China to add new high-speed rail route

 

China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has given the go ahead for a major new high-speed rail link between Shanghai and Hangzhou.

The new route is part of a broader push to expand the country’s already vast rail network, news hub Travel Mole reports.

The 222.8km line will connect Shanghai East - a new station under construction near Pudong Airport - to Hangzhou in just 40 minutes.

Both cities are already linked by a high-speed train but the new line will cut nearly a third off the current fastest journey.

The $US9.35 billion project will serve nine stations. It includes new stops at Fengxian, Shanghai Jinshan, Pinghu City, and Linping.

Existing stations at Situan, Jiaxing South, Tongxiang, and Hangzhou West will be upgraded to handle the expected surge in traffic.

For Shanghai East, the project marks a significant milestone. The station is set to become a key transportation hub, linking Pudong Airport with high-speed rail for the first time.

The project will boost the airport’s competitiveness with its rivals in China, including Hong Kong.

The new line is expected to drive economic integration between Shanghai and Zhejiang province, supporting growth in the Yangtze River Delta, one of China’s most dynamic economic regions.

The NDRC also approved construction of a 234.5 km line in Tibet on the Sichuan-Tibet Railway. The $US3.1 billion project will initially open with five stations. It will improve access in a region where rail development can be logistically challenging.

Meanwhile, construction will begin next month on the Yining–Aksu line in Xinjiang, a region bordering Central Asia.

The 794km single-track electrified line will require six years to build and carry a price tag of $US5.3 billion. Designed for speeds up to 160 kmh, it will feature 24 stations, half of them equipped with passing loops to support mixed passenger and freight traffic.

In Australia, meanwhile, the interstate rail network remains prehistoric.

Discover an eight-day rail journey created for gourmets

If you enjoy long-distance rail travel then this one might be for you.

Golden Eagle Luxury Trains will soon welcome guests on their inaugural Paris to Istanbul voyage with four departure dates for 2025 in each direction.

The eight-day odyssey traverses seven countries on the Danube Express train.

With a focus on food and wine, the tour will be hosted by James Masterson, the product development manager and the grandson of Golden Eagle founder, Tim Littler.

Off-train excursions for this new voyage include:

# In the Champagne region, visiting the renowned J.Lassalle Champagne house for a private tour and tasting
# An exclusive private concert of classical masterpieces by the Vienna Supreme Orchestra (whoever they are).
# A private visit to Slovenia's Postojna Caves and an underground train featuring a unique musical performance inside the hallowed Crypt of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia
# A dessert masterclass
# An eight-course gala dinner onboard the train.

"I grew up in the world of luxury private trains, travelling on our flagship train since I was 13 and working as a waiter onboard from the age of 16.," says Masterson.

"I have always harboured a vision to elevate the rail travel experience to even greater heights. This vision now becomes reality with the launch of the Paris to Istanbul/Istanbul to Paris route from May.

"This meticulously curated journey represents the culmination of years of dedication to exceeding guest expectations. I invite guests to join us for a truly memorable experience, seeing Europe in a different way from our hotel-on-wheels."

Golden Eagle packages are fully inclusive with private en suite rail accommodation, all meals and drinks, personal cabin attendant service, fully guided off-train excursions, all gratuities and transfers, plus premium hotels pre and post rail tour and a UK medical doctor on board.

Visit https://www.goldeneagleluxurytrains.com/

On the right track: doing the Silk Road in style

From budget travel to luxe experiences, Wendy Wu Tours, a leading China tour specialist, has introduced a new luxury offering to its line up in 2025, unveiling a15-day itinerary of the Silk Road that includes a tip on board the Silk Road Express.

The new Legends of the Silk Road tour blends five-star and boutique hotel stays with a sense of adventure (so I am reliably informed).

Wendy Wu Tours Australia managing director Simon Bell said the new tour addition marks a step into the luxury travel market for the company, while staying true to Wendy Wu Tours’ commitment to immersive, all-inclusive adventures.

