From Tuesday 14th January, passengers will be able to buy millions of train tickets at half the price as part of the government’s annual rail sale. Until Monday 20th January 2025, selected advance and off-peak fares will be on sale at up to 50% off for travel between 17th January and 31st March 2025. As part of this year’s rail sale, thousands of popular routes across almost all UK train operators, including Transport for Wales and ScotRail, will be offering discounted tickets with journeys spreading the length and breadth of Great Britain. Passengers in Liverpool could visit London for as little as £7, a journey from Preston to Edinburgh could be as cheap as £8.40 and a ticket from Nottingham to Manchester could cost less than a tenner. Following the success of last year’s sale – which saved passengers around £5.8 million in total – the government tasked the rail industry to deliver an even bigger sale to offer cheaper tickets for passengers and encourage more people to travel by train. Secretary of State, Heidi Alexander, said: "I’m launching the biggest ever rail sale so more passengers can get big discounts on train tickets to visit destinations across the country. "Whether you’re planning a getaway or wanting to visit friends or family, this sale offers huge reductions on all sorts of journeys. Make the most of this sale, get your tickets while you can!" [Tickets provided by Trainline, rail sale discounts available only from Tuesday 14th January 2025. Discounts vary, terms apply] The Cambrian Coast Line is one of the most scenic train routes in Britain. Photo: Arriva Trains Wales Example fares during the rail sale Journey Sale price Full price St Pancras to Whitstable £7.20 £11.30 Ashford to Ramsgate £2.60 £5.20 Newcastle to Carlisle £6.00 £12.00 Liverpool to London Euston £7.00 £14.00 Nottingham to Manchester £9.20 £18.50 Leeds to Sheffield £3.60 £7.20 London to Edinburgh £26.15 £62.50 Aberdeen to Edinburgh* £14.50 £29.00 Glasgow to Inverness* £14.10 £28.10 Preston to Edinburgh £8.40 £16.80 London to Newcastle £23.60 £52.10 *Journeys on ScotRail source: Department for Transport This year’s rail sale returns after more than 600,000 tickets were sold in last year’s sale, worth £5.1 million in ticket sales for the industry and resulted in an extra 440,000 journeys taken by train. This comes on the 200th anniversary of the first steam-powered passenger train with celebrations expected throughout the year as part of Railway 200. This will honour Britain’s heritage as the birthplace of the modern railway and recognise the role rail continues to play in forming critical infrastructure and boosting local economies throughout the country. Jacqueline Starr, Chief Executive of Rail Delivery Group, said: "This year, as we celebrate 200 years of railways in the UK, we’re reminded that rail travel is about much more than simply getting from A to B – it’s about bringing people, communities and opportunities together. "Over 2 centuries, rail has become a vital part of the UK, shaping the economy and lives of millions. "The year’s rail sale will offer over 2 million discounted advance fares starting on 14 January 2025, which is a great way to save on your travel and celebrate 200 years of railway connections." [Tickets provided by Trainline, rail sale discounts available only from Tuesday 14th January 2025. Discounts vary, terms apply]

Our writer Harriet O'Brien provides a few tips for how to have a green eco escape in Lille. Once the capital of medieval Flanders, Lille is a wonderful collision of cultures. This French city with a (very) strong Flemish accent offers a glorious range of architectural styles with tall gabled townhouses, atmospheric old convents, a 17th-century citadel built by the French military architect Vauban and some fine Art Nouveau and Art Deco flourishes. There’s a striking heritage of industrial buildings too. Lille thrived in the 19th century – and went into grimy decline during the 20th. And what’s most remarkable about the city today is how it has revived and reinvented itself – with much of its rejuvenation kickstarted by the arrival of high speed rail. Since the building of the sleek Lille-Europe train station in the early 1990s, Lille has become spruced up and reinvigorated. Meanwhile the residents of Lille - called Ch’tis after the local dialect – have become dab hands at devising new uses for historic buildings – medieval hospital to hotel; textile mill to arts centre and so on. La Grande Place, Lille. Photo: Lille Tourisme/Laurent Ghesquière What’s more, as the hub of the Nord Pas de Calais region, Lille has impressive transport links with about 60 bus routes serving the greater city area, two tram lines and one of the world’s longest automated metro systems. So it is easy to explore the outer reaches of this enterprising area. Beyond the core of Vieux Lille, in the suburbs of Roubaix, Faches-Thumesnil and more, a great green programme is currently underway, enhancing the existing natural spaces, creating more, adding footpaths and improving environmentally-related sights such as the recently revamped Open-Air Museum at Villeneuve d’Ascq. For an interactive map on Lille’s green spaces visit www.enm-lille.fr . Practicalities How to get there: see our guide to how to travel by train from London to Lille >> Getting around Lille: From Lille Europe station, it’s just a short walk to Lille’s main square and the city’s main shopping centre. Lille Europe has both métro and tram lines as well as a number of bus services, for more information, see www.transpole.fr. The city's public bike system is called V’Lille: you simply pay a deposit of €1.40 for a day’s use at any of the 100-plus V’Lille stations, and you can then take a bike for half an hour with no further cost. Thereafter you’ll be charged €1 per additional half hour. For more information, see www.vlille.fr . Cycling Parc Matisse. Photo: Lille Tourisme/Maxime Dufour photographies Where to stay L’Hermitage Gantois: Founded as a hospital in 1462, this landmark building continued to be a working hospice right up until the mid 1990s. The makeover to hotel has been deft achieved. Thanks to 10-year period of clever and painstaking conversion - during which materials were sensitively sourced - it retains many historic features. There’s a Gothic gable here, a stained-glass window there, and even a small museum area displaying antique medical instruments. The 72 bedrooms are all very different, having been individually furnished according to size and shape. The public spaces exhibit the works of local, regional artists. The restaurant serves locally sourced food. 224 rue de Paris (+33 (0)3 20 85 30 30; www.hotelhermitagegantois.com ). La Villa 30: Support a local enterprise in the heart of town. La Villa 30 is a welcoming chambres d’hotes set over five floors of a tall 1930s house that is within walking distance of the town’s cobbled pedestrian sector. The four bedrooms are spacious and furnished in quiet colours. Meanwhile your hosts, the Dufrenne family, are a mine of information and enthusiasm about Lille. 24 rue du Plat (+33 (0)3 66 73 61 30; www.lavilla30.fr ). B&B Hotel Lille Centre Grand Palais: This comfortable budget hotel is very conveniently situated in a quiet residential neighbourhood close to the Lille-Europe station. The 127 rooms are slightly small, but size is mitigated by keen pricing and useful add-ons such as free wifi. The hotel has recently earned Clef Verte accreditation for its measures in conserving energy and water. Rue Berthe Morisot (+33 (0)8 92 70 22 06; www.hotel-bb.com ). Comfort Hotel Lille-Tourcoing: About 8km from the centre of Lille, this 51-room hotel seems on the face of it a well-priced if slightly bland option to staying in town. Yet in fact it is a revolutionary place that has been turning heads in the hotel industry. Recent refurbishment by the building’s owners, Michael and Marilyn Galerne, has turned the hotel into a model of sustainability, from special LED lighting to responsibly sourced bed linen. There’s even a kitchen garden here. Rue Becquerel, Bondues (+33 (0)3 20 36 01 96; www.comfortinn.com ). Hotel du Croise, Marcq en Baroeul: This quiet, comfy little two-star hotel is set near the famous racecourse of Marcq en Baroeul and close to trams that will take you 4km into the heart of Lille. The 11 rooms here are simply and neatly furnished, and each offers its own small terrace. The hotel has been awarded Clef Verte accreditation for its environmental policies. 191 rue de la Rianderie, Marcq en Baroeul (+33 (0)3 20 72 25 63; www.hotelcroise.com ). Where to eat 2 Sous de Table: This attractive little brasserie on one of Lille’s main restaurant streets opened last spring 2011. From artful salads to wonderfully textured aubergine and tomato tarts, the menu features organic, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients – and much care has been taken to seek out the best producers. There’s a pleasing open-mindedness, too: dishes are offered for vegetarians, vegans, carnivores and even those on gluten-free regimes. Expect to pay around €22 for two courses. 56 rue de Gand (+33 (0)3 62 57 25; www.2sousdetable.com ). Open Tuesday-Saturday for lunch and dinner. Café Citoyen: Since it opened in September 2005, the small, bustling Café Citoyen has become a Lille institution and a visit here reveals a great deal about the ethical and political dimensions of the city. This small outfit near the Palais des Beaux Arts is run as a cooperative offering Fair Trade or organic food and drink and promoting debate on environmental and social issues. So order a lunchtime salad and an organic, microbrewed beer and join the discussion, or come in the evening for a range of talks and lively little concerts. 7 place du Vieux Marche aux Chevaux (+33 (0)3 20 13 73; www.cafecitoyen.org ) Open Monday to Friday noon to midnight (until 10pm on Monday) and Saturday 2-8pm. La Source : A trailblazer when it opened in 1979, this well-regarded organic deli and restaurant is a short walk from the Euralille shopping complex and Lille-Europe station. On the ground floor is a spacious shop selling everything from fresh fruit and veg to organic wines and pastries. You dine upstairs where the menu changes according to what’s in the market, with vegetarian dishes priced around €10 and fish of the day about €12. 13 rue du Plat (+33 (0)3 20 57 53 07; www.denislasource.com ). Open Monday to Thursday 8.30am-7pm; Friday 8.30am-9pm; Saturday 8.30am-7pm. O Fil des Saisons: It is well worth striking west of Vieux Lille to find this unassuming looking restaurant near the leafy reaches of Vauban’s citadel and the city’s Bois de Boulogne. As the name implies, at O Fils des Saisons they cook only the very freshest ingredients – which come straight from the market or from local farms. The daily-changing menu might include braised rabbit with endive and potato rissoles or salmon baked with garlic and served with leek and potato gratin. Expect to pay around €16 for two courses. 