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MEL <-> SYD, BRI <-> SYD Train $50 Each Way - 1st Jun to 31st Aug Inclusive

1250
MEL <-> SYD, BRI <-> SYD Train $50 Each Way - 1st Jun to 31st Aug Inclusive
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LThebestdealfinder on 04/05/2015 - 23:26 nswtrainlink.info (4464 clicks)
Last edited 06/07/2015 - 13:07 by 2 other users

One of the cheapest ways to travel between Sydney and Melbourne. It is an amazing deal without any hassles of airport transfers, peak time high fares, however be prepared to sit for about 11 hours.

Also available for the following fares:

  • Melbourne – Sydney
  • Broadmeadow – Tweed Heads
  • Broken Hill – Orange
  • Sydney – Mildura
  • Brisbane – Sydney
  • Glen Innes – Strathfield

Looks like an economical option especially for those who wish to travel on a long week-end/school holiday period as the fares are the same and cheaper than flights during peak period.

Conditions:

  • Adult economy class seat $50.00 one way - $100.00 return.
  • Available to full adult fare passengers only, no further concessions apply.
  • Available for single and/or return journeys.
  • Cannot be used in conjunction with ‘Children pay $1.00’ Fare.
  • Can be used in conjunction with the ‘Family Fare’.
  • Valid for travel in 1 June through until 31 August 2015 inclusive.
  • Available on NSW TrainLink Regional train & coach services.
  • Changes to the journey after the ticket has been purchased are permitted, the new applicable rail fare and fee to apply.
  • Tickets are refundable. The applicable refund/cancellation fee applies.
  • No break of journey.
  • Subject to availability.
Travel New South Wales Sydney Train Fare

Related Stores

Transport Info NSW
Transport Info NSW

closed Comments

  • easternculture on 04/05/2015 - 23:41
    +14

    now i can attend the next ozbargain Melbourne meetup and meet neil

    • Da dpG on 05/05/2015 - 08:54
      +2

      theres an ozbargin meet??

  • marquise on 04/05/2015 - 23:47

    Looks like an 11 hour ride. Wonder if seats are comfortable for sleeping.

    • Schezwon on 05/05/2015 - 00:12
      +16

      Done it, hell no

    • ippy on 05/05/2015 - 00:13
      +8

      They're not. REALLY uncomfortable. And if you're lucky you might get some loud bogans smoking near the carriage door..

      • aldoboy on 05/05/2015 - 00:18
        +1

        No smoking area?

        • ippy on 05/05/2015 - 00:19
          +2

          "Smoking is not permitted on any NSW TrainLink services, or at any NSW TrainLink station"

        • aldoboy on 05/05/2015 - 00:23

          @ippy:

          And nobody stop them?

        • zine21 on 05/05/2015 - 06:24
          +1

          @aldoboy: they are forced to get off at the next stop and police are usually called to escort them. still some try to smoke thinking they can't get caught

        • ippy on 06/05/2015 - 12:25
          +1

          @aldoboy: well this was about 6 years ago. There was one staff member that did walk up and down the train but it was an overnight service and frankly, it's a pretty long train so evading him isn't exactly hard. So yes, no one stopped them

      • Slippy on 05/05/2015 - 11:25
        +9

        I know this goes against our beliefs here at Ozbargain, but when travelling by Train i generally will the pay the extra if there is a 1st class cabin. this is a fee that might as well be called the anti Bogan fee, as it guarantees you will be in a quiet carriage with other overpaying passengers (lots of retirees)

        • SteveOh on 06/05/2015 - 13:52
          +1

          I've actually found that plenty of bogans travel in first class because they get such big concessions and free first class tickets. The welfare state in this country is something else!

      • the urbanite on 05/05/2015 - 14:36

        Just curious. Why do intercity trains have such a large bogan contigent? Trains are very expensive compared to any other form of transport.

        • kronicmacstigator on 05/05/2015 - 15:19
          +16

          Because intercity planes don't stop in Bogansville. Trains do.

    • dammit on 05/05/2015 - 00:42
      +24

      WORST TRIP OF MY LIFE, EVER! SO uncomfortable. This was a decade ago and I'm still scarred for life.