“We are proud to launch our new 15-day Silk Road itinerary this year, which incorporates a three-night stay aboard the opulent new Silk Road Express, and taps into the growing demand for nostalgic, refined, and one-of-a-kind travel experiences in China,” he said.

“This highly-anticipated route offers a unique opportunity for train enthusiasts and travellers alike to explore the rich cultural and natural wonders of China in exquisite comfort and style - an irresistible blend of luxury and adventure.”

Simon has the hype down pat, doesn't he?

Bell said that as rail journeys continue to rise in popularity, travellers are seeking new ways to explore must-see destinations in comfort and style.

“It is an exciting new chapter as the company continues to expand its itineraries and offerings to meet the evolving needs and interests of its clientele and adds to its growing collection of international rail holidays.

"This particular tour is a great example that reflects Wendy Wu Tours’ commitment to responding to market trends while delivering a fresh premium experience for our guests.”

The Silk Road Express is an international tourist train that made its inaugural journey in December.

The train offers a luxurious way to explore China, from the modern cities of Beijing and Shanghai to ancient treasures like the Terracotta Army and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Mogao Grottoes.

This tour includes three nights in Gold Class cabins, featuring en-suite accommodation with private bathrooms, smart toilets, power showers, and deluxe amenities like Dyson hairdryers, a minibar, and complimentary tea, coffee, and mineral water.

The train offers a choice between Chinese and western cuisines. 

Tour highlights include a tasting of Chinese wines, a visit to a night market and meetings with local artists. The tour will be for a maximum of 20 passengers.

With standard prices from $27,880 per person, a launch price of $25,880 per person, is available for those who reserve their booking before February 28.

For full details see www.wendywutours.com.au/china/tours/legends-of-the-silk-road.htm

New direct rail route to link Bangkok with Penang

Here's a new rail journey that sounds exciting.

Thailand’s State Railway (SRT) and KTMB, which operates trains in Malaysia, will shortly launch a direct train service connecting Bangkok, Thailand, to Penang, Malaysia.

Previously, travellers had to switch trains at the border. The SRT cancelled its previous daily express service between Bangkok and Butterworth in 2016.

The Bangkok-Penang train route will begin with a six-month trial period to assess the viability of the service.

Key benefits for tourists will include seamless connectivity with the service from Bangkok’s Bang Sue Grand Terminal (above) to Penang, with stops at Padang Besar and Butterworth.

The route provides an opportunity to experience the diverse landscapes of Thailand and Malaysia, from bustling cities to serene countryside, and connects two rich cultural hubs.

Bang Sue Grand Station (officially known as Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal) is the new central railway station of Bangkok. The station will be the terminus for all current long-distance rail services and future high-speed railways, and through-trains for the SRT commuter lines and 3-airport HSR line. It is also connected to the mass transit system in Bangkok via the MRT Blue Line.

The railway companies of Malaysia and Thailand have also extended the route of the MySawasdee tourist train further north to Surat Thani.

MySawasdee operates only during holiday periods, taking travellers from Kuala Lumpur to Hat Yai. 

The extended route to Surat Thani is expected to boost seasonal tourism to Thailand’s resort islands of Koh Samui, Koh Tao, and Koh Pha Ngan.

On the right track: Vietnam plots a railway revolution

Clunking through rural Vietnam on a slow-moving long distance train may soon be a thing of the past - although probably not soon enough.

I recently spent a whole lot of hours each way on a vey slow train from Hanoi to Hue, and then from Danang back to Hanoi.

I was in a four-berth sleeper cabin and it was an adventure, but not one I'd repeat in a hurry.

While the cabins have been tarted up, they are claustrophobic and the rolling stock rattles and clunks its way up and down the country. How fun your journey is might well depend on who your travelling companions are. Pot luck.

The various classes of travel on Vietnamese trains are soft sleepers, hard sleepers, soft seats, and hard seats, with soft sleepers as the most expensive.

Most tourists opt to journey in a soft sleeper because each berth has a pillow, sheet, a soft quilt, and a personal reading lamp. There are power points - and even wifi most of the time. Snacks are provided and you can buy food from vendors who roam up and down the carriages,

You need to stay on the lower berths in the daytime - and need the agility of a gymnast to scale an upper berth. Make sure to book a lower berth!

