Getting AroundThere are 5 main rail providers
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Great Southern Rail specialise in rail vacation journeys for Sydney/Melbourne-Adelaide-Perth, Alice Springs, Darwin, journeys which are often in the top 50 best rail vacations in the world.
Queensland Rail offer rail vacation journeys, tourist day trips and commuter rail.
Transwa operates rail services across Western Australia and stops at hundreds of local stops
Country Link trains run across New South Wales, Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria. They also provide city rail service to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra.
The V-Line covers Victoria regional trains between Melbourne and Geelong, Bacchus Marsh, Sunbury, Seymour and Traralgon.
Some rail operators offer coach services and some coach services come free with certain rail passes.
Seat reservations are pretty much compulsory.
Rail companies recommend that rail pass holders arrive at least 90 minutes before departure to validate their pass before they use it first time. Carriages are fully air-conditioned and generally offer economy seating, sleeper class with a few specialising in business class.
Tickets & DiscountsTickets vary between different regions and time zones.
Return fares are twice the price of a single one-way fare though its worth checking out if rail passes are cheaper than tickets.
Great Southern Rail may add fuel surcharge to the cost of your fare
Upgrades to Sleeper/Business class are allowed (at an additional surcharge)
Station
Sales desk generally open 9-5 daily. Luggage Check in roughly 45mins before departure. Bike Lockers available at Queensland Rail stations
Onboard Services
Showers at the end of each carriage for Sleepers.
For overnight stays, passengers are generally allowed 2 checked in luggage pieces. Max 40 kg total. Passengers should keep a smaller overnight bag/hand luggage for the journeyfor which there are luggage racks in each carriage.
Seats and Beds; Refer to individual rail providers
