Macaroons in Montmarillon

The ‘macaron’ (not to be confused with a macaroon, which is a different sweet treat), is a meringue based delight available in an array of colours and flavours. Pick up a dozen at Paris’ famous Ladurée bakery or head to Montmorillon, where one family’s secret recipe has remained unchanged for 150 years. The Maison Rannou-Métivier is the town’s oldest macaron bakery, where you can sample these delectable edibles fresh from the oven.  And, such is this town’s dedication to the art, there’s a Macaron Museum too.

Trains to Montmorillon: Search for London to Montmorillon trains

Baguette en Paris

Derived from the French for ‘little stick’, baguettes were first baked in France in the early 19th century.  To the delight of the French aristocracy, the advent of the steam oven meant that bread could be baked to remain soft on the inside while staying deliciously crispy on the outside. From the double sized flûte, to the half-loaf batard or the long, thin ficelle, there are several varieties to take your fancy. Head to Boulangerie Mauvieux, last year’s winners of the coveted ‘Best Artisan Baguette’ prize, for the best breads in Paris.

Trains to Paris: Search for London to Paris trains | Read the Paris booking guide

Champagne in Champagne

Although the term is often bandied around, real Champagne must meet strict rules to be worthy of its name. So since it’s named after the French region where its grapes are grown, we recommend you go straight to the source.

Reims, in the Champagne-Ardennes region, is at the heart of some of the France’s finest champagne production. Many of the major houses, or ‘grand marques‘, have their headquarters here and there are thousands of bottles ageing in the tunnels and caves beneath the city. With tastings, tours and subterranean exploration on the menu you’ll have plenty to raise a glass to!

Trains to Reims: Search for London to Reims trains | Read the Reims booking guide

Brie in Melun & Meaux

Now produced the world over, Brie, one of the best-known varieties of soft cheese, originated in France’s Seine-et-Marne region. While there are many pretenders to the throne only 2 varieties – Brie de Melun and Brie de Meaux – are certified by the French government to be sold under the name. Brie de Melun is the supposedly the father of all Bries, with an ancestry dating back hundreds of years. While Brie de Meaux has earned the title “cheese of Kings” and the “King of cheeses”, thanks to being enjoyed by nobility and peasantry alike.

Every year both towns mark their cheese heritage: Melun celebrates an annual Festival of Brie on the first Saturday of October, while Meaux hosts the National Brie Championships. At this auspicious event each cheese is marked on criteria including form, appearance, colour, consistency, smell and taste, with the winner taking home the Best Brie prize. Head to the Fromagerie Ganot (which claims to be the oldest cheese shop in the region) to stock up on the good stuff before you go home.

Trains to Melun & Meaux: You can reach Melun & Meaux by regional train from Paris Est. Simply walk up and buy your ticket on the day, there’s no need to purchase in advance.

Crêpes in Vannes

Can’t wait until Shrove Tuesday? Head to Brittany where appreciation for crêpes is an all-year-round affair. Traditionally prepared paper-thin, sprinkled with sugar and rolled into a cigar shape, Crêpes are a hallmark of Breton culture.

These days you can take your pick of flavours, from chocolate praline to caramel & sea salt. Or if you fancy something savoury opt for buckwheat flour crepes, called galettes, filled with cheese and mushrooms. Head to Métairie de Kérozer,  winners of the Creperie of the Year 2009, or Balade en Crepanie that was recently awarded Gourmet Crepe status for its deconstructed take on the traditional crepe.

Trains to Vannes: Search for trains from London to Vannes

Quiche Lorraine in Lorraine

For a dish that seems to be so quintessentially French, you may be surprised to learn that the quiche actually has its roots in Germany and is taken from the German word kuchen, or cake. However, the French took the savoury crust dish, filled it with bacon and made it their own. Now served throughout France (and in your local supermarket), this popular dish originated in Lorraine on the eastern border

Strictly speaking, quiche Lorraine is made with double-cream and eggs but no cheese (!) although it is often added. Restaurants serving food purely from the Lorraine region are rare, but head to Nancy, one of Lorraine’s principal cities and you can sample quiche Lorraine in one of the town’s many bistros and patisseries. Try Bistro Héré on Stanislas Place – a great location only moments from the Gare de Nancy.

Trains to Nancy: Search for trains from London to Nancy | Read the Nancy booking guide

Clafoutis in Limoges

The traditional French dessert of Clafoutis is flan with cherries suspended in a light batter, baked and traditionally served warm. Originating in France’s Limousin region, it began making waves in the 19th century and is now popular throughout France. Purists will demand that the cherries that go into a clafoutis have pips in as this is said to make the final result more flavoursome. Judge for yourself by heading to Limoges, Limousin’s administrative capital, to try this irresistibly sweet tart locally.

Trains to Limoges: Search for trains from London to Limoges 

Bordeaux in Bordeaux

For years Bordeaux has been synonymous with the luscious claret that is produced there. And since the region is home to more than 8500 châteaux, 120,000 hectares of vineyards and produces 700 million bottles of wine every year, it’s not hard to see why. It’s believed that the vine was introduced to the French almost 2000 years ago by the Romans but it wasn’t until the 17th century, when the Dutch spotted a business opportunity in the murky swamps of the Médoc, that trade took off in a big way.

Make Bordeaux your base for exploring the Garonne and Dordogne and visit one of the many châteaux. Or head to the Bordeaux Wine School, where they claim to turn amateurs into experts in just 2 hrs!

Trains to Bordeaux: Search for trains from London to Bordeaux | Read the Bordeaux booking guide 

The booking horizon for trains in France is currently open until 25th August, so book now for your summer holiday. Tickets for travel up to 2nd September will be released on 14th May. Read extended booking for French trains for more information. 

Image credits: emmadiscovery, 3liz4,  jedrzejb, aktivioslo, ulterior epicure

This post French Fancies: 8 train trips inspired by French food appeared first on Loco2.

Provins

This UNESCO listed world heritage site is sometimes known as the ‘town of medieval fairs’, a niche it fits very well! An hour and 25 mins south-east of Paris, departing from Gare de l’Est, this ancient town transports you back to the Middle Ages. With winding streets, beautifully preserved buildings and fortifications including a tower and underground passages, this makes a great day trip for history lovers. In warmer months cavalcades, jousting tournaments and falconry events help recreate a time gone by. Provins is also well-known for its rose-derived produce so use it as an excuse to stock up on rose petal jam.

Trains from Paris to Provins

You can take a local train from Gare de l’Est – they leave every half an hour. You won’t save any money by booking in advance so you can just stroll up on the day.

Giverny

Even if you’re not an art buff, you’ll no doubt recognise the series of water lily paintings by famed Impressionist Claude Monet. Just 45 minutes away from Paris’ Gare Saint Lazare station by fast train is the house and garden that inspired his life’s work. You’ll arrive into Vernon, from where it’s an hour walk at a leisurely pace, a 15 minute cycle (several companies offer bike rental immediately outside the train station) or a short bus ride to Giverny. Expect to queue if it’s tourist season, but once inside you’ll find the garden surprisingly peaceful as you stand on the iconic wisteria-shaded footbridge once immortalised in oil. Summer is the time to go, when the gardens are in full bloom. And for more art-related trip inspiration see our post on famous painting locations.

Trains from Paris to Vernon

Trains depart from Paris Saint Lazare once every 2hrs and take a little less than an hour to make the journey to Vernon.

Search Paris to Vernon trains

Auvers-sur-Oise

From one French master to another and to Auvers-sur Oise where painter Vincent Van Gogh famously worked and died. In 70 short days, Van Gogh painted prolifically, creating on average one work every day until his eventual death. Whether you’re a Van Gogh fan or not, you can’t fail to appreciate the pretty town and iconic cornfields that inspired his later work. Head to the Auberge Ravoux to see the attic apartment where Van Gogh lived his final months and take lunch at table number 5 where the artist took his meals, sampling the absinthe for which the town is known (it even has the dedicated Musée de l’Absinthe!). You can also amble past the village church to the cemetery where Van Gogh is buried alongside his beloved brother Theo.

Trains from Paris to Auvers-sur-Oise

On weekends and holidays from April – October a direct train to Auvers leaves from Gare du Nord around 10am, taking 35 minutes. All other times, visitors must take a train from either Gare du Nord or St. Lazare, then transfer to an Auvers-bound train at Valmondois, Pointoise or St. Ouen. These are regional trains so you’re not likely to save by booking in advance, just walk up on the day.

Fontainebleau

As you step off the train at Fontainebleau-Avon it’s hard to believe you’re just 40mins from the hustle and bustle of Paris. The sprawling forest of Fontainebleau is just moments from the station and covers 100 square miles and is a prime climbing location thanks to its concentrated bouldering areas. Enjoy a picnic in the former royal hunting grounds or download a walking trail from the Fontainebleau tourist board and amble toward the castle, the town’s main attraction. The Château de Fontainebleau, once the country seat to French royals – most notably Napoleon – dates back to the 16th century so there’s plenty to see on rainy days too. With hundreds of opulent rooms, galleries, art and artefacts there’s lots to see (including Marie Antoinette’s bed!) so give yourself plenty of time to explore at a relaxed pace.