But now two sections of Vietnam's north-south high-speed railway - to connect Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City - are slated to begin construction in late 2027, according to the Ministry of Transport.

Vietnam's parliament this week approved a resolution supporting the $67 billion high-speed rail project.

The railway, Vietnam's most ambitious infrastructure project, will eventually run all the way from the capital Hanoi to the southern business hub of Ho Chi Minh City. The 1,541-km (958-mile) project is expected to be completed in 2035.

The Hanoi-Vinh and Nha Trang-HCMC sections will break ground in late 2027, and construction of the Vinh-Nha Trang segment is scheduled to start between 2028 and 2029.

The proposed railway is designed to support trains travelling at 350kph.

Ticket prices will be offered in three tiers, depending on the service class.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has suggested extending the line beyond its current endpoints to include the northern province of Quang Ninh, home to UNESCO heritage site Ha Long Bay, and to the southernmost province of Ca Mau.

It can't come a moment too soon.

The chaos and order of the world's busiest station

There are railways stations, and there are railway stations.

Trying to navigate your way around Tokyo's Shinjuku Station and its satellites is like traversing a small underground city.

Shinjuku is the world's busiest train station with over 3.6 million passengers daily and 36 platforms on several levels.

I'll admit that we got well and truly lost trying to find a hotel that was just metres from one of the station's many exits.

Shinjuku holds a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most passengers a day - understandable given rail is the main mode of transportation in Tokyo.

The Japanese capital boasts what is widely regarded as the best urban railway network in the world.

Shinjuku, opened in 1885, now has over 200 exits to help ease congestion, along with several shopping malls.

It is served by no fewer than five different railway systems: JR East, Keio Corporation, Odakyu, Electric Railway, Toei Subway and Tokyo Metro.

Throw in restaurants, those shopping centres and department stores, a tourist information centre, lost and found offices, currency exchanges, ATMs, police boxes and luggage storage and you have a destination on its own merits.

Beware: at rush hour it can be chaotic. But most of the time it is a model of public transport efficiency. If you can find the right exit. 

Fast tracking your way around Japan

Forget driving. Catching the bus? No chance. 

If you have to travel long distances in Japan then there is only one way to go: on a bullet train, also known as Shinkansen. 

The fast train network covers most of Japan - and we used rail passes to travel from Tokyo to visit the regional town of Kanazawa and surrounds. 

There are range of Japan rail passes to choose from and you only need to make one or two journeys to cover your costs. 

We used a Hokuriku Arch Pass, which cost around $300 for eight days of travel, including in the Metro Tokyo area. 

The trains are clean, fast and comfortable. And reliable. There is plenty of free luggage storage space, announcements in English and free wifi on board.  

The Hokuriku Shinkansen connecting Tokyo with Tsuruga in the Hokuriku region. 

It is a joint venture between JR East and JR West. 

Stops include Nagano, the host city for the 1998 Winter Olympics and Japan's dinosaur capital of Fukui.

The pass can be used from Kansai Airport, Narita Airport, and Haneda Airport, and also includes the Limited Express Thunderbird between Osaka and Kanazawa.

It is also possible to use the Narita Express between Narita Airport and Tokyo, as well as the Limited Express Haruka between Kansai Airport and Shin-Osaka, and between Kansai Airport and Kyoto.

Tokyo to Kanazawa takes under 2 1/2 hours on the fast train - covering a distance of 450km. It would take over six hours - and a whole lot of stress - to drive between the two destinations, and you will have to pay toll fees for at least five different expressways.

But the system can be a complex one. Do your homework before you get to the station. Be aware that the majority of trains require a (free) seat reservation. And be prepared for massive crowds in stations if you travel at peak times.   

The route of the final Hokuriku section to Shin-Osaka was expected to be completed by the late 2020s - but then financial issues struck, Nikkei Asia reported. 

Concerns are emerging that the project may fail to pass a cost-benefit test that is one condition for starting construction.

