Beautiful Encounter-Traveling around Europe by train

The opening of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway has set off a boom in train travel in China. When it comes to train travel, Europe is the most mature. There is an advertising slogan that goes well: "Taste Europe through train travel." In Germany and France, train travel enthusiasts have formed clubs to meet regularly and travel once a year. Their slogan is very interesting: "As long as you take the train, the destination is not important." Here, there are not only regular train travel routes , there are also dedicated train luxury tours. The train passes through the most beautiful scenery in the world. Watching the train slowly and romantically pass through the mountains makes the scenery outside the window become like a poem; and the encounters on the train will also interpret different stories.

The most important reason for choosing to take trains when traveling in Europe is of course to save money. To see as much as possible in a month, it's important to find a mode of transportation that's affordable. Railway authorities in various European countries have thought very carefully about tourists and have a variety of train passes of various grades, time limits and types for passengers to choose from.

Taste Europe in train travel

Among them, France’s TGV high-speed train is the fastest train in the world, with a speed of 515 kilometers per hour. TGV high-speed trains have connected France for 20 years and Europe (more than 150 destination cities), known for its safety, speed and comfort. Switzerland's "Golden Train" is a classic train travel route with a total length of 240 kilometers. It runs between the German-speaking area in central Switzerland and the French-speaking area in western Switzerland. It connects the elegant and beautiful Lake Lucerne to Lake Geneva, the largest lake in Western Europe, and shuttles through the essence of the Alps. The resort has 6 lakes and 3 mountain passes, from the typical Swiss mountain peak lake landscape to romantic and beautiful vineyards. The scenery along the entire journey is quite diverse and very attractive.

France: TGV high-speed train

TGV high-speed train is the fastest train in the world, with a speed of 515 kilometers per hour. For 20 years, TGV high-speed train has connected France and Europe (more than 150 destination city), has always been known for its safety, speed and comfort. The southeastern TGV high-speed train was operated in 1981 and has been running between Paris and Lyon, Avignon, Marseille and Montpellier. In the spacious and clean carriage of the TVG high-speed train, you can sit on the large and adjustable aviation seat. You can use the power socket next to the seat to charge, play computer, and listen to music. You can also go to the coffee bar on the train to have a drink and eat. Order something delicious. However, for those who love to see the scenery, just focusing on the scenery outside the window, less than two hours from Paris to Nice will pass quickly.

Swiss Golden Pass Express: Taking you to dreamland

Switzerland is famous for its precision machinery manufacturing, and when applied to railways, it is even more perfect. The Swiss railway network not only runs the most modern and advanced high-speed trains, elegant and luxurious scenic trains, thrilling narrow-gauge trains and gear trains, and romantic open-top summer trains, but also in some mountainous areas, there are hundreds of years of history. The steam locomotive is still operating with dignity and high quality. The Swiss railway network is very complete and trains are frequent. The arrival time at the station is very punctual. The time when the train arrives at the station can even be used to correct the time on the watch. Traveling by train in Switzerland is a comfortable, leisurely and suitable travel behavior for all ages.

The Golden Pass Express is one of the main lines connecting Switzerland's two major airports, Zurich and Geneva. Departing from the scenic Lake Lucerne to Montreux, or driving in the opposite direction, the one-way journey takes 5 hours and 30 minutes. It connects the most beautiful lakes in Switzerland such as Lake Geneva, Lake Thun, Lake Brienz and Lake Lucerne. Passengers can experience the strong Swiss style throughout the journey. The train will pass through many famous towns: Montreux, the city of music, The Olympic city of Lausanne, the grape kingdom of Vevey, and the Victorian resort of Interlaken. There is also a beautiful countryside with traditional Swiss characteristics. Along the way, the scenery is natural and painted everywhere. At the same time, you can also get off the train and visit the famous tourist attractions in the Jungfrau region. In addition, the two end points of this line also extend to Zurich and Geneva, two Swiss gateway cities with international airports.

Russian Zarengold: A long landscape on the Eurasian continent

Zarengold is a Siberian special train with a legacy from the Tsarist era. It travels between Beijing and Moscow, crossing the Eurasian continent, which lasts two weeks. Zarengold is an alluring name for all those who have a Russian complex. It conforms to people's dreams of Russian aristocratic temperament - a nostalgic appearance, luxurious interior decoration, gorgeous carpets, and small and exquisite aisles. The landscape paintings are authentic Russian style, and even the patterns on the curtains are carefully crafted.

The train departs from Beijing and passes through the entire Mongolia. The grassland under the blue sky and white clouds gives people a sense of boundlessness; the various flowers blooming on the grassland and the log cabins decorated with various colors remind people The train entered Siberia, and the climax of the trip was Lake Baikal. Outside the car window, Lake Baikal appears in front of people as if it were a series of moving movie shots. The tall trees by the lake seemed to be flapping their wings, and the lake seemed within easy reach, yet out of reach; the train was speeding close to the lake, and people seemed to be on a cruise ship sailing among the white clouds in the mountains. The distant scenery and water waves are intertwined, which is really a beautiful and sad scene.

