Trains are so cheap!
#31
Re: Trains are so cheap!
When we were last in the UK we took a normal commuter train from Oxted South of London into the City. It was about the same distance as Caboolture into Brisbane but was around two and a half times the price. And Queensland Rail is criticised for being very expensive compared to Syd and Melb.
I know that line well. Caught the Oxted train at Woldingham into London Bridge every day for more than a few years
#32
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Re: Trains are so cheap!
When we were last in the UK we took a normal commuter train from Oxted South of London into the City. It was about the same distance as Caboolture into Brisbane but was around two and a half times the price. And Queensland Rail is criticised for being very expensive compared to Syd and Melb.
Oxted to London is around £8.60 which seems quite reasonable?
#33
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Joined: Oct 2005
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Re: Trains are so cheap!
People will always think what they pay is expensive lets face it. I only used a train a couple of time, unfortunately from Cairns and it averaged 100kph I did find the river ferries good and cheap but usage is dropping which I find strange given the high cost of parking in the city.
Oxted to London is around £8.60 which seems quite reasonable?
Oxted to London is around £8.60 which seems quite reasonable?
If that is a single it might be expensive depending on the distance. A travelcard might be cheaper but sometimes you can't travel later or buy a season.
I remember as an adolescent waiting for 930am...and seeing the 928 depart...my turn came later..
#34
Re: Trains are so cheap!
When we were in Italy earlier this year we used the Italo train service to visit Milan and Venice from Rome. Comfortable seats and free wifi on a train which travels at speeds up to 300kph, and all for Eu40 each way.
#35
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Re: Trains are so cheap!
Speaking as a career railwayman with worldwide experience, there's someone somewhere whinging about every railway on earth, be it price, speed, cleanliness. It's never ending and it tends to get shrugged off, people even moan when a gang of blokes stop work when a train goes by when the alternative is getting bowled over. We're a beleaguered bunch, so next time you see a railwayman, instead of moaning why not give us a hug, specially if you're blonde with big knockers.
#36
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,375
Re: Trains are so cheap!
Best train fares ever. AMTRAK LA union station to New York, about $350 each with sleeper for 2 nights. All meals, huge steaks, salmon, grits, bacon eggs for breakfast. Even had a free wine tasting with bottles given as prizes. Some of the most stunning scenery all included for free.
As for fares out of aussie airports Even the melb bus is $18 now. Sydney we had to check the price, it was $40 on a absolutely filthy double decker train- each. I still think the guy must have ripped us off. Brisbane airport even charges you $5 to go from domestic to international.
As for fares out of aussie airports Even the melb bus is $18 now. Sydney we had to check the price, it was $40 on a absolutely filthy double decker train- each. I still think the guy must have ripped us off. Brisbane airport even charges you $5 to go from domestic to international.
#37
Re: Trains are so cheap!
Commuter train fares are very high - especially in the SE. This can be negated by travelling off peak (after 9:30) or by using a travel card (day, week, month available)
I know that line well. Caught the Oxted train at Woldingham into London Bridge every day for more than a few years
I know that line well. Caught the Oxted train at Woldingham into London Bridge every day for more than a few years
Here's a building you and the other London Bridge commuters should know...
See who can name it.... I was actually looking for the digital clock that used to be on it.
Ahhh Bermondsey... Is one allowed to feel nostalgic for such a sheet hole ?
Last edited by ozzieeagle; Dec 12th 2013 at 2:44 am.
#38
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: Trains are so cheap!
Best train fares ever. AMTRAK LA union station to New York, about $350 each with sleeper for 2 nights. All meals, huge steaks, salmon, grits, bacon eggs for breakfast. Even had a free wine tasting with bottles given as prizes. Some of the most stunning scenery all included for free.
As for fares out of aussie airports Even the melb bus is $18 now. Sydney we had to check the price, it was $40 on a absolutely filthy double decker train- each. I still think the guy must have ripped us off. Brisbane airport even charges you $5 to go from domestic to international.
As for fares out of aussie airports Even the melb bus is $18 now. Sydney we had to check the price, it was $40 on a absolutely filthy double decker train- each. I still think the guy must have ripped us off. Brisbane airport even charges you $5 to go from domestic to international.
Speaking as a career railwayman with worldwide experience, there's someone somewhere whinging about every railway on earth, be it price, speed, cleanliness. It's never ending and it tends to get shrugged off, people even moan when a gang of blokes stop work when a train goes by when the alternative is getting bowled over. We're a beleaguered bunch, so next time you see a railwayman, instead of moaning why not give us a hug, specially if you're blonde with big knockers.
Here's a building you and the otheLondon Bridge commuters should know...
See who can name it.... I was actually looking for the digital clock that used to be on it.
http://s0.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/...9_b10db49e.jpg
Ahhh Bermondsey... Is one allowed to feel nostalgic for such a sheet hole ?
See who can name it.... I was actually looking for the digital clock that used to be on it.
http://s0.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/...9_b10db49e.jpg
Ahhh Bermondsey... Is one allowed to feel nostalgic for such a sheet hole ?
#39
Re: Trains are so cheap!
From the airport into the city is about $15 one way, $30 day return, per person. Don't know where you were travelling to but I'm fairly sure the $20ish one way fare is the most expensive one.
#40
Re: Trains are so cheap!
When you get to retirement age or have a pension card then it gets even better.
In NSW a $2.50 ticket gets you all day transport on government trains buses and ferries. I can get the train from here ( South of Newcastle ), have a day in Sydney cruising the harbour and rivers and then the train home and still have change from $3
In NSW a $2.50 ticket gets you all day transport on government trains buses and ferries. I can get the train from here ( South of Newcastle ), have a day in Sydney cruising the harbour and rivers and then the train home and still have change from $3
#42
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Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
#43
Re: Trains are so cheap!
My mum gets free bus travel but not all trains - but she lives in Wales which has some benefits that England don't so that may not be representative. I don't think pensioners get free bus passes in Slough any more although they used to
#44
Re: Trains are so cheap!
People will always think what they pay is expensive lets face it. I only used a train a couple of time, unfortunately from Cairns and it averaged 100kph I did find the river ferries good and cheap but usage is dropping which I find strange given the high cost of parking in the city.
Oxted to London is around £8.60 which seems quite reasonable?
Oxted to London is around £8.60 which seems quite reasonable?
Come to think of it, when we did the Oxted trip the $A was pretty grim and the above fare would have been more like $24, looks like the gap has shrunk, plus QLD fares have been considerably hiked.
The reason the ferries are not used as much is because of the economic devastation and unemployment visited on the CBD by the government of the Garden Gnome and his banjo playing colleagues.
#45
Re: Trains are so cheap!
As Hino says, in NSW pensioners (including carers and disabled people on a Centrelink disability pension) travel for $2.50 a day in the "metro area" and $2.50 in the "country area". I live in the latter and could travel from Taree to Tweed heads for $2.50. This includes all trains and buses. So I can pop into Taree on the good old local 314 for $2.50 as well.
If you cross the boundary between the metro and country, you pay half fare.
metro is roughly Newcastle Wollongong Bathurst Sydney. I think this is to still collect some revenue from the fairly heavy traffic of country folk visiting Sydney, Newcastle etc.
Still cheap, plus you get four free tickets anywhere in NSW per year.
If you cross the boundary between the metro and country, you pay half fare.
metro is roughly Newcastle Wollongong Bathurst Sydney. I think this is to still collect some revenue from the fairly heavy traffic of country folk visiting Sydney, Newcastle etc.
Still cheap, plus you get four free tickets anywhere in NSW per year.