Australia
General train travel information for AUSTRALIA. Rail travel tours, accommodation, sightseeing.
Brief History
Australia's railways are an important component of Australia's transportation network and are of great importance to the Australian economy1. The first railroads in Australia were built by private companies based in the then colonies of New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. This led to the problem of incompatible rail lines. Despite London's advice to adopt a uniform gauge standard, most colonies missed the point, making the issue a national problem for many years. Despite apparent progress, the problem has not been fully resolved to this day. Most of Australia's rail infrastructure is owned by the federation or individual states, with the exception of a few privately owned railroads. Most rail operators were once government agencies, but after privatization in the 1990s, private companies began to manage most of Australia's traffic.
General Information and Statistics
The main passenger train operator in Australia is Great Southern Rail, which operates several long-distance trains such as The Ghan and Indian Pacific. 1.16 billion rail passengers were carried in Australia in 2021
The total length of railroad tracks in Australia is 32,929 km. At the end of 2022, there were about 960 rail stations in Australia.
Australia has electrified about 3,448 km of rail track, which is about 11% of the total rail track length in the country
What connections to other countries there are?
Australia has no rail routes linking it to other countries.
Are trains fast in Australia in general? How much time to cross the country?
The speed of trains in Australia depends on the type of train and route. The fastest train in Australia is Queensland Rail's electric inclined train, which holds the Australian speed record of 210 km/h. However, this speed is not typical of most trains in Australia. The maximum speed of passenger trains in Australia is usually 160 km/h.
As for how long it takes to cross the country by train, it depends on the route and the type of train. For example, "The Ghan" is a famous long-distance train that runs from Adelaide to Darwin, covering a distance of 2,979 kilometers. The trip takes about 54 hours. Another long distance train, Indian Pacific, runs from Sydney to Perth, covering a distance of 4,352 km. The travel time is about 65 hours.
What railway companies are available?
The main passenger train operator in Australia is Great Southern Rail, which operates several long-distance trains such as The Ghan and Indian Pacific. In addition, there are several other rail companies in Australia that operate passenger trains such as Queensland Rail and V/Line
What train types are available in Australia?
There are several types of trains in Australia that are designed for different purposes. Some of them include:
• Long distance trains: These are trains that travel long distances between cities and regions. Some of the most famous long distance trains in Australia are The Ghan and Indian Pacific which are operated by Great Southern Rail .
• Suburban trains: These are trains that are designed to transport passengers between cities and suburbs.
• Regional trains: These are trains that travel between cities and regions, but not as long distances as long distance trains. Regional trains usually stop at more stations than long-distance trains and offer more affordable ticket prices.
• Freight trains: These are trains that are designed to transport freight between cities and regions. Some of the major freight train operators in Australia include Aurizon and Pacific National .
Are there high-speed-trains available?
The construction of high-speed railroads in Australia has been under consideration since the early 1980s, but so far no project has progressed beyond the detailed planning stage. The fastest train in Australia is Queensland Rail's electric inclined train, which holds the Australian speed record of 210 km/h. However, this speed is not typical of most trains in Australia. The maximum speed of passenger trains in Australia is usually 160 km/h.
Most important train stations / hubs.
The main railway hubs in Australia are Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide.
Websites to buy train tickets for Australia?
https://transportnsw.info/regional-bookings, journeybeyondrail.com.au, 1rail.com.au, vline.com.au/Plan-trip-buy-tickets
Mobile apps to buy train tickets in Australia?
Couldn't find any information about mobile apps for buying tickets from companies. However, there are several mobile apps that allow you to buy train tickets in Australia:
Transit: This app allows you to plan trips and manage your myki with ease. It covers all your transportation needs including live trip information, instant recharge of your myki and much more .
PTV: This app allows you to book train tickets for travel in New South Wales and other parts of Australia.
Transport NSW: This app offers tickets and Opal for subways, trains, buses, ferries, light rail streetcars and buses in Sydney and across New South Wales
Possible to buy a ticket at Australian railway station?
You can buy a train ticket in Australia in a number of ways. If you prefer to buy your tickets at a train station, you should contact your local train operators. You can book tickets online or buy them at the station.
Can I buy my ticket by phone?
In Australia, it is possible to buy a train ticket by phone. For example, Great Southern Rail offers train ticket reservations by calling 1800703357
Return the ticket.
• With Great Southern Rail, you can get a full refund if you cancel before the train departs. You need to present your ticket at the station.