Extending the line to Osaka is now expected to cost as much as 5.3 trillion yen ($36 billion), the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism recently told lawmakers - more than double the initial estimate.

Pass holders can actually use their passes between Tsuruga and Osaka - but on slower regional trains.

The sharp increase owes to higher labour and materials costs. The ministry also said construction could now take up to 28 years, up from its previous estimate of 15, owing partly to labour reforms.

The ministry plans to provide information as early as 2025 on whether the project still meets the necessary conditions to go ahead, including on its benefit-to-cost ratio and funding.

Authorities are weighing three options to extend the line from Tsuruga to Shin-Osaka station, with plans to begin construction by the end of fiscal 2025.

All three options under consideration involve building an underground section through Kyoto.

Depending on your destination, a rail pass might be worth considering if you plan to travel in Japan. https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/pass/hokurikuarch.html 

# The writer paid his own way

Polar opposites. Travel from the inside looking out

Enjoy travelling vicariously with some quirky companions?  

How about a journey from New Zealand to Spain undertaken almost entirely by train? 

Meet amusingly eccentric French horn player Gregory Hill and his German violinist wife Anne. 

Gregory somehow came up with the idea of travelling from one point on the globe - his home in Wellington - to its exact upside, or antipodes, which turns out to be somewhere between near Salamanca in Spain. 

He remembers doing a similar exercise with an old school atlas. Now he decides to try it real life, which turns into a 38,000 kilometre trip in 78 days, with 31,000 of those kilometres covered by rail. 

On the right tracks, so to speak. The trip from Saigon to Spain was conducted entirely on steel tracks. 

So 33 trains, 19 countries and a whole lot of interesting, sometimes amusing, encounters, fortunately completed before Covid made a trip of this nature impossible.

The trip takes us from New Zealand’s Northern Explorer to the Eurostar and a wide range of trains with stops Xi'an and a hilarious experience with Chinese bureaucracy, and possible drug dealers in Siberia.

Well illustrated with maps and photos, this is a fun armchair journey with Gregory and Anne with musical interludes including the Bolshoi Ballet and the Paris Opera. 

The Antipodean Express is published today in Australia by Exisle Publishing. $44.99. 
https://exislepublishing.com/product/the-antipodean-express/ 

Afternoon high tea on the right side of the tracks

It's certainly not the 5.10pm to Blacktown.

For those who like the train trips to be stylish and fun, The Vietage by Anantara has announced the introduction of a second railway carriage to operate a daily return journey between Nha Trang and Quy Nhon from May 15.

Building on the resounding success of the existing carriage running every day between Da Nang and Quy Nhon, the new custom-designed addition will offer "a timeless luxury travel experience through south-Ccntral Vietnam".

The five-hour journeys meander through the scenic Vietnamese countryside.

With 12 reservation-only seats in private booths of two, the carriages have big picture windows to reveal the stunning views.

A sit-up bar gives guests the chance to watch mixology masters in action as the on-board hosts create rail-inspired cocktails and mocktails.

There is also a dedicated spa area for 15-minute head-and-shoulder treatments.

An sumptuous afternoon tea experience features taste tempters like poached Bai Dai lobster and Dalat caviar along with finger sandwiches, pastries, cakes and traditional scones with all the trimmings.

An artisanal cheese and charcuterie platter rounds off the occasion.

Refreshments include a tea selection from the Vietnamese tea brand Epicurean Sao, ethically-sourced local coffee from La Folliet, plus free-flowing wines, cocktails, beers, mocktails and soft drinks.

An à la carte menu also offers premium wines and champagnes for pre-order, while caviar fans can purchase extra portions on board.

Guests will be hoping to view a water buffalo, Vietnam’s national animal, as the train makes its way through the country.

Guests travelling from Nha Trang to Quy Nhon can enjoy combination accommodation experiences with Anantara Quy Nhon Villas for a luxury beachside break.

A number of packages are available but this excess does not come cheap.

