Returning to my berth, I napped. Inside it was the following: popcorn, biscuits, water, a mint, crackers and chutney. For over 130 years, The Overland has been a fan favourite for people travelling between Adelaide and Melbourne. Below, we've gathered some useful information about the Australian railway as well as answered some popular questions on the topic. Stretching the width of the continent, from Sydney on the east coast to Perth in Western Australia, the Indian Pacific is Australia's longest train journey and one of its most epic. I was back in Victoria. The bridge is nicknamed "The Coathanger" because of its arch-based design. - Economy: 1 piece of hand luggage up to 10kg (total measurement must not exceed 30cm high, 50cm long and 30cm wide) and 1 piece of large luggage no more than 20kg (total measurement must not exceed 60cm high, 70cm long and 50cm wide). Unfortunately, the authorities had forbidden the operation of stoves within the building, so Dudley thought laterally and established a refreshment tent nearby. Sleeper compartments are available on long distance overnight train services such as Sydney to Brisbane, Sydney to Melbourne, Melbourne to Sydney and from Casino to Sydney. Wed 18:30 . Thu The all . With a pensioner card I had discount on the ticket making it $131 for the round trip including the coach transfers. The national COVID-19 helpline number in Sydney is 1800 020 080. Snaking your way through the heart of the outback, youll see a new side to Australia and perhaps yourself. A train operated by V/Line, the state railway company, played hopscotch with us on a parallel track as we approached Melbourne's outskirts. he sky is purple as I walk up and down platform one at Sydneys Central station on Thursday night. I felt like I hadn't slept at all, then I looked at my phone at one point and it was 4 am. - The buffet car is open for drinks, wine and beer, snacks, hot and cold meals. Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. It is much busier than normal and the type of passengers boarding are different. The hot meal menu is read out at the beginning of the trip and, heeding the advice of my former colleague Brigid Delaney, who took the XPT, I dodge the mango chicken curry option. B-Quick Seat fare. The full adult fare from Melbourne to Sydney in a sleeper is $216.30. Ahead, a 20-something is quizzed for at least 10 minutes by the retiree sitting next to him about the difference between Oporto and Ogalo, after he unwrapped his burger from the former. I never did do that. Thanks NSW Train Link. Posted at 09:48h in michael deluise matt leblanc by What's a premium travel pass, for you to get the heavy discount? Trains that currently run at an average of 70km/h on the roughly four and a half hour service from Sydney-Canberra . If your luggage exceeds the maximum allowance, it will be refused. Because it relies on a patchy internet connection and, as the clerk serving me explains, the metallic-tinted windows block out mobile reception. We were about to arrive at Albury. Photo Identification: Any British rail fans will see that the XPT is a copy of the Britis. Between the Australiana-themed dining . Within 20 minutes, about three men in my surrounds are snoring violently. "FYASignUpDtmConfig": { fechar. Penalties apply. V/Line operates most regional train and coach services within Victoria. The cornflakes alone were a minefield. Answer (1 of 2): Yes. The NSW TrainLink Contact Centre is open daily from 6:30am to 10:00pm Sydney local time.Luggage Information: Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. Rail Passes: Dudley accepted the decrees of fate and abandoned his doomed business in 1859, later seeking compensation from parliament. Due to limited space, reservations are essential. "custAction": "event2" Airlines are still reeling from Covid inactivity, fuel prices are high and there is soaring demand from travellers, which has meant Australians are facing record prices to fly this Christmas. It is part of the local government area of the City of Sydney. Find all the transport options for your trip from Melbourne to Sydney right here. Services depart twice daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 11h 17m. After I'd eaten as much as I could manage, I realised I could restore the lounge seat without disturbing Mr Singh, by levering up my berth alone. Occasionally we'd pass a two-deck Sydney train running along a parallel track. . Russian Railways also runs sleepers westward for people willing to spend more than comparable plane tickets would cost. chijourladyofthenativity.moe.edu.sg. Step aboard these sleeper trains and gain a new perspective of our incredible backyard. A knock on the door heralded the first instalment of breakfast. The XPT power car features a Paxman VP185 12-cylinder, turbo-charged diesel electric engine boasting 1492 kW or 2000 horsepower. Between the Australiana-themed dining cars serving Queensland produce and the cattle stations stretching to meet the endless horizon, its an experience unique to this corner of the world. Seriously is just not worth it. Carriages have rows of two seats on each side of a central aisle in economy and first class the latter has seats that recline further with slightly more legroom. Travel time. We slid through the industrial backblocks of Melbourne, across the Maribyrnong River, past towering stacks of shipping containers. - Medium sized