    • Tech5 on 05/05/2015 - 01:37
      +12

      Worst trip of my life. Uncomfortable chairs and children running up and down the aisle at 4am in the morning.

    • sparkles on 05/05/2015 - 04:40
      +17

      Overnight, it's hell. Take plenty of clothes given the time of the year, recall distinctly that this trip felt like sitting in a fridge. Not a wink of sleep. Never again, not even the bargainer in me.

    • Wickzki49 on 05/05/2015 - 08:10
      +7

      Did a double train ride from Melbourne (MEL to SYD) to Brisbane (SYD to BRI) once (1999). Both overnight trips. Both trips from Hell. Never again. @sparkles was spot on - it felt like sitting in a fridge. Quite a few idiots on both rides. Several police calls.

    • killergreely on 05/05/2015 - 08:12
      +3

      Syd - Bris is hellish overnight, I imagine this is no better. The seats are too uncomfortable to sleep in, the train is full of noisy bogans and kids running around, the club car is closed so you can't get anything to eat or drink, plus you can't see out the windows because of the interior lights (which are ironically not bright enough to read by).
      During the day it's almost a pleasant trip, you can actually see the countryside and the bar/food is available.

      It is a long time sitting either way. Worst thing is if a pack of drunken country footy fans get on…

      • shaiguy on 05/05/2015 - 10:23
        +3

        This. Think Sydney to Melbourne is bad… then try Sydney to Brisbane and back (I think in total it is about 17 hours). Coming back was slightly better from Brisbane as it was direct. It was c.1999 when airfares used to cost about c.A$400 return or given I was a uni student c.A$60 return and had time. The train left central at 7:20am in the morning and then terminated at Murwillumbah at about 10pm where where you got out of the train to jump on a bus for another hour or 2. Needless to say it was painful. I guess though in those days you did not have phones/ipads to kill time. I still remember on journey back my mate in the aisle seat was trying to sleep with all these kids running up and down the aisle (poor kids). In his half sleep (whether intentionally or not) he stuck his arm out and fully clotheselined one of them - fortunately it happened so quick that the kid thought he tripped over (even though he was holding his head)… otherwise we would probably have been kicked out at Laurieton and been made to wait for the next train.

        • klownz on 05/05/2015 - 10:47

          Its a train not a nursery though… they should probably have a dedicated parents with kids car…

        • killergreely on 05/05/2015 - 11:50

          @klownz: because they do that on planes…

        • klownz on 05/05/2015 - 11:56
          +1

          @bazzaa:

          I think you are onto something…

          They could do the same with the lounge too!

        • killergreely on 05/05/2015 - 11:56
          +1

          Syd - Bris is about 15 hours one way. That's assuming the XPT can run at top speed. If it's summer, you're on the daytime run and the temps go over 32 or so, the speed is almost halved in places, in case of track buckling. We once sat on it for about 20 hours going to Sydney. Having said that, the day run is better, the night trip is far worse, nothing to look at, no food or drinks available (apart from a water fountain which tastes of diesel) and no sleep.

  • aldoboy on 04/05/2015 - 23:49
    +3

    Why would people choose train over plane?

    • [Deactivated] on 04/05/2015 - 23:58
      +11

      Views? Different experience? (and others may have a fear of flying)

      I'd go by train if it was the same price as a plane ticket or cheaper. Would be fun :)

      • LeifSmart on 04/05/2015 - 23:59
        +7

        Maybe luggage weight too?

      • aldoboy on 05/05/2015 - 00:02
        +22

        Fair enough, I would go by train if we have shinkansen, 4 hours trip would be fun, 11 hours sitting is just not for me :p

        • ilikeradiohead on 06/05/2015 - 13:17

          Probably wouldn't be $50 though…

      • FutureTech on 05/05/2015 - 00:04
        +2

        I don't know, 11 hours is way too much time for it to be fun, in my opinion.

