Rail travel is picking up as many destinations aim to expand their rail connectivity, open up their rail sectors and encourage more eco-friendly travel.
New train line for the Costa del Sol
A brand-new rail system from Malaga to Marbella via the Guadalhorce Valley, will make it easier for tourists to explore the popular destination.
The development aims to make the journey time between coastal resort cities a maximum of 45-50 minutes and provide convenient access to Costa del Sol’s hospital and bus station, reports euronews.com.
In the future, the route may travel further to inland destinations, including Mijas, Alhaurin de la Torre, Coín, Alhaurin el Grande, and past Marbella to San Pedro Alcántara.
The Channel Tunnel expansion
Following the Channel Tunnel’s expansion of train service providers, new potential train providers Evolyn, Virgin Trains and Heuro will reportedly serve new routes from London to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam.
Managing company, Eurotunnel, has approved a number of new routes to Cologne, Frankfurt and Geneva, reports euronews.com. Rail providers have yet to bite.
Eurotunnel believes the Channel Tunnel can accommodate more train operators and has set aside funds to financially assist new entrants to the industry between 2025 and 2030.
London’s new high-speed rail services
A new high-speed rail service aims to link more cities in the UK, and routes between London and Edinburgh will be operational by the end of 2024, reports euronews.com.
The new LNER train will reduce the journey time between London and Edinburgh by almost an hour from its current five-and-a-half hours.
Furthermore, in an effort to simplify train fares, LNER has launched a two-year trial of scrapping its ‘off-peak’ and ‘super-off-peak’ ticket prices. These are tickets bought on the day of departure, with little to no flexibility. They previously cost £87 (R2 102). Customers can now purchase an ‘anytime’ ticket, which is fully flexible but costs £193.90 (R4 685).
Vietnam’s luxury train
Vietravel and Vietnam Railways Corporation are collaborating to construct a five-star luxury train service to boost the country’s rail tourism.
Vietnam Railways Corporation revealed that the train’s planned amenities included opulent bedrooms, gyms, entertainment facilities, local artwork and a dining car, reports eturbonews.com.
According to Vietnam’s National Authority of Tourism, the rail sector saw a 15% increase in utilisation by domestic tourism and a 20% increase in international tourism.
The primary route to be served along the North-South corridor spans 1 726 km and connects Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
