While I love travelling at the front of the plane there is nothing more romantic than catching a train. None of the hustle and glamour of first class lounges, bottomless champagne, lip balm and pyjamas. Trains are gritty and let you see the world up close. NSW has one of the best long distance train deals in Australia. The Discovery Pass.
While doing some Covid restricted research on holidays in NSW I came across an incredible First Class bargain. You can travel on any NSW train or coach with this simple ticket.
In this post:
How Much Does The Discovery Pass Cost?
The Discovery Pass allows you to travel the length and breadth of NSW over a six month period for $550 in first class. Of course you can find a cheaper deal in economy or for a shorter period. However if you are stuck in NSW you can get amazing value from this train pass.
My quick calculations indicate that after return two trips from Sydney to Broken Hill and Moree the Discovery Pass has paid for itself.
Where Can I Go With Discovery Pass?
The pass allows you to travel on all trains and coaches in NSW as well as to Melbourne and Brisbane. It includes the Broken Hill to Sydney train that we reviewed that follows the same tracks as the more expensive Indian Pacific.
Seniors Card Vs Discovery Card
If you have a seniors card then you pay half the peak fare of your train trip in NSW. This means that you would need to do at least four return trips in a six month period or once each six weeks. While it is doable you are probably better pacing yourself and taking advantage of the half price fare.
First Class vs Business Class.
Having travelled first class from Broken Hill to Sydney I could barely tell the difference between the two. However by travelling first class you are avoiding people who are looking to save the $40 difference. Over a ten hour train trip this could be a valuable investment.
Transport for NSW does not really do a great job in selling the benefits. Their site describes first class as:
Limited First Class seating is available on train services only. First Class offers more leg room and a greater seat recline, and is more expensive than Economy.
When you choose a First Class seat on train services, you will enjoy the features of an Economy seat plus extra leg room and a greater seat recline.
Not available on coach services.
Can I Use the Discovery Pass On Night Trains
Amazingly you can use the Discovery Pass on night trains by paying a small supplement. This means you can travel to either Melbourne or Brisbane on a sleeper.
Can I Take A Bicycle On A Regional Train In NSW
You can bring your bicycle with you. The Transport for NSW website claims you need to have it packed in a bike bag.
Summary Of The Discovery Pass
If you plan to do some regional trips in NSW soon and you are not a senior then the Discovery Pass is a great way to visit parts of Australia you may never has considered before. I rate it as one of the best train passes anywhere in the world.
