Holiday Essentials > Train

Advantages: A good way to travel
Disadvantages: But could be better still

"This is the sunniest place in New Zealand," Brian assured us over the public address system as the rain lashed down out of a charcoal-coloured sky to splatter the carriage windows. We were passing through the Marlborough wine country near Blenheim, and maybe the landscape would have appeared more inviting under the usual summer sun. Despite the downpour, the grassy hillsides still looked yellow and parched beyond the orderly ranks of vines that ...
...Beyond the hills, to the west, we would on a clear day have seen mountains, but they were lost in the murky haze. The weather was not, of course, Brian's fault but as Train Manager (or Senior Conductor or Head Steward or whatever his title was) he was doing his best to lighten the mood of the passengers. My own view was that he would have done better to open the bar in the buffet car earlier rather than to keep his patter going over the intercom. ... Read review

Advantages: Minimal
Disadvantages: Clunky, expensive tickets compared with phone bookings

Tried today to book tickets Kings Cross to Newcastle. Long process compared with Airline booking sites (for example) - badly needs improving and modernising - takes longer than booking direct with GNER by phone (very good service) and much more expensive. Extremely poor site - hence I booked by phone and saved £203 compared with the comparable best price available on Trainline. Should be renamed Painline! It is also worth noting that CIAO requires ... Read review

Advantages: Reliable and Frequent Services
Disadvantages: Train interiors can be messy

Merseyrail are my local rail service, only a short walk from my house to the station, and I use the trains very frequently for both leisure and commuting, and have done since the early 90s. Personally I think Merseyrail offer a fantastic commuter service. I have visited plenty of places that have trains every hour, or maybe longer than that. But if you are travelling on the Merseyrail Network, you get trains every 15 minutes during weekdays and ...
...old style interiors etc, but Merseyrail have now refurbished every one of the 59 units since the last review, and each train has been given a completely new look, both inside and outside and they look as good as new. Some of the reviews mentioned 'yobs' being a problem. Well there is obviously little Merseyrail can do about this, but what they have done is to install CCTV on all trains and stations. Also, if you are travelling in the evening you ... Read review

Advantages: quick, comfortable, punctual, clear price system
Disadvantages: limited network

...to now, I've used the Thalys ten times, with another journey coming next week. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Thalys in general ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Thalys is a European high speed train, connecting Germany, Belgium, France and the Netherlands. From Cologne, there is a direct train to Paris, with stops in Aachen, Liège and Brussels Midi. Furthermore, ...
...Brussels and Paris. Also, the Thalys stops at Marne-La-Vallée-Chessy - the train station at Disneyland Paris. Travel time from Brussels to Cologne is 2:20 hrs and from Cologne to Paris 3:55hrs. Every day, there are six possible journeys between these cities. From 2007, journey time will be cut down by approx. 50 minutes between Brussels and Cologne due to the new high speed track in Belgium, so the journey then will only take 1:30 hrs. A reservation ... Read review

Advantages: New trains
Disadvantages: Rail network in Northern Ireland not extensive enough

...dare travel by train in Northern Ireland. Only 5 years ago this would involve sitting in old, delapidated trains in use since the 1970s! However today the picture is different with more and more people choosing to commute by train. I often commute from Antrim to Belfast and I am always very pleased with the service. The price of a return ticket is £6.80 which is a bit expensive however I don't mind paying this because of the quality of the trains ...
...at each station. Northern Ireland Railways staff have always been very plesant and helpful towars me and other passengers. Their friendly service is unique. NIR caters well for disabled passengers. On my last 2 journeys I noticed blind passengers using the braile sinage. The trains are Wheelchair accessible with dedicated accommodation for 2 wheelchairs. One of the train toilets is also wheelchair compatible. I would definetly advise Northern Ireland ... Read review