Regardless of what kind of holiday you prefer, it’s hard to find much fault in a trip to Europe. With a myriad of countries all offering their own unique culture, food, drink, history, entertainment and nightlife, it’s no surprise Condor Ferries reported there were as many as 538 million tourists flocking across the EU in 2019 alone.
Travelling by train might not be the first thought you have when it comes to getting out and seeing the likes of Berlin, Copenhagen or Istanbul. But this means of holidaymaking is becoming an increasingly popular option for tourists.
Today, let’s look at four key reasons why travelling by train is the way to go when seeing Europe.
- Specific journeys and routes
While you might actually prefer the unknown element of a road trip or conventional holiday, those who want to follow the path well-trodden have ample opportunities to do so when travelling by train.
Whether it’s because of sentimental, spiritual or educational purposes, you’ll be able to find routes all across Europe which explorers have been traversing for generations.
The Trans-Siberian railway, for example, is a staple amongst most travellers. But this is far from the only option. As the Telegraph highlighted for the 2019 tourist season, you’ll find specific routes littered all throughout the continent.
- You can bring your pets
Travelling with your furry friends isn’t a luxury which is afforded to most holidays. And while it is possible to bring them with you on flights under certain circumstances, we’ve all heard the horror stories surrounding their safety. On a train, you can keep an eye on them at all times.
Dog owners, in particular, should be keen to explore this avenue. We’re quick to treat our pets to unhealthy snack foods, but have you ever considered rewarding them with a long trip away instead?
A change of scenery is always welcome for dogs, and exploring new cities will be a lot better than allowing them to chow down on tasty, but unhealthy, snacks!
A recent study from Direct Line found as many as 1.7 million dogs in the UK are overweight (source). Perhaps now is the time to swap biscuits for Budapest? The extra mileage might help to shed a few unwanted pounds.
- Save on accommodation fees
The biggest benefit to spending so much time on a train? You get to snooze on it as much as you like. Some routes even offer dedicated night trains, which begin their journey late at night and arrive in the morning. That means you’re bound to save a fortune on accommodation.
This is unquestionably a fantastic way to kill two birds with one stone, especially if you’re going on a long journey. Just picture it: you doze off to sleep and wake up slap bang in the middle of your new destination! You’ll just have to make sure you don’t miss your stop if it isn’t the last one on the route.
- You’ll arrive in the middle of town
Have you ever stumbled off a plane tired, groggy and just wanting to relax in your hotel room? And your misery is then compounded when you realise you’re still about a 30-minute taxi drive from the actual city you’re meant to be in?
This is a common problem for holidaymakers who travel by air, landing in airports that are usually some distance away from the city itself. For train travellers, on the other hand, no such dilemma exists. The beauty of a train is it can carry you straight into the heart of a city, instantly putting you in touching distance of many of the main sights!
What further encouragement do you need? Make sure to head out and see as much of Europe by train as you can. You certainly won’t regret it.
