The Eurostar from London’s St Pancras station transports travelers to Paris in three hours, Lille and Brussels in less than two hours. These cities provide easy rail links to the rest of the European system. There are separate pages for US and UK based travelers, so do make sure you are looking at the correct page.
The incident which caused a temporary closure in September 2008 means a slightly reduced service is operation until early 2009. However Eurostar is still the simplest and fastest route city center to city center.
Christmas Markets by Rail
Why not take a trip to one of Europe’s famous Christmas markets. Only five hours from London, Strasbourg’s December market is full of wonderful gifts and regional Alsatian specialties. Try a return fare from £89. ($142)
Or go to Valkenburg for the unusual experience of a Christmas market held in caves. These historic caves give a magical experience only four and a half hours from London. Return fares from £89 ($142)
Skiers are not forgotten. Waking up in the Alps surrounded by snow after an overnight journey from London is a wonderful feeling. Rail travelers will arrive fresh and ready for a full day on the snow. Choose from six stations all with easy access to your favourite ski resorts. Prices are from £239 ($381) while the trains run from the 16th of January to the third of April 2009.
Europe’s Hotel TrainsYou can go further with over-night and hotel trains. Think of a weekend in Santiago de Compostela. Travel London to Paris then overnight to Irun and then the local train to Santiago de Compostela. A total journey experience of just over a day with prices from £193. ($308)
Travel overnight to the former Olympic city of Barcelona using the famous Elipsos overnight hotel train from Paris. Eurostar and Elipsos bring Barcelona within 16 hours of London with prices from £178. ($284)The architecture the atmosphere of this wonderful city will delight the discerning traveler. European overnight trains provide a range of accommodation from reasonably priced reclining seats, perhaps more suitable for the younger traveller, to deluxe compartments with ensuite facilities and complimentary meals.
Trains for Winter
If snow and the Arctic Circle are your ideal travel destination then a trip to Kemi in Finland from Helsinki will take 11 hours at a cost from £110. ($175)There you can visit the LumiLinnaSnowCastle on the shores of the Gulf of Bothnia. The castle is open from the 31st of January to the 12th of April and is set among wonderful snowscapes and is home to a massive array of illuminated sculptures.
All of Europe’s trains are a wonderful city centre to city centre experience with prices and experiences to suit economy and premium travelers.
