Here are my seven tips for planning an independent trip to Europe. One: Do not try to see and do too much. You may end up actually seeing very little. I think it is better to see more of fewer countries/regions and see them properly. You may not want to stay in one location for [...]

imagine how quickly you could reach your destination by rail if you travelled on this TGV? Two supercharged locomotives pull three double decker carriages with extra large wheels along a line constructed for the sole use of high speed trains. What a difference between here in the UK and in France! Although the trains on [...]

I read that Waymark holidays have seen an increase in passengers opting to travel to their holiday destination by rail, where this is viable alternative to flying, for example to France. The majority of customers taking this option say their decision is prompted by environmental concerns. Waymark specialise in walking holidays Have you booked a [...]

I thought that the London Tube map of the central zone published to indicate walking times between stations is brilliant.  I lived in London more than 20 years ago and would often walk to my final destination in central London rather then change tube lines for one or two stops. You can’t tell from the [...]

I know that there is never a good time to shut Glasgow Central railway station, the busiest station in Scotland.  First Scotrail have announced the Glasgow Central will be close on the 7 – 8 April 2007 for major signalling work.  There will also be disruption at Glasgow Queen St railway station from 6 – [...]

Virgin Trains have made it more difficult to but a cheap rail ticket unless you book at least 35 days in advance. The Government has spent 8 billion pounds on upgrading the West Coast Line from Glasgow to London and Virgin receives an annual subsidy of 2 million pounds. So what’s the answer?  Virgin think [...]

Eurostar has reported an increase of 5.4% in passengers numbers in the last year. In 2006 7.85 million travellers used the service. Eurostar belives that passengers are being increasingly attracted to the environmental benefits of a high speed rail link in comparision to short haul flights. Have you consciously chosen to make any trips by [...]

I am quite dismayed at the lack of public transport on the 26 December in the UK.  Our son who is a student in Glasgow has a part time job and he is working in the evening of Boxing Day.  Therefore if we want to spend Christmas Day with him we will have to make [...]

I read the article lamenting the poor rail links to UK airports and thought of two main airports in central Scotland. Neither Edinburgh or Glasgow airport has rail link. EARL, the Edinburgh Airport Link has been discussed for years. A recent report now suggests that if the EARL is built there may not be need [...]

Taking the decision to travel to Europe by rail on Eurostar really depends on where you live in the UK and your final destination. If you want to travel from the south of England to northern France, Holland or Belgium it may be quicker and less hassle to take Eurostar from Waterloo, London, than to [...]