Trains from Paris to Fontainebleau

It’s a straightforward 40 minute train ride from Gare de Lyon to the Fontainebleau-Avon station. This is a local train you needn’t book in advance. If you’re headed for the castle then take the ‘Ligne A’ bus destined for Les Lilas, alighting at the ‘Château’ stop. Alternatively it takes 35mins on foot.

Bruges

We’re cheating a little bit here since this is a day trip that involves leaving France altogether. However, with fast trains operating between the French and Belgian cities, you can afford to include a day trip to Bruges on your Paris holiday. Sometimes known as the “Little Venice of the North”, canal-lined Bruges is full of charm. Its medieval heart is one of the most beautifully preserved in Europe, so you can wander without an itinerary, taking in quaint houses and finishing up at the Grand Place (Grote Markt in Dutch), the town’s historic centre, with its colourfully decorated guild house terraces. Enjoy an al fresco Belgian beer or indulge your sweet tooth with a Belgian chocolate-laced waffle or two. In summer, from around April to October you can enjoy Bruges from the water on a canal cruise and appreciate the city from the waterways.

Trains from Paris to Bruges

Paris is linked to Bruges by high-speed Thalys train to Brussels and InterCity trains within Belgium. Depart Paris’ Gare du Nord on a Thalys train to Brussels-Midi. Here, you’ll change onto a local InterCity train toward Bruges. There are frequent high-speed departures throughout the day, with a journey time of just over 2.5hrs. Fares begin at £43 for an adult one-way ticket.

Search Paris to Bruges Trains

Image credit: Frank Z,  dalem,  dalbera, P.poschadel, luizfilipe

This post 5 Day trips from Paris by train appeared first on Loco2.

Such is the human mind’s adeptness at perceiving faces in inanimate objects, a psychological phenomenon known as Pareidolia is named after it. But that’s the science lesson over. Here we present to you Loco2′s groundbreaking face-finding mission with our rundown of trains with faces:

Arriva train with a broken nose

A beady-eyed Greater Anglia train

This train is putting out its feelers!

Ths Starsky and Hutch of the train world

Electric train or electric eel?

The lights are on but no one’s at home with this slightly dim looking train

Pikachu train?

This one’s got a 5 o’clock shadow!

This train thinks it’s a barn owl

This train has some pretty sweet grillz!

This train just likes to clown around

This one takes grooming very seriously!

Snake train

This pair go way back!

This train has a rather wry smile

Darth Vader and/or dalek train

This post wouldn’t be complete without a nod to the original trains with faces, Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends!

Do you have any further examples to add? Link to them in the comments below!

Image credit: www.miac.org.uk, seeveearr, Paul Mutant, Hornby, wnxx, Telegraph, London&Partners, Discovery KIDS, RAIL-Pictures.com, Bitter Wallet, Brisbane Times, victorianrailways.net, Michael “Comeng301M” Coley, EDP24, 47843 Vulcan, jamiecooke1991, LivinginTaiwan Reproduced with thanks under a Creative Commons licence.

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What to expect from Guardian Trains

Visitors to the Guardian’s travel pages can now access a “Guardian Trains” tool, bringing Loco2′s ease of booking to the thousands of people who visit the Guardian online every week. Users can expect the same high standard of usability and Loco2 customer service, all under the trusted Guardian travel brand.

Head of Consumer Offers at the Guardian, Jo Burns, comments:

It seems fitting for Loco2 to be partnered with the publication that first spotted our potential. And we’re delighted to have more customers on board as we continue our mission to make booking European trains as easy as booking a flight.

Thanks to everyone at the Guardian who has worked hard to make this happen. Stay tuned for more exciting developments as the partnership evolves!

This post Introducing Guardian Trains – Loco2 partners with the Guardian appeared first on Loco2.

Holidaying with kids can be a bit like herding cats, but when the journey itself is part of the part of the adventure, it can be an enriching experience. Thanks to games, picnics, family-friendly seating, and so many things to see from the window, choosing to travel by train can get your holiday off to the best possible start. We enrolled the help of top travel bloggers and asked them to share their hard-won wisdom on going by rail with the kids!

At the station

1. Encourage your child’s natural curiosity

Debbie Dubrow of Delicious Baby suggests allowing additional time before your train departs to give children a chance to savour the sense of adventure:

“Kids can be very curious about trains, so it helps to arrive at the station early and allow some time to explore. Look at the “big board” that lists train departures and arrivals, check out the tracks, and take a seat on a bench to watch a train pulling out of the station. Depending on how interested your child is in trains, you can choose to allow anywhere between thirty minutes to an hour.”

2. Practice the ‘sandwich rule’

Heather Greenwood Davis of Globetrotting Mama suggests the ‘sandwich rule’ as a fun way of reminding your kids to stay close:

“In the station we practice the sandwich rule. Mum and Dad are the bread and the kids get to pick which filling they are (peanut butter and jam, cheese and ham). The filling always stays between the bread. No one wants their peanut butter on the outside of a sandwich!”

3. Do some research

Loco2′s tip: Many stations have interesting features (like these works of art) so do a quick search online before you go to know what to look out for at the station. If you’re travelling from London, your first port of call will be London St Pancras International, a grand Victorian station filled with interesting things for adults and kids alike. Adults should check out the station’s fascinating curios, and kids will no doubt appreciate a stop-off at Platform 9¾ from where the Hogwarts Express departs.

Onboard the train

4. Plan entertainment for the ride

Talon Wandwalker of 1 Dad 1 Kid advises packing games to last the length of your journey:

“For entertainment, why not bring along card games like Uno or a regular deck of cards? We also travel with a small puzzle in a zip-loc bag. They’re super light and so easy to pack, and since there are usually tables on longer distance trains, you’ll have room to spread out a little.”

5. Plan fun that is considerate to other passengers

Globetrotting Mama, Heather Greenwood Davis advises picking the things you bring with you for a train trip with care, and packing a simple daypack:

“We limit the amount of things we travel with generally. On the train, while we want the kids to be entertained we also want them to respect the fact that they are in a shared space: headphones (over the head are better than in-ear for really little kids) are a must, and you’ll need to remind the little ones that they may need to play it with no sound at certain times. The best approach? If it could annoy you or fellow passengers, or create the possibility of a tantrum, leave it at home!”

“We pack one of the kids daypacks for time spent on the train. We stick to small toys like matchbox cars, playing cards and such like. Things with small pieces are just asking for trouble and expensive gaming systems will likely cause more worry than fun. A small jack that allows two headphones to plug into the laptop or small DVD player is also a lifesaver [search for headphone splitter online].”

6. Prepare free activities

Loco2′s tip: Entertainment onboard the train needn’t be costly. Encourage kids to watch out for interesting landmarks or animals from their train window, or download some free train games to play en route.

Eating and drinking

7. Pack a picnic to savour onboard

While there if often food available to buy on board there are no rules against bringing your own snacks. If you’re travelling as a family you’ll certainly save money by taking a packed lunch, and you can also avoid the risk of “I don’t like this” sandwich disasters. Amy Whitler, of Go Green Travel Green says:

“Bringing your own food is always cheaper than purchasing on-board. What’s more, your luggage and carry-on allowance isn’t as strict as when taking a plane, so packing a meal is a straightforward affair”.

8. Book ahead to secure a table

Loco2′s tip: Buying your tickets well in advance will not only save you money, but will maximise your chances of being allocated a table for groups of 4. If you’re early enough to get a shared table you can dine as a family, but most European trains have at-seat tables so either way you can plan to eat on board.

Travelling overnight

9. Consider a sleeper train

Amy Whitley of Go Green Travel Green suggests you familiarise yourself with the different levels of accommodation and pick one that suits you best. She says:

“Overnight trains are a great way to save daylight for sightseeing, and are a great adventure for kids. However, it’s helpful to know what to expect. In second class, you usually have the choice between sleeping compartments (small compartments of bunks that are gender specific unless booked outright) or couchettes, which are cabins with 4-6 beds that are non-gender specific (perfect for families with older children).”

10. Book sole occupancy of sleeper compartments

Loco2′s tip: If you’re travelling as a family on an overnight sleeper, we often recommend booking an extra “phantom child” ticket to secure sole occupancy of the entire cabin. This bypasses the single-gender rule for sleeper compartments and means more room, more privacy, and less disturbance for fellow travellers.

At your destination

11. Be ready for when you need to alight your train

The stop for your destination might not be the final destination of your train, so Globetrotting Mama suggests you to prepare well so you don’t miss your stop:

“Listen out for arrival cues and be ready to go. Little ones should stay seated until the train is at a complete stop but, if possible, have at least one adult get up earlier to make sure all bags are quickly accessible and easy to go. The tricky thing about a train is that unless yours is the final stop, you won’t have the luxury of taking your time to get everyone organised. Have a plan – “you get the bags, I get the kids!”- and clean up and put away all toys and munchies at least 5 minutes ahead of arrival. If by the time you pull into the station the kids have their backpacks and jackets on and your hand in theirs, you’re golden”.

12. Count down to your destination

Loco2′s tip: Take a map or print out an itinerary and use it to count down the stations to your destination, pointing out fun things along the way. Then when you approach your final stop it won’t be a chaotic rush to disembark the train.

About our contributors

Debbie Dubrow lives in Seattle with her three children, aged 3, 6 and 8. Her blog DeliciousBaby – Making Travel with Kids Fun features kid-friendly city guides for cities around the world, as well as helpful tips and family travel gear recommendations. She is also the co-creator TripDoc, an iPhone app that lets you map everything you want to do on holiday on a single map so that you can plan your days easily and find your way around a town.