224 rue Colbert (+33 (0)3 20 57 41 19; www.ofildessaisons.com ). Open Monday to Friday for lunch, and Thursday and Friday for dinner. De Rode Koe: Organic farmer Rik Delhaye from Westouter across the border in Flemish Belgium is the force behind this slick café-resto in the heart of Lille. De Rode Koe (The Red Cow) is an organic fast-food operation offering takeaway and eat-in dishes. Expect to pay between €6 and €16 for soups, pies, lusciously fresh salads and more. 71 rue de la Monnaie (+33 (0)3 28 04 96 68; www.derodekoe.fr ). Open for lunch Monday to Saturday. Where to visit Vieux Lille: Winding out from the city’s two striking principal squares - Place du Theatre and Place General de Gaulle - the lanes of old Lille are ideal for pottering and browsing. Start at Lille’s historic stock market, the Baroque Vieille Bourse, complete with opulent carvings and surrounded by bookstalls and galleries (come in the afternoon and you’ll also take in the daily antiques market here). Then wander northwards along narrow streets lined with enticing stores. On rue de la Clef you’ll find Atelier de la Sorciere Verte (number 19), a wonderful repository of paper – recycled, handmade and shaped into cards, umbrellas, books, lampshades and more. On rue du Cure Saint-Etienne, Fromagerie Philippe-Olivier (number 3) presents a display of about 300 cheeses – with an emphasis on those made locally. On rue des Vieux Murs, l’Abbaye des Saveurs (number 13) is a haven of the region’s beers and foods. Maps of Lille are available from the Tourist Office, Palais Rihour, place Rihour (+33 (0)3 59 57 94 00; www.lilletourism.com ). Musee d’Histoire Naturelle et de Geologie: This museum exudes old-time grandeur. Whale skeletons hang from the wrought-iron rafters of the lofty main hall; beneath them there’s a terrific array of creatures collected in the 19th century and reflecting the enormous enthusiasm of the founding fathers of this establishment. The array of birds is especially striking. Ironically some of these are now extinct (notably the dodo) – but the museum doesn’t shy away from such issues and its changing exhibitions focus on topics such as biodiversity and conservation. 19 rue de Bruxelles (+33 (0)3 28 55 30 80; www.mairie-lille.fr ). Open 9am-noon; 2-5pm, and on Sundays 10-5pm (closed Tuesday and Saturday). Adults €3; children €2; under-12s go free. Market values: Head south of the centre to the traditionally working-class district of Wazemmes where one of France’s biggest and most vibrant markets takes place at place de la Nouvelle Aventure. The Sunday market is the most colourful but on any day of the week except Monday you’ll find stallholders offering a wide choice of local cheese, charcuterie, bread and. While you’re in the area, stroll on from the market down rue Leon Gambetta and along to Maison Folie de Wazemmes, an old textile mill refurbished as an arts centre - complete with a Turkish-style hammam. Maison Folie de Wazemmes arts centre, 70 rue des Sarrazines (+33 (0)3 20 78 20 23; www.mfwazemmes.mairie-lille.fr ); Zein hammam (+33 (0)3 20 14 34 34; www.wazemmes.zeinorientalspa.fr ). Recycled swimming pool: Take the metro out to Gare Jean Lebas in the suburb of Roubaix – growing ever more green thanks to the ongoing parks project of the Lille Metropole council. A short walk west of the station you’ll find an Art Deco wonder: a swimming pool reconfigured into a stunning museum. Completed in 1932, this was once the playground the textile workers of the Lille area. Today it houses the Musee d’Art et d’Industrie. The pool is now lined by sculptures while around it the former changing rooms display textiles and other applied arts. Musee d’Art et d’Industrie, 23 rue de l’Esperanc, Roubaix (+33 (0)3 20 69 23 60; www.roubaix-lapiscine.com ). Weekends open afternoons only, closed Monday. Adults €7; children €4.50. Open-air museum: There’s a great celebration of traditional rural life at this bucolic museum set in the countryside a few kilometres to the east of Lille. Twenty or so old country houses, once at risk, have been dismantled and rebuilt here, preserving and displaying a variety of vernacular styles from the 17th to the 19th centuries. Their vegetable plots, herb gardens, orchards and more have also been recreated. And there’s a section, too, for domestic animals from horses to donkeys and ducks. From the centre of Lille the museum is accessible by metro to Pont de Bois or by bus 43 – get off at the Massena stop. In each case there’s about a 10-minute walk on to the site. 143 rue Colbert, Villeneuve d’Ascq (+33 (0)3 20 63 11 25; www.museedepleinair-asso.org ). Open spring to mid-autumn, Wednesday-Sunday (2012: 7 April-7 November). Adults €4, children €2. Boat on the Canal. Photo: Lille Tourisme/Maxime Dufour photographies What to do Take a ride They’re fun, they look cool yet cute, and they’re eco-friendly: Lille’s electric trishaw-taxis will take you on guided tours of the city. The driver picks you and up to two others up at the railway station or the tourist office and offers spirited commentary on the history and politics of Lille – as well as tips on where to eat and where to shop. Cyclo Ville (+33 (0)6 24 16 08 18; www.cycloville.com ). Guided tours from €19 per hour. Take a glide: Hire a Segway and roll your way gently around town. Complete with suggested routes around the main sights of Lille, these two-wheeled electric machines are available from Station Oxygene at Champ de Mars. Transpole (+33 (0)3 20 40 40 40; www.transpole.fr ). Segways are available Monday to Saturday, €4 for half an hour, €15 for half a day. Look and listen: Take a guided walking tour of Lille - at your own pace. Free audio tours in English (or French) are available to download on to I-pods, MP3s or mobile phones from Zevisit’s website www.zevisit.com – or via the tourist office website www.lilletourism.com . These tours will take you around the seven highlights of the old town – the two main squares, the glorious Hospice Comtesse, the Cathedral of Notre Dame de la Treille and so on. Eat out: On a sunny day buy organic picnic ingredients from La Source deli (at 13 rue du Plat) then stroll through town to Quai du Wault - off the Deule canal which runs through the northern part of town. Lined with tall Flemish-style houses, the quai has fairly recently been revamped is now a place of much charm. Jardin Vauban lies adjacent and makes an ideal destination for an outdoor lunch. Created in 1863, the garden is beautifully laid out and attracts a happy stream of local residents – so it’s an excellent spot for people watching, too. Written by Harriet O'Brien == [Photo credits. Main photos: Lille Tourisme/Laurent Ghesquière; Eurostar. Small photos, left to right: Hermitage Gantois bar; Lille Tourisme; Lille Tourisme/Alain Leprince M.A.I.A.D Roubaix; © Maxime Dufour photographie. Train photo: © Eurostar. Cycling photo: © Maxime Dufour photographie]

Green Traveller's guide to the two main overnight sleeper rail services in the UK Travelling overnight on a train is a great way to travel long distances without having to stay in a hotel en route. There are two main overnight services in the UK: 1. The Caledonian Sleeper between London and Scotland 2. The Night Riviera between London and Cornwall Photo: Wix Media Caledonian Sleeper between London and Scotland The Caledonian Sleeper stops off a several Scottish railway stations and is actually the collective name for several overnight services from London Euston to Scotland – The Lowlander travels direct to Glasgow and Edinburgh (the train splits in the early hours of the morning, taking passengers to Edinburgh Waverley or Glasgow Central), whereas The Highlander travels further, connecting London with popular destinations like Aberdeen, Inverness, Aviemore, and Fort William. You can also board the train for both services from Watford Junction, Carlisle, Crewe and Preston. It’s a brilliant way to travel up from England to the mountainous fresh and wild of Scotland, and vice-versa. The Caledonian Sleeper is operated by Serco on behalf of Transport Scotland. It runs every night, except Saturday night . One of my favourite trips by Caledonian Sleeper is get off at Corrour station (4 stops before Fort William) and walk a mile to the wonderful off-grid Loch Ossian hostel on the northern edge of Rannoch Moor (pictured below). Another is to continue further up to Fort William and catch the connecting train to Mallaig from where you take a ferry over to the beautiful Knoydart Peninsula – a fantastic place for wild camping and walking - and home to The Old Forge pub , the most remote pub on mainland Britain. See my guide to booking sleeper tickets with TheTrainline Loch Ossian Hostel is a short walk from Corrour Station on the sleeper route. Photo: Scottish Hostelling The Night Riviera between London and Cornwall The Night Riviera service runs six days a week from London Paddington Railway Station to Penzance Railway Station at the far western tip of Cornwall: it takes just over 8 hours (8 hrs 5mins) on weekday services, and just under 9 hours (8 hrs 59mins) on Sundays. The Night Riviera calls overnight at Plymouth, Truro, and St Erth en route to its final stop at Penzance. There is a range of options on board, from standard seats to double-berth sleepers. Prices range from £25.50 to £135 depending on the type of accommodation and when you book. [NB. Due to engineering work, the Night Riviera service isn't running between Monday and Thursdays from 24th January – 17th March 2022. The normal timetable is due to resume from Monday 21st March 2022.] One of the great things about the Night Riviera service is that you can use it to connect with the ferry service from Penzance to the Isles of Scilly . It’s just a 10-minute walk from Penzance railway station to the check-in at Penzance Harbour for the Scillonian ferry departure to Hugh Town on St Mary’s; just enough time to grab yourself a pasty and set off for one of the best flight-free adventures in the country. See below for my guide to booking sleeper tickets with TheTrainline Bryher Cliff Beach on the Isles of Scilly. Photo: Roger Broughton/Visit Isles of Scilly Booking sleeper trains through TheTrainline Booking a sleeper train in the UK require a bit more work than a usual train ticket. Here's a step-by-step guide to booking the ticket through the website of TheTrainline train ticketing agency: Go to Advanced Search Journey Planner Enter where you're travelling to and from, for instance, London to Penzance. Important: make sure you select a departure time in the evening , preferably after 20:00 (this will filter out the day-time services from the results) Sleeper services have 'sleeper' written underneath the number of changes on the journey. The cheapest (seated) fares are shown first, by default. To see the full list of accommodation options available, click on 'View all single tickets' below the price matrix. Select your desired berth and check out. And away you go!