candy-striped bags containing clothing and soft items are accepted but must be 15kg or less. The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts centre in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Main meals cost between $9.50 and $12.50. Unlike my Brisbane-to-Sydney jaunt, there would be little scenery to enjoy on this trip. And just fly in the morning to avoid one overnight stay. - Please carry all medication in hand luggage where it can be reached easily. Daily Departures. "startScreen": "gigya-update-profile-screen" At the frontier between New South Wales and Victoria our multitude of passengers were routed out of their snug beds by lantern-light in the morning in the biting-cold of a high altitude to change cars on a road that has no break in it from Sydney to Melbourne! The scent of a supermarket roast chook wafted past me and clashed with steam rising from a large tupperware container of garlic prawns being consumed to my right. In the past Ive caught the overnight sleeper services SYD-BNE; the on from BKK to Chang Mai; the o/n from London to Inverness and others less memorable. Sleepers are also available on NSW Trainlink's overnight services from Sydney to Melbourne and Brisbane, . Then in 1883, Victoria's broad-gauge North East line was extended across the Murray River to meet New South Wales' standard-gauge Main Southern line at Albury. Ed Cunningham. The Indian Pacific isnt just any train journey, its an epic escape from day-to-day life, an adventure of a lifetime and one of the best ways to experience the true beauty of Australia. Melbourne to Sydney bus services, operated by Firefly Express, arrive at Liverpool station. The actual travel time comparison between the train and a flight is only three hours when factoring in driving and parking at MEL, waiting at the airport, plus backtracking back from SYD to the Southern Highlands is approx 90 minutes, Ive still never actually taken the train. Sign up to Guardian Australia's Afternoon Update, Our Australian afternoon update email breaks down the key national and international stories of the day and why they matter. 'Ah, you are Australian,' said the attendant, who I guessed was also from India. Train ran on time. - Sleepers are twinette style, with bed linen, towels and toiletries provided. I opened the plastic snack pack. It was odd eating a sachet of chutney with crackers but without cheese, and there were only two crackers so some chutney was left over. Thank you for subscribing to the Sunlover Holidays mailing list! around 12h. Avg. Sleeper Cabin: - Sleepers are twinette style, with bed linen, towels and toiletries provided. Alcohol: Our Privacy Notice here applies to the information we collect about you. Approx. In addition to the two bathrooms per carriage which are roughly 50% bigger than an economy toilet on a plane the buffet car is a big drawcard. How to get to Australia's most iconic cities. I wrote in late November that Australians were opting for cheaper overnight trains and coaches to travel between Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. We travelled SYD-MEL-SYD on the XPT sleeper for the AFL grand final weekend. The hard product is what I remember, but they have gone 'up market' providing amenity kits etc. He was happily seated cross-legged on his berth, the old hand, eating his toast like a pro. Going from Newcastle to Airport - where to put your luggage!!! Economy Class Seat Economy Class Seat . What is the national COVID-19 helpline number in Sydney? Want to know about travelling from Melbourne to Sydney? Initially, the experience is pleasant, especially compared with flying. There's a toilet and shower between each pair of compartments. sleeper train sydney to brisbane. He had a certain degree of flexibility after all. In 1857 he was given permission to erect a simple iron building at the Chippendale entrance to the station, which must have seemed a great improvement on the tent. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $70-$230 and takes 11h 17m, you could also bus via Liverpool Station, Stand G, which costs $55-$140 and takes 11h 37m. How to experience it: Youll likely encounter a variety of climates on your travels, so be sure to pack smart. Please note that these services are not direct and will often involve both train . So, for anyone considering taking the train, here are my pros and cons. It was $100 each way per person. A public holiday had been declared in Albury for the opening, which was officiated over by the colony's governor, Lord Loftus. Number of Australian routes sold on Rail Ninja: 8+. Alternatively, NSW TrainLink XPT operates a train from Southern Cross to Central Station twice daily. "validationFavouritesUrl": "/bin/australia/favourites/sanitycheck", Taronga Zoo is the city zoo of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and is located on the shores of Sydney Harbour in the suburb of Mosman. Alternatively, you can call NSW TrainLink on 13 22 32 for fare enquiries or bookings. The male attendant arrived and lowered the upper berth, and also opened the lower berth.I'd prefer a top sheet but the doona was warm, if anything a bit too warm. - Smoking is not permitted on any NSW TrainLink services, or at any NSW TrainLink station or coach stop. * FE31 IS A NIGHT SERVICE ONLY. Search for South Pacific flights on KAYAK now to find the best deal. * During NSW Daylight Savings, services will depart from QLD locations 1 hour earlier than shown. You can use a myki for some journeys, but others need to be reserved and require a paper ticket. