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Rail Travel

Expert travel guides and holiday advice

The Independent's travel experts reveal the best holidays to escape to via rail. From the most scenic railway routes around the world to top Interrail itineraries and best European ski destinations to travel to from UK rail stations, read our handy guides on how to make the most out of travelling via train.

News & Advice

The most unforgettable train journeys around the world

From the UK to Peru and Switzerland to Colorado

<p>Which way now? Europe has more rail choice than ever</p>
News & Advice

Europe’s most exciting new train journeys

<p>Wales’ steam locomotive goes more than 13 miles from the harbour of Porthmadog to the town of Blaenau Ffestiniog via Snowdonia</p>
News & Advice

Europe’s most beautiful scenic railway routes revealed

<p>Reaching the mountains by train is easier than you’d think</p>
Skiing

Eight best ski resorts you can travel to by train from London

Lakeshore ride: The railway station at Saint-Saphorin is perched on the very edge of Lake Geneva
News & Advice

The ultimate Interrail trip chosen by editors of Europe by Rail

<p>Dom and the kids in the Hungarian train’s dining car</p>
SPONSORED

Four trains and a ferry: A sleeper train family holiday across Europe

The views from the Glacier Express are outstanding
News & Advice

12 stunning train rides you should take before you die

<p>The train in Jungfrau, Switzerland</p>
Travel

A child-friendly train adventure through Spain, France and Switzerland

<p>Spain’s train discounts could kickstart your next rail adventure</p>
Spain

How to try Spain’s free train scheme as a tourist

The Amtrak Coast Starlight
Americas

How to see the California coast by train

Registan Square is beautifully photogenic
Asia

A bullet train journey across Uzbekistan

Caledonian Sleeper from London Euston Station approaching the Horseshoe Curve on the West Highland Line
News & Advice

Surprising starts to some of Britain's most beautiful train journeys

Going places? Low-cost train operator Ouigo has been described as ‘a budget airline on rails’
News & Advice

European rail: can no-frills trains lure travellers from planes

<p>A greener journey to Malaga is more preferable than a flight</p>
Travel questions

What’s the best way to book a holiday to Spain via train?

<p>The scheme offers free travel on journeys operated by state-owned Renfe </p>
News & Advice

Spain extends free train travel scheme into 2023

<p>Dining out: a first class meal aboard LNER</p>
News & Advice

Could first class rail travel be about to hit the buffers?

<p>Passengers pay anywhere from £11,000 for a three-night ticket aboard the Britannic Explorer</p>
News & Advice

Luxury sleeper train refunds passengers after maiden journey delayed

<p>A Virgin train on the west coast mainline in 2012</p>
News & Advice

Virgin’s bid for west coast mainline rail route rejected by regulator

<p>Travellers can book into the Juniper Grand Suite Living Room & Bedroom from July</p>
News & Advice

Inside Belmond’s all-new luxury sleeper train coming to London

<p>A Eurostar train from London leaves the Channel Tunnel</p>
Lifestyle

How Uber deal will change rail travel to Paris and Brussels

<p>Alstom's Avelia Horizon is the only high-speed double-decker train in the world</p>
News & Advice

Double-decker trains could soon operate through Channel Tunnel

<p>The trip will visit 14 countries, including France, Canada and Japan</p>
News & Advice

New rail tour rounds the globe in 100 days - but tickets aren’t cheap

<p>A Eurostar train from London leaves the Channel Tunnel</p>
Lifestyle

How Uber deal will change rail travel to Paris and Brussels

<p>Alstom's Avelia Horizon is the only high-speed double-decker train in the world</p>
News & Advice

Double-decker trains could soon operate through Channel Tunnel

<p>The trip will visit 14 countries, including France, Canada and Japan</p>
News & Advice

New rail tour rounds the globe in 100 days - but tickets aren’t cheap

<p>The incentive scheme is set to take effect from the end of May</p>
News & Advice

Cheaper train fares between UK and Europe possible under new scheme

<p>EU residents born between July 2006 and June 2007 can apply to explore the continent for free</p>
News & Advice

Brexit denies British youngsters free train travel across Europe

<p>Age appropriate: Janet Street-Porter poses with a senior railcard</p>
News & Advice

Railcards: can I get one and will it save me money on train tickets?

<p>The proposed route passes through Moscow to Beijing on trains that were suspended in 2019 </p>
News & Advice

Expert unravels the myth behind the world’s ‘longest train journey’

<p>Many GWR staff are not contractually obliged to work on Sundays</p>
News & Advice

GWR explains why Sunday train cancellations will continue

<p>Eurostar’s birthday sale is live until 22.59pm on 14 November</p>
News & Advice

Eurostar flash sale: Cheap train tickets to Paris, Amsterdam and more

<p>Swap busy Bangkok for some slow travel around Thailand</p>
Thailand

Escape Bangkok and visit these hidden Thailand gems by rail

<p>Passengers would be able to transform the glass from transparent to frosted at the push of a button </p>
News & Advice

‘Smooch cabins’ on German trains will allow passengers to ‘cuddle’

<p>The Brightline passes through West Palm Beach on its way from Miami to Orlando</p>
Florida

Taking the Brightline to Disney World: Why I switched road for rail

<p>Rail passes will be available for travel in July and August </p>
News & Advice

Unlimited rail travel in France this summer – for less than £50

<p>Orange alert: Network Rail staff working on lines in the Midlands</p>
News & Advice

Half-term trains hit by strikes, floods and engineering work

<p>Orange alert: Network Rail staff working on lines in the Midlands</p>
News & Advice

Half-term trains hit by strikes, floods and engineering work

<p>The mountains are calling with this new train service to Cortina, northern Italy</p>
Europe

The most exciting new train journeys across Europe

<p>Continental reunion: an Austrian Railways Nightjet train </p>
Rail Travel

Is this the age of the overnight sleeper train?