• On Queensland Rail, you can cancel before the train departs and get a full refund on your tickets.
• On V/Line, you can get a full refund for unreserved tickets if you present your ticket at a V/Line station or V/Line agency before the date shown on the ticket. If you have a reserved ticket, you can cancel it before the departure time
Train ticket prices
There are various special offers and discounts on trains in Australia. For example, Great Southern Rail offers special deals on its trains such as The Ghan, Indian Pacific and Great Southern.Ticket prices in Australia can vary depending on the route and service provider. Tickets for intercity travel within Australia can be purchased for 66 euros - even on major routes such as Sydney to Melbourne.
Cheapest train to the closest nearby country?
Due to Australia being a continent and an island, international trains cannot take you directly to Australia
Where to find timetables.
Find train schedules on trainoclock.com/en-AU/timetable, railmaps.com.au/tableindex.htm, greattrains.com.au/timetables/great-southern-timetables, vline.com.au/Timetables/Train-coach-timetables, queenslandrailtravel.com.au/Planyourtrip/timetable
Buying tickets in advance or right before the train
In most cases, you can buy tickets in advance or just before the train departs. However, it is recommended that you purchase tickets in advance to avoid having to wait in line to make sure seats are available. Also, buying tickets in advance can help you save money, as many service providers offer discounts for buying tickets in advance.
Types of tickets.
• Great Southern Rail offers different types of tickets to passengers. Fares depend on the type of cabin you choose and the length of your trip. The cabin types available are Platinum Service, Gold Service and Gold Single Service 123.
• Queensland Rail offers different types of tickets including BQuick fares, Outback Rail fares and 45 packages. Tickets can be booked online on the company's website, accessible from a mobile device or home computer
• V/Line offers passengers a variety of ticket types including full fare, discounted fare and child fare. The company also offers a number of discounts for frequent travelers, such as the Regional Rail Discount and the Victorian Senior Citizen Card discount.
Interrail/Eurail Passes in Australia
Interrail/Eurail Passes are not available in Australia
Saver price.
There are saver prices available for Great Southern Rail, Queensland Rail, and V/Line trains.
For Great Southern Rail, the saver fare for a single Gold Service from Adelaide to Brisbane is from $2,235 per person for 3 days and 2 nights. For Brisbane to Adelaide, the saver fare for a single Gold Service is from $3,125 per person for 4 days and 3 nights.
For Queensland Rail, they offer BQuick Fares where you can save up to 40% off rail fares. You can take the Spirit of Queensland or Tilt Train to some of their great destinations with other sectors also available2.
For V/Line trains, they offer group travel for 20 or more customers traveling together on V/Line train services. Group travel is charged at concession fares, which is approximately 50% cheaper than the standard weekday adult fares and approximately 30% cheaper on weekends
Is it cheaper to buy round-trip?
Buy single tickets, not return tickets. This will give you more flexibility if you need to change your travel plans. It is not cheaper to buy return tickets.
Flexible tickets.
There are flexible tickets available for Great Southern Rail, Queensland Rail and V/Line trains. For Great Southern Rail, you can choose from specially tailored vacation packages to further explore the unique places Great Southern passes through. Queensland Rail offers two affordable and flexible rail passes for international travelers. These passes are a great option if you want to take your time and truly enjoy your journey, and at your own pace. To travel on V/Line trains, you must use myki or a paper ticket, depending on the route. If your trip involves several transport operators and ticket types, such as the V/Line intercity service and buses, streetcars or PTV trains, you are advised to purchase a single ticket for the entire trip.
Rules of boarding.
For Great Southern Rail, no information could be found regarding the need to show ID to enter that company's trains. However, Queensland Rail requires a valid photo ID at all times when traveling on discounted fares. Approved identification includes a student ID issued by a Queensland institution registered with the Department of Transport and Main Roads, proof of age (e.g. 18+ card), recognized proof of age (e.g. Australia Post Keypass ID card), Australian driver's license or learner's permit, foreign driver's license (from any country) with the holder's photo and translation if in another language, passport (from any country) with the holder's photo and a translation if in another language, passport (from any country) with the holder's photo. For travel on V/Line trains, a paper myki or V/Line ticket is required when boarding the train.
Discounts for group travel.
If you want to travel around Australia in a large group, you should look at offers from different rail companies. Some of them offer discounts and incentives for group travelers that can save you a lot of money and time.
