Rail Destinations
8 listings
Australasia
Australia and New Zealand have some of the most spectacular and unforgettable rail journeys in the world. Australia is a big country, and the locals tend to prefer air travel for long distances, however train travel is one of the best ways to see the Australian countryside. Australian trains are hygienic, safe and comfortable. Rail passes provide a flexible and economical way for tourists to enjoy train travel. These need to be purchased prior to arrival in Australia and are usually only available to non-Australian residents.
Read the listingBritish Isles
Britain's trains and rail network are modern and efficient. The network covers all the main cities as well as smaller regional towns. It is made up of a few large companies that run routes from London to stations all over Britain, and smaller companies running routes in regional areas. You can find up-to-the-minute information about routes, fares and train times on National Rail . For detailed information about particular routes and services you could also try looking on the train operators' websites. UK train tickets and passes You can buy a train ticket for any departure point to any destination on the National Rail network at any UK train station, train travel point or online. Prices vary greatly depending on a number of factors including: day and time of travel distance how far ahead you book operator UK train journeys may be cheaper if you book in advance or buy a non-refundable ticket. Journeys are usually cheaper if you travel outside peak hours: 05:00-10:00 and 15:00-20:00 Monday to Friday. For information, exact fares and to book tickets online, go to the National Rail website. Passes If you're going to make lots of train journeys, there are a number of passes available to help you get the best value. Britrail passes are a great value way to travel by train and let you either plan ahead or decide day by day. These tickets can be used on all of the privatised train companies that operate mainline services in Britain including the Heathrow and Gatwick Express. BritRail Passes are only available to overseas tourists. Because of this they’re not available to buy in Britain - you must buy them in advance of travelling. You can find out more and order them online with VisitBritain Shop . Taking the train from London to Edinburgh London and Edinburgh are perhaps Britain’s most popular city destinations and are England and Scotland’s capitals respectively. Travelling between the two by train has the advantage of taking you directly to and from the city centres, and giving you the chance to sight-see from the comfort of your carriage. However it can be cheaper to fly unless you book a train in advance. There are two options when travelling between London and Edinburgh by train – regular daytime trains from London Kings Cross station to Edinburgh Waverley station and the overnight Caledonian Sleeper between London Euston station and Edinburgh Waverley station which operate six nights a week. The regular London to Edinburgh train takes just 4-5 hours and usually departs every hour. For information, exact fares and to book tickets online, go to the National Rail website. Heathrow Express The Heathrow Express train is the fastest way to get into central London from Heathrow Airport. Trains depart every 15 minutes and take just 15 minutes to reach London Paddington train and underground station. The same journey by taxi would take about 1 hour 15 minutes and cost 4 times as much. Gatwick Express The Gatwick Express train is the fastest way to get into central London from Gatwick Airport. Trains depart every 15 minutes and take just 30 minutes to reach London Victoria train, bus and underground station. The same journey by taxi would take about 2 hours and cost 4 times as much. Stansted express The Stansted Express train is the fastest way to get into central London from Stansted Airport. Trains depart every 15 minutes and the journey time is 46 minutes. The same journey by taxi would take at least 1.5 hours and cost at least 4 times as much. You can save £5 by booking in advance. There is now a £5.00 premium for customers who purchase their tickets on board. Luton Airport Train The Luton train is a fast connection between Luton airport and St Pancras station in central London. It takes 30-45 minutes. You can save 30% on return fares when buying online compared to buying on the day. from http://www.visitbritain.com/en/Transport/Getting-around-Britain/Rail-and-Train.html
Europe
Why travel by train in Europe? The train is the simplest, most convenient and cost effective way to travel from one city to another. Europe’s rail network is one of the safest and most modern networks in the world. With more than 250,000 kilometres of tracks and thousands of rail stations, trains will take you everywhere; from main cities to remote villages, from seaside resorts to ski resorts and even from one country to another! Here are 5 good reasons to travel by train in Europe. 1. Money saver Whether you choose a rail pass or a train ticket, Rail Europe offers attractive prices. Tickets can be very affordable when booked in advance and rail passes allow you to travel as much as you want and benefit from free bonuses. 2. More comfort Whether it is for long or short journeys, comfort is always appreciated. On-board trains, you will find spacious carriages with large seats and space for luggage. You can head to the bar-buffet car at any time during your journey, enjoy a drink and socialise. 3. Stops in city centre All main train stations are located in the heart of cities and benefit from excellent connections with other public transportations such as the underground, taxis, and buses. When travelling by train, you will avoid transfers, endless queues at crowded airports or the stress of driving in a different country. Reach your destination fresh and relaxed! 4. Eco-friendly Travelling by train is the less polluting way to move around. Independent research has shown that a train generates up to 10 times less CO2 than an airplane. Eurostar journeys are even carbon neutral! The ITF (International Transport Forum) reported that the average CO2 emissions of high speed trains in Europe per passenger/km do not exceed 17g compared to 153g for planes. Do your bit for the planet and travel green ! 5. Local experience From high speed to panoramic trains, the experience of travelling on board a train is simply unique. Not only will you travel in a more relaxed atmosphere, but you will also get to meet locals or even fellow travellers from abroad. It is a great way to share and discover the culture of other people. Also a great way to get some tips and learn the best secrets on the destination you are about to visit. from www.raileurope.co.za
Far East
Meet the locals, and get close to ancient cultures by getting off the beaten track on the railways of Vietnam, China, Tibet, Japan and Laos. Navigating through Asia by rail offers travellers the opportunity for unique insights and experiences in countries and destinations that may otherwise be relatively hard to get to.
