Australian Rail from Sydney to Brisbane

I've been looking at this option for our 6 day's between our cruise from LA to Sydney and from Sydney to Brisbane.

We enjoy rail travel and would like to book and enjoy a rail trip from Sydney to Brisbane.

Anyone have any opinion's, option's, etc. ?

Thanks so much,

Fern

I've been looking at this option for our 6 day's between our cruise from LA to Sydney and from Sydney to Brisbane.

 

We enjoy rail travel and would like to book and enjoy a rail trip from Sydney to Brisbane.

 

Anyone have any opinion's, option's, etc. ?

 

Thanks so much,

 

Fern

G'day Fern,

Two options by XPT train. There is a afternoon departure at 1440 which arrives in Brisbane at about 0400 the next morning during daylight saving, October to March inclusive. Sleepers are available, book early.;)

The morning train leaves Sydney at 0711 and terminates at Casino. You then transfer to a coach for the approximately 3 hour trip into Brisbane, arriving about 2130. Add one hour to the arrival times if traveling April to September.

A quick look at Google will tell you that this trip isn't perhaps what you're hoping for. It's very long and not especially comfortable (@12 hours) and Sydney-Brisbane is mostly overnight so no views. For the same price you can fly in a fraction of the time and do something more interesting when you get there. Or take a good book! :D

If you are interested to book, the details and booking is done through http://www.nswtrainlink.info/

A quick look at Google will tell you that this trip isn't perhaps what you're hoping for. It's very long and not especially comfortable (@12 hours) and Sydney-Brisbane is mostly overnight so no views. For the same price you can fly in a fraction of the time and do something more interesting when you get there. Or take a good book! :D

I thought there was an afternoon departure (about 2:00 PM)? Also, I thought the scenery from the train might be interesting? Do you know approximately how much a flight from Sydney to Brisbane would cost?

If you are interested to book, the details and booking is done through http://www.nswtrainlink.info/

Thanks, I've been looking at that site. It's a little confusing for those of us who aren't familiar with Australian English :D!

I want to thank everyone who has answered my questions! This is the most extensive trip we've ever taken (or, if it's up to me, will ever take :eek:!).

Although you might feel differently, your input is very valuable :),

I thought there was an afternoon departure (about 2:00 PM)?

I haven't checked the times but By the bay said there was a 2:40 p.m. derparture.

Also, I thought the scenery from the train might be interesting?

The first hour will be through the suburbs of Sydney. You'll then go through the Hawkesbury/Central coast which is green bush by the water and outer urban for another couple of hours, so would probably take you close to 6 p.m (assuming 1440 departure).

Once you get past around Maitland it starts to be country, but depending when you're travelling (I'm guessing Summer) you'll probably have another 2 hours of light. That's typically scrub and spread trees, you may see kangaroos then but no guarantees.

The rest of the trip would be at night.

Do you know approximately how much a flight from Sydney to Brisbane would cost?

There's a range. Assuming not school holidays (which it may be as I don't know your travel date), you could get a fare on special with Qantas around $100/person, which I'd suggest as luggage and food is included. Tiger is generally the cheapest, but is riskier, lower service, and luggage and food are extra. Jetstar and Virgin have inclusions/costs in the middle of those two. As international travellers with luggage and connections and wanting an optimal experience, I'd suggest Qantas for the best value.

School holidays don't usually get specials, so the price will generally be around $150-200 with Qantas and about half that with Tiger.

Thanks, I've been looking at that site. It's a little confusing for those of us who aren't familiar with Australian English :D!

They restructured their site and company a little while back, so things aren't as well planned as they could be. Let us know if anything's unclear though.

For what it's worth, on the train you'll have more space, catch it at Central in the City and get off at Roma st in Brisbane, so are in the city at both ends. Whereas with the flights, sydney airport is about 15km from the city in Sydney, and about 25km in Brisbane so you're up for about $50 at each end in taxi costs, plus check in time.

The seats in the trains are similar to airlines though with only a slight incline (probably a little more than the plane), although more space and two abreast. But you'll then be sleeping in those seats for that night into Brisbane, plus the earlier start there when you arrive, which isn't great.

But on the other hand, it won't have cost you any more time compared to the plane e.g. you'd probably leave the city around 3 p.m. for a 6 p.m flight, and then probably won't do anything else that evening in Brisbane aside from eat dinner and check-in. So you'll save the cost of that night's accommodation.

Pros and cons either way.

