This post was updated by the editor on 25/05/2023
The regular, half-priced concession, Seniors fare, single ticket, aboard the Sydney to Melbourne (Southern Cross) XPT is $65.13.
For Senior cardholders who don’t mind leaving Sydney earlier and arriving in Melbourne a few hours later, the fare drops to just $9.60.
This trip operates Monday to Friday only.
The journey starts aboard the 06:11 Opal train service from Central to Macarthur. You can find the timetable for this service at:
https://transportnsw.info/routes/details/sydney-trains/t8/020T8
Alight the train at Campbelltown (one stop before Macarthur) and board the coach bound for Goulburn. The timetable for the coach service can be found at:
https://transportnsw.info/document/4211/goulburn-to-sydney-timetable.pdf
The Campbelltown to Goulburn coach is a regular Opal service, so just tap on when you get on and tap off when you alight at Goulburn.
You’ll arrive at Goulburn railway station at 09:00 with an hour and thirteen minutes to grab a quick cuppa before boarding the Melbourne bound XPT which departs Goulburn at 10:13. Alight at Albury where the train arrives at 15:10 The timetable for this service is at:
https://transportnsw.info/regional-southern-line
You’ll need to book the Goulburn to Albury leg of the journey either online at https://transportnsw.info/regional-bookings/ or call NSW trainLink on 13 22 32. The ticket you need is a Country Pensioner Excursion (CPE) ticket. The cost will be $2.50. Have your Seniors card or Pensioner card and a credit or debit card ready to pay.
The last leg of the journey is aboard a Victorian V/Line service which departs Albury at 17:20. Y
You’ll need to book the Albury to Melbourne (Southern Cross) leg of the trip, either by calling VLine on 1800 800 007 or booking online at:
https://www.vline.com.au/Plan-trip-buy-tickets
The fare for Seniors (Concession) cardholders from Albury to Melbourne (Southern Cross) is $4.60. You’ll arrive in Melbourne (Southern Cross) at 21:45. The timetable is at:
https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/timetable/1706/albury-melbourne-via-seymour/
Enjoy Melbourne and the pleasures of slow travel.
Here’s the complete timetable.
| Sydney – Melbourne | Day | Time | Mode | Fare Type | Fare |
| Depart Sydney | M-F | 06:11 | Train | Opal card | $2.50 |
| Arrive Campbelltown | M-F | 07:10 | |||
| Depart Campbelltown | M-F | 07:20 | Coach | Opal card | |
| Arrive Goulburn | M-F | 09:00 | |||
| Depart Goulburn | M-F | 10:13 | XPT Train | Seniors card | $2.50 |
| Arrive Albury | M-F | 15:10 | |||
| Depart Albury | M-F | 17:25 | V/Line Train | Seniors card | $4.60 |
| Arrive Melbourne | M-F | 22:05 |