European trains catch on in SA

18 Apr 2024 - by Kiran Molloy

Penny McAslin, Rail Specialist at World Travel. Source: Supplied

More and more South Africans are opting for catching a train across Europe due to the ban on short-haul flights and growing consciousness of the environmental benefits of using trains over flights.

According to Penny McAslin, Rail Specialist at World Travel, there has been an increase in rail travel inquiries for European trips since 2021, especially due to the Rugby World Cup in 2023 and the Olympics this year, both of them hosted in France.

“Rail travel has become a preferred method of transport compared with flights. Take London to Paris for example, the duration of the train ride is roughly two hours and 15 minutes. Compare this with flying, where the client has to travel to Heathrow, check-in in for the flight, take the flight, land in Paris CDG and then travel from CDG to the CBD. This can take up to five hours,” she said.

Obviously, train travel is not only being adopted for its time saving and efficiency, but also for its lower carbon emissions.

“Trains are an eco-friendly form of travel with a small carbon footprint. High-speed trains are three times more energy efficient than regional trains,” says McAslin.

Europe is now offering more rail options for both short- and long-haul travel, and rail trips are growing in demand among South African travellers, ranging from Zurich to Basel (50 minutes) to Stockholm to Amsterdam (one day and eight hours).

Furthermore, McAslin is finding more and more rail passes and train tickets that fit the needs and budgets of all types of travellers, including luxury options and basic options for all ages and circumstances – seniors, adults, youth, children, groups and families.

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