The morning train from Sydney leaving around 7AM will give you close to 14 hours daylight in summer.:)

The downside is the need to change to a coach at Casino for the final 3 plus hours into Brisbane. This coach goes through the Gold Coast area, which will be lit up at night and is a holiday mecca for many tourists.

The night train has the minus of arriving very early in the morning. Sleepers would be an advantage.

The trains have two classes with first class providing larger seats and more leg room. Sleepers are only available on the night train and for first class passengers only.

I haven't checked the times but By the bay said there was a 2:40 p.m. departure.

 

The first hour will be through the suburbs of Sydney. You'll then go through the Hawkesbury/Central coast which is green bush by the water and outer urban for another couple of hours, so would probably take you close to 6 p.m (assuming 1440 departure).

 

Once you get past around Maitland it starts to be country, but depending when you're travelling (I'm guessing Summer) you'll probably have another 2 hours of light. That's typically scrub and spread trees, you may see kangaroos then but no guarantees.

 

The rest of the trip would be at night.

 

 

There's a range. Assuming not school holidays (which it may be as I don't know your travel date), you could get a fare on special with Qantas around $100/person, which I'd suggest as luggage and food is included. Tiger is generally the cheapest, but is riskier, lower service, and luggage and food are extra. Jetstar and Virgin have inclusions/costs in the middle of those two. As international travellers with luggage and connections and wanting an optimal experience, I'd suggest Qantas for the best value.

 

School holidays don't usually get specials, so the price will generally be around $150-200 with Qantas and about half that with Tiger.

 

They restructured their site and company a little while back, so things aren't as well planned as they could be. Let us know if anything's unclear though.

 

For what it's worth, on the train you'll have more space, catch it at Central in the City and get off at Roma st in Brisbane, so are in the city at both ends. Whereas with the flights, sydney airport is about 15km from the city in Sydney, and about 25km in Brisbane so you're up for about $50 at each end in taxi costs, plus check in time.

 

The seats in the trains are similar to airlines though with only a slight incline (probably a little more than the plane), although more space and two abreast. But you'll then be sleeping in those seats for that night into Brisbane, plus the earlier start there when you arrive, which isn't great.

 

But on the other hand, it won't have cost you any more time compared to the plane e.g. you'd probably leave the city around 3 p.m. for a 6 p.m flight, and then probably won't do anything else that evening in Brisbane aside from eat dinner and check-in. So you'll save the cost of that night's accommodation.

 

Pros and cons either way.

Thank you so much for all the info you posted! It was incredibly helpful :) !

The morning train from Sydney leaving around 7AM will give you close to 14 hours daylight in summer.:)

 

The downside is the need to change to a coach at Casino for the final 3 plus hours into Brisbane. This coach goes through the Gold Coast area, which will be lit up at night and is a holiday mecca for many tourists.

 

The night train has the minus of arriving very early in the morning. Sleepers would be an advantage.

 

The trains have two classes with first class providing larger seats and more leg room. Sleepers are only available on the night train and for first class passengers only.

Thanks for your input! I'm thinking we'd enjoy the early afternoon train. We want to see Australia!

I can't tell all of you (Australian's:)) how much I appreciate everything you post! If you ever end up in Arkansas (USA), please let me know and I'll reciprocate!

Fern

Plant, I posted in your other thread. :)

I agree that train travel will not be that interesting! Any homes near the train line are normally very much in the lower socio economic range, so not a true reflection of the towns/suburbs you are travelling through.

Virgin or Qantas both recommended as airline carriers. I could think of nothing worse than a train trip.

I wanted to chew the veins outta my arms for some light entertainment, and I am an avid reader and happy to spend the day in my pjs (ie can lounge about in a 1st class cabin with the best of them!) so surprised I found a similar length trip so boring!

Don't do it. It is terrible all you see is shrubbery along the tracks with the odd break. A few 30sec railway stops.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk

Don't do it. It is terrible all you see is shrubbery along the tracks with the odd break. A few 30sec railway stops.

 

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk

Another opinion is that rail travel is relaxing, just like sea travel. No rush and plenty of time to enjoy the journey.;)

No it's miserable. ...the train is noisy and sways from side to side. It's an old xp. You see nothing and there is nothing to break the monotony of a 14 hour torture train.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk

I have to agree with KathyKoala..... fly!

I've read all of your wonderful opinion's and we're absolutely going to fly from Sydney to Brisbane :)!

While we might have enjoyed seeing the "landscape", it appears that there's not much interesting "landscape" to see :D!

Thanks so much for your help,