Until 1994 UK trains had no means of leaving the mainland. Then came the Eurostar, which utterly transformed the concept of rail holidays forever.
The world is becoming increasingly connected and almost two decades on from the Eurostar’s inaugural trip, it’s now possible to get almost anywhere in the world by rail.
Europe may be reachable with ease, but just how far can you travel by train from London?
Staying close to home
The growth of the rail network in Europe does not alter the fact that you can still enjoy all that the UK has to offer by rail.
While you may be attracted by the allure of the Côte d’Azur, taking a trip through the Yorkshire Moors on a steam train can be equally breathtaking.
Nipping onto the train in London, heading up to Harrogate and taking in the delights of York Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe, the National Railway Museum and the historic city of York, you won’t be stuck for things to see on your journey.
Discovering Europe
While the Eurostar has made the major travel hubs of Europe – including Spain, France, Germany, Italy and Greece – effortlessly accessible by rail, the more adventurous have also discovered easy access to more far-flung European holiday destinations, such as Russia.
A trip to Moscow from London may not be for everyone, but it’s certainly possible if you’re willing to make your rail holiday a little more daring.
Beginning by taking the Eurostar from London to Brussels – or Paris – followed by a high-speed train to Frankfurt, passengers can complete their voyage of discovery by hopping on the daily sleeper train from Frankfurt to Moscow, for a two night journey.
While it may be tempting to try and complete the 2,000 mile journey across Northern Europe in one go, if you have a little more time, there are plenty of sights you could still see along the way.
On to Beijing
If you’re planning on making your rail holiday truly memorable and are not pushed for time, Moscow need not be the end of your railway jaunt.
If you’ve always wanted to discover the delights of the Far East, six nights aboard the Trans-Siberian railway, starting in Moscow, will see you arrive in Beijing. There are only a handful of trains that leave Moscow for Beijing each week, so a little forward planning is required. If you’ve got the stamina though, after boarding the Eurostar in London, you could find yourself exploring the Forbidden City or traversing the Great Wall!
