Connect with us

Travel

European Train Travel: A Journey Through Past, Present, and Future

Published

on

A recent Interrail adventure across seven European countries has shed light on the highs and lows of modern train travel, revealing both the comforts and inconsistencies of rail networks across the continent.

From the luxurious panoramic carriages of Switzerland’s Glacier Express to the graffiti-covered trains of Germany, the disparity in rail services underscores the challenges facing Europe’s rail industry. While some countries excel in passenger experience, others struggle with outdated infrastructure and inconsistent amenities.

A Look Back: 200 Years of Rail Travel

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in northern England—the first time passengers traveled en masse by train. In those early days, third-class passengers endured open-air carriages, exposed to the elements and the soot from steam engines.

Rail travel has evolved significantly since then, with the introduction of sleeper cars, dining services, and modern comforts. For those eager to experience train travel as it once was, heritage railways like Britain’s Great Central Railway offer a glimpse into the past, complete with steam engines, traditional compartments, and even waiting rooms with open fireplaces.

Meanwhile, Germany’s Wuppertal Schwebebahn, the world’s oldest electric suspension railway, showcases a different kind of rail innovation. Here, passengers board carriages suspended beneath a single track, demonstrating how train technology has taken many forms over the centuries.

The Reality of Modern Rail Travel

For today’s travelers, the train experience varies dramatically depending on location. During an Interrail journey spanning the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, France, and the UK, the quality of train services ranged from cutting-edge efficiency to frustrating disrepair.

  • Switzerland and the Netherlands: High standards, clean carriages, family-friendly spaces, and reliable service. Swiss Intercity trains even feature onboard playgrounds and board games to keep children entertained.
  • Germany: A mixed experience, with graffiti-covered carriages, worn-out interiors, and inconsistent station facilities.
  • France and the Netherlands: Double-decker trains maximize space, a solution that could benefit more European networks.
  • Seat Reservations & Extra Fees: While Interrail passes cover most journeys, some trains—like Eurostar and the Glacier Express—require additional reservation fees, which often correlate with superior service.
  • WiFi & Charging Points: Still inconsistent, particularly on local and regional trains.

While modern trains offer conveniences unimaginable to passengers 200 years ago, service quality remains uneven across Europe.

What’s Next for Train Travel?

As Europe shifts towards more sustainable transportation, sleeper train services are making a comeback. However, the current state of overnight travel leaves much to be desired. A journey from the Netherlands to Innsbruck highlighted cramped compartments with limited privacy and comfort—a far cry from the luxurious night trains of the past.

To address this, rail companies are investing in new designs:

  • Austria’s Skoda Group is developing double-decker sleep cubicles to improve passenger comfort.
  • Alstom’s DreamSuite concept features lie-flat seats with privacy screens.

Security is also a growing concern, with luggage thefts on the rise. While Japanese bullet trains offer lockable storage, European trains still rely on open racks. Some travelers bring their own cable locks, but rail networks need better-built security systems.

Making Trains the Preferred Choice

For rail to become a truly viable alternative to cars and planes, the passenger experience must improve. Innovations in hydrogen-fueled trains and increased service reliability are essential, but passengers must also want to travel by train.

Norway’s investment in long-distance FLIRT NEX trains—with reclining seats, family-friendly compartments, ample luggage space, and onboard bistros—reflects this shift. As project manager Sille Svenkerud Førner put it,

“The train should not only be a transport stage but also an experience and a place where you like to be.”

Europe’s future in rail travel depends not just on faster, cleaner trains, but on creating an experience that makes people choose the tracks over the skies.

Travel

Rome Braces for Travel Disruptions Following the Death of Pope Francis

Published

on

Travellers to Rome over the coming weeks should expect significant disruptions and closures at some of the city’s most iconic religious sites following the death of Pope Francis on April 21.

The Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, died on Monday after suffering a stroke that led to a coma and subsequent heart failure. His passing has set in motion a series of deeply traditional rituals, including a funeral, public mourning, and the election of a new pope.

Among the immediate impacts is the closure of the Sistine Chapel, which will be used exclusively by the College of Cardinals for the conclave—the secretive process to elect the next pope. The Vatican announced the chapel will close to the public from April 28 and remain inaccessible until several days after the conclave concludes, likely reopening in mid-May.

Other nearby attractions will also see changes. The Vatican Museums will remain open except for April 26, when they will close to honor the Pope’s funeral. However, access to the Sistine Chapel will be suspended, and security will be tight throughout Vatican City. Tours of the Vatican Gardens and the Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis are also suspended due to increased security measures as cardinals travel between the chapel and their accommodations.

St. Peter’s Basilica is currently hosting thousands of mourners, with the late pontiff’s body lying in state until April 25. Public access is possible from 7 a.m. to midnight on April 24, and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on April 25. However, long queues and strict dress codes are in place. Parts of the basilica, including the dome, are closed to visitors, and all guided tours are suspended.

The Pope’s funeral is scheduled for April 26 at St. Peter’s Square and is expected to draw millions. Hotel and flight prices have already begun to climb in anticipation of the influx of visitors, many of whom are traveling to witness what is considered a historic and spiritual milestone.

Following the funeral, attention will turn to the election of the new pope. Tourists and faithful can witness the traditional smoke signals from the Sistine Chapel chimney—black indicating no decision, and white signaling that a new pope has been chosen. Crowds are expected to gather in large numbers in St. Peter’s Square for this moment.

While some visitors may be disappointed by limited access to key religious sites, others are embracing the rare opportunity to witness the Vatican during a pivotal moment in modern Church history.