      • marcozmitch on 05/05/2015 - 02:54
        +2

        I have made the trip a couple of times, a few years ago from Adelaide to the Emerald City.
        Going it as a group is more fun.
        The sleeper cabin is better, more private, (more expensive).
        The vinyl covered seats in the normal cabin may have changed, but didn't rate well the first time.

    • Schezwon on 05/05/2015 - 00:13
      +2

      Because it reminds them of the 1920s and the constant rattles.

    • Bargain4U on 05/05/2015 - 01:15
      +10

      20 x more environmentally firendly.

    • Davo1111 on 05/05/2015 - 03:07
      +4

      Kids get a good deal, and you get a much better baggage allowance.

    • killergreely on 05/05/2015 - 12:01
      +1

      Pretty obvious, if you stop and think… Not everyone can fly, for a wide variety of reasons.

    • jaxon on 05/05/2015 - 12:54
      +3
      • people who reside in the country stations between Melb-Syd
      • people who want to visit those regions
      • people who have a fear of flying
      • children esp babies who req more space
    • ilikeradiohead on 06/05/2015 - 13:18

      Get off in the middle of town, no hassle of going through security. In Europe I wanted to take the train more, but those 29EUR Ryanair flights were hard to beat!

    • jaybo on 10/05/2015 - 09:15

      some people can't or won't fly - my mate's dad cant fly due to issues with his ears.

      as a tourist trains are great, you see a lot more of the countryside than you do in a plane, the Amtrak services in the USA are wonderful depending on the route.

      if you're ever on the east coast of the USA, the rail corridor from washington to boston (via philly & new york) is a beautiful trip (especially closer to Boston) - i did new york to boston a few years back and it was wonderful, trains leave from the centre of the city, 4hrs on the train, comfy seats, power points, free wifi, easy to get up & walk around/stretch out, and you get to see some beautiful countryside :)

  • shrewduser on 04/05/2015 - 23:49
    +1

    out of curiosity how much would petrol between melbourne and sydney (and back) be?

    • bbyboy on 04/05/2015 - 23:52
      +4

      Wouldn't that depend on the car and what the petrol price is?

    • aldoboy on 04/05/2015 - 23:55

      As for this distance, is about 900km

    • ccrap on 04/05/2015 - 23:59
      +3

      Depends. Prius or hummer? Lol. In an average 4 cylinder car you'll get there for $90 to $100 - that's one way.

    • krisspy on 05/05/2015 - 00:07

      Well my 2.3L ford escape managed to just make it to qld (~800km) on a full tank when it was brand spanking new.

      YMMV literally. Probably looking at around $200 for say an average condition 1.8L sedan. No doubt cheaper to drive if you got all your friends in one car.

    • dr on 05/05/2015 - 10:25
      +2

      Fuel used will depend on the engine size and type (many euro diesels boast that can cover Sid-Mel distance on a single tank of diesel)

      I travelled few times Syd-Mel and Syd-Gold Coast in a large type family car (sedan or 4WD). Distances are similar, traffic conditions too, on many stretches of the road you can go 110km/h, which is economical speed for most engines. On a 3.5-4.0 petrol engine expect that you will get around 11-12l per 100km (correct from my experience) which is around 100-110l for the whole tip one way - smaller cars and diesels will probably use less fuel.

      If (at least) two people are travelling and they both have drivers license going by car (given current prices) is no brainer compared to the described horrors of the train ride. You can stop at will anywhere, stray off the main route, go look at Big Banana (or big whatever they built in small town you're passing by) or even enter a real submarine permanently "docked" more than 350km away from nearest ocean.

      • klownz on 05/05/2015 - 10:49
        +1

        In a smaller car like a Suzuki Swift or Toyota Corolla you will get around 6-8L per 100km

    • jjjaar on 05/05/2015 - 10:40

      did it in a 2014 corolla in Feb (at the time of $1.15ish petrol) and paid about $110 return.

    • 2023 on 05/05/2015 - 19:36

      Better off finding a car rental return for both trips, usually petrol is covered (or at least an allowance), and the kms clocked up are someone elses car.

    • skeaono on 06/05/2015 - 01:10

      Just did it last month in an A200 CDI, $90 return!

