Australia

compass Getting Around

There are 5 main rail providers

Great Southern Rail Queensland Rail Transwa Countrylink VLine
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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.

 

ticketTickets & Discounts

Tickets 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)

For Special offers & discounts see indivdual Rail Providers

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Station & Onboard

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

 

Rail Passes - see Australia rail pass details here