NSW Rail XPT Melbourne - Sydney versus Great Southern Rail The Overland Melbourne - Adelaide.
3 replies
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on NSW Rail XPT Melbourne - Sydney versus Great Southern Rail The Overland Melbourne - Adelaide.
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on NSW Rail XPT Melbourne - Sydney versus Great Southern Rail The Overland Melbourne - Adelaide.
sgb
sgb
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
Member since 30 Nov 2015
Total posts 419
Which service in First Class on each respective train would surpass the other for the complete passenger experience.
I enjoy train travel, and would like to hear from folk who have done either. Taking in account cabin layout, spaciousness, food, quality of seat etc.
deany83
deany83
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 21 Jul 2014
Total posts 36
I don't know about the Overland but the XPT First Class is not a lot to rave about. You get about 6 inches more in leg room and 12 degrees more of recline. No food, drink. If you get the sleeper though you do get Breakfast included.
andyf
andyf
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 07 Dec 2014
Total posts 55
Neither train has what an air traveler would consider 'first class' (despite what NSW Trainlink might call the XPT service).
watson374
watson374
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 17 Aug 2012
Total posts 1,285
Neither of them are anything to shout about: The Overland (twice weekly, day service only) is a pale shadow of its former self, and the Sydney/Melbourne XPT (twice daily, sleepers available overnight) has nothing on the Spirit of Progress, never mind the Southern Aurora.
If you enjoy train travel, look to The Ghan, the Indian Pacific, or the Spirit of Queensland for decent experiences domestically; or look overseas for something actually worth doing.
I do think this situation is a shame, as the Melbourne to Sydney and Melbourne to Adelaide runs are the perfect length for an overnight train journey, which I believe to have untapped appeal (both for business and leisure) as it avoids having to get up at o'dark hundred for the first flight out or shelling out for an extra night of accommodation so you can avoid the dead-early start.