A one-way ticket aboard The Vietage by Anantara between Nha Trang and Quy Nhon costs $US420 per person, including luxury afternoon tea, a 15-minute head and shoulder treatment, free-flowing wines, cocktails, beers, mocktails, soft drinks and a selection of local tea and coffee.

The Vietage by Anantara departs from Nha Trang every afternoon arriving at Dieu Tri station in Quy Nhon in the evening. It then continues up to Da Nang, arriving after midnight.

Running in the opposite direction, The Vietage by Anantara’s additional carriage departs from Da Nang every morning, arriving at Dieu Tri station in Quy Nhon in the early afternoon and then onto Nha Trang for a mid-evening arrival.

It sounds spectacularly good. For details see https://www.thevietagetrain.com/

Off the rails: French train travel impacted by strike

Planning to catch a train in France this weekend? Good luck.

Travellers are being warned major disruptions to French rail services will likely last until Monday morning.

Industrial action by SNCF train managers started on Thursday and is also affecting Eurostar services, Travel Mole reports.

“Due to a train manager strike in France, we’ll be running a revised timetable on our routes until Sunday,” Eurostar said.

The strike - which followers delayed negotiations over wages deals - will continue to affect national and regional services over the weekend with travellers being advised to check train operator’s advice before travelling. 

The French love a strike, of course, particularly at a busy time. 

The SNCF expected that only half of high-speed TGV services would run over the holiday weekend.

SNCF CEO Jean-Pierre Farandou criticised the strike action for "disrupting the lives of French people who want to go on holiday".

”We will try to run all the trains that head to the Alps and the Pyrénées for the winter holidays,” he said. Because nothing is more important than a ski break.

Jet2 warned travellers on half-term breaks to plan ahead for transport to and from airports.

“Allow extra time for your journey to the airport as we are operating all our flights as scheduled.” it said.

“If you have a Jet2holidays transfer, this will not be affected by this industrial action.”

SNCF has advised people not to travel.

“Passengers are urged to postpone travel if possible,” it said.

Here is the SNCFR advice: https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en/help/disruption-information

Take a trip back in time for one weekend only

Take a journey back in time when Sydney’s Central Station is briefly transformed to a bygone era. 

The return of the annual Transport Heritage Expo this October long weekend (September 30-October 2) will give visitors the chance to enjoy heritage train, bus and steam boat rides across the city. 

There will also be unique experiences at Central station, including tours of the clock tower and tea on board a 1960s dining carriage.

“The Transport Heritage Expo is a rare and exciting opportunity for people to journey back in time and immerse themselves in our state’s rich transport history,” said Transport Heritage NSW CEO, Andrew Moritz.

“This year, we’re fortunate to display some incredible pieces from the state collection, including three rarely seen passenger carriages, which were first introduced to the NSW Government Railways in the 1890s.”

Highlights of the Transport Heritage Expo will be a one-hour steam train ride to Hurstville and return, a trip on a vintage electric train and a ride on a timber-bodied railmotor on a tour of the Botany freight line.

Vintage bus rides will include "a 29-minute round trip of the Sydney CBD aboard a lovingly restored vintage double-decker bus from the Sydney Bus Museum". That's a pretty precise time frame given Sydney traffic! 

There will also be 45-minute harbour cruise on a choice of the Waratah or Lady Hopetoun – two 120-year-old veterans of Sydney Harbour.

Tickets are on sale now at www.transportheritageexpo.com or by calling 1300 115599.

Images: Steve Burrows

On the right track: London to the Alps

So you will be in London this northern winter, but fancy a few days skiing in the Alps?

Eurostar Group has announced details of the brand-new Eurostar Snow train service leaving from London to the Alps via Lille Europe.

With fares starting from £99, ski and snowboard enthusiasts can head to the pistes by making a connection in Lille before continuing their journey on a Eurostar continental train.

Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased via Eurostar.com.

The new service offers customers a sustainable alternative to flying - and now crowded airports - with more stops in the Alps than ever before. Eurostar Snow will take travellers to top ski resorts including Chambéry, Albertville, Moutiers and Aime-La Plagne, before arriving in Bourg-Saint-Maurice, its final destination.

