Puffing Billy sold out? What to do

You open the Puffing Billy booking page. Your day shows no seats. This is common. Popular days sell out early, and the station sells no tickets on the day of travel.

This guide lists the steps that can still get you on the train. Start at step 1 and work down.

1. Check the party size first

The booking page shows seats for the party size you enter. A party of 6 needs 6 seats on the same train. A day can show seats for 2 people but not for 6.

Try a smaller number to see if the day is fully sold out or only full for your party. If your group can split across two trains, you may find seats. Decide first if you are happy to split.

2. Try a different departure time

Each day has several departures. One train can be full while the next one has seats. Look at every departure on your date, not only the first one.

Remember that your outbound train sets your return train. Open return tickets do not exist. If you pick a later outbound train, check that the return still suits you.

3. Try a different journey

Puffing Billy runs more than one journey. The table below shows the days each one runs.

The Belgrave to Lakeside journey is the most popular. Another journey can have seats when it is full. See which journey to pick.

4. Move to a weekday

Weekends and school holidays sell out first. Weekdays are usually easier. Only Belgrave to Lakeside runs from Monday to Thursday. If you can take a day off, a Monday to Thursday trip is the best way to find seats.

5. Look at the days around your date

Check the whole week. Sold-out days often sit next to days with seats. A Friday can be full while a Thursday is open.

6. Check back after cancellations

Seats can return to the booking page after the railway releases them. The railway does not publish a rule for when this happens. There is no waiting list. You must look at the page again. Read more in do cancelled tickets come back.

7. Use a seat alert

Checking the page by hand takes time. Seats that return can sell out again in minutes.

PB Watch is an unofficial service. It checks the booking page about every 20 minutes for your dates and party size. It emails you when seats open. It costs A$10 for one alert. An alert covers 1 to 14 days and up to 10 people.

PB Watch does not book tickets. When you get the email, you buy on the Puffing Billy website. Seats can sell out before you click, so act fast. We cannot promise that seats will open.

What not to do

• Do not pay a reseller a large extra fee before you read their cancellation terms. Puffing Billy tickets are non-refundable, and a reseller may have its own rules.
• Do not turn up on the day without a ticket. The station sells no tickets on the day.
• Do not assume a tour listing is the same as a direct ticket. Check what is included.

Summary

1. Lower the party size to test.
2. Try every departure.
3. Try another journey.
4. Move to a weekday.
5. Check nearby days.
6. Look again after releases.
7. Use an alert if you cannot check often.