RAIL journeys in Europe are having a moment and Brits who want to travel flight-free don’t have to miss out on the action.
British holidaymakers can jump aboard the fastest train in Europe by changing trains in Paris.
The Frecciarossa 1000 is capable of reaching speeds of up to 220mph[/caption]
Train passengers in the UK can already travel directly from London to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam, thanks to Eurostar services from London St Pancras International.
While new direct rail routes from the English capital to Milan, Geneva and Zurich have been floated in recent weeks, nothing has been confirmed.
Until services launch, British holidaymakers can change trains in Paris to board the fastest train in Europe, the Frecciarossa 1000.
Operated by Trenitalia, the route runs between Paris Gare de Lyon and Milan Central station, reaching a top speed of 360kmph (220mph).
While the train can reach speeds of up 360kmph, it’s only certified to operate at 300kmph (186mph) on its route.
It has its 16 powerful engines to thank for its top speed.
Passengers wanting to board this super-fast service will need to wait until April 1.
This is because the direct route was suspended in August 2023 because of a landslide.
Journeys on the direct service can take up to seven hours, with tickets already on sale for the summer.
Sun Online Travel have found one-way tickets from €45 (£37) on the Trenitalia website.
First introduced back in 2015, the Frecciarossa 1000 quickly became the company’s flagship train.
Other routes also operate with this train, including its Turin to Naples service, which calls at popular cities like Milan, Bologna, Florence, and Rome.
Passengers can expect a restaurant/bar onboard with power sockets at all seats and free Wi-FI.
Rail enthusiasts have raved about the journey in online reviews, with one person writing: “A very enjoyable service with quiet and complimentary water, snacks, tea, coffee and soft drinks in 1st class”.
Another added: “This is a great train to travel on, the service was nice, comfortable and clean”.
A third person wrote: “We recently travelled on the Frecciarossa 1000 from Rome to Venice, covering 530km in four hours.
“The overall experience was very pleasant and the food in the restaurant car was delicious, with a selection of hot meals available.
“The seats in the Standard class were comfortable, and I appreciated the availability of USB ports for charging device”s.
Meanwhile, a train route relaunched last year connecting three countries on its route.
The train line connects Italy to Croatia via Slovenia.
Dutch train operator GoVolta hopes to launch train routes from Amsterdam to Berlin and Copenhagen in 2025.
And Czechia public transport operator Leo Express has revealed plans to connect Belgium to Slovakia via a 19-hour train journey.
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
Dutch train operator GoVolta hopes to launch train routes from Amsterdam to Berlin and Copenhagen in 2025.
And Czechia public transport operator Leo Express has revealed plans to connect Belgium to Slovakia via a 19-hour train journey.
Passengers wanting to board this super-fast service will need to wait until April 1[/caption]
