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Euronews
27-04-2025
- Euronews
‘I'm glad we didn't fly': How I Interrailed across Europe with my two kids
ADVERTISEMENT 'Why can't we just fly there?' my youngest questions as we stand on the platform waiting for our train to Paris. I'm about to go Interrailing with my husband and two children, aged eight and 11. I have never done this before. My youth was misspent hopping between beach huts in Southeast Asia, not trains in Europe. But long-haul flights for four are expensive, and I'm now more conscious of the environmental impact of flying. Plus, Interrail passes are very cost-effective for families. Kids under 12 travel free, and ticket prices are fixed year-round. 'Train travel will be more fun!' I say. 'No hanging about in the airport, more room to move around, and flexibility to change plans if we want to.' Airports conjure up visions of queues, restrictions and long, uncomfortable journeys, while travelling by train feels far more civilised. It seems others agree. Train travel is experiencing a renaissance, with more people opting to take to the rails . There are more routes than ever to enjoy, too, with the EU's high-speed network nearly doubling in a decade , along with the revival of night trains.** How to plan a cross-European rail journey with kids Our route takes in France, Germany, Croatia and Austria, with most of our holiday centred in Slovenia, a country I've longed to visit for a while. Slovenia is one of the greenest countries in the world, so it's a fitting tribute to venture here by one of the most environmentally friendly forms of transport. Related Coolcations: Why more people are flocking to destinations in Norway, Finland and Iceland this summer New Madrid-Lisbon high-speed train to cut journey time from 10 hours to three Travelling by train instead of flying cuts individual carbon emissions by up to 90 per cent. However, booking cross-border train travel can be more challenging than opting for a flight. Along with a myriad of different country and route options, juggling different operators, navigating which routes need seat reservations and still have availability, plus ensuring the itinerary isn't too intense for kids, becomes rather mind-boggling. The Interrail and Seat61 websites are invaluable in helping smooth out our trip planning woes. For those less inclined to DIY, there's Byway, a company specialising in organising flight-free trips. Spying mountains out of the window. Kate Lewis Plans are also underway to improve European rail travel, and the EU is working towards a unified cross-European booking system to simplify the whole process. Seat reservations open up to three months in advance, so make sure you book early if you want to sit together. When you're planning your itinerary, it's a good idea to space out longer journeys too, to prevent kids from getting overwhelmed. When it comes to accommodation, apartments are also often cheaper and easier for families. And while you are on the train, a bit of preparation can save you a lot of headaches down the line. Download movies or TV shows to watch in advance as WiFi can be patchy and expensive. Many trains lack decent food options as well, so make sure you pack some snacks. Trains are a luxury compared to overnight economy flights Planning now well behind us, we ease into train travel with a short first journey. Eurostar whisks us from London to Paris, where we bed down in a cosy Parisian apartment. In the morning, fuelled by warm flaky croissants, we hop on the metro to Parc de La Villette, a fantastic family-friendly urban park in the northeast of the capital and wander back slowly along Canal St. Martin to Gare de l'Est for our onward journey—first to Stuttgart and then overnight to Zagreb. ADVERTISEMENT Waiting for a train at Zagred Station. Kate Lewis The novelty factor is still high, and my two children love sitting on the upper deck of the German train. 'It travels at 199 miles an hour!' exclaims my eldest, tackling a giant pretzel. Jaws drop when they find out that some Swiss trains have playgrounds on board . Travelling overnight by train is also unique. Our private couchette had six small bunks, a lockable door and a bottle of water and a croissant each. Some of the newer sleeper trains have showers and room service on board, though I'm selective in who I divulge this information to in case the kids feel like they're missing out. Either way, it's luxury compared to flying economy class overnight, and still a fraction of the price. And boarding just 15 minutes before departure? A dream. Cable cars and wacky museums in Zagreb We wake to softly falling snow in Austria before rattling alongside ice-cold rivers towards Zagreb, Croatia's overlooked capital. The city greets us with a blast — quite literally — as the Gric cannon fires its daily noon salute from the Lotrščak Tower, a tradition that's held strong since 1877. ADVERTISEMENT Zagreb's quirks are further unveiled as we admire grand Austro-Hungarian façades rubbing shoulders with Brutalist buildings, a pretty botanical garden adjacent to graffitied walls, and damaged steps patched up with colourful mosaic tiles. There are nearly 50 weird and wonderful museums here too, covering everything from broken relationships to hangovers. We plump for the more kid-appropriate museum of laughter, the Ha Ha House, with its upside-down rooms and distorted mirrors. Our friend Ivo tells us Mount Medvicnica, to the north of the city, is a beloved part of Zagreb, so we board a cable car and ride dizzyingly high up to explore its trails. Related These tracking holidays offer 'total immersion' into the world of Europe's wolves From rising rents to rewilding: How tourists are rethinking their impact on the places they visit 'On Mondays, people will ask if you made it into the hills. If you did, it means you had a good weekend. Good moods are found up there,' he says. ADVERTISEMENT Moods are good back on board the train, too. The rhythmic clickety-clack of old carriages and the ever-changing European landscapes unfolding are soporific and soothing. We settle into the enforced downtime easily with Uno battles, books and a little bit of screen time. A young interrailer remarks that our trip is ''so cool,' and my boys grin, chuffed they have impressed her. The urban sprawl of Zagreb soon gives way to forested hills, wide turquoise rivers, and clusters of houses on the hills. 