  • xoom on 05/05/2015 - 00:00
    +9

    Sit on a train for 11 hours or take a plane ride for less that 2 hours. Nope the train is still not looking like a good option. Now a bullet train. That could cut down the travel time and could get me interested.

    • FutureTech on 05/05/2015 - 00:10
      +16

      Beijing to Shanghai high speed rail, 1318km for less than 5 hours. THAT could be fun.

      • arcticmonkey on 05/05/2015 - 07:15
        +12

        That's what happens when one country invests in its rail and another neglects it.

        • rvsure on 05/05/2015 - 10:17
          +6

          It's not just about investing in rail. China has the demand for trains as the airports alone can't server more than 1 billion population. It is too expensive for Australia to build bullet train network as we are a large country with small population.

        • klownz on 05/05/2015 - 10:52
          +2

          @dealsfinder:

          Has anyone looked at the numbers on rail investment vs airport investment though.

          The amount that is spent on upgrading infrastructure, building new airports, buying land/paying off land owners (see badgerys creek in NSW), upgrading housing due to aircraft noise, environmental damage/pollution. Perhaps overall rail can be cost equivalent?

          If it improves accessibility to a limited resource, and also to regional areas along the route, it could also be a boon to regional centers (combined with upgrades to infrastructure such as the NBN - hell you could even use the train route to support optical network runs to these areas).

        • oringal on 05/05/2015 - 11:15

          @dealsfinder: and also the fact that there isnt much regulation… people do sometimes die from building these networks

        • the urbanite on 05/05/2015 - 14:42

          @dealsfinder:
          Sydney - Melbourne is the 3rd busiest air route in the world. Most days, there is a flight to Melbourne leaving every 10 mins, which is better than most city bus routes.

          Our response has been to axe the trains just short of Newcastle and Brisbane, so hooray for that.

        • rvsure on 05/05/2015 - 15:55
          +1

          @the urbanite: It costs approximately USD15 millions per km for the construction of high-speed rail. So it will cost the government almost AUD15 billion for just to construct the track of Syd-Mel route itself. On top of it the operating costs also are quite high. Imagine how many years it would take to get any returns on the investment.

          Even after this much investment the train fares will be higher than the airfares and it will still take longer than the air travel. So definitely people will still prefer air travel.

        • sycly on 05/05/2015 - 16:52

          @dealsfinder: Melbourne to Sydney is the busiest route in the world. There's more than enough demand to justify investment. The problem is, it'll take 10 years or more to get the return on investment. With our short sighted thinking and gutless politicians this is just wishful thinking.

        • 2023 on 05/05/2015 - 19:38

          @oringal:
          Not everything to do with rail is 'hell on wheels'. :p

        • suti on 06/05/2015 - 13:08

          @klownz:

          It cost $1.5billion to build the SW rail link for 2 stations, and apparently that was $0.3billion under budget. imagine how much it would cost to build to melbourne

        • klownz on 06/05/2015 - 13:40
          +1

          @suti:

          Those are the costs….

          The revenue returned is not just through the train fares collected. There is also indirect revenue such as taxation income from increased development of regional areas.

          Oh and the cost savings due to the reduction of need to make expensive infrastructure improvements in an already burned urban environment such as Sydney or Melbourne, if you can move some of the growth to regional areas where infrastructure installation can be cheaper (land prices lower, greater flexibility etc).

        • plague69 on 06/05/2015 - 13:59

          @dealsfinder: Interesting. Reference?

        • rvsure on 06/05/2015 - 14:47

          @plague69: From Wikipedia

          In France, the cost of construction (which was €10 million/km (US$15.1 million/km) for LGV Est) is minimized by adopting steeper grades rather than building tunnels and viaducts. However, in mountainous Switzerland, tunnels are inevitable.

          Check the construction costs section in this link

        • plague69 on 07/05/2015 - 12:41

          @dealsfinder: Wow, how much would China's high speed rail netowrk cost… wow
          http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/mt/assets/damien_ma/Ma_rai…

          Good read. Thanks

        • arcticmonkey on 13/05/2015 - 17:52
          +1

          @klownz:

          You come across as too smart for OzBargain, klownz.

