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NSW TrainLink fare rules

The following terms and conditions apply to fares and tickets booked on NSW TrainLink Regional services.

Fare rules

  • Adult fares are available to people aged 16 years and over.
  • Seasonal pricing (Peak and Standard) and special discounts may apply and will be automatically applied at time of booking.
  • Concession fares are available upon presentation of a recognised entitlement card.
  • Bookings cancelled more than seven days prior to departure will receive a full refund.
  • Bookings cancelled or changed within seven days of departure will incur a cancellation or rebooking fee of $5.50.
  • Child (4-15 years) entitlement is half the Peak Adult fare.
  • Children aged under 12 years are not permitted to travel alone and must be accompanied by an adult aged 16 years or older, except where they are accompanied by a parent under the age of 16.
  • Available to customers in possession of a valid Transport Concession Entitlement Card aged 16, 17 and 18 years or Victorian secondary school students aged 17 to 18 years inclusive in possession of a 'Victorian Public Transport Concession Card' endorsed 'S'.
  • When travelling with an Adult, a Child must be in the adjacent seat to the accompanying Adult.
  • Children must be personally allocated and occupy a reserved seat, and they are not to be seated on another customer's lap.
  • Bookings cancelled more than seven days prior to departure will receive a full refund.
  • Bookings cancelled or changed within seven days of departure will incur a cancellation or rebooking fee of $5.50.

Child $1 fare

  • Child $1 fare is available to children aged 15 years and under and entitles travel anywhere on the NSW TrainLink Regional network for $1 each way.
  • Each child must travel with one or more Adult (Peak or Standard fare) from the same household.
  • Available to up to four children in any group. Seats for additional children are charged at the applicable Child fare.
  • Not available for travel in sleeping berths.
  • Not available for travel on Sydney Trains or NSW TrainLink Intercity services.
  • Not available to groups in which all adults are travelling on concession or employee passes in conjunction with other promotions or travel passes.
  • Bookings cancelled more than seven days prior to departure will receive a full refund.
  • Bookings cancelled or changed within seven days of departure will incur a cancellation or rebooking fee of $5.50.
  • Infants (0-3 years) are permitted to travel free of charge.
  • Infants must be accompanied by a parent or guardian (Adult) aged 16 years or older.
  • One (1) free infant seat per Adult customer.
  • Infants must be allocated and occupy a reserved seat next to the accompanying Adult and they are not to be seated on another customer’s lap.
  • If additional seats are required for infants in excess of the number of Adults, a Child fare must be paid for each additional seat.
  • With any additional Child ticket, bookings cancelled more than seven days prior to departure will receive a full refund.
  • Bookings cancelled or changed within seven days of departure will incur a cancellation or rebooking fee of $5.50.
  • Family fares apply to one or more Adults travelling with two or more children.
  • The first two children will pay a Child fare and any additional children will travel free of charge.
  • Adults may travel on a Standard or Peak Adult fare, or use a valid concession card or pensioner travel voucher.
  • Customers travelling on family fares must make exactly the same journey.
  • Each child must travel with one or more adult from the same household.
  • Student entitlement is half of the Peak Adult fare.
  • Available to customers in possession of a valid Transport Concession Entitlement Card and Victorian Student Concession Card.
  • Victorian Student Concession card holders can travel on a Student fare on NSW TrainLink Regional services between Albury, Wangaratta, Benalla Seymour, Broadmeadows and Melbourne only.
  • Not available for travel in sleeping berths.
  • The equivalent Adult fare will be charged and fines may apply for travelling without a valid concession card that matches a customer’s ticket.
  • Bookings cancelled more than seven days prior to departure will receive a full refund.
  • Bookings cancelled or changed within seven days of departure will incur a cancellation or rebooking fee of $5.50.

International students

  • International students are only entitled to concession fares when their study is fully funded by specified Australian Government scholarships and they are in possession of a NSW TCEC Student Card.
  • Eligibility is determined in accordance with the NSW Tertiary Student concessions guidelines (pdf 237KB).
  • If you are an eligible international student, you must carry a valid proof of entitlement to travel on concession fares across NSW.
  • Concession entitlements on this page cover NSW TrainLink Regional services only. If booking online, please enter your concession card number as a whole number without dashes or spaces in the ID field.
  • NSW TrainLink discounts the price of tickets by up to 30% during off-peak seasons. The ordinary adult fare is classed as the adult fare without seasonal discounts. Concessions are not available on other fees such as bikes, surfboards, ticket cancellation or amendment.
  • All concession cards must be current and held at time of booking. Unfortunately we cannot accept expired cards.

