Train Travel

Welcome to the YOURLifeChoices Train Travel Page. Sit back and relax with an adventure on one of the worlds great train journeys, whether you decide to take a trip on The Ghan, travelling across Australia on train, or if you are keen to travel abroad, you could look at some international train journeys such as the famous Rocky Mountaineer rail journey travelling through Canada’s West and the Canadian Rockies. If Europe is more your thing, there are some great train journeys through Switzerland, The Netherlands or even England on offer, while you can find some great deals for getting around Europe if you decide to purchase a Flexi Pass.

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Take the train

Travelling to and from airport can make even the greatest trip feel like work but as Webmaster, Drew, found on his latest adventure to Europe, travelling via train is convenient and fun!

Late last year, I booked a flight to Europe and noticed how expensive it would be to fly between cities, not to mention all the time wasted in airports, getting to airports and on planes (did I mention I’m not that keen on flying?). While my fear of flying is not extreme, I am still a very nervous flyer and would rather drive up to Sydney from Melbourne for example, instead of taking the plane. While planning my trip and after a lot of research, I found taking the train around Europe was by far the cheapest and most convenient way to travel.

As you can see by the map, I took three separate trains during my stay in France and Italy. I started my journey out in Paris and enjoyed a beautiful journey through the countryside and mountains on my way to Milan where I got to see the contrasting lifestyles. I will admit that the train ride from Milan to Venice was not as spectacular but the final leg of the train trip arriving in Venice right on the Grand Canal was spectacular (as was my $20 a night hostel right on the canal). The final train journey was from Venice to Rome. This was the only part of the trip I had not pre-booked and the night before, I walked down to the station and purchased a ticket for a train the next day.

I did encounter a few problems along the way. Firstly, I booked the wrong dates, which to my surprise were corrected (on the day of my departure) within 30 minutes when I collected them in the office of the company through which I made the arrangements. There are strict conditions to using the tickets (you need to get a person at the first train station to authorise your ticket and to enter the start date etc). It did take me about 20 minutes to find the right place for this but once that happened, there was no more inconvenience and I just filled in the date of use before I boarded the next train.

If I were travelling to Europe in the future, I would definitely travel by train as it allowed me to catch up on some sleep, read a book, and prepare for the next section of my journey.

To book a train journey or to research routes and prices throughout Europe and the world, visit Railplus.

Seniors Card holders can receive up to 50% discounts on all Queensland rail journeys with Travel Train.

Find more information about Australian Train Journeys through Great Southern Rail.

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Explore Peru

Peru is a land of contrasts and vast panoramic landscapes, friendly people and colourful local events. A taste of all these aspects of the Peruvian experience can be enjoyed whilst seated in the comfort of the dining car of the Andean Explorer.

This fabulous journey can be undertaken from Puno (near Lake Titicaca) to the ancient city of Cusco, or back. We are travelling north to Cusco, from where we will catch another train to the spa town of Agua Caliente, the jumping off point for magical Machu Picchu. Cusco is located high in the Andes, but our starting point, Lake Titicaca, at 4000 feet is even higher! In fact it is the highest lake in the world – a shimmering pool of brilliant blue, with the floating islands of Uros a short boat ride from the town. These 42 man-made islands of dried reeds support the traditional lifestyle of hundreds of local pre-Incan people.

The Explorer takes you across the plains of Peru and through the Andes with many fantastic photo opportunities. But even more fun are the local musicians who board the train and entertain passengers with haunting local ballads and lively dance music. A three course lunch is served after passengers have enjoyed a welcome pisco sour – the nicely addictive local drop of pisco, lemon juice, egg white and syrup. The Andean Explorer offers a day of sheer fun – if you visit Peru, make sure you include this 10-hour rail delight in your itinerary.

For more information or to book a train journey, visit Railplus.

Departs as per below schedule 8am, arriving 6pm
November – March: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday
April – October: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday

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Let the train, take the strain

Having flown half way around the world to visit my family in Scotland, getting back on a plane to fly to London was not high on my list of things to do.  Therefore, when my father, a long-time advocate of train travel, suggested I make the trip by rail, I decided to give it a go.

The first surprise I got was a very pleasant one indeed – the price!  For the equivalent of $70, I managed to get a return ticket. On first sight, this may appear expensive given that low cost airlines advertise fares from $2.  By the time you add taxes, fees and the cost of travel to the airport, which more often than not is located quite a distance from the city, your low-cost flight isn’t so cheap after all.  The second was that I could pick up the train from the local station, a mere 5 minute drive from where I was staying and no need to check in 40 minutes before departure!

From Glasgow to London you have the choice of two routes, one down the west coast and one down the east coast.  My journey took me down the rugged east coast of Britain and within 20 minutes of boarding the train, green fields, hilly landscapes and country towns formed the view from my window.  From Glasgow, the first major station is Edinburgh Waverley, an imposing but superb example of Victorian architecture.  From here, my journey takes me through some of the most picturesque towns in the UK, Dunbar, Berwick-upon-Tweed and York.

Sitting back and relaxing, the glorious coastline, waves breaking over beaches, the outlook over the cliffs and the odd remote dwelling, provide plenty of distractions from my book and the pile of work that I had thought I would get through.  However, the draw of a glass of wine and the time to chill is just too strong to ignore.

As the train pulls into Kings Cross Station, I can’t believe that four and a half hours have passed and I have reached my destination.  I am almost slightly disappointed that the precious ‘me’ time I have been gifted is coming to an end.  However, here I am, in the centre of London, relaxed and eager to make the most of the bright lights of the big city!

More:
Trains run between London and Glasgow throughout the day, seven days a week.  The journey takes between four and five hours depending on the route.  Prices vary depending on the days and times travelled but there are special fares available. For details of train travel in the UK, visit Rail Plus.

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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!!