Puffing Billy in the school holidays: tickets and tips
School holidays are the busiest time for Puffing Billy. Families are free. Visitors from other places are in town. Seats go fast.
This guide helps you plan a school holiday trip.
Find the dates first
Victorian school holiday dates change each year. Do not rely on a date from an old page. Look up the current dates on the Victorian Government education website. Then open the Puffing Billy booking page and check your dates.
Pick a day with the best odds
Not all holiday days are equal.
- Weekdays beat weekends. Monday to Thursday is quieter. Only Belgrave to Lakeside runs on these days.
- The first and last days of the holidays are often busy. Many people travel then.
- Check the days either side of your date. A full day can sit next to a day with seats.
Book as soon as the dates open
The railway asks you to book every ticket before the day. That includes babies and toddlers. If you know your dates, book. Tickets are non-refundable and not transferable, so be sure of your plan.
For help with timing, see how far ahead to book Puffing Billy.
Choose a journey that suits kids
Children get tired. A long ride in a train with open sides can be a lot for a small child.
| Journey | One way | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Belgrave to Menzies Creek | 30 minutes | Very young children (Friday to Sunday) |
| Belgrave to Lakeside | 60 minutes | Most families |
| Belgrave to Gembrook | 1 hour 50 minutes | Older children and train fans (Friday to Sunday) |
Times come from the railway's journey map. Check the official site for current times.
Read more in our guide to Puffing Billy with kids.
Have a backup plan
If your date is full:
- Check every departure on the day.
- Try the day before and the day after.
- Try a different journey.
- Check again later, because seats can return.
Our guide to what to do when Puffing Billy is sold out has the full list.
Use a seat alert for a hard date
If you need one exact date, such as a birthday, a seat alert saves you from refreshing the page. PB Watch is an unofficial service. It checks the booking page about every 20 minutes and emails you when seats open for your dates and party. An alert costs A$10 and covers 1 to 14 days and up to 10 people. We do not book tickets. We cannot promise that seats will open.
Before the day
- Save your ticket confirmation.
- Arrive to check in 60 minutes before departure. Check-in closes 30 minutes before.
- Bring a jumper. The carriages have open sides.
- Know the sill rules if your children want to sit on the sills. See sitting on the sills.
PB Watch is an unofficial service. It is not part of, and is not approved by, Puffing Billy Railway. Times, prices and rules can change. Check the official Puffing Billy site before you book.