Rail Europe flags a big year
Rail Europe is on track for a strong year as more Australians let the train take the strain across the continent.
New high-speed services, including one linking France and Spain (pictured left) , deals on wheels and an awareness that a fast train is sometimes quicker, and a lot more comfortable than travel by low cost carrier or car, is driving the growth in rail travel.
Three million passengers travelled with Rail Europe last year and growth in sales this year is expected to be 8%.
Eurail Pass sales suffered a 20% drop last year, predominantly due to a surge in advanced purchase point-to-point ticket sales on high-speed services.
Ingrid Kocijan, manager Australasia, Rail Europe, said baby boomers were moving to rail for the convenience and ease of train travel. Travel companies were also starting to offer river cruise and rail packages for travellers keen to add rail travel around Europe to the start or finish of a cruise.
"Australians are now more confident about organising their rail travel, which in most cases is quicker and more convenient than other forms of transport," she said.
"You can travel from Paris to Avignon on high-speed rail in about three and a half hours. It would take you six hours by car."
Among the best value rail passes on offer is the Swiss Pass, which can be purchased for 4, 8, 15 or 22 consecutive days or one complete month.
It includes unlimited travel on all public transportation throughout the country in more than 75 cities, a 50% price reduction off most mountain railways (left) and cable-cars as well as free admission to more than 470 museums.
Finally, the Swiss Travel System is particularly appealing for families as every Swiss Pass visitor will get a complimentary Family Card, permitting children under 16 (and accompanied by at least one parent) to travel free of charge on public transport nationwide.
Rail Europe’s GSAs including Rail Plus, Rail Tickets, CIT Holidays and Infinity Rail in Australia and Rail Plus and Go Holidays in New Zealand have released their lowest ever first class fares on selected routes between France, Germany and Belgium.
Agents booking rail tickets on behalf of their clients travelling between Paris and Brussels, Cologne or Amsterdam; Lille and Amsterdam; and between Brussels and Amsterdam or Cologne can now pass on the savings before the end of August 2014.
Starting at A$48/NZ$52 one way, these fares are exclusive to Rail Europe GSAs. Travel must be completed between August 16 and November 30 2014.
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt