Travelling By Train - How Civilised!

R

Ricardodaforce

Self requested ban
Suspended / Banned
Messages
18,340
Edit My Images
No
I've been following Michael Portillo's "Great Continental Railway Journeys". It got me thinking what a delightfully civilised way of discovering a country rail travel is. Well under-rated I'd say!
In this episode he started in Barcelona and journeyed to Valencia. A flight to Mallorca, then narrow gauge railway from Palma de Mallorca to Port de Sóller.
I'm now thinking of planning a European train holiday.
Anyone done this kind of thing? Does it appeal to you?
 
Maybe look out for a discount rail ticket. Otherwise it's very expensive. Also there have been many travelogues written about European rail travel over the last 100 years that are worth a read. I've just bumbled around Germany, France, Italy, Holland, Austria and Hungary. It can get tedious if you are not careful. Night trains can skip 8 hour periods and save a hotel bill.
 
Last edited:
ianp5a said:
Maybe look out for a discount rail ticket. Otherwise it's very expensive. Also there have been many travelogues written about European rail travel over the last 100 years that are worth a read. I've just bumbled around Germany, France, Italy, Holland, Austria and Hungary. It can get tedious if you are not careful. Night trains can skip 8 hour periods and save a hotel bill.
Click to expand...

I don't mind the cost. Having traveled 1st class at 300km/h in an AVE, I know it's the only way to go!
 
Sure, but normal one off rail prices could add up to 1000 euros for a week where a rambler tourist ticket could work out to be 350 if you avoid peak connections.

I assume you are happy to meet and talk to strangers on your journeys. This has to be the most unpredictable yet rewarding part of this sort of travel. The richest of characters can be found on the slow trains. And boring businessmen on the high speed trains.
 
Last edited:
Hmmmm not so sure about the train but doing Europe by coach really is good ,,and with a decent tour guide can be very interesting as they will know the best places to visit and have a decent knowledge of them .
 
the black fox said:
Hmmmm not so sure about the train but doing Europe by coach really is good ,,and with a decent tour guide can be very interesting as they will know the best places to visit and have a decent knowledge of them .
Click to expand...

Now that seems like hell to me. 56mph in a coach over hundreds of miles. No, I couldn't do that.
 
Ricardodaforce said:
Now that seems like hell to me. 56mph in a coach over hundreds of miles. No, I couldn't do that.
Click to expand...
No not at all I found it extremely interesting and your always going to see more from a coach ,I loved going through Switzerland ,,plus when you arrive the days are planned out ,don't knock it till you try it
 
I travelled from Vancouver to Toronto on the Trans Canada in the 90s.
It was lovely, but a little too structured for me.
 
I went to several gigs across Europe a few years ago now. Train from Yorkshire to London, Eurostar to Brussels, then to Essen, Dresden, Vienna. Flight back to Luton for a few days then fly back out to Amsterdam, train to Groningen then Train all the way back to Yorkshire. Apart from the Eurostar parts, train travel was very cheap booked well in advance. I think Dresden to Vienna was around €29 and others around the same price. Notified when bought tickets which platforms trains would depart from and each time they were correct and on time. Was an amazing fortnight, highly recommend.
 
I've done many an interrail when I was young and didn't have money. I really don't see the attraction of it. I hate rail travel, but granted that TV show makes it look wonderful. Reality is a bit different. However, still a million times better than a coach and an organised trip where you know what mandatory places you'll visit....

But hey we are all different, I prefer car and powerboat.
 
I always remember what my Mum and Dad did one year after I said how much I lovely Lake Garda, Italy.

They went on a 12 day holiday to the lake. Took 3 days down by coach and 3 back giving just six days in the resort they stayed in. I had flown to Italy in just 2 hours. Coach is boring and you might need a strong bladder or don't mind everyone know where you're going if your coach has a toilet !

I've enjoyed all of Michael Portillo's tv programmes European and UK.

One enjoyable series was Swiss Rail Journeys. Originally shown on I believe on Channel 4? Shown many times on The Travel Channel. Stunning scenery, beautiful country etc
 
Last edited:
Ricardodaforce said:
A flight to Mallorca, then narrow gauge railway from Palma de Mallorca to Port de Sóller.
Click to expand...

I did that journey once, did a coach from P de M and then train from the Port back to Palma, it's worth doing both, though the coach was not for those scared of heights with drops of the edge of the road of several hundred feet down to the sea
 
MWHCVT said:
I did that journey once, did a coach from P de M and then train from the Port back to Palma, it's worth doing both, though the coach was not for those scared of heights with drops of the edge of the road of several hundred feet down to the sea
Click to expand...

I stayed in Port de Sóller and took the train to Sóller. The rest of the Island I did by car. Nice place!

Atardecer en Port de Sóller by Ricardo da Force, on Flickr
 
boliston said:
"the days are planned out"

.....think I'd rather "plan" my own days when I'm on holiday
Click to expand...

That was my problem in Canada.
I like the freedom of renting a car personally. :-)
 
Not quite the same as intercontinental travel, but SWT annual season tickets come with 6 free unlimited Friday & Weekend travel tickets a year (on the SWT network).
I've been working through some of mine this year. I nice cheap way to see parts of South West England.
 
Did a tour of Scandinavia by rail with some university friends the summer we graduated. Was great fun, despite the rain (we were camping for half of it).
Didn't drink much though! :D
 
Oh, and also did part of the California Zephyr train in the US. Went from Denver to Colorado Springs, where the train goes over the continental divide then goes right down into the gorge.
Train even has a special viewing gallery. Recommended. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top