Departing from London from December 16, Eurostar Snow will run for eight weekends throughout the ski season. Leaving on Saturday mornings, the train will arrive at the slopes in perfect time for après-ski.

Francois Le Doze, Chief Commercial Officer, Eurostar Group: “We're proud to offer our customers a sustainable travel option to the Alps by launching our first connecting service as Eurostar Group. 

"With a quick and easy connection, competitive pricing and five stops to choose from, passengers can enjoy a seamless experience with us from the city of London to the snow-capped mountains of France.”

Passengers benefit from a generous luggage allowance offering each traveller two suitcases, one piece of hand luggage and skis or snowboard at no extra cost.

France to raise flight taxes and boost rail travel

France is to raise taxes on airline tickets as a way to encourage people to travel on more environmentally friendly planes.

French Transport Minister Clément Beaune announced the planned measures, which follow the banning on short-haul flights within the country.

“Many people are shocked by the fact that it’s often cheaper to take a flight than a train,” Beaune said..

The changes will be applied to routes between Paris and regional cities like such as Lyon, Nantes and Bordeaux.

The tax increase could be included in France's 2024 budget, Travel Mole reported.

‘In a climate crisis, giving tax exemptions to a super polluting sector is incompatible with the challenges of today,” said Jo Dardenne, aviation director at campaign group Transport and Environment.

Airlines for Europe, which obviously has a vested interest, criticised the move.

“France already imposes some of the EU’s steepest flight taxes," the organisaton said. "Hiking them further will not guarantee more funding for decarbonisation.”

The French government plans to use the taxes raised to finance an expansion and improvement of its rail sector to the tune of €100 million.

Speaking personally, I have always preferred taking trains to planes for trips within France, particularly the TGV (fast) services. 

The trains are invariably fast and efficient - unless there is a strike, which is nor unknown. 

Japan on the wrong track for rail tourists

Tourists are set to pay a whole lot more to travel by train in Japan. 

Japan’s transport authority recently announced price increases of over 50% for nationwide train passes, Travel Mole reports.

Some of the Japan Railways (JR) group’s regional train passes will also see increases of up to 50%.

Prices for JR East and JR Central, which include Tokyo, Nagano and Tohoku, are subject to the biggest price hikes.,

The five-day JR East Tohoku Area Pass, with unlimited travel including shinkansen bullet trains, goes up from 20,000 yen to 30,000 yen from October. That's a new price of around $321. 

The three-day JR Tokyo Wide Pass rises from 10,180 yen to 15,000 yen.

Also, the five-day Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass, which covers journeys between Nagoya and Takayama and Osaka with Kanazawa, goes up 39%.

JR Group said that as the price rises come into effect, more destinations will be covered by the passes. The rises still seem extortionate even though tt will boost the number of seats allocated for passes giving unlimited rail travel.

Rail passes in other regions such as the JR Kyushu and JR Hokkaido passes were also going up but by much less - 5% from 19,000 yen to 20,000 yen.

The JR nationwide 14-day pass, covering all trains across the country is priced at 80,000 yen, up from the current 47,250 yen.

The transport authority added that pass holders will receive certain perks, such as discounts at selected stores. Big whoopee do on that one. 

Prices for children aged between six and 11 are half that of the adult passes.

The old passes will remain on sale until September 30. So be quick, or be gouged. 

Image: Winsor Dobbin 

Brexit "blessings" continue with Eurostar blow

Planning to catch a Eurostar train between London and Amsterdam next summer?

Sorry, the bad news is that you might have to fly instead.

It was announced this week that Eurostar’s Amsterdam service could be facing a suspension of up to 11 months due to renovations to be undertaken at Amsterdam’s main railway station (above).

The work at the station will limit space, meaning a lack of facilities to complete post-Brexit passport checks for Eurostar Amsterdam travellers. Yet another Brexit bonus.

The work will last from June 2024 to May 2025, Travel Mole reports.

The Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure says it could complete the renovation work within seven months. But the best estimate is 11 months.

