Why Travel by Train When in Europe

I grew up in Europe and we never flew anywhere. The train was more fun and convenient. Today, this still stands. I am convinced rail is the best travel option for our clients and here is a list of “why rail” which I would like to share with you.

  1. EFFICIENCY OF SPEED: certainly you have heard of the high-speed rail phenomenon that has swept Europe, but what does it mean? Although there are variations, generally speaking high-speed rail in Europe means that trains operating on dedicated high-speed tracks, travel at speeds up to 300 km/hour (about 185 mph). In a more pertinent perspective it means that hundreds of city pairs can be connected by train much faster than by air; remember that however short a flight may be, it ALWAYS is going to take at least 5 hours to get from one city center to another city center when you factor in all the elements

  2. SAFETY: If there is one thing I hope you remember and convey to the marketplace is the safety of trains. 2017 is the 36th anniversary of the inception of the TGV train in France that revolutionized European train travel. In that time, the TGV has grown from a Paris to Lyon link to a system connecting over 180 cities and has carried over 1.6 billion passengers and has never had a fatality! The safest form of transport in history.

  3. CONVENIENCE: Trains go city center to city center. The point of interest for your clients is the heart of the city, the historical core, but these cities have grown, indeed Paris and London are metropolis of 10 million people. The heart of the city has now been enveloped in a swath of urbanization which not only has little or no interest to your client but actually poses an obstacle when trying to access it by car, and that same city center sits 30 to 60 minutes from the airport, and in the case of low cost carriers often 90 minutes or more. Trains deliver you seamlessly right into the heart of the city. Often times you can walk to your hotel from the train station, worst-case scenario it is a 10-minute cab cab-ride.

  4. COMFORT: please note that in terms of girth, even a second-class seat is equivalent to business calls on an airplane, and most of your client travels in 1st class – an additional 30% more space and immeasurably more legroom! Walk to the café car and have a glass of wine—something you cannot do, or should not do in the car! Everyone gets to sight see and you will never hear an announcement saying “Please return to your seat, as we are experiencing turbulence”!

  5. AESTHETIC: cars travel on roads and by their very nature can stop on whim and when cars stop, eventually something pops up: a restaurant, gas station, sooner or later a commercial strip mall.Trains leave the city center and do not stop until the next city center and in between you pass through pastoral countryside, often times following the course of a river or the contour of the land. Scenic European settings all visible through large windows from comfortable seats!

Why would you fly when you can go London to Paris in 2.15 hours, Paris to Brussels in 1.25 hours. There are many options rather than just buying a Eurail (new name) pass. Buy the Saver Pass for two or more people traveling together, or a Select Pass for 3-5 bordering countries. A must is to get the Paris Museum Pass, you don’t have to stand in line. I love buying a bottle of wine and a picnic lunch to eat on the train.

The British Rail system got sold to 25 different companies and in certain parts of Great Britain this was not a good thing. The best company is Virgin Rail which runs up the west coast of the country, i.e London to Edinburgh which is what I take regularly to go home. The East Coast track operated by National Express is faster but not as scenic.

You can use Rail Europe to book both train, car and hotels. Ask for their help in putting together a complicated customized tour. My favorite trip is Zurich to Schruns, fantastic skiing in the Arlberg, Austria and stay at the Lowen Hotel. Prettiest alpine village you can find. A good savvy travel consultant can do everything for you, we have the knowledge the internet can't give you if you try to do it yourself.

Rail travel is more fun in Europe.