Study fare

  • Study fare is a 15% discount off the Seasonal Adult fare.
  • Available to Australian and international tertiary students who are not eligible for a Student fare, but are in possession of another form of identification confirming they are undertaking full-time or part-time studies.
  • Eligible identification must display the name of the educational facility, the student's name and student number.
  • A second form of identification with a photo, such as a driver's license or passport must be presented at the time of booking and carried when travelling.
  • Any ancillaries will be charged at the full adult fare. Not available for the family fare scheme.
  • Senior entitlement is half the Peak Adult fare.
  • Available to seniors in possession of a valid Seniors Card issued by an Australian state or territory government.
  • Overseas seniors are not entitled to concessions.
  • Entitlement is not applied to Online Saver fares, Online booking discount or Advance booking discount.
  • The equivalent Adult fare will be charged and fines may apply for travelling without a valid concession card that matches a customer’s ticket.
  • Bookings cancelled more than seven days prior to departure will receive a full refund. Bookings cancelled or changed within seven days of departure will incur a cancellation or rebooking fee of $5.50.

See Country Pensioner Excursion ticket.

 

  • Pensioner entitlement is half the Peak Adult fare.
  • Available to pensioners in possession of a valid Pensioner Concession card issued in their name by Centrelink or the Department of Veterans' Affairs (electronic or physical).
  • Overseas pensioners are not entitled to concessions.
  • Entitlement is not applied to Online Saver fares, Online booking discount or Advance booking discount.
  • The equivalent Adult fare will be charged and fines may apply for travelling without a valid concession card that matches a customer’s ticket.
  • Bookings cancelled more than seven days prior to departure will receive a full refund.
  • Bookings cancelled or changed within seven days of departure will incur a cancellation or rebooking fee of $5.50.

Pensioner Travel Vouchers

  • Pensioner entitlement is for four single journeys within NSW each calendar year.
  • Available to eligible NSW or ACT pensioners in possession of a valid Pensioner Concession Card, and NSW War Widow/ers in possession of a Veterans Affairs Transport Concession Card.
  • A booking fee applies if travelling in First Class (a minimum of $10 or a maximum 15% of the equivalent Adult fare, whichever is greater).
  • No fare or booking fee applies for Economy travel within NSW. 50% of the equivalent Adult Economy or First Class fare will be charged for travel from the border to the interstate destination.
  • Sleeping berth charges apply.
  • If the itinerary begins in one year and ends in the next year, vouchers will be deducted from the year the journey began.
  • For interstate journeys, the voucher can be used for payment of the NSW portion of the fare.
  • Bookings are compulsory and subject to availability.
  • Customers must hold a valid concession card at the time of booking even though this concession card may not cover the date of travel.
  • The equivalent Peak Adult fare will be charged and fines may apply for travelling without a valid concession card that matches a customer’s ticket.
  • Travel only permitted to/from Sydney Trains/NSW TrainLink Intercity service locations shown on NSW TrainLink ticket. Sydney Trains/NSW TrainLink Intercity service legs must be reserved at the same time that the NSW TrainLink booking is made. Customers who do not include the Sydney Trains/NSW TrainLink Intercity service legs of their journey when booking must purchase a separate Sydney Trains/NSW TrainLink Intercity service ticket if travelling to/from a Sydney Trains/NSW TrainLink Intercity service location.
  • Bookings cancelled more than seven days prior to departure will receive a full refund. Bookings cancelled or changed within seven days of departure will incur a cancellation or rebooking fee of $5.50.