<p>Working day: Network Rail carries out widespread engineering work over Christmas and New Year</p>
News & Advice

Taking the train home for Christmas or New Year? Here’s when to travel

<p>No go: Rail signals outside London Paddington, which will close from 24 to 27 December </p>
News & Advice

Nightmare before Christmas: HS2 to disrupt rail travel on 24 December

<p>GWR’s Night Riviera sleeper train departs from London Paddington </p>
Cornwall

The sleeper train holiday to Cornwall that doesn’t cost the Earth

Cornwall

The sleeper train holiday to Cornwall that doesn’t cost the Earth

<p>GWR’s Night Riviera sleeper train departs from London Paddington </p>
Rail Travel

Niki hikes the Peak District with mates

<p>Should HS2 be finished in full or scaled back?</p>
Rail Travel

‘It’s always been the wrong way round’: Readers split on future of HS2

<p>Should HS2 be finished in full or scaled back?</p>
Rail Travel

Is HS2 worth completing, or just a £66bn mistake?

<p>Amtrak’s Acela trains are being hailed as an important step towards converting Americans to train travel</p>
Travel

Is America finally on track for a high-speed rail network?

<p>Amtrak’s Acela trains are being hailed as an important step towards converting Americans to train travel</p>
Travel

Is America finally on track for a high-speed rail network?

<p>Paris is Eurostar’s flagship destination</p>
Europe

Best places you can visit on the Eurostar from London

<p>Rising fares, ageing infrastructure, and privatisation is at the heart of the debate around Britain’s railway service</p>
Rail Travel

Fare reforms and nationalisation – readers on fixing our railways

<p>We want to know what you think. How can the UK make rail travel value for money? (Kirsty O’Connor/PA)</p>
Rail Travel

Tell us how Britain’s railways can be improved for commuters

<p>Keep an eye out for Eurostar sales throughout the year </p>
Rail Travel

Expert tips to save money on UK-France train travel

<p>Some of Europe’s train routes are among the most picturesque in the world </p>
Rail Travel

The best of Europe’s Interrail routes

Lifestyle

How to travel sustainably around Europe by train

<p>All aboard: Passengers pose for a selfie picture in front of a vintage train in Palena, Italy</p>
Italy

Italy’s vintage trains are a solution to the country’s mass tourism

<p>The snow train is returning for another ski season</p>
Skiing

Why you should take the rebooted snow train to the French Alps

<p>A train will take you to Paris in just over two hours from London </p>
Europe

Best European cities to visit by train from London 2024

<p>The European Sleeper makes the journey between Brussels and Berlin twice a week</p>
Rail Travel

What it’s like to catch the Brussels to Berlin sleeper train

<p>London tube strikes have been called off at the last minute </p>
Home News

‘Crippling’ week-long London Tube strikes called off at last minute

Home News

‘Crippling’ week-long London Tube strikes called off at last minute

<p>London tube strikes have been called off at the last minute </p>
<p>Commuters will have to stay at home or use alternative transport </p>
Rail Travel

Ask Simon Calder anything as strikes set to bring Tube to a halt

<p>The busiest station saw 80.4 million entries and exits in one year </p>
Rail Travel

The UK’s busiest train stations revealed

<p>Interrail journeys let you take in some of Europe’s most beautiful scenery as you travel between cities </p>
Rail Travel

Interrailing explained: how to do it and what it costs

<p>The LNER C7 Class 4-4-2 steam locomotive No 727 approaches the Darlington Bank Top crossing on 1 June 1925 </p>
Architecture

It’s time to exorcise the ghosts of our great railway stations

<p>The LNER C7 Class 4-4-2 steam locomotive No 727 approaches the Darlington Bank Top crossing on 1 June 1925 </p>
Architecture

It’s time to exorcise the ghosts of our great railway stations

<p>Reach Istanbul on an epic overland adventure by rail and bus</p>
Sustainable travel

The best flight-free holidays to avoid air traffic control chaos

<p>The spectacular landscapes of the Grand Canyon</p>
Arizona

Why it’s worth travelling to the Grand Canyon by rail

<p>The Jacobite Steam Train on one of its runs through Scotland </p>
UK

Best UK train holidays: Scenic journeys for exploring by rail

<p>The Rocky Mountaineer in Glenwood Springs</p>
Travel

What it’s like to ride the US’s newest Rocky Mountaineer train route

<p>Istanbul can be reached by rail overnight from Bulgaria</p>
Travel

What it’s like to do the night train from Sofia to Istanbul

<p>European rail travel hasn’t lost its charm </p>
Rail Travel

150 years on, European rail timetable is an invitation to adventure

<p>Happy place: Hamburg’s main railway station, busy with passengers during last summer’s €9 unlimited travel promotion </p>
Germany

Germany’s unlimited €49-a-month rail pass to launch on 1 May

<p>Historic houses on the canal in Amsterdam</p>
Rail Travel

New sleeper train will connect Barcelona and Amsterdam

<p>Travelling around Vietnam by rail allows you to see more of the country</p>
Rail Travel

How to do Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi by train

<p>The Train de Charlevoix</p>
Rail Travel

North America’s first zero-emission train to launch this summer

<p>Wander woman: Monisha Rajesh on a train in India</p>
Rail Travel

Dream rail trip advice from the expert on sleeper trains

Rail Travel

Dream rail trip advice from the expert on sleeper trains

<p>Wander woman: Monisha Rajesh on a train in India</p>
<p>Time to reflect: train travel can be slow, but enchanting</p>
Rail Travel

Meet the slow travellers choosing trains and buses over planes

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