Ghan train a runaway success
TRAVELLERS on the Ghan are having to book more than 10 months in advance following skyrocketing demand for its premium services as rail enjoys a renaissance.
The Platinum Service Ghan Expedition – a four-day, threenight trip, starts at $5239 per person one way. The Platinum Service starts at $3149 per per- son also one way. Year-round, across all the journeys, Great Southern Rail is reporting its Platinum Service is running at 94 per cent occupancy between Adelaide and Darwin.
The Ghan Expedition, which involves a day stop in Coober Pedy and a day stop in Alice Springs, has a minimum 10-month booking window.
The Platinum Service for The Ghan Expedition this year – the expedition season runs from May through to October – is running at full capacity.
To secure Platinum Services across any of the journeys for 2017, travellers have had to book an average of eight months in advance.
TRAVELLERS on the Ghan are having to book more than 10 months in advance following skyrocketing demand for its premium services as rail enjoys a renaissance.
The Platinum Service Ghan Expedition – a four-day, threenight trip – starts at $5239 per person one way, while the separate Platinum Service package starts at $3149 per person, also one way.
Year-round, across all the journeys, Great Southern Rail is reporting its Platinum Service is running at 94 per cent occupancy between Adelaide and Darwin.
The Ghan Expedition, which involves a day stop in Coober Pedy and a day stop in Alice Springs, has a minimum 10-month booking window.
The Platinum Service for The Ghan Expedition this year – the expedition season runs from May through to October – is running at full capacity.
To secure Platinum Services across any of the journeys for 2017, travellers have had to book an average of eight months in advance.
A Great Southern Rail spokeswoman said rail travel was enjoying a renaissance.
“Platinum Service is the highest-level accommodation available on The Ghan and, as such, is well-placed alongside other luxury trains around the world such as the Orient Express,” she said.
“Most of our Platinum travellers are domestic. Around 85 per cent of the 9425 travellers who have travelled Platinum with us this year are Aussies.
“The remaining 15 per cent are predominantly North American and UK travellers.”
The Platinum Club was introduced on the Ghan early last year after a refurbishment.
Earlier this year, Great Southern introduced its new Chairman’s Carriage, a private carriage comprising Platinum accommodation and a lounge and dining area that can be chartered by groups.
The spike in demand for rail service comes 12 months after the Federal Government cut a subsidy for veterans to travel on Great Southern Rail.
Bookings for the 2018-19 travel year open tomorrow.