How to Book Train Travel From Melbourne to Sydney

Sydney, known internationally as the "Harbour City," is a Pacific coastal city that serves as an important Australian financial center. Sydney is also known for its cultural diversity, unique architecture and lovely beaches.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Phone
• Computer with Internet access

Book Your Train Travel From Melbourne to Sydney

1. View train schedules and book passage from Melbourne Southern Cross Railway Station to Sydney Central Station at the CountryLink Web site (see Resources below). Train routes 622 and 624 offer direct services. You may also book by calling CountryLink in Australia at 011 ([phone].

2. Book your train travel online by selecting the appropriate options (such as travel class and number of passengers) and checking fares with the Fare Finder. Make any necessary adjustments before proceeding to the next step. Expect fares to be reasonably priced.

3. Finalize your transaction by verifying all pertinent information on the confirmation page. Proceed if everything looks okay.

4. Check your email after you book your train reservations. CountryLink will send you an email with all of the pertinent information about your train. Print this email and use it as your ticket to board. Keep this printout with you at all times.

5. Call the Group Bookings Reservation Center at 011 ([phone] if you are traveling in a group of 10 or more, require wheelchair accessibility, or are traveling under a country pensioner excursion ticket.

Find Your Way Around Sydney

1. Step on the CityRail commuter services to get around Sydney's neighborhoods.

2. Take the monorail to the city's shopping district.

3. Hail a taxi or hop on a minibus from Sydney Central to get to your hotel.

Tips & Warnings

• All phone numbers include the United States international prefix "011." When calling internationally from outside the United States, check which prefix to use. All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.

• Booking online is the most convenient option for making reservations.

• Check a maximum of two medium-sized luggage cases no less than 30 minutes before your train is scheduled to depart. Otherwise, one carry-on is permitted.

• Step off the train and into the lobby of a comfortable hotel. There are several good places to stay within mere steps of the Sydney Central train station.

• Note that Bankcard will no longer be accepted as payment for online train reservations, effective January 2007.

• Leave Fido at home. With the exception of guide and service dogs, animals are not permitted on the train.

• Be aware that, for security reasons, there are no longer any lockers or coat check services available at the Melbourne Southern Cross train station.

• Purchase a ticket prior to boarding CityRail at a station or ticket machine. Stiff penalties may be imposed if you're caught on-board without a ticket.