accounting for fuel to drive to the airport and back.

For a single traveller, the break-even point is roughly 5 to 7 days. A return maxi cab from most inner Brisbane and northside suburbs costs $100 to $140 total (two separate metered trips). Long-stay parking for 5 days costs $95 to $125. At 7 days, the parking cost ($133 to $175) exceeds most return taxi fares.

For groups, the calculation shifts faster. A family of 4 in two cars pays double the parking cost. In one maxi cab, the return fare is shared across the group. A family of 4 driving two cars to the airport for a 7-day trip incurs $266 to $350 in parking across both vehicles — significantly more than a single 7-seater maxi cab return trip.

Beyond the numbers, a maxi cab for an airport transfer removes the stress of the airport departure sequence. No finding a parking spot under time pressure. No shuttle bus from the car park to the terminal with luggage and children. No returning to a dark car park late at night after an international flight.

The return trip is the part that catches people out. Landing at 10pm after a 14-hour flight, clearing customs with full baggage, then taking a car park shuttle to find your car in a multi-level car park is the reality of driving. A pre-booked maxi cab with the driver waiting at the Arrivals kerbside is the alternative.

For a single traveller leaving for 1 or 2 days with only carry-on luggage, driving and using short-stay parking is often the most convenient and cost-effective option. A 2-day trip with 4 hours of parking costs $40 to $60 — less than a single taxi fare from the suburbs.

For trips of 3 days or more, especially for families or groups, the maths typically favours the taxi. And for any trip where alcohol is likely to be consumed on arrival or where late-night arrivals are involved, the taxi is the straightforward choice regardless of trip length.