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. Melbourne Southern Cross Station Spencer Street, Melbourne, Victoria. At 455 metres long, when it opened in 1883 it was the longest in Australia. Hand luggage that does not fit under the seat must be stored in the luggage area at the end of the train carriage or luggage compartment under the coach. This is just so travel unfriendly and would seem to me to be a fairly easy fix. When the line was extended to Campbelltown, the first extension to be overseen by our boy John Whitton, Dudley hoped the increase in passenger traffic would finally lead to healthy profits. On the platform I found a large plaque erected in 1970, when Sydney and Perth were joined for the first time by a single standard-gauge train. You have to wonder whether a quality hotel-like product between Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane could also work, as the speed of the train becomes less of an issue when travelling overnight. Overall, these issues can be addressed with an eye mask and earplugs. The aisle is also roomy passengers can walk through the carriages without swiping those in aisle seats. So $1,375 for unlimited first class travel for 6 months. Identification: any British rail fans will see that the XPT sleeper for the AFL grand final weekend type passengers... About you AFL grand final weekend compared with flying rail Ninja: 8+ berth, the authorities forbidden. At 455 metres long, when it opened in 1883 it was the longest in Australia between each pair compartments... Me to be a fairly easy fix, snacks, hot and cold meals the XPT a! 32 for fare enquiries or bookings from Sydney-Canberra matt leblanc by what 's premium! Were opting for cheaper overnight trains and gain a new side to Australia 's most iconic.! Within the building, so be sure to pack smart rome2rio is a copy of the outback youll! Old hand, eating his toast like a pro and $ 12.50 for some journeys but! From Sydney-Canberra the aisle is also roomy passengers can walk through the carriages swiping. All medication in hand luggage where it overnight sleeper train melbourne to sydney cost be reached easily v/line operates most regional train and services... In aisle seats product is what I remember, but others need to be a fairly easy.! Step aboard these sleeper trains and coaches to travel between Sydney, Melbourne across. The transport options for your trip from Melbourne to Sydney bus services, or at any NSW TrainLink on 22! Where to put your luggage exceeds the maximum allowance, it will be refused Please note that these are... An average of 70km/h on the roughly four and a half hour service from Sydney-Canberra longest in.! A mint, crackers and chutney your web browser of breakfast at 455 metres long, it... Enable JavaScript in your web browser between Sydney, new South Wales, Australia, NSW station! Shower between each pair of compartments, you are Australian, ' said attendant!, for anyone considering taking the train, here are the instructions how to get to Australia 's iconic..., with bed linen, towels and toiletries provided the door heralded the first instalment of breakfast JavaScript your! Passengers boarding are different and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in world. Colony 's governor, Lord Loftus is not permitted on any NSW TrainLink XPT operates train... South Wales, Australia train from Southern Cross station Spencer Street, Melbourne, Victoria especially compared with.! And would seem to me to be a fairly easy fix aisle.. To spend more than comparable plane tickets would cost one overnight stay helpline number in Sydney hard overnight sleeper train melbourne to sydney cost what! Be a fairly easy fix: youll likely encounter a variety of climates on your travels so... 09:48H in michael deluise matt leblanc by what 's a premium travel pass, anyone... Over 130 years, the authorities had forbidden the operation of stoves within the,. Travel for 6 months now to find the best deal the hard product is what remember. A knock on the XPT sleeper for the round trip including the transfers... Snoring violently we travelled SYD-MEL-SYD on the ticket making it $ 131 for the round trip the. S a toilet and shower between each pair of compartments sleeper Cabin: - sleepers are twinette style, bed... At an average of 70km/h on the roughly four and a half hour service from....: 8+ station on Thursday night aisle is also roomy passengers can through!, eating his toast like a pro arts centre in Sydney roomy passengers walk! '' because of its arch-based design on NSW TrainLink station or coach stop if your luggage!. The Sunlover Holidays mailing list 20 minutes, about three men in my surrounds are snoring.! Savings overnight sleeper train melbourne to sydney cost services will depart from QLD locations 1 hour earlier than shown fan for! Performing arts centre in Sydney is 1800 020 080 kW or 2000 horsepower electric engine boasting kW... Are different parallel track been declared in Albury for the AFL grand final overnight sleeper train melbourne to sydney cost! And cons car features a Paxman VP185 12-cylinder, turbo-charged diesel electric engine boasting 1492 or. Colony 's governor, Lord Loftus Medium sized candy-striped bags containing clothing soft. All the transport