For example, Queensland Rail gives discounts for groups of ten or more people traveling on their trains. You can book your tickets in advance and get guaranteed seats on your chosen route. You can also avail special offers for group excursions that include transfers, lunches and sightseeing.
V/Line also offers group travel for groups of 12 or more people traveling together on V/Line trains or buses. Groups may receive discounts and reduced fares based on availability and group size restrictions. Group travel may not be possible during peak periods, so groups may be split or offered alternative services if they cannot be accommodated on their preferred route.
Unfortunately, no information on discounts for group travel on Great Southern Rail trains could be found. Perhaps this company does not provide such services or does not publicize them on their website. If you are interested in traveling on Great Southern Rail trains, it would be best to contact them directly and confirm all the details.
Age groups and discounts.
For V/Line, full fare is payable by customers aged 19 years and over without a valid concession card. Children aged 5-18 years are entitled to concession fares, while children under 5 travel for free. Students and adults with valid concession cards are eligible for concession fares.
For Queensland Rail, several concession types are eligible for travel discounts, including Queensland Pensioner, Australian Pensioner, Seniors, Queensland Resident Veterans and Carer/Companion Concessions, Students, and Backpackers. Children aged 4-15 years save up to 50% off on fares when travelling with an adult. Infants aged 0-3 years are provided a seat free of charge in Economy and Business Seats. Infants must be booked into their own RailBed or Twin Sleeper cabin with a child fare applying.
I could not find information on age groups and discounts for the Great Southern Rail Trail
Age limitations for minors.
In accordance with Queensland Rail Travel's policy on unaccompanied children, children under 12 years of age may not travel unaccompanied on Queensland Rail Travel trains. Any child under 12 years of age must be accompanied by a person 16 years of age or older. If your child is over 12 but under 16, you can book them as an unaccompanied child if you follow the policy.
I have been unable to find information on the policy for unaccompanied children on Great Southern Rail and V/Line trains. It is recommended that you check with your specific rail provider before making travel arrangements.
Handicapped passengers.
Queensland Rail provides a range of services and facilities for passengers with disabilities. Most V/Line stations and train services can be used by customers with mobility aids. Additionally, most scheduled V/Line coach services have a lift and an allocated space for customers with mobility aids. Great Southern Rail provides assistance to passengers with disabilities, including those who use wheelchairs, at all stages of their journey. They also offer accessible cabins on their trains. V/Line has an Accessibility Action Plan 2022 to 2025 that aims to improve access for regional public transport services. The plan supports the objectives of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) and the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (DSAPT).
Queensland Rail has an assisted boarding point on the platform for customers requiring assistance to board or disembark the train. This point is indicated by the international symbol for access, a white wheelchair on a blue background, and is located near the middle section of the platform. At many stations, it will be located on a higher section of the platform to allow for easier access to and from the carriage. The assisted boarding point is also usually close to other access features, such as the help phone, hearing aid loops, audio and visual timetable information, and lifts. When the train arrives at the station, let the guard or station customer service staff know your destination and they can deploy the portable boarding ramp (available for use by any customer who requests it) or provide any other assistance you may require.
Seat reservations in Australian trains.
You can reserve a seat on Queensland Rail Travel, Great Southern Rail and V/Line trains. Online booking systems are available for this purpose. You can use these systems to book train travel on more than 100 train destinations across Queensland, Great Southern Rail and V/Line trains
Comfort classes on the trains.
Queensland Rail Travel offers the following classes:
• Heritage Class: Travel in the Kuranda Scenic Railway original timber carriages, which are over 100 years old and experience the incredible scenery as the train winds its way through World Heritage-listed rainforest.
• Gold Class: Enjoy the comfort of Gold Class in carriages adorned in handcrafted Victorian inspired décor, club lounge style seating and personal onboard service.
Great Southern Rail offers the following classes:
• Platinum Service: The most luxurious way to travel onboard The Great Southern. Platinum Service features a spacious cabin with a large en suite and private lounge seating area. By day, your cabin is configured as a private lounge with deluxe seating, a table and two ottomans. By night, it is converted to a comfortable bedroom with either a double bed or twin beds.
• Gold Service: A comfortable sleeper cabin featuring private en suite and upper and lower berths that convert to a three-seater lounge by day.
• The Overland Red Premium Service: A premium experience onboard The Overland. Enjoy exclusive access to the new Red Premium Lounge at Adelaide Parklands Terminal before boarding your private cabin with ensuite.
