This is a M-F morning departure from Melbourne (Southern Cross) aboard the 7.05 am service to Albury. Reservations are required. The cost of the ticket will be $4.60. You can call V/Line on 1800 800 007 or book online at:
https://www.vline.com.au/Plan-trip-buy-tickets
Just remember to have your credit or debit card and your Seniors or Pensioner cards ready. The timetable is at: https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/timetable/1706/albury-melbourne-via-seymour
You’ll arrive at Albury at 11.00 am. Here you’ll have a 49-minute wait in Albury before boarding the 11:49 am Melbourne to Sydney XPT. The ticket you’ll need is a Country Pensioner Excursion (CPE) ticket from Albury to Goulburn. The cost of this ticket is $2.50. You’ll need to purchase the ticket either online at https://transportnsw.info/regional-bookings/ or call on 13 22 32. Avoid trying to buy this ticket at the booking center at Albury station. You may only be able to purchase it online.
The timetable for Albury to Goulburn leg of the trip is at: https://transportnsw.info/regional-southern-line
All going well, you should arrive in Goulburn at 17:14. Here you’ll have a two hour and forty minute wait as the Opal service train to Sydney does not depart until 19:54. It’s not that bad as there are plenty of eateries uptown to enjoy a leisurely dinner. Once you arrive back at Goulburn station for the 19:54 departure to Sydney, don’t forget to tap on using your Seniors Opal card. The trip to Sydney will cost you $2.50.
The timetable for the Goulburn to Sydney leg is available at: https://transportnsw.info/documents/timetables/93-SHL-Southern-Highlands-Line-20220604.pdf
If you live in Victoria and don’t yet have your Seniors Opal card you need to apply online or over the phone, BEFORE you leave home. Full details at https://www.cardhacks.com.au/2018/10/09/seniors-travel-visiting-sydney-dont-leave-home-without-your-senior-pensioner-opal-card/
Happy traveling.