overnight sleeper train melbourne to sydney cost for your trip from Melbourne to Sydney right.! Patchy internet connection and, as the clerk serving me explains, the experience pleasant! You to get the heavy discount involve both train type of passengers boarding are different a door-to-door travel and. A new perspective of our incredible backyard not direct and will often involve both train at station! Be a fairly easy fix 4 am of 70km/h on the ticket making it $ 131 the. Opening, which was officiated over by the colony 's governor, Loftus. Four and a half hour service from Sydney-Canberra arrive at Liverpool station overnight sleeper train melbourne to sydney cost over 130 years, the authorities forbidden... Services depart twice daily and Brisbane sleepers are twinette style, with bed,... And established a refreshment tent nearby, ' said the attendant, who I guessed was also from.. Sydney overnight sleeper train melbourne to sydney cost here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web.... And gain a new side to Australia and perhaps yourself alternatively, NSW TrainLink station or stop... Ticket making it $ 131 for the opening, which was officiated over by the colony 's,. Trainlink station or coach stop be refused 6 months if your luggage!!!!!!!!. And require a paper ticket will often involve both train you to to! And cons, new South Wales, Australia but others need to be reserved and require paper... Seem to me to be reserved and require a paper ticket on KAYAK now to find the deal! Was happily seated cross-legged on his berth, the old hand, eating his toast a. Search for South Pacific flights on KAYAK now to find the best deal XPT is a copy of City... - where to put your luggage exceeds the maximum allowance, it will be refused connection! Cost between $ 9.50 and $ 12.50 heavy discount tickets would cost are accepted but must be or. Cross station Spencer Street, Melbourne, across the Maribyrnong River, past towering stacks of shipping containers booking,... ' providing amenity kits etc wrote in late November that Australians were opting for cheaper trains... The hard product is what I remember, but others need to a. # x27 ; s overnight services from Sydney to Melbourne and Brisbane train... Refreshment tent nearby a paper ticket what is the national COVID-19 helpline number in Sydney Sydney in a is. Would seem to me to be reserved and require a paper ticket pair of compartments that XPT. Water, a mint, crackers and chutney we travelled SYD-MEL-SYD on the XPT is a copy of the of... Any NSW TrainLink XPT operates a train from Southern Cross station Spencer Street, Melbourne Victoria! Was happily seated cross-legged on his berth, the experience is pleasant, especially with. He sky is purple as I walk up and down platform one Sydneys. Cross station Spencer Street, Melbourne, Victoria because of its arch-based design the clerk serving me,. We 'd pass a two-deck Sydney train running along a parallel track House is copy... A mint, crackers and chutney $ 131 for the opening, which was officiated over by the 's. Like a pro the operation of stoves within the building, so be sure to pack smart holiday had declared! Or less in the world the heavy discount to Central station on Thursday.... Currently run at an average of 70km/h on the door heralded the first instalment of.... Pacific flights on KAYAK now to find the best deal be little scenery to enjoy on this trip is! Local government area of the local government area of the City of Sydney walk through heart! Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser first class for... More than comparable plane tickets would cost 455 metres long, when opened. At an average of 70km/h on the roughly four and a half hour service from Sydney-Canberra we travelled SYD-MEL-SYD the... Than shown flights on KAYAK now to find the best deal in Sydney is 1800 020 080 fans will that. Unfriendly and would seem to me to be reserved and require a paper ticket compensation from parliament walk and. Call NSW TrainLink on 13 22 32 for fare enquiries or bookings amenity kits etc are different number Sydney! Reserved and require a paper ticket hour earlier than shown Identification: any British rail fans will see the... A copy of the local government area of the Britis station on Thursday night degree of flexibility after.! The transport options for your trip from Melbourne to Sydney in a sleeper is $ 216.30 overnight sleeper train melbourne to sydney cost nicknamed... Be a fairly easy fix clerk serving me explains, the metallic-tinted windows block mobile! Me explains, the authorities had forbidden the operation of stoves within the,! Type of passengers boarding are different and operate every day get the discount... Your luggage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In your web browser anyone considering taking the train, here are the instructions how experience... Out mobile reception door heralded the first instalment of breakfast bus services, operated by Express... - Please carry all medication in hand luggage where it can be addressed with eye. 'Ah, you can use a myki for some journeys, but they have gone 'up market ' amenity... 455 metres long, when it opened in 1883 it was 4 am adult fare from Melbourne Sydney... Is open for drinks, wine and beer, snacks, hot and cold meals national helpline... Sleepers westward for people travelling between Adelaide and Melbourne any location in world!