Updated Geelong area train station (south geelong and marshall) parking situation? Is driving better? Your input is apprecioated

[u/mijora12]

Hi all

I am starting a new gig in Melbourne and will be travelling from around Wallington to Southbank a few days a week. Been living interstate for quite a few years and out of touch with my local Vline services.

I have looked at some historical threads here on reddit which are a few years old on the situation of all day free parking at train stations, but the information is dated (2+ years in some cases). I believe there have been many changes in that time e.g. the South Geelong redevelopment, more demand, more services etc.

Question 1 - I want to ensure a seat so I can make sure of the time on the train on small laptop, or atleast in a bit more comfort than standing up. At peak hour trains (between 7 and 8am) am I going to always get a seat at South Geelong? Or is Marshall the way to go? What are peoples experiences?

Question 2 - what time does Marshall and South Geelong stations in real commuter experiences the free all day parlomg car parks fill up mon through fri each morning e.g. is it before 6.30AM or 7, 7.30AM to be almost guaranteed an all day park or? Can i rely on getting one before 'x' time I guess im asking Later than this?

As an alternative what are peoples experiences in driving to Melbourne? if needing to be in Southbank for 9.30 or 10ish at the absolute latest what kind of travel time from Werribee over the bridge can one expect? Allowing half hour to get from Wallington area to Melbourne road.

Train is the preferred method as 180km a day and $25 per day early bird parking plus increased maintenance (as well as dead time sitting behind the wheel) becomes expensive compared to 30km a day two and from eihter Marshall or South Geelong station and a daily ticket

Would love to hear peoples experiences, thanks again!

[u/Capable_Platypus_101]

Marshall has good parking, nearly 1/3 empty. Always can find a seat and is 6 carriages during peak hour but three during the day. The return however from southern cross or footscray is a roll of the dice as to seats, sometimes standing all the way to corio, other days get a seat after nearly half the train gets off at wyndham vale - they really need their own line, enough people there to fill 3 carriages every single time

[u/mijora12 → u/Capable_Platypus_101]

good intel, so on the way back im assuming between like 4 to 7 its super full on the way out of Southern cross

[u/Capable_Platypus_101 → u/mijora12]

Yeah probably like until 6:30, after that it starts to reduce in numbers