Country Pensioner Excursion ticket (CPE)

  • Country Pensioner entitlement is $2.50 for travel between regional locations in NSW.
  • Available to pensioners with a valid Pensioner Concession Card, Seniors Card issued by an Australian state or territory government, War Widow/er Transport Concession Card, or a Transport Concession Entitlement Card.
  • Ticket journey can be made up of one or more segments. Each segment must be completed on the date of commencement, except, if the travel segment commences prior to midnight and reaches its destination the next day it is deemed to be the first date of travel.
  • A journey can be split into segments by a stopover of no greater than 12 hours at a location.
  • Bookings can only be made within 7 days of the date of travel.
  • Ticket can be purchased online, over the phone or from selected NSW TrainLink outlets.
  • Not available for travel to or from locations or passing through the area bounded by and including Sydney, Nowra, Moss Vale, Lithgow, Muswellbrook, Dungog, Karuah and Booral.
    See travel boundary map (pdf 628KB)
  • Not available for travel to or from selected interstate locations including Wangaratta, Benalla, Melbourne, Brisbane, Beenleigh, Surfers Paradise, Robina, Burleigh Heads and Palm Beach. However, available for travel between Oberon and Mt Victoria in NSW, and Mildura, Robinvale, Echuca, Wodonga and Yarrawonga in Victoria.
  • Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer.
  • No refunds or changes allowed.
  • Bookings cancelled within seven days of departure will incur a cancellation fee of $5.50.
  • Available for unlimited journeys within a specified time period.
  • Travel must be completed within the length of time from the date of pass validation at the first departure point: 14 days, one month, three months or six months.
  • Passes can only be purchased online
  • Pass must be validated within one month of date of issue and be completed within the validity dates. Travel is permitted into the day after the final validity date if it involves an overnight journey.
  • Pass is a receipt only. It is not a ticket and does not guarantee travel. It is essential to book on all NSW TrainLink Regional services.
  • Pass holders must book each individual sector of travel and have a valid travel ticket.
  • Pass is not transferable. It entitles the holder to only one booking on any service.
  • Available for purchase by overseas visitors to Australia.
  • If train services are replaced by road coaches, no refund will be applicable.
  • Travel on NSW TrainLink Intercity or Sydney Train services is only permitted when travelling in conjunction with a connecting NSW TrainLink Regional service.
  • Economy pass holders may upgrade to travel in a First Class seat or sleeping berth on payment of applicable upgrade amount.
  • Premium pass holders may upgrade to travel in a sleeping berth on payment of applicable upgrade amount.
  • Premium pass holders are not entitled to a refund of the fare between the First Class and Economy fares if there are no First Class seats available.
  • Child Discovery Pass is available to children 4 - 15 years (inclusive) and anyone in possession of a valid NSW School Pupil Identification Card i.e. Senior Secondary Student NSW Transport Concession Card (202) with current foil.
  • No other concessions or discounts are allowed in conjunction with the pass.
  • Refunds are not permitted after the pass is validated. No refunds on lost, stolen, invalidated or expired passes.
  • To request a refund on a pass that is not yet validated, submit an application to the issuing office within 6 months of the date of issue. Normal cancellation fees will apply.
  • Not available for travel on Great Southern Railway, Queensland Travel Train or Melbourne Met services.

Retired employee

  • Retired employee entitlement is half the Peak Adult fare.
  • Available to former employees in possession of a Retired NSW Transport Employee Card.
  • Entitlement is not applied to Online Saver fares, Online booking discount or Advance booking discount.
  • Available for travel wholly within NSW only.
  • Bookings cancelled more than seven days prior to departure will receive a full refund.
  • Bookings cancelled or changed within seven days of departure will incur a cancellation or rebooking fee of $5.50.

Jobseeker

  • Jobseeker entitlement is half the Peak Adult fare.
  • Available to customers in possession of a valid Transport Concession Entitlement Card.
  • Entitlement is not applied to Online Saver fares, Online booking discount or Advance booking discount.
  • Not available for travel on Family fares, NSW TrainLink Intercity or on Sydney Trains services.
  • Bookings cancelled more than seven days prior to departure will receive a full refund.
  • Bookings cancelled or changed within seven days of departure will incur a cancellation or rebooking fee of $5.50.

Veteran and War Widow/er

  • Veteran entitlement is half the Peak Adult fare.
  • Available to customers in possession of a valid Transport Concession Entitlement Card for Ex Member of the Defence Forces.
  • Entitlement is not applied to Online Saver fares, Online booking discount or Advance booking discount.
  • Not available for travel on Family fares, NSW TrainLink Intercity or on Sydney Trains services.
  • Bookings cancelled more than seven days prior to departure will receive a full refund.
  • Bookings cancelled or changed within seven days of departure will incur a cancellation or rebooking fee of $5.50.