• The Overland Red Service: A premium experience onboard The Overland. Enjoy exclusive access to the new Red Premium Lounge at Adelaide Parklands Terminal before boarding your private cabin
V/Line provides two types of trains that can be booked through the online reservation system. These are:
• VLocity: This is the newest and fastest train in the V/Line fleet and can reach speeds of up to 160 km/h. VLocity offers only economy class with seats with a width equivalent to first class seats on V/Line locomotive-hauled trains 1 .
• Locomotive-hauled trains: V/Line provides two types of locomotive-hauled trains: N-Set and H-Set. N-Set trains operate on several long distance lines including Warrnambool, Swan Hill and Albury, as well as on selected services towards Bairnsdale. H-Set trains operate on selected services towards Bacchus Marsh and Geelong
Food and drink in Australian trains / train restaurant.
The availability of food and drink on Australian trains depends on the service provider. For example, most Queensland Rail trains have a buffet car that serves drinks, snacks, hot and cold meals.
On-board meals and beverages are also available on Great Southern Rail trains. A team of experienced culinary professionals works closely with local suppliers, farmers and caterers to source the finest ingredients to create an innovative, regionally inspired menu accompanied by fine wines and all-inclusive beverages.
According to information on the V/Line website, most trains departing to Albury, Bairnsdale, Swan Hill, Shepparton and Warrnambool destinations have a coffee bar on board. Drinking water is also available on all V/Line trains
Night trains in Australia?
Queensland Rail Travel offers various overnight train routes including Spirit of Queensland, Spirit of the Outback and Inlander. Great Southern Rail offers luxury train travel between Adelaide and Brisbane called Great Southern. V/Line is a regional public transport operator in Victoria, Australia, and does not offer night train services.
Important train routes in Australia.
Sydney – Melbourne / from 10:48 hours / from 66 EUR / 2 trains a day
Sydney - Brisbane/ from 14:12 hours / from 61,50 EUR / 2 trains a day
Sydney - Canberra/ from 10:48 hours / from 29,3 EUR / 3 trains a day
Adelaide - Alice / from 25:30 hours / from 640 EUR / 8 trains in September 2023
Sidney - Perth / from 73:05 hours / from 1 565 EUR / 5 trains in September 2023
Rockhampton-Longreach/ from 14:12 hours / from 51 EUR / 1 train a day
Cairns Queensland - Fraser Coast / from 21:55 hours / from 121 EUR / 2 trains a day
Kalgoorlie - Perth / from 6:40 hours / from 50,50 EUR / 1-2 trains a day
International train routes.
There are no international trains from/to Australia
Tourist / scenic routes in the Australia.
Rail routes in Australia offer travelers the opportunity to enjoy incredible scenery that cannot be seen when traveling by car or plane. Some of these routes are real tourist attractions and attract thousands of travelers every year.
For example, the Indian Pacific train ride is one of the biggest train rides in Australia, connecting Sydney, Adelaide and Perth in 3 days. On this trip, you'll cross the great Nullarbor Plain and get a real sense of the expanse of Australia that you can't get on a flight. The train has a cozy bed for the night, a restaurant for meals and a lounge where you can relax during the day .
Another popular route is The Ghan. This route passes through some of the country's most spectacular landscapes. It starts in Adelaide and ends in Alice Springs and Darwin .
If you want to enjoy the natural beauty of the state of Queensland, you can take a trip on the Spirit of Queensland train. This route runs from Brisbane to Cairns and passes through some of Queensland's most beautiful landscapes including rainforests, pristine beaches and mountains .
In addition, there are many other rail routes in Australia that offer unique travel opportunities. For example, The Overland is a trip from Melbourne to Adelaide that offers unique views of mountains and forests . Or you can travel on the Kuranda Scenic Railway from Cairns to Kuranda and enjoy spectacular views of Barron National Park and its waterfalls.
Luggage information.
