10 Reasons to Travel by Train
Travelling by train is a unique experience. Be it for the thrill of high speed, the comfort, the scenery or the attractive fares, there are hundreds of reasons for choosing to travel by train in the UK, Europe and the world. Here are the 10 reasons most commonly quoted by our customers (backpackers, families, couples, older travellers, businessmen and women, and more).
1. No hassle when you travel by train
Avoid the endless queues at crowded airports, or the stress of driving in a different country, with its own rules of the road and lots of traffic jams… If you travel by train, you’ll go from city centre to city centre, smoothly and efficiently. On top of which, all major European stations and trains provide information in English, as well as in the local language… So just sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride!
2. Go wherever you want on a train journey
Europe by rail means freedom. Choose the pass most suited to your needs from our range of passes, starting with single country passes to regional passes and even the Eurail Global Pass, which covers 33 countries. Tickets are also available for a large choice of routes.
3. Save money in your rail fare
Whether you opt for a ticket or a pass, you can always benefit from attractive prices. Tickets can be very cheap when booked in advance, and passes not only offer various discounts (children, youth, senior, parties of two adults or more) but also come with a range of “bonuses” (free or discounted local transport, attractions and services).
4. Environmentally friendly train journeys
Planning some holiday travel? Think about making that trip a little greener by travelling by train. The well-established high-speed rail systems in use today are more environmentally friendly than air or road travel. When you travel by train, you’re making a responsible, environmentally friendly choice.
Our top recommended Rail Journeys
We LOVE trains! Our Travelisto team has travel extensively in Europe and North America on the major rail routes. We are a call away from giving you our expert tips and putting together the perfect itinerary for you.
Rail&Fly
Barcelona and the Highlights of Andalucia
£1629 / per person
First ever LGBT journey on the iconic Venice Simplon-Orient Express train
£3195 £2695 / per person5. Easy daytrips by train
Board the train early in the morning, have a look around the city, stop for lunch, to some shopping and come back late afternoon. From Brussels, for example, it’s a piece of cake to go to London, Paris, Cologne or Amsterdam for the day. And there’s no luggage to carry or hotels to book.
6. Travel in style
Comfort is always welcome, whatever the length of the journey. Treat yourself and upgrade to First Class, you’ll have more room to stretch your legs, larger seats, and a higher level of service to make your trip memorable. Check the prices, you’ll be surprised to see how small the difference between First and Second Class can be.
7. Travel overnight on a comfortable night train
Optimise your time and budget by taking the night train: you’ll save on hotel costs, get a safe, comfortable night’s sleep, and wake up the next morning at your destination, refreshed and ready to explore.
8. Get off the beaten track
With 240,000 kilometres of track, rail reaches into virtually every corner of Europe or Canada, USA or beyond – through forests, fields, and mountains that just aren’t accessible by road.
9. Meet the people of the region
In Europe, the train is very popular. Everyone goes by train, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to meet local residents, learn more about their country, and pick up tips on the best secret destinations.
10. Go whenever you want
With multiple train services every day on most routes, you have plenty of opportunities to make the most of your trip. Stay longer in Venice and take a later train to Rome, or arrange a day trip to Mont Saint Michel from Paris… No need to adapt your schedule, the trains will adapt to yours.
Popular Train Journeys
Japan is a feast for the senses, from its electrifying neon-lit neighbourhoods to tranquil hilltop temples. Experience an intriguing mix of modernity and tradition as we explore dazzling Tokyo, imperial Kyoto, and the mountain city of Nagano. Wander Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, practice sumo wrestling and samurai swordplay, and sample wasabi-infused culinary concoctions. In this fascinating land of anime, snow monkeys, and high-speed trains, there is something to delight every member of the family.
A ten-day jaunt through the countryside and cuisine of Switzerland is the ideal way to see (and taste) all things Swiss. This small nation packs a punch with its mountainous landscapes, glacial lakes, picturesque cities and food staples that are so tough to beat. Beginning in Zurich, head to historic St Gallen, lakeside Lucerne, adrenaline-filled Interlaken and cheese-obsessed Gruyeres before finishing in the nation’s quaint capital, Bern. Here, the outdoors has never looked so good and chocolate has never tasted so smooth, so it’s time to test it out yourself.
Highlights
- Travel across British Columbia on the Rocky Mountaineer train
- Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, and Lake Louise: world-famous glacial waters reflecting the surrounding mountains and glaciers.
- A thrilling ride aboard an Ice Explorer on the Columbia Icefield, the largest expanse of ice in the Canadian Rockies.
- Journey from Jasper National Park to Vancouver on the Rocky Mountaineer.
Enjoy the best of both worlds on a holiday which includes time in the mountains and at the coast. Beginning in the Catalan Pyrenees, you’ll ascend to the Sanctuary of Núria by rack railway, then board the Red Train for a journey through stunning scenery. En route to the coast, you’ll stop at the incredible Perelada Castle and your final train journey is aboard the Trenet de Cadaques. This fun little road train takes you to Cap de Creus National Park, where the Pyrenees meet the sea amid rugged cliffs and hidden coves.
Enjoy views of the Alps as we cross France into Italy on a high-speed train to Turin. Often overlooked by tourists, Turin has kept its quiet charm. With grand boulevards and historical architecture, it’s not hard to see why this city has been called the ‘Paris of Italy’. Here, we learn more about its long history with chocolate-making. We continue to Venice, a truly unique city, with a network of charming canals we explore by gondola. Then on to Rome, where we visit many famous sights and uncover the secrets of Ancient Rome at the Colosseum. Here, we also enjoy delicious local cuisine in the Jewish quarter and visit Frascati to learn about traditional artisanal winemaking.
Highlights
- Tour the legendary Zulu War battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift with a specialist guide
- Full-day guided safari in the Kruger National Park
- Stay three nights in cosmopolitan Cape Town
- Stay in the heart of the gorgeous Western Cape’s Winelands
- Explore legendary Cape of Good Hope and Cape Town’s Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
One the most iconic of all rail journeys, from London to Istanbul. The classic Orient Express traverses Central Europe, passing through the iconic cities of Venice, Zagreb and Belgrade, but delving deeper into off-the-beaten-path destinations in Croatia and Serbia.
