How to Book Train Travel From Sydney to Perth

Traverse an entire continent on one of the last great train trips in the world. The Indian Pacific Train envelops you with comfort while taking you through all the best that the Australian outback has to offer, without the pesky risk of life and limb. Unique arrays of landscapes and wildlife lead one into another in this 3-night, 2,700-mile epic train adventure from Sydney to Perth.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet access
• Valid credit card

Book Train Travel From Sydney to Perth

1. Go to the official Great Southern Railway Web site (see Resources below) and select the 'Indian Pacific' train.
2. Select ‘Compare Service Levels' and decide which class of ticket you are interested in purchasing. The amenities, comfort and food services range widely within the two levels, Red Kangaroo and Gold Kangaroo. A single adult ticket will be moderate to expensive in price.
3. Select the 'Bookings' page on the Web site and follow the instructions. If you're having trouble, the sales office is also available by phone within Australia at 13 21 47, or internationally at +011 61 8 8213 4592.
4. Explore alternate routes, depending on how much time you have. The Indian Pacific stops in Adelaide, for example, which can connect to other great cities if you're interested.

Prepare for Your Train Travel From Sydney to Perth

5. Get yourself to Sydney Central Station on Eddy Avenue at least an hour before your train departs.
6. Consider Gold Kangaroo service, with a sleeper and complimentary meals. Three days is a long time to be in a seat.
7. Bring a little spending money to make your trip more comfortable. If you book a Red Kangaroo ticket, you might want to purchase meals, a blanket and a pillow.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that this train trip lasts 3 days. While the Gold Kangaroo Service is more expensive, it also has better amenities and includes meals.
• Book train tickets online to avoid the hassle of the time difference between the US and Australia.
• Note that there is a 2-hour time difference between Sydney and Perth.
• You may want to plan your supplementary travel around this trip, as there are only two trains a week leaving from Sydney to Perth. They currently leave Wednesdays and Saturdays in the afternoons, but make sure to double check the exact times before you book your tickets.