When travelling around Australia, the large distances between major cities mean that flying is usually the quickest option. But if you live in NSW and often travel to regional destinations, train travel can be a viable and enjoyable alternative to flying.

NSW TrainLink runs daily services from Sydney to Dubbo, Armidale, Moree, Grafton, Casino and Brisbane. There are also twice-daily trains from Sydney to Melbourne, thrice-daily services to Canberra, twice-weekly trains to Griffith and a spectacular weekly trip through the outback to Broken Hill.

The train takes a little longer than flying. But depending on where you’re going in regional NSW, it could be more convenient. It could also be far cheaper than flying, especially if you’re travelling on a regular basis and purchase a NSW TrainLink Discovery Pass.

For regular users of NSW TrainLink services, there is an excellent yet poorly advertised deal that can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

For a fixed price, the NSW TrainLink Discovery Pass comes with unlimited regional train and coach travel anywhere on the NSW TrainLink network in Economy Class. As well as travel within NSW, you can also use this pass to go to Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne, and on the coach from Broken Hill to Adelaide.

The Discovery Pass is available for fixed periods of 14 days, 1 month, 3 months or 6 months. The best deal is the six-month pass, which costs about the same as one typical return airfare from Sydney to Canberra or any regional NSW destination.

Unlike Japan’s JR Pass, the NSW TrainLink Discovery Pass has not seen a price increase for a long time. However, unfortunately, the NSW government recently removed the First Class option, including the six-month First Class pass that was previously available for $550. This pass is now available only for Economy Class travel.

If you have a Discovery Pass and wish to upgrade an individual journey to First Class, this is possible at a 20% off the usual full “change of class” fare. You can do this by calling NSW TrainLink on 13 22 32.

Here are the prices, as listed on the NSW TrainLink website:

Pass type	14 days	1 month	3 months	6 months
Adult – Economy	$232	$275	$298	$420
Child – Economy	$121	$143	$154	$220

How to use the NSW TrainLink Discovery Pass

After purchasing your Discovery Pass, you’ll be able to book any available seat on any NSW TrainLink train or coach service. You can easily book online or over the phone. Booking is possible any time before departure, however it is possible that there will be no seats left if you leave it too late to book on sold-out services.

Another key benefit of the Discovery Pass is that you can cancel without penalty. This could be useful if you need to make last-minute changes or you plan your travel at short notice.

You must activate your pass and commence travelling within six months of buying it.

Many of the NSW TrainLink XPT and Xplorer trains are starting to show their age, and the XPTs do break down from time to time. That said, the seats are comfortable and the on-board crews are usually very friendly. You’ll have enough space on board to get some work done, and toilets are provided at the end of each carriage.

Food and drinks are available for purchase on board. Hot meals typically cost around $10, and the scone with jam and cream for $5.50 is a favourite.

Unfortunately, power outlets are not available at most seats, and Wi-Fi is not available.

Of course, you can’t earn frequent flyer points or status credits when travelling by train. Nonetheless, a NSW TrainLink Discovery Pass could be worth considering if you’re frequently travelling to regional NSW destinations like Bathurst, Wagga Wagga, Taree, Tamworth, Goulburn or Canberra.

NSW TrainLink classes of travel

The main difference between Economy and First Class is that the First Class seats have 10cm more legroom and recline much further. The cabin is also a bit smaller and more private.

On overnight XPT services from Sydney to Brisbane and Melbourne, you may have the option to upgrade to a sleeper compartment for an additional cost. This is definitely worthwhile as you’ll get a proper bed and access to an on-board shower.

Read an AFF review of the overnight sleeper service: Melbourne to Sydney by overnight XPT train

While train travel can be enjoyable, the reality is that flying is a lot quicker. And you don’t necessarily need to spend an arm and a leg on regional flights if you have access to Qantas Frequent Flyer points.

For example, it costs around 8,000 Qantas Points + $44 (one-way) to fly from Moree to Sydney on an Economy Classic Reward ticket.

From Sydney, you can get to 23 destinations with Qantas or QantasLink for just 8,000 Qantas Points, plus taxes & carrier charges. Note that this cost will increase slightly on 5 August 2025.

With as little as one Qantas credit card sign-up bonus, such as the current Qantas Premier Titanium card offer of 150,000 bonus Qantas points, you could earn enough Qantas points to book nine return flights on any of the routes shown above!