'Look! A mountain! With snow!' shouts my youngest, as we forge into Slovenia. Fairytale castles and crowd-free skiing in Slovenia Slovenia's enchanting capital, Ljubljana, is instantly likeable. A compact, car-free centre of cobbled streets and café-lined riverbanks, it's made for wandering. Trees are in blossom everywhere when we arrive. We stretch our legs further in Ljubljana's prettiest public space, Tivoli Park, before stomping up to the medieval castle's viewing tower for sweeping views of the winding River Ljubljanica and the red-roofed city. ADVERTISEMENT At Bled, we bike ride around Slovenia's most famous lake, admiring the fairytale cliff-top castle and 15th-century Gothic church marooned on a tiny central island. Lake Bohinj in Slovenia. Kate Lewis But it is Bohinj we truly fall for. It's quieter and wilder. There's no station here, so more effort is needed to reach it. Better for us, I think, as we canoe through water as clear as glass on Lake Bohinj, with only the surrounding mountains for company. Late afternoons bring the fresh mountain air and the kitesurfers, so we head home for thick hot chocolate and Bled cake, a cream and calorie-filled local pastry, which tastes as good as it looks. Central to Bohinj are the mountains, and we are lucky enough to catch the tail end of the ski season at Vogel, 1535m above the lake. My husband takes off to enjoy the crowd-free slopes alone, and a one-to-three ski lesson enables my boys and me to wobble down a blissfully quiet blue run by mid-afternoon. ADVERTISEMENT The boys are hooked. As the cable car carries us silently back up into the peaceful snowy peaks for another slow descent, we plot our return. Alas, it is finally time to leave. Valleys become steeper and mountains loom larger as Slovenia moves aside for Austria. Fluffy clouds scud across the blue sky as we whizz through the dramatic alpine landscape. 'We'd miss seeing all this going by plane,' my husband says. Vogel in Slovenia. Kate Lewis After a fleeting stop in Salzburg, where we eyeball Mozart's birthplace and play at the rather excellent Spielzeug Museum (toy museum), our journey takes us via Stuttgart back home to the UK. Breaking off another bit of Austrian chocolate, just to check it still tastes good, my youngest muses, 'In the end, I'm glad we didn't fly.' High praise indeed. ADVERTISEMENT Train travel was provided by
Euronews
11-04-2025
- Euronews
Europe's top rail operators and routes for a dog-friendly adventure across the continent
ADVERTISEMENT With the arrival of fine weather and the Easter break around the corner, dog owners might be dreaming up ways to turn their daily walk into a more adventurous trip. Plenty of rail and cruise companies now accept pets, meaning you can zip to Milan or sail to the Netherlands without worrying about crates or cargo holds - or the much higher carbon footprint of flying over other forms of transport. To help dog-owners, flight-free travel pioneer Byway and dog-friendly travel expert Lottie Gross have teamed up to share advice on navigating Europe's railways with a furry friend in tow. Which European rail companies are best for travelling with a dog? Travelling with a dog comes with a host of extra factors to consider, from avoiding rush hour to local leash laws. If you choose to travel by train, some operators offer better services for passengers with four-legged companions than others. 'I'm a big of the Netherlands' rail operator, NS, as they have very few restrictions for dogs and pets aren't required to wear a muzzle, which is always a more pleasant experience for the animal,' says Gross, who has travelled around Europe with her pooch Arty. In her research for her upcoming book, Dog-Friendly Europe, she took the Austrian Federal Railways-owned Nightjet from Stuttgart to Venice, which allows dogs in its private cabins. 'It was a really exciting experience, and the dog got to share my breakfast in the cabin the following morning,' she says. Gross also flags the French operator SNCF as a great choice: 'There are some restrictions for dogs (mainly around wearing muzzles), but their routes are so extensive so you can really get far through France and even into Spain on their trains.' Consider the time of day and time of year when travelling with a dog Gross has collaborated with Byway to create easily bookable itineraries for travellers with dogs. One key consideration when choosing the routes was avoiding stressful train changes. 'It's less about specific routes or stations being stressful and more about the number of changes and when you're travelling,' explains Gross. 