Raising a glass with Mark Smith in the Eurostar lounge. His website has long been the go-to place for information about rail travel worldwide. Photo: Richard Hammond I recently caught up with train expert Mark Smith who runs The Main in Seat 61 website, and we got talking about the renaissance of rail and how the long term future is looking bright for overland travel in Europe, especially given the recent liberalisation of the European rail network and the resurgence of new services, such as the European Sleeper services from Brussels to Prague via Amsterdam and Berlin, and from Brussels to Venice via Cologne and Innsbruck. However, Mark lamented that some of the great train journeys of yesteryear were no longer available. So I asked him about his favourite routes that he wished were still running and below is what he said. It's a look back at great train journeys that no longer exist, but could it also be a glimpse of the future? The Paris-Madrid 'trainhotel' Every night from 1980 until 2013, this little articulated sleeper train left Paris around 20:00 and arrived in Madrid around 09:00.  With an easy connection by high-speed train from London, Amsterdam, Brussels or Cologne to Paris, and onward high-speed trains from Madrid to Cordoba, Seville or Malaga this wonderful hotel-on-rails linked much of northern Europe with the Spanish capital and Southern Spain. I used to love having dinner with wine in the restaurant then returning to my compartment for a good night's sleep, with views of the walled city of Avila over breakfast next morning.  Today, you travel by high-speed train throughout, with an overnight stop necessary in Barcelona.  Ironically, high-speed trains are slower! The Paris-Italy sleepers Not so long ago, a fleet of sleeper trains left Paris every night, the Palatino for Rome, the Rlalto/Galilei for Venice and Florence, Stendahl for Turin and Milan and Napoli Express for Genoa, Pisa, Rome & Naples. Now there are none. Fast trains link Paris with Milan, but they take 7h and an overnight stop is now needed in Paris or Milan when travelling to central Italy. The Newcastle-Norway-Sweden ferry There used to be two excellent ferry companies competing across the North Sea to Norway, and DFDS's ferry extended to Gothenburg in Sweden.  Comfy en suite cabins, restaurants, bars, cinema, open deck, a 1-night crossing direct from the UK to Scandinavia. Two companies became one, then in 2008, none.  Incredibly, there are now no passenger ferries between the UK and anywhere in Denmark, Norway or Sweden. It's a long way round by train through Brussels, Hamburg and Copenhagen, especially if you live north of London - when it's just 1560 miles across the North Sea!  There seems to be no sign of any ferry resuming The Cologne-Copenhagen sleeper In the absence of a ferry, the Amsterdam/Cologne-Copenhagen sleeper provided a time-effective link to Scandinavia, with connections by high-speed train from London, Paris & Brussels to Cologne, and from Copenhagen to Stockholm and Gothenburg next morning. Today, the journey must be done by daytime trains, with an overnight stop in Hamburg if you're trying to get from London or Paris to Copenhagen or Stockholm. Again, fast trains are slower than a sleeper!  However, a Hamburg-Berlin sleeper has now resumed thanks to the Swedish government, so reaching Sweden is now easier. The Hellas Express, Munich-Zagreb-Belgrade-Thessaloniki-Athens A long-gone train, this, which I used to reach Athens in 1984, 1989 and (en route to Egypt by train and ferry) 1990.  You now need to change in Zagreb, in Belgrade and in Thessaloniki, and the Belgrade-Thessaloniki section has become summer-only with no trains at all off-season. It was an epic journey across the Balkans, with seats, couchettes and a Yugoslavian sleeping-car - no restaurant or catering car, on my first trip to Greece in '84 I got most of the way on two packets of chocolate digestives. Incredibly, it was one of two daily Munich-Athens trains, with a third international train to Greece running Venice-Belgrade-Athens. Popular with interRailers and migrant workers, it now seems as much part of ancient history as sailing to India by P&O liner. But I'd love to see it back! Mark Smith's website is the go-to place for information on train travel worldwide: seat61.com Rail travel in Europe is undergoing a renaissance given the recent open access liberalisation of the network. Wix Media == This article was first published in 2020 when I chatted with Mark at the Eurostar terminal in St Pancras and has been updated on Saturday 15 February 2025 following a zoom chat I had with Mark. His initial list included lamenting the demise of the Paris-Munich/Berlin/Hamburg sleeper , which has now been restored :)

If you're not used to Paris, transferring train stations may seem daunting but in practice the connections are fairly seamless - some involve a simple change of platform within the station, while those that are require a change of station are well connected by the city's metro system (which is very similar to the London underground) or fast overground rail network RER - 'Regional Express Network'. In this guide, we've tried to show how easy it is, plus we've included a few tips on places to have lunch and a few nearby hotels, should you wish to stopover before the onward connection. There's also information for the return journey - and don't forget - when you take the return Eurostar back to London, you should factor in the compulsory check-in time in addition to the transfer time. For connections from London, see the Map of Eurostar's Routes The connections between the major railway stations are fairly seamless. Photo: Wix Media Please note: The transfer times given here are the minimum amount of time we recommend you should allow between the scheduled arrival of your Eurostar in Paris and the scheduled departure time of your connecting train from Paris. Photo: Wix Media Eurostar Connections in Paris The Eurostar train arrives from London St Pancras at Gare du Nord, which is in the 10th arrondissement (district) of Paris near the Canal St. Martin and the historic Place de la République, which has many bars, restaurants and cafés. Gare du Nord has many connections to Northern France and onwards by Thalys trains to Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. Click here for a map of the Paris Metro . Tip for Eurostar:  You can buy a Navigo Easy card (the new, prepaid Paris travel card to use instead of the old individual paper Paris Metro tickets) to use on the Paris metro at the bar buffet on board Eurostar – it will save you time on arrival at Gare du Nord where the queues at the staffed counters can be long. Click on the links below to read the guides: Gare du Nord to Gare de l’Est Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon Gare du Nord to Gare d’Austerlitz Gare du Nord to Gare Montparnasse Gare du Nord to Gare de Bercy Gare du Nord to Gare Saint Lazare Gare du Nord to Gare de l’Est For travelling to: Basel, Strasbourg, Reims, Zurich, the ICE train to Frankfurt and the City Night Line sleeper train 'Perseus' to Berlin and the City Night Line sleeper train 'Cassiopeia' to Stuttgart and Munich. On foot: exit Gare du Nord, turn left then at the main intersection turn right (slightly downhill) along Rue du Fauberg Saint-Denis for about 400m then left along Rue de Chabrol to Gare de l'Est. It's about a 10-minute walk, but if you've got alot of luggage, allow for longer. We recommend you allow at least 25 minutes for the transfer. It's worth getting to Gare de L'Est in good time as there's a lovely cafe/restaurant just inside the station that serves decent coffee. By metro: it's just one stop on the metro line - from the Eurostar platform, turn left, walk down the stairs and follow the signs for Metro line M4 to Gare de l'Est (which is signposted 'direction Porte d'Orléans'). The Return Journey: Turn right at the end of the platform, walk along the concourse and exit Gare de l'Est via the side entrance. Turn right, climb the long set of stairs and turn left onto Rue de Dunkerque. Gare du Nord will be straight ahead. Alternatively, follow the signs for Metro Line M4 (which is signposted 'direction Porte de Clignancourt). Transfer time: Allow 25 minutes. Don't forget the 90 minute check-in for Eurostar. Where to stay near Gare du Nord/Gare de l'Est: these hotels close to Gare de Nord get good reviews Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon For onward travel to Grenoble, Nice, Lyon, Chambery, Avignon, Marseille, Perpignan, Geneva, Lausanne, the high-speed TGV train to Barcelona and the high speed Artesia TGV to Turin and Milan. From the Eurostar platform, turn left, walk down the stairs and follow the signs for  RER line D  (which will be signposted 'direction' 'Melun', 'Malesherbes' or 'Corbeil Essonnes').  It's just 2 stops from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon and takes a little over 10 minutes (plus there's a short 5 minute walk to the connecting TGV departure platforms), but we recommend you leave at least 50 minutes for the entire transfer. The magnificent Train Bleu Restaurant at Gare de Lyon. Photo: Richard Hammond The Return Journey (Gare de Lyon to Gare du Nord): Follow the signs for RER line D (which will be signposted 'direction Orry la Ville' - usually platforms 2 & 4). Take the line two stops direct to Gare du Nord.Transfer time: Allow 50 minutes. Don't forget, when you take the return Eurostar back to London, you should factor in the compulsory 90-minute check-in time in addition to the transfer time. Where to eat near to Gare de Lyon: The magnificent interior of the Le Train Bleu in the heart of Gare de Lyon station. Surely it's the best station restaurant in Europe. Where to stay near to Gare de Lyon: These hotels close to Gare de Lyon get good reviews. Gare du Nord to Gare d’Austerlitz For travelling to: Cahors, Rodez, Montauban, St Gervais, Chamonix, Carcassonne, on the Elipsos train hotel 'Francisco de Goya' to Madrid and the Elipsos trainhotel 'Joan Miro' to Barcelona. From the Eurostar platform, turn left, walk down the stairs and follow the signs for Metro line M5 to Gare d'Austerlitz (which is signposted 'direction Place d'Italie'). It's 9 stops from Gare du Nord to Gare d'Austerlitz and takes 20-30 minutes, but we recommend you leave at least 50 minutes for the entire transfer. The Return Journey (Gare d’Austerlitz to Gare du Nord): Follow the signs for Metro line M5 to Gare du Nord (which will be signposted 'direction Bobigny Pablo Picasso). At this station, the Metro Line M5 is overground, opposite the main station entrance. The metro will cross the Seine before heading underground for the rest of the journey.Transfer time: Allow 50 minutes. Don't forget, when you take the return Eurostar back to London, you should factor in the compulsory 90-minute check-in time in addition to the transfer time. Where to stay near to Gare de Lyon:  These hotels close to Gare d'Austerlitz get good reviews Gare du Nord to Gare Montparnasse: For travelling to Agen, Biarritz, Bayonne, Bordeaux, Nantes, Pau, Toulouse. From the Eurostar platform, turn left, walk down the stairs and follow the signs for Metro line M4 to Montparnasse Bienvenue (which is signposted 'direction Porte d'Orléans'). It's 14 stops from Gare du Nord to Montparnasse and takes 25-35 minutes, but we recommend you leave at least 50 minutes for the entire transfer time. The Return Journey (Gare Montparnasse to Gare du Nord): Take the Metro line M4 to Gare du Nord (which will be signposted 'direction Porte de Clignancourt'). Transfer time: Allow 50 minutes. Don't forget, when you take the return Eurostar back to London, you should factor in the compulsory 90-minute check-in time in addition to the transfer time. Where to