Chew a bite of black bread, taste a spoonful of caviar, and have another sip of vodka with ice. There are enthusiastic Russian songs and dances in the carriage, and outside the window are the amazing scenery that constantly washes people's body and mind

Route: Beijing--Erenhot ——Ulaanbanto——Kazan——Moscow

Tip: You must hold a valid passport and apply for a Russian visa 45 days before the train departure date.

Swedish Arctic Express: The train follows the sunshine as it heads north

The train heads north, to forests, lakes, fjords, simple aborigines, fairy-tale cabins, and the midnight sun in summer Sigh the beautiful scenery and encounter the magical "Northern Lights" in winter - this is the fatal temptation of "Arctic Express".

The Arctic Express is operated by the Swedish company TAGKOMPA-NINET and has four round-trip lines. It runs from Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, and Gothenburg, the second largest city, to the northernmost region of Europe within the Arctic Circle. It passes through major cities in central and northern Sweden and ends at NARVIK, a seaside city in northern Norway. The entire journey takes about 17 hours. There is a special section of the train for the cinema. Sitting on such a train, you will never feel lonely.

In summer, endless forests, continuous lakes and mountains with snow on their tops fly by outside the window. In June and July, you can even experience the never-setting summer sun in the Arctic. In winter, the colorful Arctic sky is most tempting, and the probability of seeing the Northern Lights reaches 75%. After the train entered the Arctic Circle, the simple customs and customs of Lapland came into view. The vast white snowfields were filled with dense forests. Laplander cabins were dotted in the snowy fields like elves’ toys. Dog sleds and reindeer were driven along. The handsome Lapland guy who came here, the expert skiers galloping on the snow field, and the ice hotel on the snowfield - all gave people a sense of harmony between nature and man.

Reservation: Available at central railway stations in major cities in Sweden. Reservations can also be made by phone and online. It is best to book in advance on weekends and holidays.

Price: Ordinary second-class carriages, short-distance day trains are about 120-280 yuan, long-distance trains are about 280 yuan for seats, and hard sleepers are about 480 yuan. The most expensive single room is RMB 2,200.

British Orient Express: The luxury dream of the last century

The most famous train in the world, the Orient Express, became famous overnight entirely because of "Murder on the Orient Express" ", it is full of mysterious atmosphere just like the characters in Agatha Christie's works, and is called "The King of Trains". Although there are many ways to get from London to Venice, many people still board the Orient Express the way they have been for more than a hundred years. Since 1883, it has become a household name in continental Europe, and its name is everywhere in novels, plays, and table dishes. After World War II, the train was suspended. In 1982, the renovated Orient Express made its debut again. This train seems to be heading not to London or Venice, but to the past, to legends performed by crown princes, spies, poets, arms tycoons, and courtesans.

In addition to its consistent perfect service, it also has an inherent noble temperament. Everything in the newly decorated carriage still retains the appearance of the 19th century, permeating a nostalgic and luxurious atmosphere. Along the way, you will pass through beautiful rural towns in England, water ferries, Innsbruck, the Austrian ski resort where the Winter Olympics are held, the Duke's Castle in fairy tales, the Alps between Switzerland and Italy, vineyards and the Venetian plain, and end in Venice .

Route: London - Paris - Venice, 32 hours' drive.

Price: One-way fare is US$1,970 per person.

Clothing: Only classical and solemn clothing can show that your taste is consistent with the purpose of "Orient Express".

Best tourist season: May to mid-November every year.

Friendly reminder for traveling in Europe by train

1. Before purchasing European train tickets, you should consider your travel time and frequency in order to choose the corresponding ticket type. There are many types of European train tickets, and there are many types of discount coupons, including interrail, railplus, and EuroDomino that are common across Europe, as well as EurailPass, Europass, EurailSelectpass that are common in a few countries, East-EuropeSpecial in Eastern Europe, and ScanRail in Northern Europe. , there are also special tickets within a country, such as Switzerland's Swisscard, Swisspass; Germany's Sparpreis, etc. In addition, weekend discount tickets, discount tickets for families with children, round-trip discount tickets, etc., meet the different needs of passengers.

In order to attract tourists from all over the world to come to Europe for sightseeing and vacation, European Railways has provided the famous European Pass - EURALPASS to guests outside Europe for many years. The pass covers the following 17 countries: Ireland, Portugal, Spain, France, Italy Switzerland, Greece, Austria, Hungary, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland. Tourists can choose the most suitable fare type among more than 30 types of fares based on their age, number of travelers, number of travel days and travel time. Ticket holders can During the limited days of the ticket, you can ride the train as many times as you like, and you will ride in a first-class carriage.

2. Various Europasses are promotional products sold to travelers outside Europe. They are not sold locally in Europe. Chinese travelers should purchase them before leaving the country.

3. Most high-speed luxury trains and hotel trains in Europe require seat reservation in advance, which is different from that in China.