| Q: |
What is the actual traveling time & distance between major stops? |
| A: |
SYDNEY TO PERTH (or v.v.) - 4,352KM - Approx 68.0 HRS
SYDNEY TO ADELAIDE (or v.v.) - 1,693KM - Approx 24.5 HRS
ADELAIDE TO PERTH (or v.v.) - 2,659KM - Approx 41.0 HRS
ADELAIDE TO ALICE SPRINGS (or v.v.) - 1,559KM - Approx 19.0 HRS
ADELAIDE TO DARWIN (or v.v.) - 2,979KM - Approx 48.0 HRS
MELBOURNE TO ADELAIDE (or v.v.) - 828KM - Approx 10.5 HRS |
| Q: |
Can I fly out the same day as the train arrives? |
| A: |
We highly recommend that guests do not book flights same day as arrival without allowing for late running trains. This would mean allowing for at least 3-5 hours after the scheduled arrival time, and an overnight stopover especially for international flights. |
| Q: |
Can I travel if I am sick or have an illness? |
| A: |
We may refuse to confirm your booking or refuse you boarding if you suffer from any illness, disease or other condition which makes travel unsafe for you or other guests.
You have an obligation to inform us of any illness, disease or medical condition at time of booking.
Please refer to our ‘Fitness For Travel Policy” . |
| Q: |
Can I travel if I am pregnant? |
| A: |
Yesup to 30 weeks into the pregnancy. If you are greater than 30 weeks pregnant, have a multiple pregnancy or a complicated pregnancy, we do not recommend travel on our services. You may be required to produce a Doctor’s letter of consent or an authorised medical certificate within 14 days of travel.
|
| Q: |
What medical assistance does the on-train staff provide? |
| A: |
GSR staff are trained to administer basic first aid, however our staff are not able to provide routine medical aid during a journey. Guests requiring medical attention or mobility assistance on board any of our trains are required to arrange for their own Carer to travel with them. |
| Q: |
Can my necessary medication be refrigerated? |
| A: |
Yes subject to space within our on-board fridge compartments – PLEASE INFORM US AT TIME OF BOOKING.
|
| Q: |
Can I take oxygen onboard? |
| A: |
Yes - PLEASE INFORM US AT TIME OF BOOKING. |
| Q: |
Can I take my own food on board the train? |
| A: |
You can bring your own special dietary needs.You cannot bring your own alcohol or hot food. Some food purchased on-train may need to be disposed of prior to leaving the train due to strict state quarantine rulings.
|
| Q: |
Can I purchase/ request hot (boiling) water? |
| A: |
No - for safety reasons we are unable to serve hot water. |
| Q: |
Can I heat baby food/bottle? |
| A: |
Yes this is available on request with on-train staff. |
| Q: |
Can I pay for my meals/snacks/beverages with a credit card? |
| A: |
Yes, however a minimum amount applies. |
| Q: |
Can I pay for my meals/snacks/beverages with EFTPOS? |
| A: |
No EFTPOS facilities are NOT available on-train. |
| Q: |
Is there ATM (Cash out) facilities on-train? |
| A: |
No - you must board the train with sufficient cash on hand for required purchases during the journey ahead. |
| Q: |
Can I take any pets or animals with me on-train? |
| A: |
No - you must arrange directly with specialist animal transportation.
The only animals permitted on GSR services are specially trained dogs for the vision and hearing impaired. |
| Q: |
Can I send freight/ other goods with me on GSR's trains? |
| A: |
No - you must arrange directly with specialist freight transportation. |
| Q: |
Why can’t I pre-pay/ reserve my spot on the Whistlestop (off-train tours at Broken Hill, Kalgoorlie and Katherine? |
| A: |
These Whistlestop tours are not guaranteed due to the possibilities of a late running train, or inclement weather. These tours are offered on-train once the likelihood of the tours operating is known.
|
| Q: |
Can I disembark The Ghan at Coober Pedy? |
| A: |
Coober Pedy is located 42 kms from the railway line. Due to the isolation of the Manguri siding, and the extreme cold experienced during the evening when stopping at Manguri, we will not allow guests to disembark the train without prior arranged collection. Guests must arranged own transfers to Coober Pedy. |
| Q: |
Can I stopover in Adelaide on the way from Sydney to Perth (or v.v.) and still pay only the Sydney to Perth fare, or do I pay the sum of the Sydney to Adelaide and the Adelaide to Perth fares? ? |
| A: |
There is no penalty for an Adelaide stopover when traveling on the Indian Pacific as long as you complete your journey from Sydney to Perth within 60 days. You pay only the Sydney to Perth (or v.v.) fare. |
| Q: |
Can I stopover in Alice Springs on the way from Adelaide to Darwin (or v.v.) and still pay only the Adelaide to Darwin fare, or do I pay the sum of the Adelaide to Alice Springs and the Alice Springs to Darwin fares? |
| A: |
There is no penalty for an Alice Springs stopover when traveling on The Ghan as long as you complete your journey from Adelaide to Darwin within 60 days. You pay only the Adelaide to Darwin (or v.v.) fare. |
| Q: |
As an Overseas visitor to Australia, do I qualify for the Pension concession fare if I am a pensioner/ senior citizen back home?
|
| A: |
Great Southern Rail is a private commercial business that receives a rebate each year from the Australian Federal Government as compensation for offering the concession fares for Australian Pensioners. As part of our agreement with the Australian Government, we must secure an eligible Australian Pension Concession Card number at the time of booking.
This agreement with the Australian Federal Government does not extend to Pensioners from overseas countries – it is strictly limited to Australian Pensioners who are residents of Australia. |
| Q: |
What age qualifies my child as an infant? |
| A: |
Infants travel free of charge on GSR services up to 3 years of age. Infants do not travel free of charge if they are to occupy their own seat/ berth.
|
| Q: |
What if I am prepared to nurse my infant on my lap/ share my Sleeper berth with my infant? |
| A: |
Infants up to 3 years of age travel free of charge when nursed by a parent. Each fare paying parent is restricted to nursing only one infant free of charge. |
| Q: |
What do I pay if I want my infant to occupy their own seat/ Sleeper berth? |
| A: |
Your infant is to be booked as a Child, and the applicable Child fare will be charged. |
| Q: |
Can I order a cot for my infant? |
| A: |
Upon request, a cot can be provided by GSR for guests occupying a Gold Service twin-share cabin – PLEASE REQUEST AT TIME OF BOOKING.
Due to space restrictions, cots cannot be arranged for Gold Service Single cabins, or in Red Service Cabins or Day/Night Seats. |
| Q: |
Can I take my pram/ push-chair/ booster seat on board the train? |
| A: |
No - these items must be checked-in as stored luggage. |
| Q: |
Can I take my walking frame/wheelchair/ scooter on board the train? |
| A: |
No – these items must be checked-in as stored luggage. A specially modified pushchair can be requested for use on train (with the assistance of a Carer or traveling companion) - PLEASE INFORM US AT TIME OF BOOKING. . |
The following 11 page PDF contains
commonly asked questions about Great Southern Rail
Trains, Journeys and Bookings.
Commonly
Asked Questions (PDF 512kb)
