Has anybody travelled on The Ghan train <BR>recently? We are thinking of doing a trip from Sydney to Perth.

Hi Prue, <BR> <BR>I think you may be confusing the Ghan with the Indian Express. Ghan runs Adelaide&lt;-&gt;Alice and Indian Express runs Sydney&lt;-&gt;Adelaide&lt;-&gt;Perth. I've been on the Ghan, cattle class, and the train itself was nothing special. Carriage was identical to the train on the Adelaide&lt;-&gt;Melbourne route, ie, nothing special, would trade it for a European or Japanese train any day. Scenery was good though. <BR> <BR>Perhaps you could clarify which train, and which class you are considering . . . as I am

Sorry, I was confused and did mean The Ghan, but between Sydney and Alice Springs, which it now does as a new service. Have heard differing reports. <BR>We would travel First Class if we do undertake it.

First class is the way to go. Beds, <BR>wonderful dining, etc. <BR> <BR>The coach class is simply an alternative <BR>to the bus. It does have more legroom. <BR>It's not bad as such, you are just <BR>there for a *very* long time. <BR> <BR>The travelling experiences couldn't <BR>be more different. I'd strongly <BR>recommend the Ghan First Class. <BR>I'd take the bus rather than do <BR>the Ghan Coach Class again, as <BR>you can break you trip and spend <BR>time at Coober Pedy if travelling by <BR>bus. <BR>

Prue, <BR> <BR>Expect the Ghan to be more expensive than flying. <BR> <BR>I personally would not do the trip again but it depends on how much you love trains.

Be aware of service problems. We booked first class for trip from Sydney-Adelaide, only to receive call a week before that the train would not be running on the date in question - "sorry, not running, but thanks for thinking of us" was the message, basically - ended up flying, which saved 24 hours and cost $800 less

Thank you all for your comments on the Ghan - since posting that query sometime ago I did some more research and finally decided against taking the trip.