Continue Reading

Travel

Travel Industry Faces Scrutiny Over Website Accessibility Failures

Published

on

By

Travel companies are coming under increasing pressure for failing to make their websites accessible to people with disabilities, potentially missing out on millions in revenue and facing new legal risks under incoming EU regulations.

Reports by WebAIM, a nonprofit focused on digital accessibility, and AudioEye, a technology company specializing in accessible design, have both identified travel websites as some of the least accessible across the internet. According to WebAIM’s “Million” report, the average travel homepage contained nearly 60 accessibility errors—a 17% increase from the previous year.

“These barriers don’t just impact user experience—they also hurt the bottom line,” said Jared Smith, Executive Director of WebAIM. “With around 20% of the population reporting a disability, ignoring accessibility excludes a large pool of potential customers.”

Common problems flagged by the reports include poor colour contrast, missing image descriptions (alt text), vague links, inaccessible forms, and issues for keyboard-only users. AudioEye noted that 41% of travel and hospitality websites were especially difficult to navigate without a mouse, severely limiting functionality for visually impaired users or those relying on assistive technology.

The World Health Organization estimates that one in six people globally lives with some form of disability. Visual impairments alone affect over 2.2 billion people worldwide, with 43 million registered as blind.

Among the worst offenders is Booking.com, the world’s most visited travel site, which ranked a dismal 712,074th in accessibility among the top one million websites. Other travel giants like Airbnb and Trip.com also scored poorly. On the other hand, companies like Uber and Skyscanner ranked significantly higher, indicating that accessibility improvements are achievable.

Accessibility advocate and blind presenter Lucy Edwards says her experience with travel sites is consistently frustrating. “It’s so infrequent that I can book a holiday independently,” she told Euronews Travel. “Pop-ups break my screen reader, and most images have no descriptive text.”

Screen readers are critical tools for users with visual impairments, converting digital text into speech or Braille. But many travel websites are poorly structured for these tools, making even simple tasks—like choosing a destination or confirming a booking—nearly impossible without assistance.

The issue is gaining urgency ahead of the European Accessibility Act (EEA), which takes effect on June 28. The EEA mandates that all digital services in the EU, including travel websites, meet standards defined by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). These include readable fonts, clear navigation, image alt text, and full keyboard accessibility.

Failure to comply could lead to fines, legal action, and exclusion from public procurement, not to mention damage to brand reputation.

“Overall, the web experience has left me in tears,” Edwards said. “I’m lucky to have help, but it shouldn’t have to be this way.”

With the EEA deadline fast approaching, experts say travel companies must act quickly—not only to meet legal requirements but to ensure that travel is accessible to all.

Continue Reading

Travel

World’s Largest Cruise Ships Set to Make Waves in 2025

Published

on

By

The cruise industry is gearing up for a landmark year in 2025, with several colossal ships preparing to set sail, promising unprecedented scale, luxury, and innovation at sea. With 17 new vessels expected to debut, five stand out as the biggest and most ambitious, redefining what it means to cruise in style.

1. Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas

Leading the fleet is Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas, a sister ship to the current record-holder, Icon of the Seas. Weighing in at a staggering 250,800 tonnes—slightly heavier than Icon—this floating city will embark on seven-night cruises from Port Canaveral, Florida, visiting popular Eastern and Western Caribbean destinations, including the cruise line’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

The ship features eight themed neighborhoods, 40 dining and bar venues, multiple pools, waterslides, and even a three-level Family Townhouse. Royal Caribbean has announced that Star of the Seas will begin full operations on August 31, with early “showcase sailings” offering shorter trips starting earlier in the summer.

2. Disney Cruise Line’s Adventure

Disney Cruise Line is launching its largest ship yet, Disney Adventure, in December. At 208,000 tonnes and 342 meters in length, it will carry around 6,000 guests. Based in Singapore, Adventure will offer three- to five-night cruises with no port calls—just immersive Disney entertainment at sea.

This ship will be the first Disney vessel based in Asia and will feature unique attractions such as a rollercoaster at sea, Marvel-themed experiences, and seven different “lands.” It is currently under construction, with a float-out planned for May and a maiden voyage scheduled for December 15.

3. MSC Cruises’ World America

Weighing 205,700 tonnes, World America is the second in MSC’s World-class series, following World Europa. From its Miami base, the ship will alternate seven-night Caribbean routes, including stops in Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic.

The 22-deck ship boasts 19 restaurants, 20 bars, a Family Aventura park with over-water swings, and an onboard waterpark. World America is already completed and will be officially named in Miami on April 9, with Hollywood actress Drew Barrymore as its godmother.

4. Princess Cruises’ Star Princess

Star Princess, a 175,000-tonne vessel, is Princess Cruises’ second Sphere-class ship and the largest ever built in Italy. Slated for delivery in September, it will initially sail Mediterranean routes before heading to the Caribbean and Alaska in 2026. Amenities include pickleball and basketball courts, expanded bars, and new dining experiences.

5. TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff Relax

Already in operation, the 160,000-tonne Mein Schiff Relax entered service in March, focusing on wellness. With a spa, yoga deck, and over 30 dining venues, the ship currently runs Mediterranean cruises and will later shift to the Canary Islands.

Despite their grandeur, such mega-ships face challenges. Port capacity, local tourism limits—like those now enforced in Santorini—and environmental concerns around LNG fuel use are reshaping the future of cruising. With passenger preferences shifting post-pandemic, it remains to be seen whether “bigger is better” will remain the industry’s guiding mantra.

Continue Reading

Trending