    • nexus4 on 05/05/2015 - 06:58
      +7

      Plane ride is two hours but when you factor in travelling to the airport, security, waiting, etc it's at least double that.

      • atlas on 05/05/2015 - 09:35
        +1

        Rubbish. Domestic flights you only need to be there half an hour at most before the flight - probably the same as boarding the train. Qantas you can even cut that down to 15 mins.

        If you don't check in luggage, you just walk straight on/off the plane with one simple security check on the way in.

        • jjjaar on 05/05/2015 - 10:42
          +6

          Travelling to/from Melb Airport to the city (or worse, past the city) could easily be an hour one way at the wrong time of day. Not rubbish at all.

        • serpserpserp on 05/05/2015 - 11:41
          +3

          Not rubbish, in Sydney it takes me 30 minutes at least to drive to the Airport and I don't even live that far away from it. If you park your car it can take 30 minutes to find a park (if you use the expensive parking) or park quickly at emu blue but take 30 minutes on the bus to get to the terminals. If you don't fly Qantas you have to use the cheapo T2 terminal where there are always security queues. If your a parent you have to take extra time to line up and check in prams/cots etc. Taking a quick flight to Melb/Bris can be a half a day ordeal for some.

        • billyb67 on 05/05/2015 - 11:58

          @jjjaar:

          Which is in no way different than traveling from your home to the train station… which is why it shouldn't be factored into these travel times.

        • plague69 on 06/05/2015 - 14:12

          @billyb67:
          Southeast Melb -> Southern Cross Station (40 min by train)
          Sth Cross -> Airport via shuttle (17 min no traffic)
          Web check in (0 min)
          Security + (5 min)
          Arrive before the gate close (15 min)

          Train saves airport shuttle, security check, and can arrive right before the train leaves (~37min)

  • lambsie on 05/05/2015 - 00:02
    +2

    Also available for fares to Brisbane as well if anyone is after a 15 hour journey arriving at 4:30am?

  • Thebestdealfinder on 05/05/2015 - 00:02
    +3

    @ aldoboy - To avoid traffic enroute airport and save airport transfer expenses and time. Evening train is convenient from Mel/Syd for those who finish work around CBD area, as the trains commence from CBD. And you can walk around, try buffet meals on board.
    @shrewduser - 80 litres each way

    • [Deactivated] on 05/05/2015 - 00:04
      +2

      80 litres each way

      YMMV :P

    • aldoboy on 05/05/2015 - 00:10

      Airport transfer expenses yes
      As for time, save 30 mins for 9 extra hours?lol
      Buffet meals would be nice tho

      • FutureTech on 05/05/2015 - 00:12
        -1

        Is the buffet included in the ticket price? I doubt it.

      • [Deactivated] on 05/05/2015 - 00:32
        +3

        As for time, save 30 mins for 9 extra hours?lol

        The deal may be of more value to others.

        From my door in Sydney to the place I used to visit in S.E. Melbourne, via plane, would take around 7-8 hours. That's factoring in 2 hours driving to get to the airport (being dropped off) from where I live, an hour or more at the airport, over an hour on the plane, and another couple of hours from Tullamarine to my destination.

        The flight itself may be brief but all the extra fussing was more of a pain than simply hopping into the car and relaxing the whole 11 hour drive there. But that's just me :)

        • dr on 05/05/2015 - 10:07

          But wouldn't you have some transfer times with the train option? I don't expect that train is going to pick you up from your door and drop you off at the address in Melbourne?

  • kronicmacstigator on 05/05/2015 - 00:03
    +2

    Some of us are medically unfit to fly

    • aldoboy on 05/05/2015 - 00:16
      +2

      Some more are psychologically
      I'm not a fan of flying but no other alternative, unless gov starts to invest for bullet trains

      • KangarooOz on 05/05/2015 - 02:46
        +15

        Gov will continue to invest $10 million every year in feasibility study for next 10 years. Then the conclusion is no funding available and needs private sector involvement.

        • arcticmonkey on 05/05/2015 - 07:18
          +2

          Agreed. All this talk with no action while the UK and Chinese rail is state owned and thriving.