Talon Windwalker blogs at 1Dad1Kid.com. He’s a  single dad travelling the world slowly on an indefinite journey to raise his young son as a global citizen. He hopes to inspire people to live their dreams through his work.

Heather Greenwood Davis is Globetrotting Mama where she blogs on travelling with children. She is an award-winning freelance writer, travel columnist, speaker and journalist, and has recently returned from a year-long trip around the world with her husband and two sons, earning them the accolade of National Geographic Traveller Magazine’s “Travellers of the year”.

Amy Whitley is an adventure, eco, and family travel writer based in Oregon. When she’s not writing at Go Green Travel Green, she’s the founding editor of Pit Stops for Kids and content editor of Trekaroo, as well as a columnist for Outdoors NW Magazine.

Image credit: saebaryo, visithelsinki Dustin Diaz amanky Reproduced with thanks under a Creative Commons licence.

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Details of extended booking for French summer holidays

4th July – 25th August: Sales will open on Thursday 4th April (that’s tomorrow!)

26th August – 2nd September: Sales will open on Tuesday 14th May

Although this extended booking for French summer holidays doesn’t mean there are more cheap tickets, it does make it easier to find advance fares so you’re more likely to find a great deal. Early bird rates are always the lowest but they will sell out fast! If you want some inspiration check out our Trains to France guide which has lots of ideas to get you on track.  The extension also applies to international TGVs so if you fancy going further afield why not check out trains to Milan or trains from Paris to Zurich.

Sign up to the Loco2 newsletter to stay in the know and this other useful European rail news.

The small print: The services that you will be able to book further in advance than usual are:

• SNCF domestic trains (including TGV and Intercités de Nuit formally Lunéa)
• TGV France-Italy
• TGV Lyria
• TGV Brussels-Provinces
• TGV France-Spain
• TGV Paris-Luxembourg

Please note that there are some exceptions, which are as follows

• TGV EST (services between Paris and eastern France)
• Services to/from the Alsace region will not open on 4th April, these include routes such as Paris-Strasbourg
• TGV Intersecteurs (services that do not go via Paris)
• Services to/from eastern France will not open on 4th April

INTERCITÉS - The following services will not open on 4th April:

• Paris-Caen-Cherbourg
• Paris-Rouen-Le Havre
• Paris-Mauberge
• Toulouse-Henday
• Nantes-Lyon

LUNEA - 80% of Intercités de Nuit (formally Lunéa) overnight trains will open on 4th April, however the some services will remain closed for sale.

Image credits: ]Babi] Reproduced with thanks under a Creative Commons licence.

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Luxembourg City station, Luxembourg

If you come into Luxembourg train station, you’ll be greeted by the stunning display of the city’s skyline in stained glass. The station was rebuilt between 1907 and 1913 by a trio of German architects (Rüdell, Jüsgen, and Scheuffel) in the Moselle Baroque Revival style characteristic of many of Luxembourg’s public buildings.

Trains to Luxembourg

Bilbao Abando station, Spain

A beautiful stained glass window overlooks the atrium at Bilbao’s Estacion de Abando Indalecio Prieto, also known as Bilbao-Abando. Designed by painter Caspar Montes Iturrioz and realised by the Union of Glazier Artists of Irun in 1948, it depicts a typical Basque country scene of workers in Vizcaya. Head to the upper level for the best view.

Gare du Lyon, Paris, France

With its grand frontage and impressive clock tower, as a stunning example of the belle époque architecture, Paris Gare du Lyon warrants a closer look. While you’re there, if you have time, head to the station’s Train Bleu brasserie for more discovery, both architectural and gastronomic! Level with the first floor, you’ll find four bas-reliefs which symbolise industrial and commercial gains won by transport. From top left, look out for Mechanics by Louis Baralis, Navigation and Steam by Felix Charpentier and Electricity, by Paul Gasq.

Trains to Paris

Prague Hlavní Nádraží, Czech Republic

When Prague emerged from behind the Iron Curtain in the 1990s, it delighted western travellers with its first impressions. Arrive into Praha Hlavní Nádraží (the main station) and you’ll see one of the city’s most beautiful examples of Art Nouveau, envisioned by Czech architect Josef Fanta.

Trains to Prague

Budapest Keleti, Hungary

If you head to Budapest by train you don’t naturally expect to see references to British engineering. However, take a closer look on arrival at Budapest Keleti station and you’ll find the statues of James Watt and George Stephenson, famed pioneers of steam engineering who helped give rise to the golden era of railways in Europe.

Rautatieasema, Helsinki, Finland

Two pairs of statues holding glass lamps make Helsinki’s Rautatieasema train station pretty iconic. The main building is finished in glass and Finnish granite, making for a grand first impression. Which is just as well, since the station houses an exclusive presidential lounge to host the Finnish president and guests.

Tottenham Court road, London

From Sherlock Holmes at Baker Street to escalators at Oxford Circus, London underground stations are famed for their intricate tile work and mosaics. Tottenham Court Road tube station may not look much from the outside but visitors to the station never fail to notice the colourful mosaic walls of its interior. They were created by Scottish artist Sir Eduardo Paolozzi in the 1980s and reference local sights and the banalities of modern day life.

Trains to London

São Bento, Porto, Portugal

The stone façade at São Bento station in Portugal is pretty enough, but it’s what lies inside that will take your breath away. Ceramic artists spent 11 years adorning the walls with 20,000 ‘azulejo’ tiles, which depict scenes of everyday life, royal spectacles and epic battles from Portuguese history.

Edgware Road tube, London, UK

The largest vitreous enamel artwork in Europe, Jacqueline Poncelet’s ‘Wrapper’ is a permanent addition to London’s Edgware road tube station. 700 panels, inspired by the area’s history, transport, waterways, architecture and communities cover its perimeter wall, making a bold and colourful statement in north-west London.

Trains to London

Grand Central Terminal, New York, USA

Grand Central Terminal, built in Beaux Arts style, celebrates its centenary this year and has much to get excited about. A giant Tiffany clock, iconic information booth, and vaulted ceiling painted with signs of the zodiac and studded with fibre optic lights are just a few of the things that make it special. This train station really is a destination for many tourists – take the audio tour to make sure you don’t miss any of its gems.

St. Pancras International, London, UK

Almost all train journeys to Europe from the UK begin at London St. Pancras International, but you don’t need a train ticket to visit. After an £800 million makeover, which included 300,000 of dirt being removed and the restoration of 8000 glass panels, the ‘Barlow train shed’ is quite a sight. Spanning 240 feet and over 100 feet high, we challenge you not to be impressed. Make a stop at the station’s restaurant to take in one of London’s most glorious Victorian landmarks or book yourself in for a night of luxury at the spectacular St. Pancras Renaissance hotel next door.

Trains to London

Antwerp Centraal, Belgium

Known as the ‘Railway Cathedral’, Belgium’s Antwerp station, a mass of glass and marble, has many features vying for your attention. An enormous arched dome, iron vaulted ceiling, dramatic staircase, monochrome floor and diamond gallery (phew!) are just some of the reasons it’s worth stopping to appreciate this incredible public space.

Trains to Antwerp

Port Dauphine Metropolitain, Paris, France

It’s a pity that only 2 of these stunning Metro entrances, designed by Hector Guimard, still exist. Head to Porte Dauphine in Paris’ 16th arrondissement (pictured) or Abbesses in Montmartre to see these whimsical Art Nouveau creations in real life.

Trains to Paris

Image credits: eddiemcfish, electrofork, paris1800artnouveau, igrigorik,  smallritual,  Tupolev und seine Kamera, flöschen, dalbera, BabyDinosaur All reproduced with thanks under a Creative Commons licence.

This post Art in transit: train station art appeared first on Loco2.

Book now for train travel between 18 March and 11 April 2013. The offer is only valid until 22nd March and tickets will sell out quickly so you’ll need to be quick off the mark to find these specially discounted fares.

If you’re tempted by these cheap tickets, but don’t know where to go, check out our France Booking guide for lots of ideas for taking the train to France.

The small print:  All domestic French promotional fares are also available from Lille (except to Lourdes). Prices quoted are lowest available standard class one-way promotional fares from Paris or Brussels. Prices quoted are per person, correct as of 6 March 2013 and are subject to change and availability.

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As trains become easier to book, more people are choosing to embrace the slow travel ethos and go solo. With that in mind, we’ve compiled ten of the best scenic trains that are easy to book yourself, on their own or as part of your own mini rail adventure. So without further ado, here’s our selection of Europe’s finest scenic train trips for independent travellers, without an escorted tour in sight.

The Bergen Line: Oslo – Bergen, Norway

Passing fjords, glaciers and snow-capped peaks, the infamous Bergen Line is one of Norway’s most impressive train journeys. Travelling from Oslo to Bergen over 7 hours, you’ll travel through some of Scandinavia’s most imposing landscapes and Europe’s largest mountain plateau, Hardangervidda (pictured).

Not only are the views impressive, the railway itself is pretty extraordinary. A workforce of more than 15,000 men laid track high into the peaks and dug 182 tunnels out of mountain rock by hand. Unsurprisingly then, building work which started in 1875, took 34 years to complete!

