City Hopper
City Hopper
4.5
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- EamonBessbrookBelfast, United Kingdom16 contributionsThe Dark Side has never been funnierClass service, but when we went to land at the Dock Side, the driver did a Star Wars skit over the tannoy about arriving at the Dark Side... he had the place in stitches, it was one of the funniest things I every heard. Every passenger left with a smile on their face. Awesome :-)Visited April 2023Travelled with familyWritten 10 March 2024
- marekit163 contributionsTake a little cruiseFree ferries crisscrossing Brisbane River. Always full, but easy to use. Ferries stop every 15 minutes at different stops along the downtown area. One might sit inside or on the little upper deck where the view is pretty neat.Visited May 2024Travelled on businessWritten 27 May 2024
- Dan LBunbury, Australia9,012 contributionsOutstanding ferry serviceOutstanding ferry service on the Brisbane River and service the CBD, Southbank and Kangaroo Point and its free. KittyKats are catamaran type ferries with a 60-passenger capacity, very popular in the mornings and late afternoons. We had learnt from our previous visit and waited until late morning before venturing to the ferry port at Holman Street.Visited May 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 7 June 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
1,953 reviews
Excellent
1,492
Very good
391
Average
50
Poor
9
Terrible
11
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
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Gratefultravels5
Australia258 contributions
June 2023 • Couples
A free ferry service which stops at selected terminals. Runs from early morning until around midnight about every 20 mins. A must to explore different areas of Brisbane. One of my favourite stops was Howard smith wharves- a great restaurant area right under the storey bridge. At night it’s just wow looking at the bridge and city. Also you can walk from there on the walkway over the river to Sydney st and catch the ferry back to the city. Took us about an hour very leisurely,
Written 21 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vacation800328
Japan2,706 contributions
July 2023 • Solo
This is a free ferry that operates within the centre of Brisbane city.
It is operated by a single crew member, who also sets up and stows the gangway, and handles all the rope work when docking.
Please note that if there is a red sign on the front and side, it is a free City Hopper, and if there is no sign, it is a paid City Cat.
It is operated by a single crew member, who also sets up and stows the gangway, and handles all the rope work when docking.
Please note that if there is a red sign on the front and side, it is a free City Hopper, and if there is no sign, it is a paid City Cat.

Written 7 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aussie_2012
Melbourne, Australia961 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
It's free.... what more could you ask! Stops at 7 locations along the main city section of the river. Boats hold approx 30 people perhaps more and come every 30 minutes and go in a clockwise direction from one stop to the next. The boats are mainly covered however there is a small outdoor area at the rear of the boat. It is so fantastic that this service is free which is ideal for the tourist in order to get to the main locations throughout the city. A definite way to get around the city.
Written 27 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nomadsjandp
Brisbane, Australia117 contributions
Apr 2024 • Solo
Not only couldn’t get on because it was so full( 1 person got off so only 1 could get on) leaving the other 9 of us to wait 30 minutes till the next one & take the chance we’d get on. Ridiculous! Also couldn’t buy a ticket for the paid ferry service because they aren’t available on board!! Or at the ferry stop. Apparently you have to go to a grocery store or some such 😲 So disappointed that in a capital city such disgraceful public transport service is offered.
Written 5 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reed S
349 contributions
Mar 2023
This is an economical way to explore both sides of the Brisbane River and enjoy the views. The ferries however are smaller and there is only a couple dozen seats, so they can fill up quickly at busy times. The Ferrymaster willing to answer questions at stops. There are about six or so stops-North Quay to Sydney Street.
Written 24 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sandy M
1 contribution
Nov 2023 • Family
Unfortunately our introduction to the free city Hopper was ruined by an extremely unhelpful and rude driver named Stuart. We got on at New Farm on the 1.40. I asked him if it went into the city now and I received an extremely aggressive and condescending reply that it goes every 40 minutes and he said it was going the other way. my husband then clarified- he also spoke in a rude and brusque manner to him and we worked out it was the right ferry. This man should not be working in a tourism and hospitality business. The first rude person we have encountered on our visit from Victoria.
Written 17 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hazmoid
Perth, Australia44 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
We had been to Brisbane before and knew about the River Cats Ferry service, and how it was a great way to do a river cruise without the cruise prices.