The work will eventually shift the Eurostar terminal to a lower level beneath the main rail station.

Eurostar Amsterdam trains run four times daily.

“We calculate it means 21 extra flights between Schiphol and London and that is crying shame,” Eurostar said in a statement.

Eurostar CEO Gwendoline Cazenave is in the Netherlands this week for talks with government officials.

Unless a solution can be found, the suspension would see the Eurostar network reduced from a pre-Brexit total of 13 year-round stations to just four: London, Lille, Paris and Brussels.

Why staying on the right tracks can enhance a European travel experience

The last couple of times I have visited Europe, I have stayed on the rails as much as possible.

Trains in Europe are fast, efficient and comfortable - sometimes just a bit too popular. And they take you from city centre to city centre, rather than depositing you at some airport in the middle of nowhere.

I Italy last summer, I used several trains that were fast, efficient and on time - and they didn't lose my luggage..

There are several reasons why one should consider exploring Europe by train and the team from Rail Europe have shared their top reasons to pick trains over planes, buses and cars. They are, of course biased, but make several good points.

1. Hassle Free

With no check-in queues and traffic-related issues, one can simply show up at the train station minutes before the train departs (unless it's the Eurostar or Thalys, which require a little bit more time). The convenience of city centre to city centre connections also ensures one gets to the final destination quicker.

2. Freedom and Flexibility

With the choice of passes and point-to-point tickets, travellers can decide the options that best suit their needs, and go anywhere and at any time across 33 countries in Europe. This also makes day trips and short excursions convenient.

3. Cost Effective

When booking in advance, travellers can save a significant amount of money. And when travelling on overnight trains, there are savings on hotel costs, too. Families can also enjoy savings as children under 16 travel for free when accompanied by an adult in Switzerland, and the Eurail Pass allows free travel for children under 11.

4. Comfort and Convenience

Trains in Europe offer comfortable and spacious seats with lots of leg room across all classes. In addition on-board dining services (trolley or restaurant/bar carriage), most modern trains also have power points available for charging electronic devices - and some offer wifi. And unlike air travel, there is also no baggage limit on trains - which some guests make the most of in annoying ways.

5. The views, the views

One of the biggest highlights of train travel is the exposure to some great views. Try to get a window seat to take in the ever changing landscapes, colours, architecture and more.

6. Environmentally Friendly

Trains, especially the well-established high-speed rail systems such as the Eurostar, France’s TGV, Spain’s AVE, Italy’s Italo and many others, emit a lot less carbon than air and road options.

7. Social

Europe has an extremely efficient rail system used by most locals. To get acquainted with the people and learn more about their culture, or obtain some tips and local insights, travellers can easily strike up a conversation with other fellow passengers in the relaxed environment of a train.

For more information and bookings, check out www.raileurope.com, which has been a partner of train operators for 90 years. International travellers who want to travel by train easily throughout Europe can also book their travel - including Eurail passes - directly through the website and app. Rail Europe is headquartered in Paris.

Be quick for bargain European rail fares

No dithering. No procrastinating. You'll need to move quickly to pick up some of the best rail deals seen in Europe for some time.

Eurostar and Thalys have teamed up for a joint promotion offering Europe-wide rail tickets at low fares.

The deal offers £29/€29 one-way fares for travel across the combined networks - but only until tomorrow morning Australian time.

Fares are valid for travel between November 28, 2022, and February 2, 2023, Travel Mole reports.

Direct Eurostar journeys between London St. Pancras and Paris, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Brussels and Lille are available from £29 one way, with onward connections via Thalys in Brussels to destinations such as Cologne from an additional €29 one way. That's about $51 per trip. 

The promotion is the first joint commercial action since the merger between Eurostar and Thalys last May.

Francois Le Doze, Chief Commercial Officer, Eurostar said: “We are pleased to launch our first joint promotion, to enable our customers to experience the best of both services at low fares. Passengers can enjoy exploring destinations further into Europe, with a simple connection in Brussels.”

