It seems that train travel is increasing in popularity. The posh trains in this article will mostly be of interest to those with a generous travel budget, but perhaps those who have been saving money during the pandemic might like a splurge....
https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/bus-train/luxury-sleeper-car-trains-around-the-world
Beautiful! But splurge indeed - I've always wanted to ride on the Orient Express after reading the Agatha Christie mystery, but I'm not sure I'm willing to pay $5,600 for a one night overnight trip from London to Venice. :) I would bet that this would appeal to train buffs, though.
As much as we love trains, we can travel for a long time on what one overnight could cost. Put it on my list of things to do when I am really old and have too much money left. Hahaha!
Last time I checked, the Orient Express didn't have showers, I will pass.
We've taken trains from Budapest to Bratislava and from Vienna to Prague. They were slow and the cars looked like something you'd expect in Russia. Nothing worse than traveling with a bunch of construction workers going home on Friday afternoon--one of which was leaning on me asleep.
And we also took the 650 mile, 6.5 hour fast train from Barcelona to Paris that topped out at 185 mph.
I'm okay on a train for about 2 1/2 hours. Any longer and I'm flying one of the European budget airlines for little money.
Travel as presented by Travel & Leisure looks incredibly boring to me. The luxury life just does not appeal to me.
For the most part, luxury travel doesn't appeal to me either. However, if I had the money it might be nice to try a splurge once-in-awhile, just for a change and to see what it's like. I've only been able to fly Business Class once in my life, and that was only because the bill was paid by a medical insurance company. I'd like to try that or First Class again, when I can properly enjoy the experience.
In some places in the world (and Canada is one example), rail travel is not used too much anymore, except for the commuter trains. Most trains these days are intended for sightseeing by rich tourists, and some good examples are The Canadian (Vancouver-Toronto) or the Rocky Mountaieer (Vancouver Banff/Jasper).
When travel becomes easier again and if I can find the money, I'd like to try one of the trains. The Ghan really appeals to me as it's a short trip and not too expensive. The "luxury" aspect is not the most important reason for the trip, but rather that it covers some diverse and spectacular scenery in a place I've never been before
Ken, I took the Canadian in fall, 2019, and really enjoyed it. And while it did have luxury accommodations, it mostly had simpler ones (like my single compartment). It was still a bit of a splurge and I wouldn’t necessarily tell everyone to try it; but I was looking for a very specific experience and it was perfect. Scenery non stop (I grew up on car trips), food, solitude, easy good company at meals and in between if I wanted, and the ability to break the trip up with stops. I will probably never take one of these other train trips, but pretty sure I would enjoy it if I did. :)
Travelmom,
Thanks for the feedback. The Canadian is definitely on my bucket list, but I'm going to wait until travel is a bit more "stable" in terms of pandemic precautions. I don't like the idea of having to wear a mask for the entire train ride. I'll probably start with the Rocky Mountaineer as it's a shorter trip.
Ken, I don’t blame you for waiting! For me, the dining room at meals was a real plus - although seating each time was random (and I was a little worried beforehand), there was only one meal that was a bit boring. And some where the conversation was so interesting that it lasted far longer than the meal. I would not want to give that up. I left from Toronto but got off and spent 3 days in Jasper before continuing on to Vancouver. I looked at the Rocky Mountaineer, but it seemed a little more expensive for fewer days (so I opted for more time instead - ha!)
Now you are making me want another train trip….. Sigh. Some day, after Covid settles down, I plan to take the Zephyr.