Search for trains: Oslo to Bergen | Journey time: Approx. 7 hours

The Bernina Express: Chur, Switzerland – Tirano, Italy

Travelling at around 20mph, the slowest scenic train in our selection, the Bernina “Express” hardly deserves its title. But as it winds its way through the southern Alps, over bridges, gorges and precarious mountain passes, you wouldn’t want it to go any faster. Navigating close to 200 bridges and boring through mountains via 55 ­tunnels, this is a feat of engineering so impressive it has earned itself Unesco World Heritage status. The glass-roofed train has been designed to offer the best panoramic views; as the train climbs over the Albula pass to St Moritz, you won’t be disappointed by the views.

It’s not currently possible to buy tickets for the Bernina Express on Loco2, but you can travel as far as Chur where the Bernina Express departs. Route map, timetables and tickets available from Rhaetian Railways

Search for trains to Chur | Bernina Express available via Rhaetian Railways | Journey time: Approx. 4  hours

The West Highland Line: Fort William – Mallaig, Scotland

The West Highland Line between Glasgow and Mallaig is considered Britain’s most scenic train journey. And in fact it’s so popular that it was voted ‘top rail journey in the world’ by Wanderlust readers in 2009, pipping the iconic Trans-Siberian and the Cuzco to Machu Picchu railways to the post.

Over the course of 164 miles, the ’Road to the Isles’ speeds through dramatic landscapes, hugging the banks of Loch ­Lomond as you depart Glasgow, before speeding onward passed ruined castles, mountain peaks and waterfalls toward the west coast. Britain’s highest peak, Ben Nevis, makes an appearance as you near Fort William. And as you approach your journey’s end you cross the spectacular Glenfinnan Viaduct en route to Hogwarts Mallaig.

Available from Scotrail | Journey time: Approx. 5 hours

Madrid – Oviedo, Spain

An unexpected scenic journey in Spain, the train between Madrid and Oviedo gives a glimpse of classic Spanish countryside on its way from the capital to the north coast. As it approaches the Asturias region, and its principal city Oviedo, the train climbs into the clouds atop the Picos de Europa mountains. The train remains the best way to explore this part of Spain – in Oviedo it’s possible to take a ‘Feve’ narrow-gauge railway along the north coast between País Basco (Basque country) and Galicia, calling at Santander on the way.

Search for trains: Madrid to Oviedo | FEVE trains available via Renfe | Journey time: Approx. 5 hours

Golden Pass Railway: Lucerne – Interlaken, Switzerland

The Golden Pass railway refers to the stretch of line between Montreax and Lucerne in the Swiss Alps. Though technically feasible in a day, the entire Montreax - Lucerne route isn’t one to “do” and tick off the bucket list – journeys through this part of Switzerland should be savoured, and as an independent traveller there are countless opportunities to explore without pressure from a tour guide.

The region is home to an array of scenic trains, including glass-topped panoramic trains and funicular railways, so it’s little wonder that the Oberland attracts such wide praise from train travellers. Between Lucerne and Interlaken the landscape is exceptionally beautiful, passing the emerald green waters of Lake Lungern and lakeside hamlets near the Brunig Pass (pictured).

Search for trains: Lucerne to Interlaken | Journey time: 2 hours

Zurich, Switzerland – Lake Como, Italy

The joy of some scenic train trips is the transition from one place to another, watching the landscape unfold before you as you cross borders on rails. Starting out in Zurich’s cosmopolitan centre, this train quickly ascends into the Alps, passing green lakes, snowy peaks and quaint Swiss villages. Just a few hours later you’re descending on the other side into Italy, and to the shores of Lake Como.

Though in the shadow of imposing Swiss mountains, Como has a distinctly Latin feel. The Zurich – Como route is on board an everyday train, with no panoramic windows or fancy title to its name. Yet, as you catch a glimpse of the cupola of Como Cathedral or lake-side villas lined with cyprus trees you’ll know you’re arrived in Italy, making this a trip to remember.

Search for trains: Zurich to Lake Como | Journey time: Approx. 3 hours

Messina – Catania, Sicily

A scenic train trip doesn’t have to be long to be beautiful. Taking the train from Messina to Catania in Sicily takes just 1 hour 30 mins, but the views of the coast and Ionian sea are spectacular. If you’re coming overnight from Rome you’ll awake at daybreak to the train being loaded onto a ferry. And from the moment you’re on Sicilian shores until your arrival in Catania your eyes will be glued to the windows watching the rocky Mediterranean coastline and bobbing fishing boats pass by.

Search for trains: Messina to Catania | Journey time: Approx. 1.5 hours

Train des Pignes: Nice – Digne les Bains, France

The narrow gauge railway from Nice to Digne les Bains, in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region, is a relative unknown in the world of scenic trains. As a private railway, it often remains undiscovered unless you’re on a tour. The train makes its 90 mile journey over 3 hours, crossing rivers and passing through picturesque towns such as St Andre les Alpes and Entreveux (pictured) en route. Though a private railway, it’s open for exploration by independent travellers, departing Nice CFP station four times per day. Timetable and fares information is available via the Chemin de Fer de Provence website (if you’re using Google translate beware that Digne les Bains translates to ‘Worth the bathroom’!)

Search for trains to Nice | Nice to Digne les Bains trains | Journey time: Approx. 3 hours

Venice, Italy to Munich, Germany

Despite not being a designated scenic train the once-daily direct train from Venice to Munich promises spectacular views. Travelling through Verona, Trento and Innsbruck on the stunning Brenner Alpine pass, you’ll see snowy peaks, green valleys and glacial rivers from your window. The section between Verona, Bolzano and Fortezza is particularly striking as the train follows the river Isarco north, in the shadow of the Dolomites (pictured), briefly crossing into Austria before arriving into Munich in time for dinner.

Search for trains: Venice to Munich | Journey time: Approx. 7 hours

Rhine valley and the Black Forest: Cologne – Mainz, Germany

Cologne to Mainz is just one section of many scenic routes along the Rhine Valley and around the Black Forest. And since journey times between towns rarely exceed an hour, the region is ideal for day trips. On this route, between Koblenz and Mainz, the train passes alongside the river Rhine for some 60 miles, winding its way through a picturesque valley. Keep your eyes peeled for medieval castles, which make regular appearances on both sides of the riverbank at Marksburg, Stahleck, Katz and Maus. One, called Pfalz, is actually on an island in the middle of the river bed.

Search for trains: Cologne to Mainz | Journey time: Approx. 1.5 hours

Image credits: Stefán Freyr | Skyzography, Joe Dunkley, Gali367, Bill Higham, lugarzen, 5D*Guy, Alessiomesiano.com, Mariocutroneo, Y. Ballester, Gigi 62 & Andywon Seligr
Reproduced with thanks under a Creative Commons licence via photopin

This post Ten scenic train trips for independent travellers appeared first on Loco2.

Sestri Levante , Liguria, Italy

A peaceful slice of paradise on the Mediterranean, the enchantingly named Bay of Silence sits on a peninsula that divides the shoreline between La Spezia and Genoa. The fishing village of Sestri Levante is a real gem on the Ligurian coast, and has become a favourite amongst Italians, even giving Portofino and Cinque Terre a run for their money.

On the other side of the bay is the Baia delle Favole, or Bay of Fairytales, named in honour of Hans Christian Andersen. And there are plenty of white sandy beaches to sink your toes into on the surrounding coastlines. To get to this beach by train, grab a Eurostar to Paris, take a sleeper service from Paris and a change at Milan for your connection to Sestri Levante.

London to Sestri Levante by train

Beaulieu-Sur-Mer, Côte d’Azur, France

We could write a whole blog post just on the beaches of the Côte d’Azur, but Beaulieu-Sur-Mer deserves a special mention. Translating as “Beautiful place on sea” and situated between Nice and Monaco on the French Riviera, Beaulieu is a pretty seaside village bordered by palm trees.The shallow (and therefore warm) waters make it perfect for kids and adults alike. It’s only a 10 minute train ride from Nice, which you can reach, by day or by night train, daily from Paris.

London to Beaulieu-sur-mer by train

Venice Lido, Italy

Not all visitors to Italy’s lagoon island of Venice know, that besides being famed for its labyrinth of canals and crumbling bridges, it’s also home to a fantastic beach. Technically an 11km sandbar, the Venice Lido is a welcome break from the tourist-packed city. Venice Santa Lucia is easily reached by train from Paris overnight, and it’s a 15min ride by vaporetto to the Lido itself.

London to Venice by train

Promenade des Anglais, Nice, Côte d’Azur, France

No beach breaks rundown would be complete without mentioning Nice, just one of the many Mediterranean jewels in the French Riviera. Take the “Train Bleu” night train from Paris and wake up to the sun rising over the sparkling waters of the Côte d’Azur the following morning.

The famed Promenade des Anglais, with its beachfront cafes, is a hop and a skip from Nice-Ville station. And if you’re in the mood for exploring, you can use Nice as your base to explore more Côte d’Azur beaches by train.

London to Nice by train

Tarragona seafront, Spain

Like France, Spain has its fair share of gorgeous golden sand beaches. Tarragona, just an hour south of Barcelona, is no exception with stunning pine covered headlands and 200km of unbroken beach lining its coastline. From Tarragona’s main station, it’s a short walk to the front, or you can hop on a bus to sink your toes into the sand elsewhere in the province.

