Train Travel
Free companion train travel
One of the most pleasant ways to enjoy the Canadian countryside and scenery is from the comfort of the train. VIA Rail are offering a free senior ticket for your travelling companion.
Simply purchase one ticket at the full senior rate in Comfort class and your travel partner travels free. This offer is available until 14 December.
Don’t worry if you’ve planned your trip for after then. VIA Rail also offer a 75% discount on a second train ticket when you purchase a full senior fare in Sleeper class, so there really is no reason not to relax and enjoy yourself.
For full terms and conditions and more details of the above offer, visit VIA Rail.
Classic Canadian rail for $631
Think Canada, and the famous Rocky Mountaineer rail journey comes to mind, a must do trip for all train buffs.
From the dramatic scenery to the untamed wildlife and multi-cultural cities, the Rocky Mountaineer presents travellers with the perfect way to see this amazing region of western Canada. A journey on the Rocky Mountaineer is considered by many to be the trip of a lifetime, experience it for yourself with Creative Holidays.
The best way to make the most of any Canadian holiday is to utilise the finest experiences on offer in each destination and as the two day Rocky Mountaineer all daylight rail journey follows the historic route through Canada’s West and the Canadian Rockies, taking in sceneries of snow-covered mountains, rugged canyons and sightings of wildlife.
Travel from the coastal city of Vancouver to Kamloops on the Rocky Mountaineer rail service. You will see dramatic changes in scenery, from the lush green fields of the Fraser River Valley to the desert-like environment of the interior.
Creative Holidays’ two days Rocky Mountains – Classic Rail Journey is priced from $631 per person, twin share (land only). On this tour enjoy the experience of staying the night in Kamloops where you will reboard the Rocky Mountaineer the following day and pass changing scenery from lush green fields, through forests and winding river canyons. Tour includes: Two-day Rocky Mountaineer Redleaf Service, one nights accommodation in Kamloops and breakfast and lunch daily. Tour departs Tuesdays, Thursday and Sundays for travel from 16 April until 31 October, 2009. Price based on travel from 16 April until 30 April, 2009. For all other travel dates, please ask for prices. Seasonal surcharges apply.
Creative Holidays’ is also giving you the opportunity to make your travel experience for luxurious by upgrading to Gold Leaf Service from an additional $676 per person, twin share (land only). This service includes: assigned seating in reclining dome level seats with extended leg room, most meals, one-nights accommodation, complimentary snacks and beverages, full galley with cooked to order gourmet breakfast and lunch luggage handling.
Creative Holidays great deals are available through travel agents. For more information on any Creative Holidays deals see creativeholidays.com.
More than cheese
Switzerland has so much to offer and, thanks to Railplus, you can see a huge part of it for free.
Purchase a Swiss Pass or a Swiss Fexi Pass through Railplus and enjoy free public transport in over 37 towns and cities, free entry to over 400 museums and exhibitions and a 50% discount on most mountain trains and cable cars, making travelling around Switzerland even more affordable.
The Swiss Pass is for four, eight, 15, 21, 22 days or 31 days consecutive travel, with a 15 day pass costing $520 for an adult and $390 for a youth fare. Youth fares are available to those under 26. If travelling in a group of two-five adults you can take advantage of an Adult Saver Fare at $443.
A five day Adult Swiss Flexi Pass is $402 and $343/$514 for Adult Saver. Flexi Passes are also available in three, four or six days travel within one month.
Children aged 6-15 years accompanied by a parent travel free of charge with a free Swiss Family Card which is available only at time of booking the passes. Children under five years are free of charge without a seat.
If travelling to Switzerland make the most and contact Railplus on 1300 555 003 or visit, www.railplus.com.au
High speed Europe
Europe just got faster. In sync with the current trend for more airlines to fly passengers directly into smaller cities in Europe (Venice, Milan, Manchester and Nice) comes the news that rail journeys in Europe are smoother and faster than ever. In July this year, seven European high speed train operators announced the start of Railteam allowing travellers to access high speed train travel across the borders of Western Europe.
The network will link over 45 major city destinations covering 6000 km of track by 2010. The seven train operators in Railteam are SNCF (France), SBB (Switzerland), Eurostar (UK, France and Belgium), Deutsche Bahn (Germany), SNCB (Belgium), NS Hispeed (The Netherlands), ÖBB (Austria), and subsidiaries Thalys, Lyria and Alleo. Australian travellers have traditionally proven to be very enthusiastic supporters of Eurail, and little wonder. The time saved transferring by train, compared to delays, hassles and stress associated with car or air travel, and the bonus of using a ‘greene’ form of transport is complimented by continual service improvements including:
Solving missed connections
If for any reason, a traveller misses their connection because of a late running service, Railteam will ensure they can hop on the next train, irrespective of the ticket type they have.
Info hubs
Railteam information points will be installed in five main hubs (Brussels, Cologne, Lille, Frankfurt and Stuttgart), and, in the coming months, at other major stations such as London, Strasbourg, Amsterdam and in the main high-speed train stations in Paris.
Multi-lingual information
Multi-lingual announcements and info boards onboard trains and in stations will ensure international travellers know where, when and how to connect onto other services.
To see timetables and booking options visit www.railplus.com.au now
Editor’s choice by rail
Whilst the fabulous Rocky Mountaineer rail journey through the Rockies is deservedly well known – this issue’s ‘editor’s pick’ for enjoying Canada by rail is a much shorter journey – but just as exciting. Leaving Montreal on an early summer’s eve, you settle back in a luxuriously upholstered lounge seat, and watch the plains of the St Lawrence River unfold as the train glides smoothly towards its destination – the totally charming World Heritage xx of Quebec City. From arrival at the Gare du Palais train station, the architecture and history of this beautiful city will captivate even the most world weary traveller.
