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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Elias Visontay

Australians turn to interstate train travel amid soaring domestic air fares heading into holiday peak

Sydney commuters at Central Station in Sydney
Australia’s interstate train services are experiencing a spike in bookings nearing the summer peak with multiple services in December already booked out. Photograph: Dean Lewins/AAP

Australians facing record high domestic air fares are opting for cheaper overnight trains and coaches to travel interstate, with patronage between Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane more than doubling in recent months as services are booked to capacity.

Despite decades-old infrastructure on Australia’s east coast that makes train journeys several hours longer than equivalent car trips, fresh ridership statistics have exposed the dramatic effect of the reduction in flights and soaring air fares on summer travel plans.

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