But there’s no reason not to stick in town – the immaculately preserved Roman Colosseum overlooks the main stretch so you can get your culture and R&R fix in one go. And getting there is simple too – an overnight train from Paris delivers you to Perpignan, where there’s time for breakfast before your onward  train to Tarragona.

London to Tarragona by train  

Sylt , Westerland, Germany

As well suggesting classic beach breaks by rail, we decided to end on a surprise note! Germany is not a place usually associated with beach holidays, which is why the little northernmost island of Sylt is so special. Situated on the North Sea, it’s supposedly the St.Tropez of Germany, with a New England Hamptons feel about it (or so we’ve heard).

Expect sand dunes and invigorating sea air! And, for those of your who like to be busy when you relax, Sylt is a haven for watersports, with surfing, kite surfing, sailing and catamaran sailing on the menu. And the best part? If you book in advance you may be able to nab a DB Spezial fare, beginning at just €59 one way, all the way from London to Sylt.

London to Sylt by train

Image credit: Trova Spiagge, Travels with Rosemary, ezioman, luizfilipe, melissayoungern, Wikipedia

This post Hit the beach by train appeared first on Loco2.

Once again, Loco2 fans did not disappoint! Over 2 weeks we had over 1200 entries, with people from all over the globe attempting to guess our pictogram puzzle:

Well, it’s time to put you out your misery, the answer was in fact, “German Engineering” (Germ-man-engine-ear-ring), in a nod to our recently launched integration with German rail provider Deutsche Bahn. The winner, picked at random, was Natasha Cross from Poole who wins €150 of accommodation vouchers and £150 to spend on rail travel to a destination of her choice. Congratulations!

Honourable mentions go to the clever people among you who pointed out the image of the engine looked a lot like Stephenson’s Rocket, an early steam locomotive. We certainly learned something, and we included those entries in the draw for the sake of fairness. Among the other answers were some that brought a smile to our faces, including “Angry commuters on a train make your ears ring” (we can see your logic, Saska!) and Bryce’s suggestion of, “Selective hearing”! There were also plenty of fun guesses for the first part of the puzzle, ranging from Cactus, Pearman and Sea urchin!

Big thanks to everyone who took part. And we look forward to finding out where Natasha plans to go with her prize! If you want to keep in touch with other Loco2 giveaways, you can sign up to our competition newsletter below:

This post Announcing our winner! appeared first on Loco2.

We’ve linked to our booking guides for each featured location, so you can get the lowdown on train fares and timetables, and use our handy pre-filled booking forms to find the cheapest tickets. So whether you’re eyeing a romantic weekend or something a little more action-packed, scroll down to find out just how easy a city break by rail can be.

City breaks by rail to France

London to Paris used to be the busiest European flying route, but with quick transfer times and even faster check-in an increasing number of travellers are opting to take the train to France. Leave London in the afternoon and you’ll be in Paris in time for dinner, it couldn’t simpler. Beyond Paris, France’s cities and villages are well-connected with a dense network of efficient, modern trains. From Paris, it’s only 3 hrs to the wine regions of Bordeaux, or take an overnight train to Nice that will have you waking up to a sunrise over the Med.

Trains to Paris booking guide | Trains to Bordeaux booking guide | Trains to Nice booking guide
or view all our French destinations: Trains to France booking guide

City breaks by rail to Italy

Discover the iconic cities of Italy, each one brimming with art and history, by taking the direct sleeper train from Paris to Italy. Catch a boat across a magical Venetian lagoon, get your fill of culture in the charming maze of Florence’s streets or make like a gladiator at the Colosseum. Italy’s major cities are all linked by super fast high-speed train that glide from A to B in just a couple of hours.

Travelling from London to Italy requires just a simple change of trains in Paris, before climbing aboard the Thello night train, that connects daily to Milan, Rome, Florence and Venice. When you book in advance, couchette fares are very affordable. When you consider the train doubles as your hotel for the night, it’s a *rail* bargain. Plan a stopover in Paris if you have time and combine two countries known for their style and romance into one holiday.

Trains to Rome booking guide | Trains to Florence booking guide | Trains to Venice booking guide
or view all our Italian destinations: Trains to Italy booking guide

City breaks by rail to to Belgium

It may be small, but it’s true in the case of Belgium that good things come in small packages. Discover the diverse capital of Brussels or hop on a train to the Belgian medieval canal cities of Bruges or Ghent. Intercity trains run frequently so you can sample city life, and then slow down and relax over a famous pint of Belgian brew.

Trains to Brussels booking guide | Trains to Bruges booking guide

City breaks by rail to Spain

Wonderfully weird architecture, lively nightlife and sunny beaches – the delights of Spain are less than a day away by train from London. Travel to Paris and then onward to Girona, Madrid or Barcelona with one simple change of trains. A direct day service from Paris to Barcelona is currently in the pipeline too so the journey time will be slashed in 2013. It takes all of 6.5 hrs and you’ll be treated to pretty scenery along the way.

Alternatively, travel on one of Europe’s best sleeper services – the Elipsos Trainhotel to Barcelona or Madrid will get you to your destination for breakfast the following morning. The cheapest fares are in a 4-berth couchette, ideal for families or small groups of friends.

Trains to Madrid booking guide | Trains to Barcelona booking guide

City breaks by rail to Germany

Tour the incredible Berlin Reichstag, enjoy a pint in a Munich beer hall or Frankfurt cider tavern, or be mesmerised by the grandeur of Cologne’s spectacular cathedral. These are just a few ideas of what to expect in Germany’s historic and cultural cities.

Book a Deutsche Bahn ‘London Spezial’ from London to anywhere in Germany from €59 one-way and you’ll still have change leftover for entertainment. Thanks to our recent integration with Deutsche Bahn, we can offer these fares and more on Loco2.

Trains to Frankfurt | Trains to Berlin | Trains to Cologne | Trains to Munich

Image credit:  Holger Eilhard, cuellar, *chiwai*, Zé.Valdi

This post European City breaks by rail from London appeared first on Loco2.

The deal at a glance:

• €69  (2nd class) and €99 (1st class) for a return ticket
• Valid on specified trains between two German destinations
• Price includes a seat reservation
• Available to book from 11th February to 10th March 2013
• For travel from 14th February to 24th March 2013
• Children under 15 accompanied by an adult travel for free (but still need to be booked)

The Deutsche Bahn sale in more detail

When to book: Search for trains from 11th February until Sunday 10th March. Tickets must be purchased at least three days before intended date of travel. 

When to travel: Travel between Thursday 14th February until Sunday 24th March.

Where to go:  Sale price tickets are valid for travel for return journeys between any two destinations within Germany. Though of course this means better value for some routes than others. For example, trains from Frankfurt to Cologne ordinarily start at €19 one-way so although you may be able to find €69 return tickets during the sale period, if you’re motivated by saving money then you’d do well to try a few dates to track down the €19 Second Class Saver fares. However, if you are intending to travel with kids then the deal may save money (see travelling with kids below). For longer distance journeys, like Cologne to Berlin, you’d be hard pressed to find an competitively priced alternative, even when searching 3 months ahead.

Price and validity:  Tickets in the sale are €69 (2nd class) or €99 (1st class) for a return ticket. However, if it makes sense, you are entitled to travel just one-way if you choose. Your ticket includes a seat reservation and subsequently is only valid on the specific train, time and date that you choose. There are a limited number of sale tickets allocated per train so if you are not able to find a ticket for your preferred dates, they may be sold out. If you can’t find a sale price ticket, try another time or date.

Which trains is it valid on? These discount return tickets are valid on Intercity-Express (ICE), InterCity and Euro City trains. They are not available/valid on ICE Sprinter or night trains (City Night Line).

What about the kids?  Children under 6 always travel free on German trains, but with this offer all children under 15 years may travel for free. However, even though they’re free you still need to select a child ticket and put it in your basket so that they get a seat on the train. You can’t just bring them along in your suitcase! The ticket will be shown as €0.

Ticket types: All tickets are available to print at home, and will be in German. Read our blog, Your German train ticket translated, if your German’s not up to scratch.  

The small print: Tickets purchased during the sale are still subject to the fare conditions which are displayed during purchase. Cancellations will incur a €15 fee. Tickets in the Deutsche Bahn sale on Loco2 are the same price as buying direct from Deutshce Bahn, no booking fee applies.

How to book on Loco2

• Search for trains wholly within Germany during the specified dates. Make sure you do a return search.
• Browse the timetable and select your train
• Enter passenger details. Remember that the lead passenger must match the name on the credit card that is used to place the booking (and you need to take your credit card with you on the train, even if it subsequently expires). Add child tickets here too (you won’t be charged).
• Proceed to the basket page, and remove the optional seat reservation (see picture below). Your fare conditions will state “Partial seat reservation included” but don’t worry, your ticket includes a seat reservation. On your ticket, you will see “reservation = 0 EUR.”
• Print your ticket and pat yourself on the back for exceptional thriftiness!

Some sample searches

To prove they’re available, here’s a couple of searches, done by your truly, that successfully found the €69 fare. Give these a whirl or enter your own dates to find your own. Remember that this is a limited edition sale so they will sell out on popular routes.