stay near to Gare Montparnasse: These hotels close to Gare Montparnasse get good reviews. Signage for the walk between Gare de Lyon and Gare de Bercy. Photo: Richard Hammond Gare du Nord to Gare de Bercy For travelling to Auxerre, Aurillac, Avalon, Clermont Ferrand, Sens, and the Artesia sleeper train, 'Palatino' to  Bologna, Florence, Rome and Naples or the Artesia sleeper train 'Stendhal' to Milan or Venice. From the Eurostar platform, turn left, walk down the stairs and follow the signs for RER Line D (which will be signposted 'direction' 'Melun', 'Malesherbes' or 'Corbeil Essonnes'). Take RER Line D two stops to Gare de Lyon. Take Metro line 14 a single stop from Gare de Leon to Bercy (which will be signposted ‘M14 direction Olympiades’)> Alternatively, you can walk from Gare de Lyon. Exit the station and walk onto the forecourt, turn left into the rue de Bercy, running alongside the station. Gare de Bercy is 700-800m away. The Return Journey (Gare de Bercy to Gare du Nord): exit the station and walk onto the forecourt, down the steps and across the road straight ahead of you. The Metro station will be just around the corner. Take Metro line 14 one stop to Gare de Lyon. From here, take RER line D two stops to Gare du Nord (which will be signposted 'direction Orry la Ville'). Transfer time: Allow 50 minutes. Don't forget, when you take the return Eurostar back to London, you should factor in the compulsory 90-minute check-in time in addition to the transfer time. Where to stay near Gare de Bercy: These hotels near Gare de Bercy get good reviews. Gare du Nord to Gare Saint Lazare: For travelling to Vernon, Cherbourg, Dieppe, Lisieux. From the Eurostar platform, turn left, walk down the stairs and follow signs for RER Line E (which will be signposted ‘Haussmann Saint Lazare’) It’s one stop from Gare du Nord to Gare Saint Lazare. The Return Journey: Follow signs for RER line E (which will be signposted 'direction Tournan & Chelles Gournay'). Take the line 1 stop to Magenta, which is connected to Gare du Nord. Transfer time: Allow 25 minutes. Don't forget, when you take the return Eurostar back to London, you should factor in the compulsory 90-minute check-in time in addition to the transfer time. Where to stay near Gare Saint Lazare: These hotels near Gare Saint Lazare get good reviews Brussels In Brussels Midi (‘Zuid’) station, Eurostar coaches 11 to 16 provide the quickest route to access the platforms for onward journeys. From the Quick Connections exit, turn left out of the double doors and look for your connecting train on the departure boards. High speed trains to various destinations (including Amsterdam and Cologne), normally depart from platforms 3-6, though do check the departure boards to be sure. For ‘Any Belgian Station’ including Bruges and Ghent, remember to look out for the terminating station on the departure boards. For Bruges, this tends to be either Ostend of Knokke/Blankenberge. For Ghent it can be Ostend, Knokke/Blankenberge or De Panne. Lille For connections to destinations in France, go upstairs from the platform to the main station where the departure board gives the train times and platform number for your onward journey. Trains are normally displayed on the departure board about 15 minutes before departure.

As part of our Green Traveller's Guide to Spain , Richard Hammond describes how Spain is embracing the rail renaissance Looking out of the panoramic window from a seat in the train’s bar-restaurant, I could see vineyards heavy with fruit, row upon row of olive groves, wildflower meadows and attractive rural villages. I picked up my book, sipped from a glass of Rioja, and savoured the journey. Arriving in Madrid in the early evening, it had been a joy to travel all the way to Spain from the UK by train. After taking the Eurostar from London the previous evening to overnight in Paris, I'd travelled overland to the Spanish capital in a day: Breakfast in Paris, lunch in Barcelona, dinner in Madrid. Welcome to the renaissance of rail. High-speed AVE train from Madrid Puerta de Atocha bound for Figueres. Photo: David Barrero Labari/iStock Thanks to the ‘open access’ liberalisation of the European rail network, increased competition among rail operators has led to improved services and reduced costs of tickets. Nowhere is this more apparent than on the high-speed line between Barcelona and Madrid, which is now served by four operators: two standard ‘full-service’ operators AVE (operated by Spanish Railways, Renfe), which runs 10 or departures a day, and Iryo (a joint venture of Trenitalia & Air Nostrum using Italian-designed Frecciarossa trains) – both have a café-bar and first class leather seats with a meal and wine included; and two low-cost operators OUIGO (a subsidy of French Railways, SNCF), which runs about 5 departures a day on double-decker TGV trains, and Avlo (a subsidiary of Spanish Railways, Renfe), which runs about 3 departures a day. Prices for the two and a half hour 386 mile journey can be from as little as €7 from Avlo (there are strict baggage limits, passengers have to pay an extra €10 for a suitcase or backpack). The success of these services has led to increased competition on other high-speed lines in Spain, for instance, OUIGO has since expanded to include Madrid-Valencia in 2022 and Madrid-Alicante in 2023. Tickets for the Barcelona to Madrid train can be as little as €7 one way. Photo: Richard Hammond These operators are also capitalising on Spain’s extensive high-speed rail network – with over 3,400km of track, it’s the longest network of high-speed lines in Europe (and second only to China in the world), with AVE trains (Alta Velocidad Española) linking all the major cities, including Barcelona, Granada, Madrid, Murcia, Malaga, Seville, Valencia and Zaragoza, as well as connecting with France's high-speed network connecting Lyon and Marseille with Barcelona, via Avignon, Montpellier, Perpignan, and Girona. One of the longest high-speed connections in Europe is between Barcelona and Malaga on the south coast of Spain, travelling via Tarragona, Lleida, Zaragoza, Madrid, and Córdoba. One of the most recent high-speed installations was between Puebla de Sanabria and Ourense in Galicia, following 16 years of construction, which means it's now possible to take high-speed trains all the way from Barcelona to Ourense. There are also high-speed connections from Madrid to the northern town of León, to Alicante and Valencia (on the Mediterranean coast), south to Murcia, and Toledo (just south of the Spanish capital) and to Seville (via Córdoba). Faster trains are being introduced to these networks to make the most of the new track. When a new high-speed line opened in 2023 between Madrid and Oviedo, it cut travel time between the Spanish capital and Asturias by over an hour, and then when Renfe introduced faster Talgo AVRIL trains on the route earlier this year, the journey has been cut down further, to 2 hours 43 minutes, with at least three trains per day. The high-speed train runs from Madrid to Pola de Lena, stopping at Segovia, Valladolid, Palencia and León and then to Mieres, Oviedo, terminating at Gijón. Green Traveller's video of Spain (below) aims to showcase the best of the country’s year-round low impact experiences, encouraging visitors to use the country's extensive rail network and travel in a slower more meaningful way, stay longer and make the most of locally run adventure activities : Video filmed and produced by Richard Hammond with contributions from Alex Cantouris, Nigel Camp and Christopher Willan While high-speed rail is the quickest way to travel by train, there are plenty of slower services that can take you long distance to some of the most beautiful parts of the country, such as Badajoz in the west, Huelva in the southwest, and Cadiz, Algeciras and Almeria in the south – Renfe has produced a handy map of all the high-speed and long distance train lines in Spain . There are also a few slower train services, such as the metre-gauge FEVE network, which has recently been absorbed into Renfe, serves the coast of northern Spain (from Bilbao to Ferrol via Santander, Oviedo and Gijón). Luggage In general on trains in Spain, you can carry up to 3 pieces of hand luggage, provided that the sum of the three does not exceed 25kg or 290cm. The maximum dimensions allowed per piece of luggage are 85x55x35cm (height-width-depth). If you are travelling on the AVE International high-speed trains between France and Spain, the same terms and conditions apply to hand luggage, but luggage tagging is mandatory . You are free to carry on bikes so long as they are folded inside a carrying case or bag whose total dimensions do not exceed 180cm. NB. These conditions are for regular Renfe services, do bear in mind that the luggage policy is stricter on Avlo trains, see Avlo's full terms and conditions . Pet friendly travel Passengers are eligible to take pets, such as dogs, cats, guinea pigs and rabbits on the AVE (high-speed) lines both within Spain and between Spain and France, as well as the 'Larga Distancia' (Long Distance) trains so long as they weigh not more than 10kg, can be taken in a carrier, and the ticket for the adult allows for pet travel. There is also the option to take a dog without a carrier on those trains that have allocated seats for dogs (for those that weigh up to 40kg) on select AVE high-speed trains on the routes Madrid-Barcelona, Madrid-Malaga, Madrid-Alicante, Madrid-Valencia, Madrid-Zaragoza and Madrid-Granada. You will need to arrive 40 minutes in advance at the Renfe Service Centre of the station to submit a 'declaration of responsibility', as well as the pet's vaccination card and insurance policy. For full conditions, see renfe.com/es/en/travel/informacion-util/pets Assistance services Adif Acerca is a free assistance service for people with disabilities or reduced mobility, managed by Adif (Administrator of Rail Infrastructures). It's a specialist service providing guidance, information and assistance during access and transit at stations and for help getting on and off trains. People with disabilities or reduced mobility can request the Adif Acerca assistance service for their journeys through any Renfe ticket sales channel, on the Avlo website when purchasing the ticket and through the Assistance Service app. Tourist trains In addition to the standard train services, there is also a network of over 250 luxury ‘tourist trains’ that span across Spain, offering long distance trips that replicate the train travel of days gone by, stopping off at picturesque, historic places along the way. Many are in classic train carriages from where you can enjoy the views while feasting on first class dining as a pianist reels out the tunes of yesteryear. Examples include The Transcantábrico between San Sebastián and Santiago de Compostela across the region known as ‘Green Spain’, Al-Andalus in the south, which calls at Cadiz, Ronda, Cordoba, Úbeda, Baeza and sights like the Alhambra in Granada, the Strawberry Train (great for weekends in spring and autumn) from Madrid to Aranjuez during which you’ll be plied with strawberries from the region, and La Robla Express, a 3-night trip from Bilbao to Leon stopping at Espinosa de los Monteros, a beautiful town in Las Merindades in Burgos and ending at the Hotel Real Colegiata de San Isidoro de León. While these trips hark back to the glory days of rail, their popularity also heralds a new renaissance of rail that is sweeping across the country. == More information: Here’s a handy map of Spain’s high-speed lines Renfe Luxury Tourist Trains has launched a new website where you can browse and purchase all journeys, see spanishluxurytrain.com For detailed information about train travel worldwide, see seat61.com Tom Chesshyre has written an excellent book about Slow Trains Around Spain (right)

