Nose-to-nose French TGVs

France has one of the most sophisticated high-speed train networks in the world. It’s possible to reach most of France from Paris in just a few hours. And because the network extends to Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, and Luxembourg, most of the European continent is within easy reach too. If you count the time spent getting to and from the airport and checking in, travel by train is usually faster than air travel.

Train a Grande Vitesse (TGV) trains are the crème de la creme of French trains. The fastest trains in the world, they’ve been clocked at 357 mph, and regularly travel at speeds in excess of 200 miles per hour.

The TGV was developed in the 1970s by GEC-Althom and is part of the SNCF, or French National Railroad system. The first TGV traveled between Paris and Lyon in 1981

TGV France service links more than 200 French cities. Travelers leaving from Paris can reach Dijon in 1 hour and 40 minutes, Lyon in 2 hours and 10 minutes, or Avignon in 2 hours and 36 minutes. TGV International service goes from Paris to Frankfurt in 4 hours or Luxembourg in 2 hours and 12 minutes.

Once onboard the non-smoking trains, you’ll find airline-style seating, designated cell phone space, computer and Internet access, and food and beverage available for purchase. All TGVs offer both first- and second-class service. First or Premier class has a bar/buffet car and bigger, reclining seats. Premier class also includes access to executive lounges at TGV train stations.

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There’s space for your luggage at the end of the car – unless it’s packed. And you can stow your brief case, coat, or purse overhead. Many rows of seats face each other and the tables in between are handy for working on a laptop, writing, or eating.

Don’t expect to do much sightseeing once you’re underway, even on one of the duplex or double decker trains. Everything outside your window will be a complete blur.

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Avignon TGV station

Reservations can usually be made three months before departure.

Although many of the train stations are new and purpose-built for TGV service, the boarding process can be confusing. At Avignon TGV station, we had a hard time getting information about our train and its whereabouts. Our train was on schedule, but another train was not, and we couldn’t tell whether ours was delayed as a result.

None of the French passengers knew any more than we did, and there were no SNCF employees anywhere near the platform. Monitors showed the platform our train was scheduled to leave from. But there was no information at the platform to confirm it.

Our train pulled into the station on time, took off in minutes, and arrived in Paris as scheduled. But there was more confusion than necessary. Arrive at the station early, confirm the track with the information desk, and be on the correct quai well before the train arrives.

Read more about French trains here.

Nose-to-nose French TGVs Image Flickr: Terrazzo
Avignon TGV station Image Flickr: LoopZilla

Victoria Station

Recently, we posted an article about how to travel by train in Great Britain. It’s a relaxing, affordable way to see the United Kingdom. And the scenery is great. The British rail network is extensive, serving virtually every corner of the British Isles. So you can go virtually everywhere by train.

London has nine major train stations, including Victoria, King’s Cross, Waterloo, Paddington, and St. Pancras. And before you travel by rail, it’s helpful to know what to expect at the train station. See the map and legend to get the lay of the land.

Victoria Station is the second busiest rail station in London with 115 million passengers a year. That’s nearly twice the traffic at Heathrow. Trains to Kent, Surry, and Sussex leave from here. And the Gatwick Airport Express terminates here. There’s also an Underground or Tube station in the basement.

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One of the world’s most glamorous trains, the Venice Simplon Orient Express, departs from Platform 2.

The station first opened in 1860. At that time, it was actually two separate stations – the western side, owned by the Brighton Line had six platforms and ten tracks, and the Chatham side had nine tracks.

When the stations were remodeled in 1908, the Brighton side was completed in red brick and the Chatham side was done in the Edwardian style in white stone. In 1924, the wall was removed and the two terminals were merged.

The Victoria Place shopping center was added in the 1980s, and today, there are two dozen retail outlets, including W.H. Smith, Boots, Carrington Brown, Swatch, and the Tie Rack. If you’re hungry, you can choose from more than forty food outlets – everything from Krispy Kreme doughnuts to sushi.

It’s helpful to know which platform your train leaves from before you arrive at the station. National Rail Enquiries has live departure information posted at http://realtime.nationalrail.co.uk/ldb/summary.aspx?T=VIC.

Victoria Station Image Flickr: OliverN5

Read more Great Britain travel articles here.

Virgin Cross Country train

You’ll be able to drink in the scenery without worrying whether you’re on the wrong side of the road, and you’ll arrive at your destination ready to go.

Most British trains are modern and comfortable, and with more than 2,500 rail stations, there’s train service to virtually everyplace you would want to visit. The busiest routes have several departures a day. For the most part, rail stations are centrally located, so you usually arrive in the heart of town. The stations are also transportation hubs, so if you need to catch a bus or a taxi, there will likely be one right out front.

There are more than 20 private rail companies in Britain, but National Rail serves as a clearinghouse that coordinates fares, schedules, and ticketing. Their web site has fares and schedules for all the rail lines.

On most trains, two classes of service are available — standard and first class. Seating in standard class is like you’d find on an airline, with a table in between the seats. First class is a little roomier and more comfortable, and refreshments are often included in the fare. But since most trips are relatively short, there’s little reason to pay for First Class.

Victoria Station

You don’t need to make reservations in advance, though it’s a good idea during peak travel times or if you want a sleeper car. You can buy food on board — at the restaurant car on intercity trains, in the buffet car, or from the food trolley on shorter journeys.

There’s space for your luggage above and between the seats and at the ends of the individual cars. And since porters are a thing of the past, you’ll probably have to handle it yourself. So don’t carry more than you can manage. Although there are some overnight trains in Britain, since the distances covered are not great, it makes more sense to travel during daylight hours.

Rail fares vary quite a bit and can be affordable or expensive depending on when you book and when you travel. Most online ticket brokers charge the same fare, so where you buy your ticket isn’t as important as when. Like airlines, trains now offer nonrefundable fares that are less expensive. And mid-day travel usually costs less than trains during peak travel times.

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Three types of fares are most common: Advance, Anytime, and Off-Peak. Advance fares can save you as much as 75%, but they’re very restrictive.

Eurail Saver Pass

If you’re taking more than a couple of trips by train, a Rail Pass can be a real money saver. There are several kinds available.

Britrail Passes can save you time and money.

British Rail class train

With a Britrail England Flexi Pass, you have unlimited travel on any scheduled train in England for four, eight, or twelve days during a one- or two-month period. The Britrail GB Flexi Pass adds trains in Scotland and Wales to the equation.

As the name implies, the Britrail England Consecutive Pass lets you travel on four, eight, fifteen, or twenty-two consecutive days during a one-month period. The GB Consecutive Pass adds Scotland and Wales.

The Britrail England Consecutive Pass allows you access to England’s railways over a selected number of consecutive days. The England Consecutive Pass is available for 4-, 8-, 15-, 22-day and 1-month periods.

Youth, Senior, Family, and Party passes are available. And you’ll need to buy your Britrail Pass before you leave home. They’re not sold it Britain. You can activate it at any rail station. Make reservations in advance or just show up when you want to travel. Scotland and Wales also offer country-specific passes.

Find fares, schedules, and more information at http://www.nationalrail.co.uk. Or learn more about Britrail passes here.

You can read more Great Britain travel planning tips here.

Virgin Cross Country train Image Flickr: mattbuck4950
Victoria Station Image Flickr: wsuph001
British Rail class train Image Flickr: mattbuck4950