Travellers have greater options for train
journeys linked with ocean and river cruises
for extended European holidays.
Australians are being encouraged to add train
travel for pre- and post-cruise extensions.
Richard Leonard, manager Australasia,
Rail Europe, told Cruise Weekly that more
people are using trains before and after
Mediterranean, Baltic and river cruises.
“Trains in Europe have become very
sophisticated and comfortable, with wider
seats and a very modern fleet.
“Speeds are faster, connections are easier
and wi-fi internet is available on most trains
and stations.”
Leonard said cruise passengers would find a
“complementary experience” on trains.
“There’s a similar onboard ambience, you’re
meeting people and connecting from city
centre to city centre,” he said.
“Adding a train trip also lets you discover
more destinations and scenery that you can’t
see from a boat.”
Most major European ports conveniently
connect with the Rail Europe network, and
many countries have improved train services
and pricing, he said.
In Italy, the new Italo rail service has
introduced “really cheap” fares that link with
cruises in and out of Venice and Rome.
“There’s also a push for more high-speed
trains into Eastern Europe through Vienna into
Budapest and Prague,” he said.
Leonard suggested Switzerland as “a perfect
example of how rail lets you really experience
a country that you can’t see by cruising”.
The train station at Basel, where many river
cruises start or finish, was a good “seamless”
option for further Swiss travel, he said.
Additionally, river cruise lines now offer the
option of high-speed train services, instead of
coaches, to transfer passengers from airports
and cities to main cruise departure ports.
“On a bus, you’re going to end up on a
nondescript autobahn stopping at service
centres, whereas on trains you are getting all
the scenery, meeting the locals and others.”
Trains are also an easier option than hiring a
car, he said.
“You don’t have to worry about petrol, road
tolls, access into city centres and no stress.”
Rail Europe’s local distributors include Rail
Plus, Rail Tickets (JTG), CIT Holidays and Infinity
Rail (Flight Centre).
For details, see www.railplus.com.au,
railtickets.com.au, www.cittravel.com.au or
www.infinityholidays.com.au/rail.