The best thing about train travel is that you can use the time to do something other than stare at the miles of road ahead. You can play cards, read the newspaper or a book, catch up on emails and text, watch a film, enjoy a meal, or just gaze out of the window and enjoy the views of the great British countryside. It’s a great way to cover large distances across the country: you can travel from London to Bristol in less than 80 minutes, from Edinburgh to Birmingham in 4 hours, and from Exeter to London in just over 2 hours. Most railway stations are in city centres, so on arrival you can disembark and quickly reach the heart of the city without the hassle of parking.   Trains are a great way to cover large distances across the country. Photo: Wix Media Railcards and passes   Friends and family railcard Save a third on rail tickets and 60 per cent off children’s fares with the Friends and Family Railcard. It’s valid for up to four adults and four children aged 5–15 (plus you can have two adults named on one card, so if one cardholder isn’t using it, the other can) so long as it’s used after morning peak times. It can also be used for the Caledonian Sleeper and also on some rail/sea journeys with Wightlink and Red Funnel Ferries to stations on the Isle of Wight (as well as Hoverport services to and from Ryde Hoverport), and Stena Line ferries to Ireland – where it’s part of a train and ferry journey ( familyandfriends-railcard.co.uk ).   Two together railcard For adults who travel together, the Two Together Railcard provides one-third off train tickets when those two people travel on the same journey. It can used for both standard or first class tickets after morning peak times, and any time at weekends and on Public Holidays ( twotogether-railcard.co.uk ).   Regional ‘rover’ travel passes If you’re planning to spend a few days travelling by train then regional travel passes can make train travel much more affordable than buying individual tickets. They can often be used in conjunction with bus travel. There are 60 passes in the UK, such as the North of England Rover, which gives you four days unlimited rail travel between Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds and Hull, and the Great West Way Discoverer Pass, which gives you unlimited rail and bus travel along a 125-mile (200-km) touring route between London and Bristol, including Bath, Salisbury and Windsor. The All Line Rover pass provides unlimited rail travel throughout Great Britain for seven or 14 consecutive days, so it’s great for longer journeys. It includes travel on the Ffestiniog Railway as well as the Welsh Highland Railway, and is also valid on the UK’s overnight sleeper services. The GB Rail Rover Guide has information and links to rover tickets available throughout Britain ( railrover.org ).   Buying train tickets National Rail publishes the fares for all rail tickets so there’s no need to shop around for the best price, though there can be a small booking fee that can vary depending on the agent, such as thetrainline.com , raileasy.com , mytrainticket.co.uk and redspottedhanky.com . Agents that don’t add a booking fee include trainsplit.com , railsmartr.co.uk , and the Transport for Wales website ( tfwrail.wales ), which sells tickets for all rail routes in Britain (except sleepers). For every ticket booked on trainhugger.com , they plant a tree in the UK.   Set up a ‘ticket alert’ Rail tickets for are usually released 8–12 weeks ahead of travel, but you can set up a free email ‘ticket alert’ at thetrainline.com/ticketalert to let you know as soon bookings open for your chosen route so you can snap up the cheapest tickets as soon as they become available.

Green Traveller's Guide to taking the train from London St Pancras International Railway Station to Milan, Italy. Important: The Paris–Milan line has been blocked due to a landslide in the French Alps. An alternative route is to go from Paris via Switzerland (changing at Geneva, Lauranne, Basel or Zurich) to Milan. If you leave on one of the early Eurostar departures from London St Pancras you can get to Milan the same day. Update, 2 February 2025: Good news! The Paris-Milan line is to resume on 1 April 2025. Vittorio Emanuele is Italy's oldest shopping centre. Photo: Wix Media Journey Time: from 10 hours 40 minutes Sample timetable: Depart London 9.22am, arrive Milan 9.50pm Changes: 1 Transfer: Paris Gare du Nord to Paris Gare de Lyon Frequency of Departures: 23/day Carbon emissions: 18 .51kg (flight would be 243.9kg)* Train tickets provided by Trainline: Tickets provided by Trainline, which allows you to buy tickets for multiple train operators in multiple European countries. It does charge a small booking fee, but offers several useful facilities, such as a free email alert service to let you know as soon as bookings open for your chosen route so you can snap up the cheapest tickets when they become available. How to book train tickets as part of a package with accommodation If you want someone to book the whole journey for you or combine it with staying in hotels en route, get in touch with the travel agent Byway through its page for booking enquiries . What's the journey like? You have to change stations in Paris from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon, which can take about half an hour on the Paris RER line (it's only two stops, though we recommend you leave at least 50 minutes for the entire transfer - you have about an hour and a quarter to get the connection). See our guide to How to transfer between train stations across Paris . At Gare de Lyon, you board a TGV high speed train to 'Milan Centrale' station. Stopover hotels to break the journey in Paris If you want to break the journey and stay overnight to see a bit more of Paris while you're travelling through, there are lots of lovely places to stay near both Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon. Here are some examples of hotels that are conveniently near these stations: Hotels near Gare du Nord Hotels near Gare de Lyon Miss your connection in Paris? Don’t panic. Railteam’s ‘Hop on the Next Available Train’ service means that if you have missed your connection between high speed trains because of a delay on the preceding leg of your journey, you’ll automatically be put on the next available high-speed TGV train. NB Remember to get your ticket stamped by your Train Manager. Whenever you’re connecting, always remember to validate your onward train ticket at the machine on the platform before departing (these are often coloured yellow). For more overland routes to Italy, see Green Traveller's Flight-Free Train/Ferry Journey Planner On arrival at Milan Centrale station Benvenuto a Milano! If you’re arriving on an international train service, you will probably arrive at Milano Centrale, the city’s main rail terminus – however various intercity services also serve Cardona and Garibaldi stations: all three are connected to Milan’s metro and bus services for onward travel around the city. There are plenty of hotels close to the station, see below: Hotels near Milan's train station (Milan Centrale): Milan has one of Italy’s best developed public transport systems, consisting of a metro network, trams, buses, and a suburban rail system (the latter is unlikely to be of use to visitors). Whilst many of the city centre’s main sights are within walking distance of one another, you’ll probably end up using public transport at some point during your stay. The metro consists of four lines, with a fifth under construction; there are seventeen tram lines crossing the city – trams are emblematic of travel in Milan; and numerous bus services, they are co-ordinated by ATM. You can find maps of the metro and suburban rail network on ATM’s website - see Milan Journey Planner , as well as a breakdown of the different tickets (including useful tickets for tourists), and a journey planner for transport within the Milan urban area. Like many European cities, Milan has a bike sharing scheme, allowing you to hire a bike from numerous points across the city and then return it to a different docking point when you have completed your journey: for more information, and maps, check out BikeMi (information in English). Buon Viaggio! * Data for carbon emissions

Eurostar runs a 'snow train' to the French Alps throughout the winter enabling skiers and snowboarders to take a flight-free route to the slopes in less than 8 hours from London. The good news is that in addition to the usual (generous) luggage allowance on Eurostar (ie up to two bags), you can take on board all your ski luggage (skis, snowboards, boots) for free! The journey from London to Bourg-Saint-Maurice takes just under 8 hours and the return journey is just under 9 hours. It's the fast, convenient, greener way to some of the best French ski resorts in the Alps. Eurostar's snow train departs from London St Pancras and involves a simple same-station platform change at Lille Europe before continuing on to the French Alps. Photo: Eurostar Where does it go?  The Snow Train whizzes straight from London St Pancras through the channel tunnel to Lille (the station is called Lille Europe), where you have a short turnaround (about 30 minutes), crossing the (usually adjacent) platform within the same station to change trains and catch the onward Eurostar service to the heart of the Tarentaise Valley in the French Alps. The onward train stops at Chambéry, Albertville, Moûtiers (the station's full name is 'Moûtiers-Salins-Brides-Les-Bains'), Aime-la-Plagne, and finally Bourg-Saint-Maurice where you can take the 10-minute electric funicular ride up to Les Arcs (Europe's first B Corp ski resort) or take bus transfers to Tignes and Val d'Isere. Which resorts can I get to? See the map below for those resorts that are easily reachable by bus or funicular railway from the main Snow Train railway stations (ie. Moûtiers, Aime-la-Plagne, and Bourg-Saint-Maurice): Transfers to ski resorts Altibus provide transfers from all these stations to the most popular resorts. NB. buying tickets online via Altibus is cheaper than at the station. Tickets and timetables are available at www.altibus.com .  NB. You can take the funicular from Bourg Saint Maurice up to Les Arcs for free if you show the person at the ticket gate your Snow Train ticket. How does it work? The service departs from London St Pancras International Railway Station every Saturday throughout the winter season, from 21st December to 1st March, at 9.01am, arriving at Bourg Saint Maurice at 5.45pm, and returns every Sunday from 29th December and 2 March, departing Bourg Saint Maurice at 8.09am and arriving at London St Pancras at 3.57pm. Don't forget, on your way home, when you arrive at Lille Europe for final train to London you’ll need to go through border control and security before you board the Eurostar train. As the snow train returns on the Sunday, you can fit in an extra days' skiing at the end of the week on the relatively quieter Saturday changeover day (while those flying home will have most likely have already left the resort). Baggage Allowances One of the major attractions of the Eurostar Snow Train is the extended baggage allowance, with no weight restrictions. Each passenger can now take an extra item of luggage on top of the standard 2 cases measuring up to 85cm at their longest length, plus one item of hand luggage. Eurostar have also set aside an area in each carriage dedicated to stowing your large luggage, so you can keep your expensive skis or snowboard close at hand.  Check-in Eurostar recommend that you arrive 60 minutes prior to the Snow Train's scheduled departure time . Just the time necessary to walk to your platform, stow your luggage, and crack open a bottle of French wine to get your holiday underway. Which brings us on to... Food and drink on board There are several options for dining on the Snow Train. If you opt for a 1st class ticket (Eurostar Plus) you can expect a light breakfast, along with drinks, served in your carriage on the Eurostar leg of the journey and also a light lunch on the Lille to Bourg Saint Maurice leg. For those with standard tickets, food is not provided at your seat, but there's a bar-buffet carriage, where you can buy a range of hot and cold meals, as well as snacks and drinks. You can, of course, also take your own food and drink on board, and unlike airlines, Eurostar doesn’t limit the volume of liquids you can carry, so you can take bottles of wine and bubbly. Fares Adult fares start at £99 each way in second class or £149 in 1st class. There are no hidden extras, only the cost of bus or taxi, from whichever railway station you get off at to your ski resort. You can take the funicular from Bourg Saint Maurice up to Les Arcs for free if you show the person at the ticket gate your Snow Train ticket. Tickets provided by Trainline, which does charge a small booking fee, but offers several useful facilities, such as a free email alert service to let you know as soon as bookings open so you can snap up the cheapest tickets when they become available. Arrival times and hotel check-in Bus and taxi journeys from the stations to the resorts take between 30 minutes and a maximum of 2 hours, depending on your resort and the weather conditions (the funicular trip from Bourge St Maurice to Les Arcs takes just 7 minutes). Bon Voyage! Les Arcs 1600. Photo: Richard Hammond

