Adelaide to Sydney train: Fare prices & timetable

The only direct Adelaide to Sydney train is the luxury Indian Pacific service. According to the timetable, this takes 25h10m, and costs from $795. The alternatives are driving, flying or taking the train via Melbourne.

The idea of taking a train from Adelaide to Sydney is a theoretically sound one. After all, there is a railway line connecting the two cities, and it feels more romantic to go by train rather fly or undertake the laborious Adelaide to Sydney drive.

Adelaide brings food tours of the fabulous Central Market, Torrens River cruises, swimming with dolphins and the chance to walk across the roof of the Adelaide Oval. To book Adelaide accommodation, step this way. For a full range of Adelaide tours and experiences, explore here.

Sydney’s enormous collection of experiences includes all-inclusive sunset dinner cruises, behind-the-scenes tours of the Opera House, jet boat thrill rides and historic walking tours.

Direct Adelaide to Sydney train?

However, there is a problem. There is only one train that operates on the Adelaide to Sydney line, and that’s the Indian Pacific. This is a luxury train service which is more of a hotel on rails, aimed at wealthy tourists, than a passenger transport option.

If you want a conventional Adelaide to Sydney train, where you can just pay for a seat, then there isn’t one. Instead, you have to go well out of your way via Melbourne.

Adelaide to Sydney train via Melbourne

First, you need the Adelaide to Melbourne train, which takes ten-and-a-half hours. And then you need the Melbourne to Sydney train, which takes just under 11 hours.

Unless you’re planning to spend a few days in Melbourne as well, this is an absolutely terrible way to get from Adelaide to Sydney.

Adelaide to Sydney train fare prices

If you still want to travel from Adelaide to Sydney by train, then prepare to pay handsomely for it. The Indian Pacific Adelaide to Sydney train service costs from at least $795. That’s for an advanced single cabin. For a twin cabin, it’s at least $995.

Plenty is included within that price, however. En-suite cabins, three high quality meals with handpicked Australian produce and all drinks are included.

Blue Mountains excursion on the Indian Pacific

You can also choose to have an off-train experience in the Blue Mountains, with guided walks and a cable car ride. However, this means getting a different train for the last leg from the Blue Mountains to Sydney. This special train is put on by Journey Beyond Rail, which operates the Indian Pacific service.

This is all lovely, but you need to want the experience. If you just want to get from Adelaide to Sydney, this is not the quickest way, and it is certainly not the cheapest.

Adelaide to Sydney train timetable

According to the Indian Pacific timetable, the Adelaide to Sydney train leaves once a week on Tuesdays. The trains depart Adelaide’s Parklands Terminal at 10.15, and arrive in Sydney the next day at either 12.00 between April and August or 12.45 between September and March.

That means the Adelaide to Sydney train takes just over a day. In the winter months, it’s a 25 hour and 15 minute journey.

More South Australia travel

Road trips from Adelaide.

How much does it cost to rent a car in Adelaide?

What are the best fuel stops between Port Augusta and Alice Springs?

Get spooked out on an Adelaide Gaol ghost tour.

Get lost in the Mintaro Maze on the drive from Adelaide to Clare.