THE RAILWAY network in an affordable European capital is set to benefit from a huge multi-billion revamp.
Billions will be pumped into Prague‘s railway network, with its central station getting a £6.1billion facelift.
Billions will be bumped into the railway network in Prague[/caption]
The city’s central station will get a new cultural zone and a square in a bid to enhance its current surroundings[/caption]
Správa železnic, the country’s infrastructure manager, has revealed plans to overhaul the capital’s railway network.
The city’s central station will get a new cultural zone and a square in a bid to make the area more attractive.
Digital images show a light, open, structure, which makes the most of the park space that sits in front of the station.
A new two-level rail hub will also be built, with 6.5miles of underground tunnels also being laid down under the plans.
Two underground tunnels will intersect, with services calling at new stations in the capital, including Karlín, Wenceslas Square, Karlovo Náměstí and Florenc.
Up to 16 trains per hour will run through both tunnels.
The tunnels will feature escalator-equipped passageways, which will lead to a departure hall in the main train station.
It means the city’s central station will be able to more easily separate its long-distance and regional services.
Zdeněk Hřib, who is the first Deputy Mayor of Prague for Transport, said: “This project brings much-needed rail capacity right into the city centre, creating several new strategic stops that will reduce walking distances for passengers.
“The strengthened railway network will also alleviate pressure on the busiest public transport routes and divert some road traffic, reducing emissions and noise levels.”
Prague Central Station first opened to the public in 1871 and is located 15 minutes from the Old Town Square.
The huge train station has been renovated several times, with it being expanded in both 1972 and 1979.
It is not yet known when the renovation will be finished or when the routes will open to the public.
Prague is often considered to be one of the most affordable cities to visit in Europe thanks to its £1.25 beers and cheap hotels.
The country also happens to be the birthplace of both Budweiser and Pilsner, as well as many other hearty beers.
Visitors can hop on beer brewery tours to learn more about the country’s ties to the alcoholic beverage.
Other main attractions in the city include Prague Castle, which is located right next to the world’s poshest Starbucks.
The Charles Bridge is another must-visit site – it gets very busy during the day so it’s best to visit early in the morning.
Beers in Prague can be bought from as little as £1.25[/caption]
Prague’s Astronomical clock, which strikes every hour, is located in the Old Town square and is synonymous with the European capital.
Elsewhere in Europe, a 540-mile high speed train line, will join cities in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania by the 2030s.
A new futuristic train station recently opened in Belgium, which looks more like something from Star Trek.
Mons Station was first announced in 2001, and opened earlier this year.
Costing £384million to build, it was designed by Santiago Calatrava, who also created the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia.
Sun Travel’s favourite train journeys in the world
Sun Travel’s journalists have taken their fare share of train journeys on their travels and here they share their most memorable rail experiences.
Davos to Geneva, Switzerland
“After a ski holiday in Davos, I took the scenic train back to Geneva Airport. The snow-covered mountains and tiny alpine villages that we passed were so beautiful that it felt like a moving picture was playing beyond the glass.” – Caroline McGuire
Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen
“Nothing quite beats the Shinkansen bullet train, one of the fastest in the world. It hardly feels like you’re whizzing along at speed until you look outside and see the trees a green blur. Make sure to book seat D or E too – as you’ll have the best view of Mount Fuji along the way.” Kara Godfrey
London to Paris by Eurostar
“Those who have never travelled on the Eurostar may wonder what’s so special about a seemingly ordinary train that takes you across the channel. You won’t have to waste a moment and can tick off all the top attractions from the Louvre to the Champs-Élysées which are both less than five kilometres from the Gare du Nord.” – Sophie Swietochowski
Glasgow to Fort William by Scotrail
“From mountain landscapes and serene lochs to the wistful moors, I spent my three-hour journey from Glasgow to Fort William gazing out the window. Sit on the left-hand side of the train for the best views overlooking Loch Lomond.” – Hope Brotherton
Beijing to Ulaanbatar
“The Trans-Mongolian Express is truly a train journey like no other. It starts amid the chaos of central Beijing before the city’s high-rises give way to crumbling ancient villages and eventually the vast vacant plains of Mongolia, via the Gobi desert. The deep orange sunset seen in the middle of the desert is among the best I’ve witnessed anywhere.” – Ryan Gray
And here’s everything you need to know about Virgin launching international trains to Europe.
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The designs for the new station make use of its outdoor space in front of its entrance[/caption]
Underground tunnels will be built as part of the multi-billion revamp[/caption]
