Sydney Travel Forum

Does it make sense to travel by train from Sydney to Melbourne to minimise cost?How long does it take by train from Sydney to Melbourne?I plan to travel in July this year.
Regards,
Vpas

It's worth it if you get a cheap fare, but note that the summer saver mentioned on http://www.countrylink.info/ would not apply in July. At the moment you can either leave Melbourne at 08:30 arriving in Sydney at 19:55 or leave at 19:55 and arrive at 06:56.
http://www.countrylink.info/timetables/southern/melbourne_from

It is still cheaper to go by (comfortable) bus from Syd central station to Mel that takes about 7hrs.and its worth.

Hello

Not usually, if you book well ahead, you can get prices below $100 to fly. I deleted it now because I wasn't interested but I received an email offer in the last week of $35 to fly to Melbourne.

This is one site that usually has good deals:
http://www.flightcentre.com.au/

I notice they are showing $99 right now. Try searching some dates in July

Also, for accommodation, I usually get good deals from these people:
http://www.wotif.com/


Regards: Jim

I would keep an eye out for cheap airfares. At the moment there is a domestic sale on and you could get from Sydney to Melbourne for $55! Keep checking sites like www.webjet.com.au or www.flightcentre.com.au for current deals. If it's too expensive then get the bus or train! A flight will only be a little bit more expensive though.

Out of curiousity, I just checked a fare for 1st July. Adult fare was $79,including all taxes, one way, on the Qantas subsidiary, Jet Star. However, there was nothing below $100 on 18th July.

I checked the adult fare on the train, it is $91.

So, some days are going to be better on the train but I don't think it is worth stuffing around, either way. If you can get a plane airfare for around $100, my suggestion is to stick with the plane because it is so much quicker.


Regards: Jim

Don't forget school holidays - 27 June until 13 July in Victoria: 5 July - 20 July in NSW, which will impact on costs, so the sooner you arrange, the better.

I agree with the views about flying - 1 hour, less than $100 if you book in advance. Check airport arrival if you fly Jetstar - some flights land at Tullarmarine (Melbourne's main aiport) but some land at Avalon, approx one hour out of the city (55kms).

Yo do have to factor in costs of getting to and from the airport (advantage of train is that they depart/arrive from the central stations). From Tullarmarine to Southern Cross station in the city, Skybus is AUD$15 (taxis will cost approx double that) - or an open return is $24. From Avalon it is AUD$20/36. But then on a 7 hour train journey, you will spend money in food/drink. Flights in real terms are less than 1 hour (but note you have to pay for refreshments on Jetstar and Virgin Blue).