Rhiannon Batten provides a few tips for how to have a green eco escape in Brussels. Standing awestruck in the Grand Place, strolling among graceful Art Nouveau buildings, imagining Tintin chasing round the Comic Strip Centre or politicians debating in the European Parliament. These are perhaps the stereotypical preconceptions of many visitors to the Belgian capital, yet while Brussels may not immediately associated with leafy open spaces, cycles routes or clean air, perhaps it should. Porte de Hal, Hallepoort. Photo: OPT-JP Remy Since the mid-1990s the greater Brussels region has been developing cycle networks, investing in its parks and forests and encouraging the formation of “green continuities” such as the Promenade Verte, a 63km-long pathway for hikers and cyclists that circles the city. It is also in the process of drawing up a regional development plan that should see the creation of sustainable neighbourhoods across the city and an environmentally sensitive redevelopment of the Heysel Plateau, the first time the site has been updated since the 1958 World’s Fair, for which its famous Atomium monument was built. A demand from Brussels’s citizens for more eco-minded facilities has seen a blossoming of sophisticated organic restaurants, ethical shops and other low-carbon businesses over recent years, making its greener side more obvious – and available - to visitors, as well as locals. Practicalities Getting there: For how to travel to Brussels by train from the UK, see our guide to: How to take the train from London to Brussels Getting around the city: From Brussels Midi station, it’s about a 25-minute walk to the city centre. You can also take a tram to the city centre from just outside the station on Rue Couverte, and there are two bike hire stands outside the station that are part of the city’s bike hire scheme known as ‘Villo’, where you can use a bike for free for the first 30 minutes. Thereafter it costs 50 cents for an extra 30 minutes, then €1 for the next 30 mins, then €2 Euros for every subsequent 30 minutes. There is also a handy app ‘AllBikesNow’ for iPhone and Android, see www.en.villo.be . Housestories Apartments Where to stay Housestories : Demonstrating that Brussels has a seriously stylish side, these five Art Deco serviced apartments, in the southwest of the city, are expertly dressed with modern and vintage furniture. Looks aside, there’s also an emphasis on environmental sensitivities; when the owners renovated the apartments in 2009 they did so by following some very stringent eco credentials. Green features include showers and toilets that run off a greywater system, solar panels, high-grade insulation, and a ground-source heat pump. Avenu Besmelaan 107 (+32 473 641 851; www.housestories.be ). Radisson Blu Royal Hotel The 281 rooms at this towering, five-star hotel near the Grand Place are deeply luxurious, with kingsize beds, down duvets and powerful showers. If you sleep easier in surroundings that take environmental sensitivities seriously, you’ll be at peace here. Currently holding a three-star Ecodynamic Enterprise label from the Brussels government for its environmental efforts, the hotel also boasts a Green Key certificate for measures such as energy efficient lighting and a recycling programme that includes donating food, and used furniture and clothing, to charity groups. Rue du Fossé-aux-Loups 47 (+32 2 219 2828; www.radissonblu.com ). Aloft Brussels Schuman The latest brand to join the Starwood Hotels group fold, Aloft hotels are aimed squarely at a younger, socially connected, urban audience. This 147-room branch in the centre of Brussels features rooms with oversized showerheads, free wifi and kingsize beds, a bar that’s home to both a resident DJ and a pool table, a 24-hour “grab and go” cafe and an in-house gym. It’s also Green Key certified, with electricity supplied from renewable sources and rooms cleaned with biodegradable products. Place Jean Rey (+32 2 800 0888; www.aloftbrussels.com ). Sleep Well Hostel Here's somewhere for those that like to do style on a budget. Sleep Well is one of a new breed of hostels providing maximum comfort at minimum prices. Just north of the Grand Place, its 240 beds range from basic but clean dorms with shared facilities to “luxe” versions with en-suite bathrooms and private, B&B-style rooms. Guests also have access to a restaurant, bar, relaxation area and bike hire service. Holding a two-star Ecodynamic Enterprise label for initiatives such 100% green electricity and low-energy lighting the hostel also gives a proportion of its profits to charitable projects. Rue du Damier 23 (+32 2 218 5050; www.sleepwell.be ). Hotel Silken Berlaymont With its location in the businesslike European Quarter and some rather bland modern architecture, this is never going to be the sexiest hotel in Brussels. What it lacks in style, however, the 214-room Silken Berlaymont makes up for in environmental conviction. It’s currently in possession of a two-star Ecodynamic Enterprise label thanks to features such as low-flow showerheads, low-energy lighting and guest packages that include city tours by bike. Don’t miss the hotel’s quarterly photography exhibitions, many of which showcase work by up and coming local artists. 11-19 Boulevard Charlemagne (+32 2 231 0909; www.hoteles-silken.com ). Where to eat Organic fast food There isn’t always time for a sit-down meal when you’re trying to cram in as many of the city’s sights as possible. If you want to fuel up healthily, however, Brussels has plenty of sustainable fast-food options. Current top picks include HopDog, which does a brisk trade in hot dogs made with veggie, organic or free-range ingredients, Cool Bun, which specialises in homemade, organic burgers, and EXKi, a Belgium-based but Europe-wide chain of healthy fast-food restaurants with menus packed with organic ingredients and branches across Brussels, including one store conveniently located in Brussels Midi train station. HopDog, Rue des Fripiers 21 (no phone; www.hopdog.be ); Cool Bun, Rue Berckmans 34 (+32 2 537 8002; www.cool-bun.be ); EXKi in various locations, including Rue Marché aux Herbes 93 (+32 2 502 8248; www.exki.be ). Midi Station As the name suggests, this swanky new restaurant is set just outside Brussels’ Midi station. Owned by Belgian Railways and with culinary journalist Dirk De Prins as general manager, its recipe for regionally inspired cooking, carefully provenanced ingredients (including grass-fed beef from “nose to tail” cooking evangelist and butcher Jack O’Shea, who has a local outlet), over 30 organic or natural wines and beers procured from small local breweries should keep it on the right gastronomic track. Place Victor Horta 26 (+32 2 526 8800; www.midi-station.be ). Trop Bon Open only on weekday lunchtimes, it’s well worth making a detour to this cheerful, homely bistro near Place Flagey. Run by local Slow Food enthusiasts, its small but immaculately assembled daily menu sticks to fresh, seasonal, organic ingredients, cooked from scratch. Dishes range from sophisticated chicken salads to blood sausage served with apple chutney and bulgur salad and polenta served with olives, ewes’ milk cheese and fresh vegetables. Chaussée de Vleurgat 1 (+32 2 640 4057; www.tropbon.be ). Rouge Tomate Sister restaurant to its namesake in New York, Brussels’ Rouge Tomate takes the organic, slow food ethos as far as possible from the socks and sandals brigade, retaining the ethical philosophy but giving it a contemporary, fine dining spin. A member of the Green Restaurant Association, it also subscribes to a nutritional charter called Sanitas Per Escam, or “Health Through Food”; hence the nutritionist employed to work alongside its chefs. Dishes such as glazed venison shank with salsify, radicchio, gingerbread crumbs, root vegetable chips and sauce poivrade can be washed down with a wide choice of organic wines. 190 Avenue Louise (00 32 2 647 7044; www.rougetomate.be ). Les Filles - Plaisirs Culinaires Run by three creative friends, Les Filles is a chic cookery studio in Saint Gilles. With décor that might have been designed by the editors of Elle Decoration, not only does it run courses (for adults and children) and deliver lunches to local offices but it also serves fresh, seasonal, organic meals around a friendly communal table from noon to 2.30pm on weekdays. Menus change daily but expect delicately prepared dishes such as green salad with asparagus, violet radishes, green beans and soft-boiled egg, Moroccan chicken pastilla with fresh mango sauce and “very very” chocolate puddings. There’s also a list of natural wines to choose from. Rue Vanderschrick 85 (+32 2 534 0483; www.lesfillesplaisirsculinaires.be ). Les Filles – Plaisirs Culinaires Where to visit The Magritte Museum A three-storey tribute to the Belgian artist René Magritte, this museum displays over 200 of his works in the neoclassical Hotel Altenloh building. The displays of Magritte’s paintings, drawings, sculptures and posters are as surreal as you would expect from the man who painted The Treachery of Images (Ceci n’est pas une pipe) – though that particular work is not here but at Los Angeles County Museum of Art – but the building is also a showcase for environmentally sensitive design with photovoltaic panels on the roof, 100% green electricity, low energy lighting and windows equipped with solar protection films. Place Royale 1 (+32 2 508 3211; www.musee-magritte-museum.be ). To market Brussels has lots of characterful bustling markets that sell organic honey, cheese, bread, fruit juices and jams direct from local producers. The markets at Place Sainte-Catherine on Wednesdays and, indoors, at the Ateliers des Tanneurs (58-62 Rue des Tanneurs; ateliersdestanneurs.be ) on Wednesdays and Sundays are classic hunting grounds. You’ll also find some organic products on sale among the stalls around Place du Châtelain in Ixelles on Wednesday afternoons. On summer evenings, it’s worth going later, when the selling turns into socialising. Park life Brussels’ 8,500 hectares of parkland, gardens and forest