Disability

  • Disability entitlement is half the Peak Adult fare.
  • Available to customers in possession of a NSW Companion Card.
  • Entitlement is not applied to Online Saver fares, Online booking discount or Advance booking discount.
  • Not available for travel on Family fares, NSW TrainLink Intercity or on Sydney Trains services.
  • Bookings cancelled more than seven days prior to departure will receive a full refund.
  • Bookings cancelled or changed within seven days of departure will incur a cancellation or rebooking fee of $5.50.

For information on any other concession types, please see eligibility and entitlements or contact us on 13 22 32.

Conditions of travel

NSW TrainLink aims to provide you with a safe and enjoyable travel experience. The information below outlines the policies and procedures relating to Regional services.

Alcohol, including a selection of Australian wine and beer, is available for purchase on our trains between midday and 11.00pm to those over 18 years of age.

While on board a train, you are not permitted to drink alcohol that has been purchased anywhere other than the buffet car. Fines apply.

We actively promote the responsible service of alcohol and have the right to refuse to serve alcohol to passengers. We can also ask the police to remove intoxicated passengers from services and train stations.

Please drink alcohol in your own seat, not standing in the aisle or vestibule.

Passengers may be required to produce photo identification at the time of purchasing a ticket or boarding a NSW TrainLink service. NSW TrainLink reserves the right to refuse service to any passengers who fail to comply with such a request and provide a refund of the purchased ticket.

Subsidised or concession travel is available to a wide range of people, including students, seniors and pensioners.

NSW TrainLink will accept selected concession cards issued in your name. You must present proof of entitlement at the time of booking and also carry this with you when you travel.

You must have a valid concession card at the time of booking and at the time of travel. NSW TrainLink will not allow concession fares bookings or travel with an expired card.

Concession fares are discounted up to 50% off the Peak Adult fare for the same trip. Concession discounts are not available on other fees such as pre-booked luggage (e.g. bikes and surfboards), sleeping berths, or booking cancellation and changes.

For concession information on NSW TrainLink Regional and Intercity services, see ticketing eligibility and concessions.

Don't cut it fine with connecting services.

NSW TrainLink cannot guarantee connections where the time between its services is less than one hour.

We can't guarantee connections between your NSW TrainLink service and:

  • any other transport service, including Great Southern Rail,VLine, Queensland Rail, Sydney Trains, and airline, cruise, coach, tour or hire car operator
  • any other NSW TrainLink service where the connecting time is under 60 minutes.

NSW TrainLink does not take any responsibility for alterations to the timetables of other transport operators.

 

Passengers on NSW TrainLink services are governed by the relevant law of NSW regardless of where the passenger purchased the ticket or in which state an offence is committed.

For details visit the lost property page.

Passengers shall not:

  • Put any part of their body outside any window or doorway of a NSW TrainLink service while it is in motion.
  • Enter or leave a NSW TrainLink service while it is in motion.
  • Board or leave a service that is not scheduled to pick up or set down passengers.
  • Board or leave a service in circumstances where the passenger is not scheduled to board or leave it.
  • Board a service without a valid ticket and/or reservation.
  • Occupy a sleeping berth or seat without a valid ticket and or reservation.
  • Board a service under the influence of alcohol, wearing soiled clothing or being offensive to other passengers.

If a passenger is in breach of a condition of travel NSW TrainLink has the right to refuse service and the contract for carriage between NSW TrainLink and the passenger is immediately terminated without right of refund.

If a passenger breaches any provision of the Passenger Transport Regulation 2007 staff may ask the police to remove the passenger from the service. Under the regulation, train drivers are authorised to direct that a passenger to leave the train in certain circumstances, for example where they are causing or is likely to cause, inconvenience to other passengers or to the driver of the train (whether because the person is under the influence of alcohol or another drug, or for any other reason).

Staff on NSW TrainLink Regional services may be wearing personal safety cameras to help keep you safe.

Audio and camera images may also be used by police.

If you see anti-social behaviour or feel unsafe, tell a staff member right away.

NSW TrainLink provides a smoke free environment for both passengers and staff. The smoking of any substance is not allowed on trains or platforms or in booking offices and other enclosed areas.

Smoke detectors are fitted in all areas of the train, including toilets and vestibules. Passengers found smoking on board will be fined and asked to leave the train or coach.

Please don't leave the train for a cigarette break when it stops during your journey as it may have departed by the time you return. If such a situation occurs, NSW TrainLink will not be liable for any consequences.

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