Image: Svenwerk via Photopin, reproduced with thanks under a CC licence

This post Deutsche Bahn sale: €69 return appeared first on Loco2.

Buying European train tickets can be daunting at the best of times, with journeys often requiring multiple websites and an extraordinary amount of patience. That’s why we started Loco2 – to make booking train tickets easier – so we’re delighted that we can now sell journeys in Germany. But what about once you’ve placed your booking? If you buy a Deutsche Bahn ticket on Loco2 the tickets get delivered to you direct, in German, for you to print at home, so you’d be forgiven for having a question or two. If any native speakers out there spot a mistake please let us know!

My original German train ticket

My German train ticket translated:

Notes

This post Your German train ticket translated appeared first on Loco2.

1. Book your tickets in advance

To maximise your chances of finding cheap fares, you should plan and book well in advance. But knowing how far in advance to book is a bit of a nightmare. Most trains in Europe are available 3 calendar months in advance (this usually equates to 90 days, but this varies month on month). However, there are exceptions, like Eurostar (120 days), Spanish trains (62 days) and seasonal services like the ski train to France or direct train to Avignon which get released all at once, months in advance.

Depending on where in Europe you’re traveling, you’ll need to be aware of one or more booking horizons to get the cheapest prices. The booking horizons for popular journeys are included in our Destinations booking guides, and if you’re planning really far ahead you can use the tool on those pages to set an email reminder for when booking opens. We’ve also created a quick-look country guide in the Q&A section: How far in advance can I book trains in Europe?

2. Life on the slow train

In the rail industry, time is money, with high-speed and peak trains often coming in at the top end of the price bracket. If you’re not pushed for time, you may find slower trains, travelling during off-peak hours or outside of weekends, cheaper than their high-speed equivalent. However, because high-speed trains sometimes offer cheap promotional fares, it’s worth checking how advance fares compare with tickets for slower, regional trains. Sometimes you’ll find that the high-speed promo fares undercut the slower services when booked in advance. But nearer the date of travel, regional trains come into their own as the yield managed fares of the high-speed trains shoot up. Loco2 pre-selects the cheapest fare in search results, but it’s up to you to check the duration of the journey and make a decision that suits you.

3. Changing trains

Always check the duration of interchanges if you’re changing trains, and whether you’re changing platforms, or travelling between two stations. We provide information about changing trains in Paris, or changing platforms in Brussels but you should always check that you’re happy with the time allotted between trains before you book. If you need more time (if you’ve got lots of luggage, or children!) we recommend building more time into your journey by splitting your tickets. Even if you don’t need the extra time, an extra hour or two in Paris never hurt anyone – stop off for a coffee or a glass of wine and savour the journey.

Sometimes, it’s also possible to amend your journey details to avoid a station change. For example, lots of TGVs to the south of France and elsewhere, depart from Lille as well as Paris. Although journey times may be longer via Lille you may prefer the stress-free option of a simple same-station change. Search results on Loco2 often don’t show these options by default, but you can build your own journey manually if you want to travel via another route.

4. Rail pass vs point-to-point tickets

A frequently asked question in travel forums is “should I buy a rail pass or individual tickets?”. The answer, and this probably explains why it’s asked so often, is that it depends.

Time was when rail passes (Interrail Pass, Eurail Pass etc) were exceedingly good value, with the majority of trains included and reservations not required. But over the last decade, the cost-effectiveness of a rail pass has plummeted, as advance fares bring the price of point-to-point tickets down and more train companies add a supplement to peak services. These days, with more high-speed services, and compulsory reservations for overnight and peak-time trains, pass holders often pay a premium or are required to book a separate ticket altogether. For these reasons, in our opinion, it seldom makes good financial sense to book a rail pass. If you’re only planning on making 3 or 4 journeys during your trip, you’ll usually save more money by planning ahead and booking point-to-point tickets in advance.

So when is a railpass worthwhile? Well if you plan on doing a lot of train travel and are flexible with dates then a pass could be the answer. Basically they’re ideal if you want to go “interrailing” without a fixed itinerary. There are a dizzying array of options, from Global passes for the whole of Europe to country-specific passes. You can also choose between a Continuous pass, for travel on consecutive days, or Flexi passes, for a specified number of days within the duration of your pass (e.g. 10 days in a month). If you don’t have firm dates or don’t want to be tied down by a fixed itinerary, then rail passes can save you money when you waltz up the station on the day (compared to a ‘walk-on’ fare for non-pass holders).

5. Check the delivery options for your ticket

Depending on your route and trains, delivery options may include postal, print-at-home or collect-at-station for your tickets. We only deliver postal tickets to UK addresses, so although we accept international credit cards, we can’t guarantee that we can sell every ticket to every person. An increasing number of tickets are available to print-at-home, but some services, including the majority of night trains, aren’t available yet. Loco2 shows the delivery options available for your tickets on the basket page, and if you have several journeys in your basket will will show you the delivery options common to them all. If you’re outside of the UK and can’t find a suitable print-at-home or collect at station ticket on Loco2 then head over to our Q&As and we’ll see if we can help.

6. Split-ticketing

Many rail booking systems can’t handle multi-leg trips i.e. those with more than 2 or 3 changes, so you may see no search results. In order to bypass this kind of rail fail, you sometimes need to play the system to find the tickets you want. Splitting your trip into parts and booking individual parts separately means you can build more complex journeys, and sometimes save money too. Splitting your search at the capital city of your destination country is often a good place to start. Loco2 has a shopping basket to make this process a bit easier – you can add several journeys to your basket (reservations will be held for 30mins) – and pay them in one go instead of making multiple transactions. If you need advice on a route to a particular place, consult our Destinations booking guides, or just ask!

7. Flexibility costs more but it might pay off

Whether you invest in a railpass or book point-to-point tickets, flexibility comes at a price. Tickets which permit refunds and exchanges cost more, while the cheapest tickets are non-exchangeable, non-refundable and usually fixed to a specific time and date. Consider your options carefully before you buy, and remember that fare conditions are binding. Even if we wanted to, Loco2 cannot alter fare conditions after sale, so if you choose a cheap non-flexible ticket you’re stuck with it. If you’re in any doubt about your journey, consider paying more to buy some flexibility.

8. Actually read the fare conditions

At some point, everyone has been guilty of ticking the ‘I have read the terms and conditions’ without reading them. We’ve all done it, but with train tickets, the information in your fare conditions could impact your precious holiday. So reading them is vital. Often, the cheapest train tickets are advance purchase discount fares, sold on a no-refund, no-exchange basis. Treat your international train ticket purchases as you would a flight bookings – research, choose your train, read the fare conditions and then book. Loco2 always adheres the carrier’s terms and conditions, and we can only offer refunds when they are explicitly permitted. Read the small print and know what you’re buying to avoid any nasty surprises. Only place your booking when you’re certain of your itinerary.

9. Consider making longer connections by overnight train

An excellent way to save time and money when travelling by train is to travel overnight. There are lots of sleeper trains between major cities in Europe, and they’re comfortable and convenient. Because they don’t all run every day of the week, we advise in our booking guides when we think taking the night train is the best way to reach your destination. It’s also a good way to travel if you want to spend your precious daylight hours exploring the sights!

10. Know your rights (CIV)

When booking train tickets in Europe, it’s important to know your rights if you experience cancellations, delays or miss a connecting train due to problems on your trip. Although the conditions of carriage will vary, international train trips (those which cross a border) are protected under conditions of carriage for international rail passengers (CIV). Among other things, the CIV state that if you miss a connection due to a delay, you will be entitled to onward passage on the next available train, even if the fare conditions of your tickets don’t permit it. The important thing with CIV is that you ask the guard on the delayed service to validate your ticket/s in order that they can they be used to travel on the next available train.

A good tip for passengers starting their journey in the UK, but outside London, is to buy a CIV ticket for the first part of your trip. This means that if your train from Oxford to London, for example, is delayed while on your way to catch a Eurostar, you’ll have the same protection as though you were on an international train. To buy a CIV ticket, search for trains to ‘London International’ on a few UK train booking sites (Raileasy and Quno to name a few). They’re a bit more expensive but well worth it for your peace of mind.

Images: woodleywonderworks, edited by Loco2
Christian.Senger reproduced with thanks under a CC Licence

This post A beginner’s guide to booking train tickets in Europe appeared first on Loco2.

Christmas may be over but it’s all go at Loco2 headquarters. We are very excited about our integration with Deutsche Bahn, which means that we have better prices and more tickets for trains in Germany and beyond! To celebrate, we’re giving you a chance to win a European rail holiday.

To banish the January blues we’ve teamed up with Wimdu to bring you our best ever prize. From a houseboat in Amsterdam to a train carriage in Merzen, Wimdu encourages you to ditch the hotel and travel like a local. We’ve featured some of our favourite unusual places to stay in this post to get you inspired about the prize, which includes:

- £150 to spend on train travel with Loco2
- €200 to spend on accommodation with Wimdu

How to enter

All you need to do is solve this pictogram to be in with a chance of winning!

Enter your answer, along with your name and email below. The closing date for entries is midnight on February 12th. Once all the entires are in we’ll pick a winner from our lucky bicycle helmet.