'Dogs need space and so travelling through Gare du Nord at rush hour, for example, or on a commuter train first thing in the morning, is really less than ideal and unpleasant for the dog.' Lottie with her travel-loving dog Arty Lottie Gross Having to change trains several times within just a few hours is also disruptive for a dog, she says. They need plenty of rest and often need time to get used to new surroundings, so sticking to routes with fewer changes is always best for their welfare. Gross says it's also really important to consider the time of year you're travelling with your dog. 'If you're going to Milan by rail with a dog in the height of summer, you might be putting them at risk of heat stroke,' she says. ADVERTISEMENT 'It's essential to carry water with you on trains when travelling with a dog, but sometimes it's best to avoid travelling at all during the hottest parts of the year - especially for dogs with black coats or thick fur, which can overheat very quickly and cause fatal heatstroke.' A dog-friendly rail adventure through France Byway has created three different options for dog-friendly travel itineraries departing from London this spring. For a trip through France , travel by train from the Opal Coast to the Loire Valley, with accommodations and attractions happy to welcome your furry friend along the way. In Calais, Byway suggests dining at Le Grand Bleu, where dogs are welcomed with water while you feast on exceptional local catches, while in Tours, you can take a riverside walk ending at the dog-friendly Art is an Ale brewery. ADVERTISEMENT Related What my Interrail trip across Europe taught me about the past, present and future of train travel From sweeping fjords to majestic mountains: European train routes with the most unforgettable views Dogs are allowed on all trains in France , but there are a few rules to follow. Most importantly, dogs must have their own ticket, which you need to purchase manually at the train station for each leg of your journey. If your dog is under 6kg, they can travel in a carrier on your lap or under the seat (carriers should be no more than 45 cm x 30 cm x 25 cm). If over 6kg, they must be leashed and muzzled. In France, dogs are required to be on a lead from 15 April through to 30 June every year in forests, meadows and riverbanks unless they are on an official path. Exploring Northern Italy with a four-legged friend Another itinerary takes passengers from London to Milan and Venice by train, with stops in Paris and Geneva. ADVERTISEMENT In cosmopolitan Milan, Byway recommends visiting the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a dog-friendly shopping centre, and elegant parks and gardens, such as Parco Sempione with fenced-in areas for dogs to run off the lead. In Venice , dog owners should head to the Lido island and its long, sandy beach. At the northern end, you'll find the Pachuka Beach club, where dogs are warmly welcomed to play in the surf, snooze on the sand beneath an umbrella and receive fuss from the lifeguard all year round. The island has plenty of dog-friendly hotels, or you can splash out for a private-island experience at JW Marriott, where pups get free reign over a vast parkland. ADVERTISEMENT Travelling with a dog comes with a host of extra factors to consider, from avoiding rush hour to local leash laws. Egor Gordeev When in Italy, remember that most regions have made it an offence to leave dog mess, so be vigilant and always carry bags to clean up. Some regions have even gone as far as DNA testing for local dogs in order to hand out fines to the correct people where rules are not obeyed, so don't assume it's a law rarely enforced. The Italian Ministry of Health has stated that all dog owners must have a muzzle to hand at all times when in public with their dog, and they must use it when instructed by officials such as train conductors or police officers. Italy doesn't ban any specific dog breeds, but the city of Venice prohibits entry to Rottweilers and Doberman Pinschers. ADVERTISEMENT Sail to the Netherlands in a dog-friendly cabin The third itinerary starts from the ferry terminal at Harwich in the UK, where you can sail to Hoek van Holland on an overnight boat. You can board from around 8.30pm to have dinner on the ship, but be aware that dogs aren't allowed in the public spaces on the ferry, so they will have to stay in your cabin. You can ask to have your meal as a takeaway and eat in the cabin if you wish to keep your dog company. There is also a pet deck for toilet breaks. Related Meet Zen, the border collie teaching rescue dogs as climate change compounds avalanche risks 'Historic win for animals': South Korea bans sale and production of dog meat From Hoek van Holland, a 30-minute metro ride takes you to Rotterdam . Byway recommends dog-friendly dinner at Rotterdam Markthal, where Asian, Mediterranean and Caribbean food vendors cook up a feast. There are also dog-friendly harbour tours available in the city with Spido. ADVERTISEMENT Head on to Haarlem, a less crowded canal city than Amsterdam , and enjoy French crêpes and galettes at pooch-friendly Ti Bisou Crêpes Boutique. In the Hague, take advantage of huge parks like the hundred-hectare Haagse Bos, where your dog can run off the lead through thick forest. The city's coastal neighbourhood Scheveningen enjoys a vast, sandy beach that has dog-friendly sections in summer (look out for the signage on the waterfront around the pier); the entire beach is dog-friendly throughout the period between October 1 and May 15. The Pier and enormous Ferris Wheel are both dog-friendly here, too, and dog-friendly cargo bike hire is available from Black Bikes. ADVERTISEMENT When travelling by train in the Netherlands, you need to purchase a dog ticket (or 'dagkaart hond') at approximately €3.30 for each travel day. These must be purchased at the train station or online .
