NSW TrainLink

Booked from Tamworth to Hornsby. We were not notified that it had been changed to a coach service. We had upgraded to 1st class on the train; and if l had wanted to travel that way we would have, and there is no 1st class on the bus. Seats are crowded and uncomfortable with a bad back, or any older person issues. No updates at all from the driver… Read more

on eta. Hopefully it will not be the same for the return journey, or it will be back to driving. Also the or code on the Windows did not work.

I have to agree with all the other negative reviews for trainlink. The phone service to book is terrible a long wait usually. Some staff on the XPT trains are rude and incompetent when you report drunk or abusive passengers. Also I wanted to travel two stops passed my ticketed length they can be very unhelpful and unprofessional in their approach.

I've had to use the xpt service several times in the last six months. It could hardly be worse. Understaffed with people who generally offer a care factor rapidly approaching zero. Old, noisy uncomfortable carriages, even in first class. Food that barely deserves the title. In six months of travel it has NOT ONCE run on time. Show details

Today we are heading to Sydney from Hamilton Station to go on a cruise. The train was cancelled but the staff at the station kept us informed at all times. The gentlemen working there today provided exceptional customer service. Great to see such great service when it was such a stressful time for staff and passengers. Show details

My elderly parents travelled from Sydney Central stationto Maitland on April 28th. The service from station and train staff was exceptional. They were made to feel very special.

A big thank you to the bus driver coach from Brisbane to Casino for delivering an amazing customer services for my mum and myself, the trip was very smooth and safe. Upon arrival to Casino, Mum and I was transfer to XPT train to Gosford. The teams from Casino assisted us from Economy to first class due to mum's condition. From there on mum was… Read more ·  1

been looked after and supported by Matt B and we could not thank him enough for his customer services, he served with a smile, very friendly and a true customer services staff that well deserved an award. I also like to thank (sorry didnt get his name), but he made it possible for me and my mum to have a relax, enjoyable trip from Casino to Gosford ❤️. Thank you so much.

Travelled Minto to Central today. At Central required direction to light rail to Paddy’s Market. Was helped by a customer service lady who was near platform 20/21. Lady was I guess from Philippines. Sorry we never got her name. She was remarkable. Helpful, happy and went out of her way to get ys to our destination. She actually walked us thru the… Read more

station and out to the Light Rail station. Gave us direction as to what rail to catch and where to get off. She actually linked her arm with my wife all the way. Congrats to our lady and to Central Client Service staff. Leslee & Peter Bennett

Just awful. First class got us 3 inches extra leg room - that's all. There is no wifi or charging points, no anything, really. Also no phone service for the bulk of the trip. The food was rubbish. Microwaved ratios at best. Coffee and tea are 'instant' low quality swill that you have to pay for. Our trip took 15 hours from Brisbane to Newcastle… Read more

because a group of crackheads kept smoking in the toilets. One of them tried to open a door while we were moving and literally broke the train door locking system.

One lady was so high, she had to be removed from the train. This was actually some welcome entertainment.

My seat was loose and would move around when I shifted positions. The whole car smelled of B.O. and the toilets smelled of urine and marijuana.

I seriously considered getting off at Coffs Harbour and just starting a new life from scratch to escape the misery of the XPT. By the time we got close to our desination I was so demoralised, I couldn't have cared if the train track went straight off the end of a pier into the ocean. By then, the thought of a watery grave was more appealing.

In the future, if I don't fly, I will consider walking the 1000km journey or hitchhike, risking becoming a serialkiller's prey before getting on the XPT.

Safety at Redfern station 2019 a woman had fall and staff at the time sent two first aides who did not follow proper safety procedures took her shoe with fractured foot didn’t send for ambulance then she had to hop all the way to the doctors then to emergency they asked why did they take shoe off first aides medical staff had breached duty of… Read more

care that woman lost 8 months off work. Unfortunately that woman suffers from Anxiety because those first aides did not follow through the incident was never documented correctly those two first aides probably have done same thing to other people

I travelled on the XPT Sydney train replacement coach on 4 May 2026 at 9:58pm and had a disappointing experience. When I booked my ticket, I was assigned seats 41 and 42. However, upon boarding, the driver informed us that we could not sit in those seats as they were reserved for staff. This was confusing and frustrating, as those exact seat… Read more

numbers had been allocated to us during booking. If the seats were meant for staff, they should not have been assigned to passengers in the first place. Additionally, the staff behaviour who was sitting on reserverd seat during the journey was unprofessional. They were loud, laughing, and at times disruptive. Overall, the environment felt uncomfortable and inconsiderate. I hope the service can improve coordination between booking systems and staff seat allocations.

