Confirmation
Confirmation of South Pacific arrangements can take 3-7 working days to complete.  You will receive an order number when your order is received and a confirmation email once all arrangements have been finalized.  Please do not make other plans until you receive our confirmation.  If you do not receive our email within that time period, please call us at 503-292-5055 (toll free in USA 1-800-717-0108) or email info@railsnw.com.  You are encouraged NOT to make duplicate bookings! If you do, both reservations may be cancelled without recourse (meaning you pay for both reservations, but get no refund). If a duplicate reservation is found during the booking process, we will assess a 15% penalty ($35 USD minimum) and cancel your RailsNW booking.

General Travel Information
Timetables and prices are subject to change without notice. Railway Operations reserves the right to substitute equipment as needed.  Please note that XPT trains between Sydney and Brisbane may often contain a connection at Casino that is by motorcoach.  Travel on all trains and tours are subject to the terms and conditions of the various carriers and vendors. Your attachments contain the terms that apply to your trip.   A valid passport and visa are required for entry into Australia.  These documents are your responsibility. Rail passes are subject to their own rules as are detailed below.

Passenger Information
Full Names as they appear on photo ID (including Titles) are required for all guests.  Passport details are required for rail pass orders. Great Southern Railway and Queensland Rail that we provide local contact details for all passengers. If you traveling on GSR and/or QR, please advise us of a point of contact should the railroad need to reach you within 48 hours of your train departure.

Train Fares
Fares are quoted in Australian dollars inclusive of GST.  Processing (5%) and late booking fees ($35 USD) are extra. Fares are valid through 31 March 2011 unless otherwise indicated and are subject to change without notice.  Return fares are generally double the one way fares. Discount fares may be advertised from time to time but these may carry different conditions.  Please note that this is NOT a ‘hop-on, hop-off’ service- all tickets are sold for your city pair on the travel date indicated and all trips require a ticketed reservation.  Fuel surcharges apply for some trips, ranging from $15-$67.50 per travel sector.  This has been included in your total booking charge.

Senior, Student, Pensioner Rates
We do not offer Senior, Student, or Pensioner rates

Platinum Service
Platinum Service is now available as an upgrade on select Ghan and Indian Pacific trains.  This is the premier service onboard the train.  Please inquire for details.

WhistleStop Tours
The Ghan and Indian Pacific make available the opportunity to tour the local area for a few hours while the train is serviced in Alice Springs, Katherine, Broken Hill, Kalgoorlie, and other service stops.  These tours will be available to be booked onboard as you approach the destination.

Ticketing and Payment
Payment is due at time of booking.  RailsNW may access a $35 USD late booking fee for reservations received within one month of travel.  Fares will be converted from AUD to U.S. currency with the current exchange rate at time of processing and charged by RailsNW.  Ticketing is electronic; you will need to present our confirmation email to board your train.  Railpass sector reservations will be charged $10 USD per person per segment ($30 minimum) to secure seating on specific trains.

Cancellations and Amendments
The following schedule of fees will be levied in respect of cancellation of normal fares:
More than 45 days before departure 50% of total fare (minimum $60 USD)
Under 45 days before departure No refund
No refunds for tickets of a cash value of $100 or less.
Fees apply regardless of circumstance.  For your own protection, we recommend the purchase of travel insurance- available at 7% ($12 minimum).

Luggage
40 kilograms of luggage may be conveyed free of charge in the luggage car. This allows 2 items not exceeding 20 kg each and not exceeding 180 linear centimeters. Excess luggage prices on application. Due to space constraints, guests should only take on board hand luggage required for their journey. It is recommended guests include in their hand luggage, items such as passports, valuables, medicine, and fragile and perishable items.  Remaining luggage should be checked in up to 30 minutes before departure. Unchecked luggage is carried at owner's risk. Please note any luggage that is checked into the Luggage Car cannot be accessed during the journey.  Cardboard, plastic or wooden boxes, garbage bags or tea chests will not be accepted as baggage. Bags should be secured and carry the owner's name, destination and contact phone number both inside and outside the bag. Explosive, combustible and inflammable materials are prohibited. Items such as foodstuffs, plants, animals, and furniture cannot be accepted as personal luggage. Guests are allowed to take onboard one travel bag not exceeding 20 kg in weight and no larger than 50 X 30 X 30 cm plus one piece of hand luggage.  Please note any luggage the guest wishes to take onboard that exceeds 20 kg will need to be repacked due to workplace health and safety requirements. 

For Queensland Rail:  The maximum limit for luggage to be checked into the Luggage Car on Queensland Rail services is 20kg. Guests who have luggage over this limit will NOT be able to make use of the checked luggage facility and will be required to carry their luggage onto the train themselves.  For guests utilizing the checked luggage facility, access to these bags during the journey is not possible. It is important for guests to take onboard the train a small overnight bag containing ‘must’ have items.

Railpass Terms and Conditions
  • All Pass rates are show in $AUD and are per person before tax esand fees
  • All Pass rates are valid for the purchase date shown.
  • All Passes are for travel in Economy Seats / Red DayNighter Seats and are valid for 6 months
  • Passport details and Start Date of travel are required to book passes.  If you have not done so, please provide this info ASAP.
  • National passes are only available to international visitors and should be purchased before arrival into Australia.
  • Payment for all passes is due at time of booking. An electronic voucher will be issued– this should be exchanged 90 minutes prior to departure at a major rail station in the relevant state within Australia.
  • Rail Pass Exchange Locations include:  Perth, Alice Springs, Adelaide, Melbourne, Darwin, Katherine, Sydney (Central Station), Brisbane, Cairns, and Townsville.
  • Upgrading is permitted (additional surcharges apply)
  • A travel day is a period of 24 hours or less, from the scheduled departure time of a service e.g. an overnight trip 2100/0900 is recorded as one day.
  • Unused, validated, or lost passes are non-refundable with the exception of the Great Southern Railway pass this will incur a $350.00 reissue fee.   Passes are not transferable.
  • Great Southern Railway has a NO SHOW fee of $100.00 if you book a sector and do not travel on the day without previously advising Great Southern Railway
  • 8 Day Flexi pass not available for travel between Adelaide – Perth, Adelaide – Alice Springs, Sydney – Alice Springs and Melbourne – Alice Springs or vice versa.
  • East Coast Discovery pass is not available for travel on any suburban or interurban service.
  • East Coast Discovery Pass is only available to Overseas Visitors with the exception of Brisbane – Cairns, Melbourne – Cairns, and Sydney – Cairns which are also available to domestic travelers.
  • East Coast Discovery pass is valid for travel in one-direction only, no backtracking.
  • All rates listed are subject to change without notice
  • Pre booking for all trains is required at time of booking.
  • There is no discount for children.
  • Full travel conditions are detailed on each pass.