I am arriving in MEL Airport and I'm thinking of going to SYD by train, because through the Internet seems quite reasonable, with beds and so... So I will not be using my AN ticket and I'll cancel my hotel ...

Please advise on whether this idea seems wise.

I am arriving in Mel in the early hours of the morning and planning to get the same-day night train to SYD so that I get there at 6:30, the following day.

I would like to have opinions from Aussies informing if
1) is it acceptable ?
2) can I get out of the airport and leave baggage at the station (which station, by the way - I know Melbourne city)
3) Are the trains comfortable and can one sleep ?
4) Is it something a tourist usually enjoys ?

Any other advice you think suitable.
Thank you in advance.

1. To begin with this is not a good idea as you have to wait all day for the train. Also the airport is some kms out of the city centre. You would need to travel to Spencer Street Station in the Central Business District to catch the train.

2. I think Spencer Street Station has baggage minding facilities. Best to ring and check.

Try this website
http://www.vline.vic.gov.au/index.htm

3. The trains are relatively comfortable. It depends upon what class of service you get. After a long flight to Australia I would not recommend a 10-11 hour economy seat on the XPT (the train to Sydney). There are sleepers and these would be quite comfortable but you might end up sharing with a stranger if travelling alone. They also cost more.

4. The Intercity XPT is not a tourist train. It travels overnight so you won't see a lot. It is cheaper, faster and more sensible to fly.

It would be simpler and easier for you simply to arrange a connecting flight to Sydney. You would probably get a one-way flight for under $US60.

Very cheap fares can be found at
http://www.travel.com.au

cheers Peter

oops. I responded to this in the Ansett thread. sorry!

I took this train last year from Melbourne to Sydney overnight. From the point of sightseeing, you're not going to see much at night. Once you are out of the Melbourne area, you're in vast, open country.

I had a plain economy seat, with no one next to me, and slept just fine. Seats weren't particularly comfortable, though.

There are coin lockers in the lower level of the Flinders Street station. The bus from the airport can drop you right there. You can buy an all day transit pass covering local trams and rail, and just end up here at the end of the day.

Thank you all for the tips; They'll be useful !

RichardMEL it was my fault to post it there in the first place. Sorry for any inconvenience.




[This message has been edited by pb9997 (edited 04-29-2001).]

SYD-MEL one ways are running as low as $US30 in recent months. Check on www.travel.com.au but many of the deals are web onlty airline specials. Agree with the thrust of the above. Fly don't take train.

Just make sure if you are coming soon, that you do NOT fly Ansett if you can avoid it. They kept me sitting in SYD airport for 2 hours 15 mins past scheduled departure time Friday (in perfect weather) and fed me 5 different b/s stories as to why. They are in a big mess right now.

------------------
~ Glen ~

I'll be throughly following all your recomendations. Thank you.

Ozstamps, I've just booked my flight MEL-SYD on Qantas, but I'm already missing the Great Golden Wing Lounge.

Flying OW I cannot visit it...

Thanks ALL for the advices. I'm sure it'll be great !

Wow! Great air fares. For those that enjoy train travel as I do, if air fares stay this low this may be your last chance to ride the train. Long distance passenger train service has already been cut considerably in Australia the past 15 years. When I lived in Melbourne in 1991 there was still a classic stainless steel train to Sydney with a full diner, a lounge and 6 or more sleepers. It is now an XPT with one sleeper. With airfares this low there may be no train in the future.

Speaking of trains....

I've done Geelong from Melbourne a couple times, a nice trip out for the afternoon. They have a pier there out over the water, and have just spent a small fortune remodeling the waterfront, including a merry go round in a pavilion. There's plenty of surf shops along the main street, if you're looking for backpacks, surfboards, of anything related.

In Sydney, I always head up to Katoomba in the Blue Mountains. Went over to Leura, nearby, and bought a stack of Christmas presents at one of the small shops there this last trip.