make it one of Europe’s greenest capitals. You don’t have to wander far to find a stretch of trees and grass, from the diminutive Parc de Bruxelles in the city centre to the vast Bois de la Cambre in the south or the manicured Parc du Cinquantenaire in the southeast. One of the most unusual is the Park Maximilien, just north of the Grand Place, which is home to an urban farm complete with vegetable patch, orchard and animals. It’s also equipped with rainwater tanks, greywater systems, a composting site and solar-powered heating. Quai du batelage 2 (+32 2 201 5609; www.lafermeduparcmaximilien.be ). Free entrance, open weekdays only. Brasserie Cantillon Museum of Gueuze Chocolate, waffles and moules frites aside, one of the edible highlights of a trip to Brussels is beer. But go for quality rather than quantity, starting with a visit to the Cantillon brewery. A family-owned business, founded in 1900, Cantillon is the company behind Lambic, Gueuze, Faro and Kriek. All its beers have been made with organic cereals since 1999, using the same age-old processes its founders did. Join a tour here before setting off to explore some of the city’s famous Art Nouveau drinking dens. 56 rue Gheude (+32 2 521 4928; www.cantillon.be ). Regular daily tours, except Sunday; €6 per person, including a glass of beer. Hit the shops You won’t find hairshirts on sale at Halelujah. The sustainable threads here are as high-end in the style stakes as they are ethical, with brands such as Henrietta Ludgate, Goodone, Christopher Raeburn and Freitag producing clothing and accessories that are either made from natural materials or have been upcycled from pre-loved clothes and fabrics. For one-stop ethical shopping, head instead to SuperGreenMe, an eco-focused department store stocking everything from organic beauty brands to clothing, shoes and homewares. Haleluja, 6 Place du Nouveau Marché aux Grains (+32 2 513 4250; www.haleluja.be ); SuperGreenMe, 10, Rue Van Arteveldestraat (+32 2 513 3220; www.supergreenme.be ). What to do Meet the locals For a surefire shortcut into local culture, contact Brussels Greeters and you can enjoy an insider insight into the city steered by a trusted local volunteer. Whether your personal passion is comics, cycling or chocolate, if you contact the team through their website two weeks before your stay they will fix you up with a suitable Greeter to meet you and take you on a free, personalised, two- to four-hour tour of the city. For more information see www.brussel.greeters.be . Boating at Chalet Robinson Go boating Chalet Robinson should be better known outside Brussels than it is. A pastoral idyll within the city limits, it’s a restaurant and bar set in wooden chalet on Robinson Island in the Bois de la Cambre. The closest you’ll get to a country escape without leaving town, all sorts of activities are on offer in the surroundings woods and parkland, from Ultimate Frisbee courses to themed walks, rollerblading tours and bike rides. For true romance, however, hire a rowing boat from the shoreline by the chalet and set off onto the water à deux. Sentier de l’Embarcadère 1, Bois de la Cambre (+32 2 372 9292; www.chaletrobinson.be ). On your bike Local cycling operators Cactus&co and Pro Velo both offer innovative guided cycling tours of Brussels. To get off the beaten cycle path, Cactus&co’s four-hour Undiscovered Brussels ride covers the city’s more offbeat neighbourhoods and architectural attractions while ProVelo runs a whole range of guided and self-guided tours, including several on a green theme that take in some of Brussels’ best parks, gardens and nature reserves. Undiscovered Brussels tours cost from €20pp, including bike hire (www.cactus-co.be). ProVelo tours cost from €17pp per half-day, including bike rental and guiding; self-guided tours can be downloaded, free, from the company’s website www.provelo.org . On foot Find out more about Brussels’ cocoa-dusted heritage by joining a four-hour chocolate themed walking - and tasting - tour of the city. As well as classic outlets such as Wittamer, Neuhaus and Godiva, the route covers small specialist shops such as Pure, in the Grand Sablon, which specialises in organic varieties. It also includes a hands-on workshop with a Master Chocolatier where you’ll learn how to craft your own confections. Too much indulgence? Strap on your trainers instead and join an hour-long, guided “sightjogging” trip around the city. (+32 4793 19003; www.globalenterprises.be ; sightjogging tours 00 32 4716 66424; www.brusselssightjogging.com ) Take the plunge It may not be quite the same as jumping off a boat in Polynesia but the Nemo 33 dive training facility is designed to enable locals and visitors to work on their sub-aqua skills without flying to tropical climes. The closest Brussels gets to Bora Bora, the deepest manmade pool in the world was built using such sustainable building techniques as energy recovery systems and solar panels. The end result is a site that consumes 50% less energy than a traditional swimming pool. +32 2 332 3334; www.nemo33.com . Beginners courses are available. Written by Rhiannon Batten == [Photo credits: Main photo: Porte de Hal, Hallepoort. Copyright: OPT-JP Remy. Small photos, left to right: Housestories Apartments; Les Filles – Plaisirs Culinaires; Brasserie Cantillon, Copyright: Brasserie Cantillon; boating at Chalet Robinson. Train photo and cycling photo: Copyright Eurostar]

There are many ways to travel to and from Ireland without flying, thanks to a variety of train and coach services that link with ferry services across the Irish Sea connecting several ports in England, Wales and Scotland with Irish ferry ports. Our team has tried and tested many of them and so we have tried to summarise all the available options in this post based on our experience. In both Ireland and the UK, there are plenty of options for arriving at ferry terminals by rail and bus and for subsequent onward travel by public transport. Click on the following links to go to the relevant section on this page: Irish Ferries: Pembroke – Rosslare, Holyhead–Dublin Stena Line: Holyhead – Dublin Port, Fishguard – Rosslare, Liverpool – Belfast, Cairnryan – Belfast P&O Ferries: Cairnryan – Larne, Liverpool – Dublin Brittany Ferries: Roscoff – Cork Isle of Man Steam Packet Company: Douglas, Isle of Man to Dublin and Belfast Rail and Sail UK–Ireland Travelling with bikes on trains in the UK and Ireland Public transport connections at ferry port s Travel by train within Ireland Coach Travel between UK-Ireland and within Ireland Important: Due to bad weather causing the current closure of Holyhead Port in early 2025, ferry services between Holyhead and Ireland have been disrupted. They may be alternative routes via Rosslare and Pembroke but you should check with the relevant operator before booking. WB Yeats ferry en route to Dublin. Photo: Irish Ferries Ferries to Ireland There are several ferry options for travelling between the UK and the island of Ireland: you can choose a fast ferry or slow ferry, travel by foot or as a car passenger to Dublin, Cork and Rosslare in the Republic of Ireland, or Larne and Belfast in Northern Ireland. In most cases, when travelling as a foot passenger, you can also buy a ticket which combines 'Rail and Sail' options to Ireland ( see the 'Rail and Sail' section below ). NB the Swansea to Cork ferry no longer runs. Irish Ferries Irish Ferries runs 'slow ferry' services between Pembroke in Wales to Rosslare on Ireland's southeast coast, and between Holyhead in Wales to Dublin Port. Dublin Port is 6km from Dublin city centre. Foot passengers are welcome on most of these crossings. Irish Ferries also has a 'fast ferry' catamaran service, Dublin Swift, on the Holyhead to Dublin route, which takes 2 hours, although it is more prone to cancellation if the weather is choppy, in which case you will be put on the next slower crossing. It is often taken out of service during winter months, with more regular services offered from April onwards. Bikes may be taken on to the ferry at a cost of £10.00 each way, which you can add to your online booking. To buy Irish Ferries tickets to/from Ireland, click on the link below: The large flat-topped rock formation of Benbulben, County Sligo, Ireland. Photo: Tourism Ireland Stena Line Stena Line runs 'slow ferry' crossings from Holyhead in Wales to Dublin Port, from Fishguard in Wales to Rosslare in southeast Ireland, from Liverpool in England to Belfast, and from Cairnryan in Scotland to Belfast, all of which are available for both foot and car passengers. Bikes can be taken on the ferry from £10.00 each way. Choose the option for ‘bicycle’ when you book rather than ‘foot passenger’. There are train stations at Fishguard and Rosslare with easy transfers on to the ferry. Cairnryan is a bit more tricky: take a train to Ayr, then a Stena Line shuttle bus to the port (this is available to passengers who have booked using the 'Sail and Rail' facility on Stena Line’s website - see the 'Rail and Sail' section below). To buy Stena Line ferry tickets to/from Ireland, click on the link below: P&O Offering fast and frequent crossings between Cairnryan in Scotland to Larne in Northern Ireland, as well as between Liverpool and Dublin. The Liverpool-Dublin route does not carry foot passengers, however the Scotland to Ireland services carry both foot and car passengers. If you are bringing a bike, choose ‘bicycle’ option when booking instead of ‘foot passenger’ - there is an additional charge of approximately £9 one-way for cyclists. The Liverpool to Dublin crossing is one of the longest Irish crossings at 8 hours and 30 minutes, with cabins available. Note that all meals are included in the price of the London-Liverpool crossings. To compare P&O crossings with other services, see Direct Ferries on the link below: Ferry tickets provided by Direct Ferries, which allows you to search and compare prices for the different operators and routes from the mainland ports in the UK to Ireland. Brittany Ferries - connecting Ireland and France There are generally two sailings a week between Roscoff in Brittany, France and Cork in the southwest of Ireland. The ‘Cruise’ ferry Pont-Aven goes from Roscoff to Cork on Fridays and does the return Cork to Roscoff on Saturdays. During winter months they also have an ‘économie’ service on board the ‘Connemara’ which is their budget, no-frill service, going from Cork to Roscoff every Monday and doing the return Roscoff to Cork on Tuesdays. The average journey time is 14 hours. Foot passengers are allowed to travel on both these services, and Brittany Ferries carry bicycles for an additional €5 one-way. Choose ‘bicycle’ option at time of booking instead of ‘foot passenger. Note that Brittany Ferries is also launching two new routes in 2020: A ferry between Rosslare, Ireland and Bilbao, Spain launches 28 February 2020 but booking was not open at time of publication. There will also be a new service between Rosslare, Ireland and Roscoff, France in 2020, but dates are still to be confirmed. For the latest on this see the website of Brittany Ferries . Isle of Man Steam Packet Company With frequent and fast crossings between Douglas, Isle of Man to Dublin and Belfast, these services are open to foot and car passengers. You can also bring your bike, free of charge. The Belfast ferry comes into Albert Quay, where you can get a bus to the city centre. See details below for travelling to and from ferry ports. Rail and Sail from the UK to Ireland. Photo: Irish Ferries Rail and Sail to Ireland Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries offer a combined sail and rail package that you can buy online at RailEasy.co.uk . These combined ferry and train tickets allow you to book from some of the UK’s leading