This 2.75 hour journey is just enough to relax, enjoy the countryside and partake of a sumptuous three-course meal with matching wines and excellent service. Whilst Canada is a country which suggests a driving itinerary, interspersing your touring with a short rail trip such as this certainly allows you to totally relax, far away from the traffic, as well as travel from city centre to city centre. In fact, if you are fortunate enough to stay at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, the porter will escort you through a back door, into an elevator and straight down into Montreal central station underneath. Now what could be easier than that?
Check out one of the 480 Via Rail departures in Canada at www.railplus.com.au – in particular the five-day Taste of Quebec package covering Quebec, Montreal and Toronto is great value.
Relax by rail
Europe by road or rail? For us there is no choice – it’s rail all the way when you can travel city to city and arrive in the heart of an ancient European capital.
Reach your end destination in a relaxed, refreshed state due to the stress free environment train travel provides.
Driving for hours on roads you have never driven on before is mentally exhausting. There is also no need to get intimate with a street directory and spend hours over your journey trying to work out where you are. Or have a massive argument with your nearest and dearest about what caduti massi really means? (Falling rocks, so watch out!!)
Having to stop for toilet breaks can be an issue driving however there is a convenient toilet in the train. On a train you can read a book, take in the fantastic scenery or a have a sleep. Unfortunately if you’re in a car and the driver you can do none of these things. What’s more many trains have bars so you can sip champagne while traveling at 300 km ph!!
Some of our favourite journeys (and railway stations) include:
Paris – Avignon – Enjoy the scenery and cuisine of Provence
Madrid-Toledo - Stay in this stunning world heritage town
Hamburg-Copenhagen Cross the water and borders, and enjoy a ferry in-between
Verona – Lucerne – unbeatable mountain scenery
Research your Eurail pass here
www.railplus.com.au
Switzerland by train, bus and boat
Swiss travel just gets easier with a choice of six different passes which will allow you to tailor your travel to suit your time, your preferred sightseeing and your family requirements. @boutSeniors were lucky enough to sample some of the delightful journeys available, but the options of train, bus and boat on one pass mean you’ll need a longer stay to enjoy the diversity. One of our favourites is the GoldenPassLine, but the Swiss Chocolate Train also sounds unforgettable.
The Chocolate Train is a great one for the grandkids. Travelling from Montreux to Gruyeres to Broc and back in a first class Belle Epoque Pullman car (vintage 1915), you will visit the Gruyeres cheese factory and sample chocolate at the home of Nestle. The six travel options on offer form Swiss Rail include a Swiss Pass, a Swiss Flexi Pass, a Swiss Youth Pass, Swiss Card and Swiss Travel System Family Card. The options are described in detail on the Railplus website then choose ‘Railpass Summary’, then the Swiss option of most interest.
Rail Plus
Rail Plus is Australia’s largest International Rail wholesaler. While Rail Plus specialise’s in Europe, they also sell Via Rail in Canada, Amtrak in the US, Japan Rail and Great Rail Journeys of the world which focus on exotic trains like Blue Train and Rovos Rail in South Africa, Palace on Wheels in India, Orient Express & Eastern & Oriental Express in Europe and Asia respectively and The Rocky Mountaineer in Canada. Great Rail Journeys of the World
There are two distinct rail products when you think of train travel in Europe.
Rail Passes and Point to Points. Rail passes allow you to purchase a set number of days, generally over a two-month period. For example a France, Italy and Germany three country select pass allows between five,six,eight & 10 days to be purchased over a two-month period. So if five days is purchased you have basically got five, 24-hour periods (midnight to midnight) to utilise the pass over two months. You’re not restricted to one rail journey per day, you can do as many journeys as you please between a 24-hour period and it’s considered a one-day usage of your rail pass. It gives the ultimate flexibility to travel when you want to.
A point-to-point is essentially purchasing one journey. For example, Paris to Rome is a common route where customers then pick up a car from Rome and drive to their villa in Tuscany.
The key to rail travel is the speed, efficiency and the stress-free environment. For example. It’s 600 kms or a seven-hour drive from Paris to Bordeaux. It takes three and a half hours by train/TGV. The beauty is you haven’t had to worry about traffic congestion leaving Paris or getting intimate with a street directory. You also don’t pay tolls or fuel and you don’t worry about parking once you reach Bordeaux. You can sit back and sleep, read, chat to the locals or drink champagne while traveling up to 300 km’ per hour and you once again avoiding the traffic congestion once you hit Bordeaux. This example can be played out right across Europe.
The Rail Plus Website
Rail Plus has made it simple to book passes and point-to-points on line efficiently and conveniently 24-hours a day.
Take a look at these six simple steps to make a rail pass booking in Europe, in this case a France and Italy pass.
All Passes
France - Italy Pass
Rail is simply the best way to see Europe. Did you know that the famous Eurostar takes over 60 per cent of travellers going between London and Paris or Paris to London across the English channel. And why wouldn’t you! The Eurostar point-to-point fare search
leaves from the heart of London from Waterloo station. No tow and a half hour check in at the airport here. Arrive 30 minutes prior to departure and you’ll have plenty of time. Speaking of departures how’s the frequencies? Timetable for the Eurostar
Once you’re on board, two adn a half hours later you’re in the heart of Paris arriving at Paris Gare de Nord station. No lengthy immigration queues or waiting around to pick up baggage. Generally it’s a quick stroll to your centrally located hotel or a five-minute taxi ride. Again these delays at airports are applicable whenever you fly interanlly within Europe.
So there you have it, by now you’re a train convert and can’t wait to experience a TGV in Europe. Enjoy!!