India
India because of its sheer size and vast range of terrains, is precisely the kind of place that works well with rail travel. It is considered the third largest rail network in the world, and the rail system is efficient, if not always on schedule. With 17,000 trains that cover 64,000 kilometres, stopping at more than 6,800 stations, the Indian Railways offer some fascinating experiences for the traveller. India has some of the most spectacular and unforgettable rail journeys in the world. It is fairly safe to assume that if you are travelling between major cities and towns there will be a train to meet your needs.
North America
USA: You don’t get to see much of America from your airplane seat at 35,000 feet, but you can see world class scenery from an Amtrak train across the United States. You can travel coast to coast for way less than the cost of a plane ticket when booking well in advance. The USA has an excellent rail network for visitors, and although only a skeleton network by European standards it'll take you to almost all the towns & cities a visitor wants to see, in comfort at affordable prices. Long-distance trains in the USA are operated by the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, better known as Amtrak, www.amtrak.com . Canada: Canadian long-distance trains are run by VIA Rail Canada ( www.viarail.ca ), and offer a great way to see the country. Whether you travel on the inter-city trains between Toronto, Montréal and Québec, the Océan from Montréal to Halifax or Canada's classic trans-continental train, The Canadian from Toronto to Winnipeg, Edmonton, Jasper & Vancouver. As well as VIA Rail, there's the one-of-a-kind luxury train, the Rocky Mountaineer which offers a range of itineraries showcasing the Rockies between Vancouver & Banff, Calgary or Jasper.
South America
Unlike other parts of the world, in Central & South America there's no real cohesive international rail network, and most journeys must generally be made by long-distance bus or plane. In fact, most countries have no centralised national rail network. However, here and there you'll find odd rail lines that make an interesting way to travel and are worth knowing about.
Southern Africa
There are a number of train companies offering rail trips in South and Southern Africa which range from an overnight trip between Cape Town and Pretoria to 15+ day journeys travelling from Cape Town to as far away as Dar es Salaam via the Victoria Falls. Shongololo Express offers 4 different tours which include South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Tanzania. These range between 12 days and 18 days and are on a half board basis. What makes Shongololo unique is that they transport a fleet of mini buses on the train and offer daily excursions as part of the tour. The train moves at night, arriving each morning in a new location where guests disembark and enjoy sight-seeing activities. In each location there is a choice of tours ranging from cultural visits to adventure activities or safari game drives. The standard of accommodation is 4* with different cabin styles on offer. Rovos Rail offers a number of rail holidays in Africa from the 2 night excursion from Pretoria to Cape Town, to the longer cross continent tours that travel as far north as Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. This luxurious restored vintage train, harks back to a bygone age with teak lined cabins, Victorian claw foot baths and formal dining. Rovos Rail offers a number of special excursions such as a golfing safari and a South African safari which includes Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Dress code is jacket and tie for gents and evening wear for ladies. The Blue Train operates a rail journey between Cape Town and Pretoria and special excursions to Durban, Francis Town in Botswana and the Garden Route. Although more modern in terms of interior fittings, the Blue Train offers a very luxurious standard of accommodation with en suite bathrooms and personal butler service. The route between Pretoria and Cape Town takes 27 hours, and the train continues through the night.