        • pjcook on 05/05/2015 - 08:02

          @arcticmonkey: UK? Are you sure, I have seen fast trains in UK with the Virgin brand all over them

        • arcticmonkey on 05/05/2015 - 09:02

          @pjcook:

          Underground is publically owned by Transport for London. National railway may soon go back into public hands.

        • klownz on 05/05/2015 - 10:56
          +1

          @arcticmonkey:

          National rail is soo expensive to travel on. Its cheaper to drive, or get the bus.

          East midlands rail from Leicester into Central London (approx 1.5hr drive) is around 40GBP ($~75) one way… who can afford that commute.

          If you buy earlier you can get it cheaper though. I guess those that do it regularly have some kind of pass.

  • Schezwon on 05/05/2015 - 00:08
    +1

    I took the train ride to Melbourne a few years ago, nothing good about the constant rattles and the most uncomfortable seats ever. I was hoping to see some nice views along the way, nothing but flat grounds and dessert. I'd rather drive or fly, unless we have bullet trains.

    • ippy on 05/05/2015 - 00:17
      +4

      I went on an overnight trip and sometime in the night I opened the curtain and my god, it was the most beautiful night sky I have ever seen in short life so far. SO MANY STARS. Being a city dweller, I am really missing out. Couldn't tell you where I was though, it was about 6 years ago and my "smartphone" was turd.

      That said, I would never do this trip ever again. Flying (even tiger) >>> Country link

      • FutureTech on 05/05/2015 - 00:24

        You don't have to be on an overnight train to be able to enjoy stars, just drive to blue mountain in the middle of the night :)

        • ippy on 06/05/2015 - 12:27

          Are you sure? The mountains are still rather close to Sydney. I've been to Thredbo (which is also kinda in between Syd and Melb) and the stars weren't much better than back in suburban Sydney.

    • donotuse on 05/05/2015 - 00:54
      +6

      Did you say lots of dessert? That will make me diabetic.

  • niksrulz on 05/05/2015 - 00:17
    +10

    Honestly why bother ?

    I fly everyweek melbourne sydney, infact flying this morning. Tiger has been really good apart from 45 min check in restriction.
    Generally, if you book a week before you should get tickets for $59-65 and pay with mastercard no booking fee..

    • hamwhisperer on 01/06/2015 - 08:48

      One way or return? Not a bad price.

  • Thebestdealfinder on 05/05/2015 - 00:38
    +2

    @niksrulz - Yes i agree. But one good thing about train is that the fare is same for long week-ends, national holidays and school holiday period whereas airlines bump up fares based on demand.

  • auna on 05/05/2015 - 01:42
    +6

    It's so sad how much improvement the trains in Australia require.

    • greenie4242 on 07/05/2015 - 23:58
      +1

      It has improved a lot recently.

      If you take into account that there were no trains whatsoever in Australia for millions of years.

  • Davo1111 on 05/05/2015 - 03:04
    +1

    I've done Canberra to Sydney by train which took over 4.5 hours. I would never do that again, ever. Doing Sydney to Melbourne would be terrible… shudders.

    The seats were uncomfortable, the train was noisy, there were babies crying constantly…. constantly. Little kids yelling and running up and down the isles…. never again.

  • Veloheads on 05/05/2015 - 07:01

    Did the overnight a few years and would never do it again. Seats too uncomfortable to get a good rest.

    Now if it were European style sleepers for that price on the other hand…

  • dreamerman on 05/05/2015 - 07:05

    Always wanted to drive down to MEL in my ute.

    • Freakycat on 05/05/2015 - 09:23
      +4

      With all the ozbargainers here, we should get a group deal from bus hire like Greyhound for Sydney-Melbourne transfer.

  • Temporary username on 05/05/2015 - 07:11

    i remembered the trip by trains and buses from bundaberg, qld 4 years ago. it's took me 3 and half hours to Brisbane and almost 1 day to Melbourne. get on at 10 am and arrived Melbourne at 11 pm next day. never thinking to go by train again. longest day in my life. :')

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