Euronews
05-03-2025
- Euronews
Rail vs air: The tool that aims to make European train journeys as easy as booking a flight
Rail is experiencing a renaissance across Europe, as countries continue to invest in train networks and travellers look for flight-free alternatives that are better for the planet. But while demand for holidays is surging, navigating Europe's complex and fragmented train networks has remained a challenge. A new interactive mapping tool from slow travel specialist Byway hopes to change that. The platform, which already helps travellers plan and book flight-free journeys, now offers a visual journey planner that lays out rail routes and connections in a clear, user-friendly way. The goal? To make booking a multi-country train trip as seamless as booking a flight, something that has long been missing from Europe's rail system. Why is it so difficult to book an international train journey in Europe? For decades, Europe's train networks have been notoriously difficult to navigate for international travellers. There is no single, unified booking system across borders - not to mention differing regulations. Instead, travellers must piece together tickets from different rail operators, often relying on multiple websites or even phone calls to secure their itinerary. 'The travel industry has always regarded international train travel as a black art, even back in the 1980s when it was a lot simpler and less fragmented than it is now,' says Mark Smith, creator of the popular online rail travel guide Man in Seat 61. 'Arranging holidays by rail rather than air has always required an army of staff to make all the arrangements, making it a high-cost operation.' Byway's new tool is designed to change that by streamlining the planning and booking process, allowing travellers to create and price up their own itineraries in one place. 'Their new map interface is a bold attempt to let travellers do this themselves,' Smith says. 'And as a new generation emerges who expect to do everything online and are becoming reluctant to pick up the phone, people seem to like it.' How does the new mapping tool work? Byway Maps is designed to take the guesswork out of planning a rail journey. Users input their starting location and timeframe, and the tool generates suggested routes that incorporate train travel, accommodation and slow travel experiences along the way. The platform currently features 160 destinations in 20 countries, with plans to expand further. Byway Maps doesn't just list train schedules, it also tailors itineraries for travellers that align with their interests and ensure smooth connections. 'Our goal is to make flight-free travel mainstream,' Byway founder Cat Jones said in a statement. 'This tool removes the biggest barriers to train travel: fragmented booking systems and complex route planning. Byway Maps makes the process effortless, so more people can experience the joy of slow travel.' Why are more travellers choosing trains over planes? The EU's high-speed railway network has nearly doubled in a decade, according to the latest official figures. Meanwhile, night trains are enjoying a revival, demand for greener travel options continues to grow and passenger numbers have surged. Eight billion people rode the rails for national journeys in 2023 – up nearly 68 per cent from 2020. 'When I started over 20 years ago, if someone told me why they were going from the UK to Spain or Italy or Budapest by train instead of by plane, they'd typically say they were afraid of flying, had a medical restriction, or just liked trains,' Smith explains. 'Now they say two things: they are fed up with the airport and airline experience, and they want to cut their emissions. It's almost becoming mainstream again.' The environmental benefits are hard to ignore. Figures from the International Energy Agency (IEA) show that where air travel generates more than 250 grams of carbon per passenger per kilometre, rail travel accounts for just 34 grams. With trains producing significantly fewer emissions, choosing rail over air travel is one of the most effective ways for individuals to reduce their carbon footprint. New European Interrail and night trains are launching, rail passes are becoming more flexible and tools like Byway's make itineraries easier to build. The golden age of train travel could be making a comeback.
