In Europe, trains are the go

BY DAVID POTTS

You know the story: Long commute to an airport several hours ahead of your flight; long lines for check-in, ditto for security checks. More lines in the departures lounges.

But there is easier way to go in Europe – you can take a train.

European trains are cheap, convenient, fast and comfortable.

They usually run on time.

And you get to see stunning scenery along the way – something you can't do at 10,668m.

You also arrive less frazzled and often within walking distance of hotels, restaurants and attractiions, as train stations are usually in the centre of town.

Queues are few. You can arrive at the station just minutes ahead of departure. But you do have to carry your own baggage.

For those who are green-conscious, trains are the least damaging mode of transport.

Wide-ranging routes and frequent services make cobbling together an itinerary a breeze.

We've travelled on every type of service, from the two-carriage local trains to state-of-the-art, high-speed trains which criss-cross Europe's nearly 300,000km of rail track.

Local trains meander through small towns and farmlands allowing you to see life up close.

High-speed trains, travelling at up to 350kmh, connect bigger cities.

London to Paris now takes only two hours and 40 minutes; Paris to Lyon, two hours; Madrid to Barcelona, five hours; and Frankfurt to Salzburg, less than six hours.

Then there are the legendary scenic rail routes taking you past shimmering lakes, plunging gorges, snow-capped mountains and coastal splendors.

Most first class seats, often with tables, are well-upholstered and comfortable.

Your compartment sometimes has individually controlled air conditioning. Sleeping berths are also available on some overnight trains.

The only sound is the "shush" of the train and the occasional click-clack of a rail junction.

This year Eurail celebrates its 50th birthday.

It was founded to give foreigners a single rail pass that would allow travel on different rail systems.

It has made travel easier by eliminating the need to buy tickets for each leg of a journey in different foreign currencies.

In the years since 1959, more than 12 million customers have travelled on a Eurail pass. But you need to buy the pass before you leave Australia.

The best, and most economical, way to travel is to plan an itinerary and then buy a Eurail Pass which gives you access to one or more of the rail systems of 25 European countries.

Passes are available for unlimited travel in just one country or for three, four or five-country combinations and for periods of up to two months.

They're available in first or second class. I'd advise taking the first class ticket for greater comfort and convenience.

In Britain, buy a Britrail pass if you intend travelling extensively by train.

A Eurail Pass also gives free or reduced transport on ferries and buses as well as reductions on hotels.

Bookings are essential on intercity trains. That means you don't have to scramble for seats.

It's also not a bad idea to self-cater on the trains. Sure, there are buffet cars on the major trains, but they have a limited menu and tend to be expensive.

But if you want to splurge on a romantic three-course meal, with wine, and mock candles, then do so. A snack trolley is sometimes provided as an alternative to a restaurant car.

We've become addicted to trains.

On this journey, we board our intercity train in Paris and little more than four hours later we are in the Dordogne valley in the south of France.

Our next journey is from Maastricht in the south of Holland to Bruges in Belgium, a trip of just three hours.

We covered half of Belgium in the same time it would take a Sydney suburban train to travel from Central to Parramatta.

Our final journey is more complicated – from Paris to Ypres in Belgium. The trip involves a fast intercity to Lille and then a couple of local trains.

We ask advice on the route and timetable at the information desk and in no time are given a printout which shows a timetable, with times of departures and arrivals at each stop, as well as platform and train numbers. Simple.

Some major stations are like mini-cities. They have every possible service. Changing money? No problem. There are money-changers at most of the bigger stations and many also have the hole-in-the-wall ATMs for instant cash.

Larger train stations also have travel and accommodation agencies. Some even have hotel accommodation on site.

I found the station ATMs particularly useful for getting local currency immediately upon arrival in a new country.

Rarely did we have a problem finding our way around stations. Pictograms help overcome language barriers and huge, computerised train movements boards are well placed.

- AAP