Brisbane to Rockhampton Train vs Plane

[henrus]

I'm looking to head up to Rockhampton in a few weeks and looking for advice on how to get there.

From Brisbane it's possible to fly or take the train. Both are the same price ~$160 (VA or QF economy) vs ~$160 for a "Business seat" on the Tilt Train.

For the flight I'd probably take the VA flight which is a 737-700 leaves Brisbane at 2:55pm and gets up there 1hr 15mins later at 4:10pm. The QF flight is a less desirable Dash 8 at 8am or for $20 more a 717 at 10am.

The train is 7hr 45mins leaving at 11am and arriving at 6:45pm.

Has anyone taken the train, is it a mistake given the length or is it a worth competitor to flying on this route?

 

[AIRwin]

There's a recent trip report by @Bundy Bear :

Spirit of Queensland Brisbane to Proserpine by Tilt Train

You may have seen my most recent thread, Whitsunday Escape where I had booked a bareboat trip with some friends and had planned to fly between Brisbane and Proserpine by plane until I got sick. I thought this part of the trip needed its own thread as it is an experience in itself. The Spirit...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[Mattg]

I'm looking to head up to Rockhampton in a few weeks and looking for advice on how to get there.

From Brisbane it's possible to fly or take the train. Both are the same price ~$160 (VA or QF economy) vs ~$160 for a "Business seat" on the Tilt Train.

For the flight I'd probably take the VA flight which is a 737-700 leaves Brisbane at 2:55pm and gets up there 1hr 15mins later at 4:10pm. The QF flight is a less desirable Dash 8 at 8am or for $20 more a 717 at 10am.

The train is 7hr 45mins leaving at 11am and arriving at 6:45pm.

Has anyone taken the train, is it a mistake given the length or is it a worth competitor to flying on this route?

I have done all three. If they're all the same price, I would probably fly as the train does obviously take longer. But I did find the train journey surprisingly pleasant and something a bit different. The Tilt Train is modern, there is on-board entertainment and a café, and the scenery is enjoyable.

 

[henrus]

There's a recent trip report by @Bundy Bear :

Cheers, I saw that recently but it's on the Spirit of Queensland which they won't let me on!

Sadly QR travel is more restrictive than airlines when it comes to selling tickets. They won't sell any Spirit of Queensland tickets from Brisbane to Rockhampton and stations in between serviced by the electric services.

 

[AIRwin]

Are there still $249 Business class fares available for booking on VA?

 

[henrus]

Are there still $249 Business class fares available for booking on VA?

There are indeed. If I flew I'd probably take that option instead but given the shorter flight length I can't imagine there would be much service.

 

[Mattg]

There are indeed. If I flew I'd probably take that option instead but given the shorter flight length I can't imagine there would be much service.

I believe there is a meal service on the BNE-ROK sector with two choices available.

 

[Jmrocky]

I'm looking to head up to Rockhampton in a few weeks and looking for advice on how to get there.

From Brisbane it's possible to fly or take the train. Both are the same price ~$160 (VA or QF economy) vs ~$160 for a "Business seat" on the Tilt Train.

For the flight I'd probably take the VA flight which is a 737-700 leaves Brisbane at 2:55pm and gets up there 1hr 15mins later at 4:10pm. The QF flight is a less desirable Dash 8 at 8am or for $20 more a 717 at 10am.

The train is 7hr 45mins leaving at 11am and arriving at 6:45pm.

Has anyone taken the train, is it a mistake given the length or is it a worth competitor to flying on this route?

I haven't been on the tilt train in a few years, but my parents use it occasionally. Based on when I need to pick them up / drop them off at the station, I would say delays in the hrs are common but QR don't publish data their state network for on time performance so it's hard to quantify. On board, more comfortable than a plane by far.

If you've never been on it, and you're not needing to stick to a strict schedule, take the train.

 

[henrus]

I'm traveling at the end of the week. In the end I booked the VA J option. Not bad for $249 booked less than a week out and thanks to the recent increased status credits it'll also earn 80 SC.

 

[Gladstone Tim]

If planning another trip, don’t write off the Tilt train. Excellent service, particularly 8n the business class carriage and a very elating trip, even if working during the journey. Not so relevant in business, but family travelled Y earlier in the year and due to COVID practices, passengers had maybe a row each.

 

[henrus]

due to COVID practices

Trust me I still really want to take the train, I'm think for a next trip to Bundaberg I will.

Re covid, this is part of the reason why I ended up flying. I think current QLD covid restrictions would mean I'd have to sit there for 8 hours wearing a mask (but people boarding from Gympie heading North wouldn't - go figure) and even more annoying they've since scrapped the onboard social distancing you'd potentially have people sitting next to you.

Apparently they are implementing a new booking system and hopefully they allow seat allocation so I can guarantee a single seat in the business car.

 

[Ekka]

Quite so. It's a shame that the Capricornian doesn't run any longer; now there was a briliant train.

 

[dajop]

Quite so. It's a shame that the Capricornian doesn't run any longer; now there was a briliant train.

Oh the Capricornian!

About 30 years ago when I was doing work experience over summer just outside Gladstone, I took a ride back to Brisbane just before Christmas (to fly home to MEL) with three others, driven by one of the other work experience students in his car. The car broke down about 15 mins north of Miriam Vale, luckily after being towed into town, the Capricornian was passing through in an hour. We picked up the only remaining seats which were in the smoking carriage - grateful they had seats but an awful experience as an avid non smoker!! But the sort of adventure you don’t mind as a 21 yo, but struggle with 30+ years later!