Check it out here: https://booking.eurostar.com/uk-en/eurostar-sales?bookingType=standard&origin=7015400&destination=8727100

When in Canada, take the train

My disenchantment with the incompetent buffoons at Air Canada is well recorded - but there is another transport company in Canada that offers a very good service.

VIA Rail offers fastish, clean and on-time rail services between most of the major cities - and is a boon when your destination is somewhere midway between Montreal and Toronto.

I took trips from Montreal to Kingston and Kingston and Toronto recently and both delivered an excellent experience - albeit not cheap. And I avoided spending more time in the chaos of Montreal's Trudeau Airport and Toronto's almost equally frenetic Pearson Airport.  

Given Australia's dismal inter-city train offerings, going by rail might not be upmost in mind at home, but it is certainly well worth considering for trips in Canada.

If you are planning a visit it is worth getting on the VIA Rail mailing list in advance for offers like 20% discounts for bookings made on a Tuesday.

Via Rail operates over 500 trains per week across eight Canadian provinces and 12,500 kilometres of track, and is largely owned by other railway companies, including Canadian National Rail (CN).

There are a range of fares on offer including discounted escape fares, economy, business and touring, sleeper plus and prestige on long-distance trains.

Food service is available on most trains with snacks, light meals and beverages for purchase. Most of the services also offer complimentary wifi, although it is spotty in my experience. Staff - with a lot of seniors employed - are uniformly chatty and helpful. 

The majority of trains operate in the Ontario and Quebec service corridor between Quebec City and south-western Ontario.

On my list of things to do: the Maple Leaf operates between New York City and Toronto via Albany, Buffalo and Niagara Falls. It is jointly managed by VIA Rail and Amtrak.

Starting in this year, VIA Rail has begun deployment of a new generation of trains on the Quebec City-Windsor corridor.

For details visit https://www.viarail.ca/en but be aware the website doesn't like processing Australian credit cards.

 

  

Catch the train - for free

One of the great pleasures of a recent trip to Europe was the quality of the trains services.

I caught several trains in Italy - across both commuter and long-distance routes - and the trains were on time, clean and efficient. And cheap.

At peak times they were close to being over-subscribed, but the quality of the service puts Australian trains to shame.

Australians, of course, always prefer to drive. Sad.

Spain - another country with an efficient train service - has announced it will soon make some short- and medium-length train journeys completely free.

The move comes into effect on September 1, allowing free rides on certain routes run by state-owned operator Renfe.

The free rides will be on regional lines for journeys of fewer than 300km, and on commuter lines.

Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez said it is a response to help alleviate the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, Travel Mole reported.

Spain has also reduced fares on other state-owned public transport by half.

Travel chaos set to continue in Britain

In Britain, trains are often delayed or cancelled because of "the wrong sort of leaves on the track".

It comes as no surprise, then, to learn that Britons have been warned that the current travel chaos plaguing that country would last for a further 18 months.

The end of travel restrictions and Brexit have created a perfect storm for ill-prepared airlines and airport operators.

Large-scale cancellations and delays could last for another 18 months says Heathrow Airport chief executive John Holland-Kaye.

Which sounds like a good reason not to visit Britain in 2022.

“I think it will take 12 to 18 months for the aviation sector to fully recover capacity, so we will have to really carefully manage supply and demand,” Holland-Kay said at the Financial Times’ Global Boardroom conference.

He urged the Government to streamline rules further for security background checks to speed up the hiring of new staff.

“What we saw in some airports over the past few weeks is that supply and demand were out of balance... we need to make sure we are planning much better,” he said.

Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO of the Advantage Travel Partnership, said agents and call handlers are receiving "a significant number" of calls from concerned customers

“About 30% of all calls are from customers that are reading the headlines, have bookings for July and August and are worried," she said.

It is "hideous and disappointing" for customers who find their flights are being cancelled.

Cancellations continued this week with easyJet and Wizz Air among the airlines scrapping flights, Travel Mole reported.

To add to the travel chaos, Britain is bracing for the largest rail strike in decades after unuons announced industrial action on June 2, 23 and 25.