Terms and conditions

One entry per person. Entries received after midnight on February 12th 2013 will not counted. The accommodation voucher has a value of €200 (approximately £150) and can be redeemed against any booking on Wimdu.co.uk (or other wimdu domains i.e. wimdu.com, wimdu.de etc). Loco2 is offering £150 to spend on train tickets on loco2.com. Any tickets purchased will be subject to specific fare conditions (displayed during search), and our ordinary Booking terms and conditions. Vouchers can be used towards one single transaction only and not for multiple separate bookings. Vouchers must be redeemed within 6 months of competition end date, There is no cash alternative and leftover credit cannot be redeemed against additional bookings. The winner will be notified via e-mail.

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We’ve spent the few days getting to grips with all the new and exciting European train routes and tickets we can get our hands on. In this post we share the cheap train tickets we’ve discovered. Think Bargain Hunt, but with trains.

The routes

From London there are two major routes to Berlin to choose between, one by day and another overnight:

1. During the day: London to Berlin via Brussels and Cologne 

Taking the train from London to Berlin is a straightforward journey with just two connections, and at 9hrs long it can be done in a day if you wish. It’s a Eurostar from London to Brussels, from where onward high-speed ICE services connect you to Cologne, and then onward to Berlin. Although it includes two changes, you’ll only be switching platforms, and not stations in Brussels and Cologne, so there’s minimum hassle. There are power sockets on board if you want to work on the train. It’s possible to buy a one-way fare for this route between London and Berlin for €59 one-way, see below for precise instructions about to find the ticket.

2. Overnight: London to Berlin via Paris 

This sleeper option takes a little longer (around 12 hours) but may be preferable because you spend the vast majority of the journey, well, sound asleep. Once again, your journey begins with Eurostar – this time to Paris – where you’ll change stations and trains. It’s a 5 minute walk from Gare du Nord to Gare Est, where the City Night Line to Berlin departs, rolling into Berlin the following morning. This route is slightly more expensive (around £82) but at your train acts as a hotel for the night!

For more detailed information about the routes, head over to our Trains to Berlin booking guide.

The tickets

We’ve worked out how to find the cheapest tickets between London and Berlin for both of the above routes. Some of them include tickets wholly from Deutsche Bahn, others from Eurostar and City Night Line, but you can do it all on Loco2, even if the route you eventually choose is a combination of them all. If you use our basket functionality, it’s possible to pick and choose whichever bits you want and buy them in one transaction. As always, search well in advance for the best chance of finding the advertised fares.

1. How to find a London Spezial ticket for €59

This is possible if you can find a Second Class Saver fare, also known as a London Spezial ticket, on the London-Berlin route. These are limited edition tickets – negotiated by Deutsche Bahn with Eurostar – available on just a few trains departing London in the morning. Unsurprisingly, they sell out fast!

The London Spezial is valid for the Eurostar portion of your trip and your onward connection to Berlin, or indeed anywhere in Germany. Tickets start at €59 (around £50) in Standard Class or €109 in First Class. Alas, there’s no discount for a return journey with return prices simply double the single fare. There are limited numbers of these tickets – restricted by the number of seats allocated on each eligible Eurostar train – and as they sell out, the price goes up in increments of €10. So once all the €59 seats are gone, there will be €69 seats, then €79…you get the picture. The upshot is, buy as early as possible.

At the moment the following scheduled Eurostar services are eligible for London Spezial fares:

Mondays-Fridays: Departing London at 06:50
Mondays-Saturdays: Departing London at 10:58
Sundays: Departing London at 08:58

Tickets come on sale 90 (occasionally 91) days in advance. Use the booking tool in our Berlin guide to search and book 90 days from today, or set an early-bird reminder if your dates are way off and we’ll email when booking opens. Search for trains leaving at 6am to catch the first train of the day. Also, watch out for the 19.34 departure, which although it shows the €59 ticket (and may be preselected as the cheapest ticket on the page), has an overnight stop in Brussels.

The London Spezial is also available on trains from: London to Frankfurt, Hanover and Cologne, among others. They first leg, on board the Eurostar, is the same but the onward route wil vary. For example, London-Frankfurt and London-Cologne only have one change of trains in Brussels.

How to find a Belgium Spezial ticket for €39

If you can’t find a London Spezial – split your search and try a Belgium Spezial

If, despite your best efforts, your London Spezial ticket search is in vain, there is another sneaky way that you may be able to save money, and even travel on the same trains! In addition to the London Spezial, there is another fare called the Belgium Spezial.  This is €39 one-way in Standard or €89 First Class and works in the same way. It’s available on a couple of trains departing Brussels Midi (the Eurostar terminal is part of the same station) every day, and is valid for on ICE trains, via Cologne, to Berlin or any other Germany city.

At the moment the following scheduled ICE services are eligible for Belgium Spezial fares:

Mondays-Fridays: Departing Brussels at 10:25, 14.25 & 18.25
Saturdays & Sunday: Departing Brussels at 14.25 & 18.25

So, if you missed out on the straight London-Berlin route, split your journey. Search for trains to Brussels first, select a suitable ticket and pop it in your basket (it will be reserved for 30 mins). Then search for trains from Brussels to Berlin and look out for the above scheduled services. Select a connecting train and put both parts in your basket, making sure you leave enough time to change trains. You can pay for both tickets in one transaction, even though they’re from different operators. If you manage to get the cheapest Belgium Spezial (€39) and the cheapest Eurostar ticket (£39) the total will come to just shy of £75 (subject to exchange rate). #Win!

The Belgium Spezial ticket is one of the Europa Spezial fares that are available on short distance, cross-border trains between Germany and other European countries. I’ve just had a little look and found Amsterdam -Cologne trains and Vienna to Munich for €29 but we’ll pen a separate post about these soon.

2. How to find Sleeper train tickets for £82.50

If all this sounds too much like hard work, consider the alternative route via Paris on board the City Night Line sleeper train. The Paris-Berlin costs £43.50 for a bunk in a 6-berth couchette, or you can upgrade to a sleeper if you’re feeling flash. Combine with a London to Paris Eurostar (best price £39) and you’ve got yourself an overnight bargain. The City Night Line is an excellent sleeper train. I went to Berlin last year and came home on the City Night Line so this is a personal recommendation.

The City Night Line departs from Paris Est, which is walking distance from Gare du Nord (where the Eurostar arrives) so changing trains is a cinch. You can book it 90 days in advance, by searching for trains departing London in the afternoon, and trains departing Paris in the evening. At the moment the night train is only available on weekdays. And for some reason it sometimes doesn’t appear in a London-Berlin search on Loco2 at the moment so you may need to split your journey (as before) and put the two parts into your basket if it doesn’t show up.

The same train stops at Saarbrücken, Göttingen and Hanover on its way to Berlin.  And in the opposite direction, departs Berlin Hbf around 8pm to make the return trip, arriving in Paris at a very civilised 9.30 in the morning. Just in time for a coffee and croissant in Paris before taking the Eurostar back to London. N.b. The CNL isn’t running from 25th Jan – 25th Feb due to engineering works. 

If anyone has other experiences on this route or tip for finding these tickets. Please share them in the comments below and we’ll add them to the post.

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To give you a taste of what the partnership has to offer, we’ve come up with a few of our favourite things:

1. We’ve got Germany covered

Until now, our German train coverage has been sparse. We had some trains in Germany, but not at the best prices. Now, with the vast majority of German trains included in our system, and cheap tickets too, we’re confident that you’ll find what you’re looking for on Loco2. The route we’re most excited about is London to Berlin for €59 (around £50) with the London Spezial ticket. But that’s just the beginning. As we get to grips with everything we’ve got on offer, you’ll be the first to know.

2.  Trains via Germany to…

Our German connection also means Loco2 has more trains to destinations further afield. Our train ticket coverage in France is already excellent, and Spain and Italy aren’t bad either, but further afield we had limited availability. It’s now possible to find trains starting in Germany heading to Poland, Sweden, Denmark and the Czech Republic and beyond, giving access to lots more fares within Europe. Combine these with a Eurostar from London and you could be taking Scandinavia or Eastern Europe by storm on your next traincation. To wet your whistle, how about going by rail from Cologne to Copenhagen, Hamburg to Aarhus or Berlin to Krakow…

3. Two booking systems, one website

Booking some trains in Europe is particularly tricky, especially when multiple rail companies operate the same route. Take Paris to Munich. This is a cross-border journey, with trains running day and night, operated by different companies. The price and availability of trains varies between competing websites, making booking a headache. Until now, searching for trains between Paris and Munich meant viewing high-speed intercity trains on one website, direct TGV services on another, with the night train appearing on both. Deutsche Bahn showed all the trains, but fewer than half were available to buy. Meanwhile, SNCF only displayed services for which it sells tickets, leaving gaps in the timetable. The night train was for sale on both websites but the ticket descriptions were a world apart, making comparisons near impossible for anyone but the most expert customer.

Our new partnership allows us to show all options for routes like Paris to Munich on one simple page. You can adjust the time of day to view day and night time services, and purchasing tickets is the same no matter which train you choose. For the most part, our customers don’t pay much attention to which company operates the trains, with decisions based largely on price and convenience. You told us that you want clear information on tickets, timetables and prices. We hope you agree this is a step in the right direction.

4. More print at home tickets

All the new tickets on offer are available exclusively as print-at-home. Finally, the railways are catching up with budget airlines when it comes to convenient ticket delivery. It’s what we always dreamed of.