Took my 92 year old Dad from Queanbeyan to Goulburn on the train as he used to travel that route regularly as a child. He has mobility issues but the staff on the trains were outstanding. Our only criticism is the fellow first class passengers who were bothered by his disability. Next time we will travel economy. Show details

Shocking service. No wonder train travel on the decline. Can’t book specific seat online. Need to call, then wants to charge 50% extra for this unavoidable privilege. People you talk to don’t seem to want to be there. Been a long time going home by train. Hate this service. Show details

Very trash service, always delay, they cancel all the time, we pay a alot for this trash service. It getting worse day by day. Horrible service, I will never use that trash again. Show details

Absolutely useless would be the only two words to describe trains, blue mountains running late yet again, you get one lousy train per hour and they still run late. Show details

This is the worst service I have ever had. Booked train frm Brisbane to Sydney. Brisbane train station had no one that knew where the train was leaving from. I then called the no. Provided on the closed office window to find out they were busing us frm Brisbane to Casino. 10 mins before arriving at Casino I received a txt saying we were being… Read more

bused to Grafton. The bus left late so we travelled through a lightening storm. Not only was there no bottled water in the vending machine at Brisbane train station the bus never stopped at a shop on the way to Casino. We were unable to get food until 8:30pm @ Grafton when the train personal stated they had limited food so it is first in first served. A txt message received also stated the carriage I was booked on had been changed from first class to an economy service. For these two sectors on a coach and loosing first class service the refund was $8.75. The refund was a slap in the face, just disgusting for what we had to suffer and what we paid for. I recommend anyone think carefully before using this mode of travel

I have sleep apnea. I was woken up multiple times on this train (completely exhausted) and told I was NOT allowed to sleep on this train. I was nudged awake and awoke to a bright light in my face. Disgusting behaviour from the staff. Show details

The most pathetic service on planet Earth. Staff have no idea where trains are, what time they'll arrive and leave. They have the audacity to pay ticket inspectors to make sure their terrible service is being paid for. Constant delays, constant confusion and worse the useless upper management. Show details

Wanted to book a return 1st class sleeper from Ocean Shores to Sydney. Trip to Sydney was on time, the cabin clean and the berth reasonably comfy. However for the return I was told that I had to either book the whole cabin (and pay for 2 people) or go all the way to Brisbane. The explanation given was that my getting off in Casino may disturb… Read more

other sleepers. Casino is the end of the line and all passengers must transfer to busses. All 3 consultants I spoke with insisted that the train line continues past Casino (It does not) and when I asked to speak to a supervisor i was put on hold indefinitely. Shame on NSW Trainlink and it's management for putting people off from using the train as an environmentally friendly alternative mode of transport!

My wife travelled to Sydney for a few days and used our credit card to pay for the train from the airport to city central. At first we thought it was only 1 dollar but the 10 minute trip cost over 22 dollars when it was finally deducted after a week . The convenience is ok but the cost is high, the information on the credit card is lacking in… Read more

detail and I think the worst is especially if you are from out of town is that you don’t know how much you will be charged because it stays pending for a whole week. Next time will take the bus. Too expensive for a short trip and not good for tourists on a budget.

An absolute joke of a service, it should actually be free. A disgustingly unreliable technological backwards step that offers no reception, wif,i or even power ports to charge a device. It's always late and it's hard to find out how late. I freaking hate u c>nts

My god ..I was in 1st class, 16/10/25 overnight..couldn't sleep at all due to fumes, (I reported this last year),extremely noisy train(wheels), staff members REALLY noisy in kitchen for hours, and to add to it, another passenger never stopped snorting and moving around...bad luck there I guess. I'll change to bus from now on, even though,the bus… Read more

I returned on from Sydney to Macksville on 20/10/25, had 8 extra stops to fix aircon!!! Driver very nice, we somehow were on schedule ..( no he didn't speed, he only had few passenger stops.)

Rodney at Dubbo booking office provided excellent service yesterday under difficult conditions. He was the sole staff member with several customers, and battling with the sub standard system. He deserves better technology, more staff support and/or more money. Thanks Rodney and good luck. Show details

Cris our driver from Corowa to Albury. We were bang on time. Ever so caring with passengers. Ensuring safety of all passengers at all times. Worth 100 stars. Special mention to call centre staff as well. Will use service again. Show details

Can I suggest that NSW Trainlink stops giving arrival times. Travelled 8 times between Melbourne and Sydney. NEVER arrived on time once. The shortest late arrival? 40 minutes overdue!!