Australians facing record high domestic air fares are opting for cheaper overnight trains and coaches to travel interstate, with patronage between Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane more than doubling in recent months as services are booked to capacity.
Despite decades-old infrastructure on Australia’s east coast that makes train journeys several hours longer than equivalent car trips, fresh ridership statistics have exposed the dramatic effect of the reduction in flights and soaring air fares on summer travel plans.
The cheapest available domestic air fares remain above a peak not seen since March 2004, as airlines struggle with the slow rebuilding of the aviation workforce, staff illnesses and high fuel prices.
Return economy fares between Sydney and Melbourne – the world’s second busiest air route before Covid – in December average $500 on budget carriers and exceed $1,000 on Qantas, as the number of seats on offer remain at 76% of pre-Covid levels.
But the New South Wales government-run XPT train services from Sydney to and from Melbourne, Brisbane and Dubbo, as well as shorter Xplorer services to destinations including Canberra, remain at much lower fixed prices that are only occasionally subject to slight holiday peak increases.
An XPT service from Sydney Central to Melbourne Southern Cross takes about 10 hours and 50 minutes, in stark contrast to the 90-minute flight and roughly nine-hour car trip. A one-way adult economy ticket costs $78 and a first-class saver ticket – which boasts more leg room – is on sale for $93.
Prices are the same for the roughly 14-hour XPT service from Sydney to Brisbane’s Roma Street station. Two XPT services run in each direction daily between Sydney and Melbourne and Sydney and Brisbane, with a sleeper on the overnight service costing $234 for a full fare adult.
Discounts are available for concessions as well as booking more than five days in advance and for purchasing online. Unlike most cheaper domestic flights, regional train passengers are not charged for travelling with more luggage, and do not have to pay airport transfers on top of the standard fare.
A Transport for NSW spokesperson said patronage on the routes had been strong, with the latest figures during the month of October “more than double” that of February – when sales roughly returned to pre-pandemic levels. The agency did not provide exact patronage figures.
A further spike was expected over the December-January holiday period, the spokesperson said. Given the fixed price system, the XPT has long been an option favoured by last-minute travellers. Guardian Australia understands about 30% of bookings traditionally occur less than 48 hours before travel.
Nevertheless, multiple services throughout December are already booked out.
Last week a NSW government fare-free train travel initiative – offered to prevent further industrial action on the suburban system – extended to XPT and Xplorer services. All ticket classes, including sleeper cabins, were free. While final figures are yet to be confirmed, the spokesperson said patronage was high and some services were booked to capacity.
XPT trains are limited to an operating speed of 160km/h, but must travel slower during sections of track to navigate certain “steam age” tight-radius curves. The service also slows for at least 12 regional stops, including Wangaratta, Albury, Wagga Wagga and Goulburn.
Increased demand for coach services between capital cities has also prompted operators to consider adding more services. Greyhound runs one bus service between Sydney and Melbourne via Canberra each day, taking 12 hours. Early bird tickets are mostly sold out over December, with available tickets costing between $140 and $240 one way.
“We are continuing to see increased sales across our network every week in the lead-up to school holidays and the peak summer season, sitting at about 30% above our expected budget for this time of year,” a Greyhound Australia spokesperson said.
“Consistently high load factors are prompting us to consider the addition of extra services leading up to Christmas and the holidays, with services from Sydney to Melbourne via Canberra and also Brisbane to Byron Bay running at almost full capacity.”