5. Same easy booking

Even though payment for your tickets will take place with Deutsche Bahn (and you’ll be billed in Euros), we’re pleased to say that all the new train times and tickets are seamlessly built into our existing system. This means you can still go from look-to-book in 5 steps, and we’ve maintained the same simple user experience we know you love.

More info: Loco2 partners with Deutsche Bahn, see our press release

photo credit: wecand via photopin cc

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A barge in Paris, France

The view of Paris from the water makes a welcome change from the view from the Eiffel Tower. Floating on a quiet spot on the River Seine, and with swans at eye-level at your porthole, this Wimdu houseboat isn’t your usual weekend in Paris. The French capital is among the best connected cities in Europe when it comes to train travel. Tickets start at £69 return for an adult return from London.

Search for trains to Paris | Read our destinations guide on Trains to Paris

A Mongol yurt in Ploemel, France

Sleeping in a yurt is much in vogue, with glamorous camping, or “glamping”, a perfect half-way house for those seeking an unusual place to stay…with a comfortable bed. This Mongol yurt, Located in Ploemel, Brittany, close to the harbour town of Auray, you could catch a train from London in less than 7 hours, aboard the Eurostar and TGV Atlantic.

Search for trains to Auray

A church in Utrecht, Netherlands

Converted in 2009 Saint Jakobus Church in Utrecht boasts original stained glass windows and impressive 14-metre ceilings so you won’t forget this ethereal holiday in a hurry. Reaching Utrecht by train is a straight-forward journey from Paris or Brussels and even from London the entire trip can be done in less than 6 hours.

Search for trains to Utrecht

A houseboat in Amsterdam

There are few more authentic Dutch experiences than spending a night on a houseboat. Throw in a canal-side bike ride and you’ll really feel like a Netherlands local. There are 2,400 houseboats in the inner waters of Amsterdam alone so, by local standards, the Blue Wave houseboat is not an unusual place to stay, but seeing the city from the waterside will give you a different perspective from fellow tourists.  The train to Amsterdam is one of our most popular routes and the Thalys and new Fyra trains replaces the old Any Dutch Station fare, meaning the entire journey from London can now be done in less than 5 hours.

Search for trains to Amsterdam | Read our Destinations guide on Trains to Amsterdam 

A yacht in Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is already a favourite destination for the Loco2 team so there are few things that could make it more appealing. Apart from, perhaps, the chance to spend the hot Spanish nights bobbing around the Med.  Moored in the picturesque Port Olimpic Marina, and walking distance from Barcelona Franca train station (where the Elipsos night train arrives), this Wimdu yacht is our idea of a dream holiday. Trains to Barcelona are already straight-forward thanks the night train from Paris, and the completion of a high-speed line from Figueres to Barcelona in 2013 will make the trip possible in daylight hours too.

Search for trains to Barcelona | Read our Destinations guide on Trains to Barcelona 

A train carriage in Merzen, Germany

Even though we’ve saved the best until last, it was this train carriage hotel in Germany that sparked our interest in unusual places to stay in the first place. These fully refurbished freight wagons are located in Merzen, Lower Saxony (we think, see below), not far from the Dutch border. And although Merzen itself doesn’t have a train station (oh the irony!) Osnabrück should get you on the right track.

Search for trains to Osnabrück

For a full list of Loco2 Destinations Guides click here, and we’ll get your rail trip on track!

All images reproduced courtesy of Wimdu. All rights reserved.

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In December, Thello launched a new night train to Italy, departing Paris every evening for Bologna, Florence and Rome. This is in addition to the Paris-Venice night train, via Milan, which launched earlier in the year. This is great news for train travellers to Italy who mourned the loss of the Artesia night train which previously operated on the same route and was discontinued in 2012.

The Thello night train is a new partnership between Trenitalia (Italian Railways) and Veolia Transdev, a private transport company, formed to run overnight trains between Paris and Italy. Here, we take a look at the Paris to Rome train, including how to book and what’s it like on board.

Where does the Thello night train stop?

As with the Milan/Venice service, the Thello night train from Paris to Florence and Rome departs from Gare de Lyon. If you’re travelling from London you’ll need to change trains in Paris but it’s a nice, simple direct trip on the RER.

From Paris, the train stops in Dijon a little before 10pm before heading onward toward Italy. The train doesn’t stop again until the following morning, when it pulls into Bologna Centrale (around 6am). From Bologna, it’s less than 2 hours to Florence, specifically Firenze Campo di Marte station. For those of you accustomed to arriving into the more frequently used Santa Maria Novella (Firenze S.M.N.), Florence’s main station, fear not, it’s less than 1 km between the two stations. After a short stop to let passengers alight in Florence, the train completes the final leg of its journey to Rome. You’ll arrive into Roma Termini station, slap bang in the middle of town, around 10am.

Timetable from London to Florence and Rome

The Thello to Rome runs every day of the week, with a slight variation of departure times from Paris over the weekend. Search for trains departing in the evening in either direction to find the Thello night train. The train travels the 700 mile trip overnight at speeds of up to 100 mph, but can arrive an hour or so late on occasion, so factor this in when planning your trip.

Train timetable from Rome and Florence to Paris

How far advance can I book?

The Thello comes on sale a maximum of 90 days in advance, but bear in mind that since it’s a night train you can actually search for trains 89 days ahead. This is because the booking horizon logic demands that your entire journey is within the 90 day window. If you’re planning your journey well in advance you can set a reminder for trains to Florence or trains to Rome in the Destinations section of Loco2 and we’ll send you an email 89 days before the dates you choose so you have the best chance of finding the cheapest tickets. Tickets begin at £71 one-way for an adult couchette fare.

What’s it like on the Thello?

All passengers on the Thello sleeper train from Paris to Italy get a bed for the night in either a sleeping-car (single, double or 3 berth sleeper) or more economical 4 or 6-berth couchette.  There are no regular seats, which is just as well because they’re a far less comfortable way to start your trip. The berths serve as seating for evening and morning use and transform into bunks for the night. Passengers boarding in Paris will often find their bunks ready-made, but if they’re still seats don’t panic, the guard will do the rounds putting the bunks down as bedtime approaches.

A sleeper is the most comfortable option, with proper beds in your own private compartment. The beds are arranged in bunks, the number of which will vary depending on whether they are single, double or triple occupancy. Pillows and blankets are provided and there are EU power sockets should you need to charge your phone or laptop. There’s a little sink and plenty of luggage storage. Even though sleepers offer more privacy than couchettes, the bunks are sold individually so if you’re travelling alone you’re still likely to be sharing with other passengers of the same sex.  Shared toilets can be found at the end of the carriage.

If you’re on a budget, couchettes are a great option, and sharing with others can be part of the fun. The bunks are designed to offer privacy for sharers, so once you’re in your bunk you’ll find that you’re in your own little world.

This is a modern train with new carriage so they should be spacious and comfortable. Check out these extremely cheesy shots of the various seating and sleeping options to get an idea of what it’s like. If anyone’s got some less cringeworthy pictures that we can use please get in touch!

4 berth couchette in “day mode”

4 berth couchette with bunks set up

6 berth couchette

 

Washbasin in a sleeper

The night train has various facilities to eating and drinking, including a restaurant coach for at-your-seat dinner and drinks and a bar if you just fancy a snack. The dining is an improvement on the former Artesia route, with menus proposed by world-renowned chefs and prepared by highly qualified Skychefs.  You’re also allowed to take your own food and drinks on board if you prefer, which you can eat in your cabin. Just be mindful of other passengers if you’re sharing a cabin i.e. no stinky food please! Thello trains are entirely non-smoking so no cheeky cigarettes either.

Dining car on the Thello

Other useful information

The train guard will come and check your ticket and passport soon after departure and will take them away overnight. This is so passengers don’t need to be disturbed when the train crosses the border in the middle of the night. Your documents will be returned to you the following morning, usually an hour before you arrive in your destination, when the guard will knock in the door to make sure you’re awake.

People often ask what you might see out the window – well this is a night train, so for the most part we imagine you’ll be sleeping, however if you are going beyond Florence and onto Rome, you can enjoy a light continental breakfast in the dining car rolling through Italian countryside as the sun comes up, or take your own breakfast snacks and buy a coffee on board. For passengers travelling in “sleepers” breakfast is included or if you’re booked onto a couchette you can purchase a breakfast of pastries and juice for round €5-6.

Can I take my bike/pet on the Thello train?

Like many other trains in Europe, you can take your bike onboard the Thello, dismantled, and in a specially designed for-purpose bike bag, so long as its dimensions do not exceed 120cm x 90cm. This counts as one piece of luggage, with each passenger permitted 2 pieces of baggage and one piece of hand luggage. Unfortunately the Thello does not have designated bicycle spaces onboard.

Happily for some, domestic pets are allowed onboard, provided you book out a whole compartment. In addition, £10 is charged per domestic animal (with the exception of guide dogs), with a maximum of 1 pet and 1 pet carrier per passenger. If you plan on taking a small domestic animal, they must be taken in a pet carrier measuring no more than 45x30x25cm and weighing no more than 6kg. Dogs must be muzzled and on a lead.

Images: Courtesy of Rail Europe ltd, all rights reserved.  We made the train map ourselves, and you can reproduce it under a Creative Commons licence by linking to this post.

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