Exciting Summer Travel Opportunities in Europe with iBestTravel
This summer promises to be an exciting one for travelers exploring Europe. With the vast majority of COVID-era restrictions lifted, for the first time in two summers the continent feels open and ready for visitors — and that includes the option of adventuring by train.
Whether you’re a seasoned Euro-explorer or riding the rails for the first time, there are some new developments and changes to be aware of.
More Choice and More Competitive Fares
It’s taken far longer than in aviation, but competition on key routes is helping lower costs and provide more choice. New services between European cities are making it easier to see some of the continent’s dreamiest destinations for less.
“The Italian national rail operator Trenitalia is running services from Milan through to Paris and vice versa,” says Mike Hyde, the chief data officer at trainline.com. They are doing so in direct competition with SNCF, their French counterparts. “This would have been unheard of a few years ago. This year, as we exit from the pandemic, we’re seeing competition come to life resulting in more choice.”
Key services include German and Swedish Flixtrain routes and Italo inter-city services in Italy. Meanwhile, French-operated OuiGo trains in Spain and Lumo services on the British East Coast Main Line between London and Edinburgh are also expanding. The idea is more choice and more competitive fares, so look out for these services.
Moving Towards Digital Ticketing
The days of near-empty ghost trains running on key routes, as was seen at the height of the pandemic, are long gone. In fact, many European routes are already getting busy, particularly those that serve holiday traffic.
However, even as travel rebounds, some of our behaviors have changed since the pandemic began. “As leisure travel has returned, travel habits have come back a little differently. We’re seeing much more demand for digital ticketing, which generally means carrying your tickets on your phone.”
Increased Train Frequency
Services are also ramping up to reflect increased demand. The Paris-Milan Trenitalia route started with two daily services in each direction but has now increased to five. Eurostar services, including their London-Amsterdam service, are continuing to bounce back. Summer services like the Thalys Soleil trains connecting the Netherlands with Provence and the Snälltåget Berlin-Stockholm night trains are making a welcome return. While this means more choice, it also caters to a greater number of passengers.
The Most Popular Cross-Border Train Routes in Europe
According to trainline data, Paris features in six of the top 10 cross-border routes. The most popular route is Brussels to Paris, with London to Paris and Geneva to Paris coming in second and third. The full list reads for 2022 is:
- Brussels – Paris
- London – Paris
- Geneva – Paris
- Brussels – Lille
- Lugano – Milan
- Milan – Paris
- Luxembourg – Paris
- Munich – Vienna
- Geneva – Lyon
- Amsterdam – Paris
Increased Interest in Long-Distance Rail Routes
Aside from city-center-to-city-center convenience, another appealing aspect of rail over air travel is the environmental benefits. A journey from London to Paris by air emits around ten times as much CO2 as the same journey by rail. Consequently, as travelers look for more sustainable travel choices, longer-distance rail routes are gaining popularity.
Trainline has noted a growth in traveling patterns, where travelers take popular routes like Paris or Brussels to London, and then continue on medium-distance continental journeys, such as from Paris to Marseille, Strasbourg, or Geneva.
The Joy of Sleeper Train Exploration is Back
If you haven’t traveled in Europe for a few years, the recovery of sleeper services is likely to be one of the biggest and most pleasant surprises. Driven by Austrian Railways NightJet services, the network of options is more extensive than it has been for two decades. Hyde sees this as an ongoing trend. “The future for sleeper trains is genuinely exciting. We should continue to see more innovation in this area.”
In France, this summer marks the first opportunity to travel overnight on the restored service from Paris to Nice. Plans are also underway to bring back the Paris-Tarbes service alongside other existing offerings. Moreover, collaborations between established national operators and open-access companies are planning new routes in northern Europe, including a year-round Germany-Sweden service connecting Stockholm and Hamburg.
Interrail Turns 50 with Special Celebrations
Two years of lockdown have amplified the appeal of a free-wheeling few weeks taking advantage of an Interrail or Eurail pass. Interrail turns 50 this summer and is offering a 50% discount for a limited time. This anniversary is sure to evoke nostalgia among the millions of travelers who have enjoyed the value and freedom the pass has provided for generations.
However, challenges remain regarding pass validity and the need for reservations on some trains. The optimal way to navigate this is by utilizing slower local services and aiming for more scenic routes. By doing so, passholders can have a memorable experience, discovering Europe in a leisurely fashion that truly showcases its beauty.