We found out that the City Hopper is a free service that goes between the central stops of the ferry service and enables you to hop on and off where you want. Particularly handy for crossing the river from the city to Southbank . The customer area is separated from the crew so there is nothing to distract them and is wheelchair accessible. The service reaches the majority of the tourist areas and avoids the hassle of navigating city streets. Passes under the Storey bridge.
We found out that the City Hopper is a free service that goes between the central stops of the ferry service and enables you to hop on and off where you want. Particularly handy for crossing the river from the city to Southbank . The customer area is separated from the crew so there is nothing to distract them and is wheelchair accessible. The service reaches the majority of the tourist areas and avoids the hassle of navigating city streets. Passes under the Storey bridge.
Written 21 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dudleybecky
Morpeth, Australia403 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
Loved the kitty cat experience on the Brisbane River. After a good walk around SouthBank it was a refreshing ride on the free river boat. Nice to relax with the wind in ur hair. Loved the casual approach and loved the scenery . I’d recommend this to folk that just want to chill for approximately 1:30hrs
Written 8 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Phillip8789
Terrigal, Australia789 contributions
Feb 2020
We used the City Hopper on numerous occasions during our visit to Brisbane.
The service was always on time.
Ensure that, if using this service, you know at which piers this ferry stops, as there are some differences between the Hopper and The City Cat schedule.
This is a great way to see aspects of Brisbane, all free of charge!!!
The City Ferry service provides a similar route, but you pay for the trip.
A great service - well done Brisbane.
The service was always on time.
Ensure that, if using this service, you know at which piers this ferry stops, as there are some differences between the Hopper and The City Cat schedule.
This is a great way to see aspects of Brisbane, all free of charge!!!
The City Ferry service provides a similar route, but you pay for the trip.
A great service - well done Brisbane.
Written 20 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jenelle S
4 contributions
Jan 2023
The City Hopper was a great way to get to know Brisbane when visiting for the first time. There were opportunities to ask questions of fellow travellers of important places to enjoy while in an unfamiliar city. Well worth it!
Written 11 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How do you get from international cruise terminal to city hopper? Thank you.
Written 6 October 2023
Is there any free or cheap parking at the North Quay or Sydney street terminals?
Written 9 April 2023
I dont know. I always park at Paddington. I get the train in. Sorry I can't help you
Written 11 April 2023
how do I get from overseas cruise terminal,npinkenba to cultural centre public pontoon south bank
Written 3 March 2023
How do i get from cruise terminal,pinkenba to cultural centre public pontoon south bank
Written 3 March 2023
Can you travel from Kangaroo Point to Koala sanctuary on this Ferry?
Written 27 October 2019
Assuming you mean Lone Pine, then mo, afraid not. You can however book tours which will take you from various ferry points.
Written 14 November 2019
Hi, If I were to go to Brisbane from the Brisbane airport (so that I can try the City Hopper), is it faster and cheaper by train or Uber?
Written 19 August 2019
The Hopper is a ferry so you can’t get from the airport to the city on a boat. You can take the train and it’s quite quick. I personally take a DiDi or Uber or taxi because I’m isually tired from travel and want to get to the hotel quickly. It costs $25-$30 roughly depending on the time of day. Train won’t cost that much - much cheaper. The red city hopper is free - can take you up and down the river from one end of the city to the other.
Written 2 September 2019
Which hotels to consider, so that we could just walk to the nearest pier to board City Hopper?
Written 13 August 2019
Agree with above; Kangaroo Point was a lovely spot & will mean you get to travel 3/4 stops on the City Hopper to take in all of the scenery if heading down towards South Bank (which most people do!).
Written 1 September 2019
Dorothy P
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
ALICE SPRING : This post is for Alice Spring, AU. Has anyone hired a private driver to show them around the historic and cultural in this area? Also, trying to find out about the Hop ON/OFF in Alice Spring. Did not receive a reply from the visitors center in the town. Thank you. We have one day in Alice and sadly there are no local tours scheduled for that day.
Written 2 August 2019
Hi Dorothy, you'd need to post your question onto the AS City Hopper (or equivalent) - this is for Brisbane.
Written 1 September 2019
If I hop on at Holman Street what stop should I get off at if I need to go to say 250 Queen Street.
Written 28 February 2019
Eagle Street Pier would be quicker than North Quay. Nice restaurants at Eagle Street to wander through.
Written 28 February 2019
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