Here is the luggage information for each of the rail services you mentioned:
• Queensland Rail Travel: When you book a Queensland Rail Travel rail ticket, it comes with a specified luggage allowance depending on the travel option you select. The luggage allowances are as follows:
Economy Seats - 1 item per customer
Economy Single Sleepers - 1 item per customer
Single and Twin Sleepers - 2 items per customer
RailBeds - 2 items per customer
Business Seats - 2 items per customer
In addition to your checked in luggage, you may carry on one (1) bag that is no more than 20kgs in weight and 23cm by 34cm by 48cm. (to fit under the seat or in the overhead luggage racks)
• Great Southern Rail: The amount of luggage you can take on a train depends on the level of service and the train. On Ghan, Indian Pacific and Great Southern trains, one piece of hand luggage is allowed, plus a garment bag, shopping bag or briefcase per person. On The Overland train, one carry-on bag per person is allowed on the train. Checked baggage cannot be accessed while traveling by rail and is stored in a separate part of the train. On Ghan, Indian Pacific and Great Southern trains, there are different checked baggage restrictions depending on the level of service. Platinum Service trains allow 3 bags of 30 kg per person and Gold Service trains allow 2 bags of 30 kg per person. When traveling on The Overland route, 2 bags of 30 kg for Red Premium and 2 bags of 20 kg for Red Standard are allowed per passenger.
• V/Line: From December 1, 2021, the total luggage limit for all V/Line services is 32 kilograms. Customers can carry two items of luggage, with no one item weighing more than 16 kilograms, as well as one piece of hand luggage. The carriage of luggage and personal belongings remains the responsibility of the owner at all times 6.
Bicycle on the train.
You can transport your bicycle on Queensland Rail Travel, Great Southern Rail and V/Line trains. However, there are certain conditions that must be met.
Queensland Rail Travel: You can travel with a bicycle or personal e-scooter on all peak trains in South East Queensland. When traveling with a bicycle or electric scooter, please only travel in the first and last carriages of six-car trains (not permitted on three-car trains), board the train through the first or last door, check seat availability and ensure that only two bicycles or electric scooters are in the first and last carriages at a time. Always be mindful of other passengers and ensure that priority areas and seating, aisles and doorways are accessible.
Great Southern Rail: You can bring your bicycle on Great Southern Rail services between Adelaide and Brisbane. However, it is necessary to book your bike in advance as seating is limited. The cost of transporting a bicycle is $99 per person per trip.
V/Line: A bicycle can be carried free of charge on V/Line trains. However, certain rules must be observed: book your bicycle in advance, ride only in designated cars, and make sure your bicycle is clean and dry before boarding.
Ski or snowboard on the train.
For Queensland Rail Travel, I couldn’t find any information about carrying skis or snowboards on their website. You can contact their customer service team at 1800 872 467 to inquire about their policy.
For Great Southern Rail, you can take your skis or snowboards on board but you need to book them in advance as there is limited space available. The cost of transporting skis or snowboards is $99 per person per journey .
For V/Line, I couldn’t find any information about carrying skis or snowboards on their website. You can contact their customer service team at 1800 800 007 to inquire about their policy .
Luggage lockers on the stations in Australia.
Many train and bus stations in Australia provide luggage storage facilities. For example, Sydney Central Station has luggage storage facilities at Grand Concourse, Eddy Avenue. The locker is open daily from 07:00 to 20:00.
If you are looking for a more flexible option, you can use the Stasher network of luggage lockers. They provide secure and affordable luggage storage around the station. Since 2015, Stasher has been connecting travelers with a network of reliable local businesses around the world. Luggage storage at Stasher costs $7 per day for one bag and $7 for the next day. In addition, Stasher has no hidden fees or additional charges, and there are no weight or size restrictions on luggage.
Lost and Found Items.
Queensland Rail Travel has a centralized lost property office that stores all lost property found at Queensland Rail stations and rail services. The office is located at Plaza Level, Rail Centre 2, 309 Edward Street, Brisbane. You can contact them by phone at 13 16 17 during business hours or complete the lost property form on their website.
Great Southern Rail does not have a dedicated lost property office. However, if you have lost an item on one of their trains, you can contact their customer service team by phone at 13 21 47 or email them at customer.service@greatsouthernrail.com.au.
V/Line also does not have a dedicated lost property office. However, if you have lost an item on one of their trains, you can contact their customer service team by phone at 1800 800 007 or complete the lost property form on their website.
Pets on the trains.
Australia does not generally allow pet dogs on long-distance trains. Great Southern Rail, which operates famous long-distance trains including The Ghan and Indian Pacific, does not allow pets. NSW Trains and Queensland Rail also do not allow pets. However, V/Line in Victoria is an exception to this rule and allows pets on its trains.
If you plan to travel with your pet on a V/Line train, there are some rules to follow. You can transport your pet on V/Line trains as long as it is in a secure carrier that can fit under the seat or on your lap. The carrier must be clean, well-ventilated and have enough room for the animal to comfortably stand up and turn around. You will also need to purchase a ticket for your furry friend.
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