mainline stations to Ireland via UK ferry ports of Holyhead, Fishguard or Cairnryan, then on board the ferry to Dublin or Belfast and, last but not least, onwards throughout the island of Ireland to other train stations. All on one neatly packaged ticket. You can, therefore, cover three countries in one day with some of these packages, with price examples as follows: £44.50 one-way from London Euston to Dublin ferry port (with 50% off for 5-15 year olds and 0-4 year olds travel free). You can extend your package to include other UK or Irish train stations but the package prices are only from leading city train stations including Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool and Birmingham. So these stations will add an additional cost but if you book well in advance you can get some good value fares on these legs. There is no option to upgrade with these sail rail fares to Ireland, but one of the distinct advantages of this sail rail package to Ireland is that the fares come at a fixed price which don’t increase with peak travel periods or depending on how far in advance you book. Sail rail tickets travelling from Ireland If you're starting off from Ireland, you can buy one-way rail and sail packages from any train station in Ireland, with tickets collectable at the Irish Ferries travel desk at Dublin Port (or they can post them to you). More info on the website of Irish Ferries . Travelling with bikes on trains in the UK and Ireland It is possible to take bikes on most train services, although restrictions apply so do check with the individual train operator to see what their conditions are. Here are the details for Irish Rail , Northern Ireland Railways , Transport for Wales , Avanti West Coast and Scotrail . You can bring your bike when travelling with a rail and sail ticket to Ireland, but you will need to get a ticket for your bike separately at the train stations and ferry ports. Train from Bray to Greystones Public transport connections at ferry ports There are train stations at most ferry ports (including Holyhead, Liverpool, Pembroke, Roscoff and Rosslare) but here are a few more details below of facilities at some of these and other ports. Dublin: From Dublin Port there is an hourly 53 bus service to various points in Dublin, including Connolly local DART Rail Station. There is also a private coach service which meets the Dublin Port ferries and takes you between Dublin Port and Westmoreland Street in the city centre, as well as Dublin’s Heuston Station. With fares from €2, you can book these in advance online with Ferrylink , or pay on board. For French and UK rail bookings there's Rail Europe , or for Irish ones go to the national rail operator’s website Irish Rail . Belfast: If arriving into Belfast on a Stena Line ferry, you come into Victoria Quay. Take the 96 bus from Upper Queen Street, near Belfast’s City Hall, to the ferry terminal. The return service which meets the ferries at the terminal takes you to Donegall Place in Belfast’s city centre. Single adult cash fare is currently £2 single, children £1 single and you are advised to have cash for this one. On the Isle of Man service into Belfast, you arrive into Albert Quay, and the nearest bus stop/station is at Yorkgate approximately 10 minutes walk from the terminal where you can catch the number 2 bus to Donegall Square in the city centre: Belfast bus timetables . Rosslare: If you arrive into Rosslare ferry port, there are hourly bus services to Dublin and to Waterford. For more information see the national bus operator Bus Eireann . There is also a train station at Rosslare (Rosslare Europort) which is 15 minutes walk from the port. For train times and to book tickets, see Irish Rail . If you take the train from Rosslare, you will have to pay a supplement to take a bicycle on. See Irish Rail for updates on which trains offer bike facilities. Cork: If you are arriving into Cork from Roscoff, France with Brittany Ferries, there is very little in the way of public transport. There are taxis at the ferry port to take you into Cork City which is 19km away. Cairnryan: If you are travelling to and from Cairnryan, you have two options: the nearest train station is at Stranraer, about 6km away by taxi or, if you want to go by bike, it’s about a half hour cycle around the shore of Lough Ryan. However, the easiest is to take a train to Ayr, then a Stena Line shuttle bus to the port. This is available to passengers who have booked using the Sail and Rail facility on Stena Line’s website. Arriving in Northern Ireland, there is an hourly train between Larne port and Belfast Lanyon Place station, and you can put your bike on the train at no extra cost in a designated bike area. Liverpool: Birkenhead Hamilton Square train station is a 15 minutes walk from Stena Line’s ferry terminal (P&O’s ferry from Liverpool doesn’t take foot passengers) and there is no shuttle bus service. However, you can book a taxi in advance, at this very useful website, Train Taxi , which finds taxis for any station in the UK. Roscoff, France: Coming into Roscoff port in Brittany, France, there is a local rail and bus service from Roscoff to Morlaix, where you can pick up higher speed trains to other parts of France. Exploring the Gleniff Horseshoe, County Sligo. Photo: Tourism Ireland Travel by train within Ireland Irish Rail (Iarnród Éireann) In the Republic of Ireland trains are operated by the national rail company, Irish Rail , with a network spreading across the country to cities such as Sligo, Galway, Cork, Westport, Tralee, Waterford and Limerick. The DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transport) is a service local to Dublin, popular for visiting one of the capital’s nearby beauty spots as it runs along the coast of Dublin Bay, from Howth in north County Dublin to Bray, just south of Dublin in County Wicklow. Bicycles may now be taken on to these trains, although only at certain times. There are two central stations in Dublin: Heuston station which generally serves the west, and Connolly Station, which serves the north and southeast. The Luas tram service connects both stations, travelling on the Red Line. For visitors travelling with bikes, you can take them free of charge on most services outside peak travel times. You need to reserve a bike space on intercity services, however, which you can do at the end of your booking on Irish Rail’s booking facility. For more information on bikes on Irish Rail, click here. Another useful website is Rail Users Ireland , a dynamic organisation which campaigns for better rail services in Ireland. If you are considering the train and bus as your main forms of transport while travelling around Ireland, it is worth considering one of Irish Rail’s Explorer or Trekker passes . They vary in price depending on the length of your stay in Ireland. Child Explorer tickets are half the price of adult tickets. For one-off trips, families should request a family ticket, which is valid for one or two adults and up to four children less than 16 years. There is no charge for under fives. Northern Ireland Railways: Within Northern Ireland, the train network includes places of visitor interest such as Bangor, County Down, Derry and Portrush on the Antrim Coast, as well as Larne for incoming ferry services from Scotland. There are five main stations in Belfast, and services vary out of each. They are Lanyon Place, Botanic (for Belfast’s Botanic Gardens and Ulster Museum), City Hospital, Gt. Victoria Street and Yorkgate. There is a fast and frequent service between Belfast and Dublin known as The Enterprise, which serves Dublin’s Connolly Station and Belfast’s Lanyon Place station. For more details of Northern Ireland’s train and bus services, see Translink . Bicycles are carried free of charge on all Northern Ireland Railway services, including the cross-border Enterprise service, and the train meeting the ferries coming into Larne. There is no reservation system, and they will be carried on a first-come first-served basis. InterRail tickets: If you are travelling across Europe using a Global InterRail Pass, or an InterRail One Country Pass for Ireland , this can, of course, be used throughout Ireland. The Ireland Pass also entitles you to a discount on most ferry crossings with Irish Ferries and Stena Line. The Luas tram system: Dublin’s light railway or tram system opened in 2004, and is known as the Luas, which is Irish for light. There are two Luas tram lines; the Red line and the Green line covering 67 stations. The Red Line runs east to west through the city centre from Connolly station to Heuston station, continuing towards south Dublin, and terminates in the suburb of Tallaght. The Green Line runs from St.Stephen’s Green in the city centre out to Sandyford Industrial Estate on the south side of the city. Children under three travel free of charge, and young people up to the age of fifteen (or students in possession of a student card) can buy a child’s fare. Only fold-up bicycles can be carried on the Luas, and there are bike racks at nearly all Luas stops. The Luas is not only a great way of travelling between the city’s main stations but also for reaching places of interest such as The National Museum at Collins Barracks, The Guinness Storehouse, the Irish Museum of Modern Art or Kilmainham Gaol. Tickets can be bought at machines at every Luas stop. Also available are Flexi Tickets, which allow travel to all zones across the Red and Green Lines. The Leap card: Save up to 30% on some public transport services in Ireland with a prepaid Leap Card, which you can use on buses, trams and local train services. Read more at Leap Card . Travel by coach to and within Ireland Flixbus: This international coach network is a relatively cheap and efficient way to travel by coach between the UK and Ireland. You board the coaches in cities and then travel on the coach on the ferry for crossing the Irish Sea. One of the biggest advantages of travelling by coach is that you are taken directly to the city centre, so no worries about transfers, taxis or trailing luggage. Tickets from Dublin to London are currently from £48.99 one way. Eurolines: Another European-wide coach network is a cheap and efficient way to travel by bus between the UK and Ireland . They offer services between several UK towns and cities to/from Dublin, Belfast and Cork, with connections with many other Irish towns. Bus Eireann: Ireland’s leading coach service, Bus Eireann , has services to many towns and villages with great value tickets. You can also buy an Open Road Tourist Pass, which allows you unlimited travel on all of Bus Eireann’s services. The main coach station in Dublin is Bus Arás, located on the Red Line of the Luas on the north side of the River LIffey near Connolly railway station. Ulsterbus : Northern Ireland’s extensive coach service accesses a lot of rural areas, as well offering its Goldline service - an express intercity service. North and eastbound services from Belfast depart from Laganside Bus Centre - south and west depart from the Europa Bus Centre. Times and fares are available from Translink , an organisation which has integrated Northern Ireland’s public transport facilities, and provides information on one website. Their journey planner is an excellent way of working out which form of transport you need to take from one place to another. Bicycles are carried free of charge if the bus has a boot and space is available. Fold-up bicycles can be carried at any time on-board the vehicle. Read more on the very useful website Cycle NI . Portmagee, County Kerry. Photo: Tourism Ireland ============ Please note : The information on this page aims to give you a reasonable idea of train and ferry routes, times and tickets, in order that hopefully there’s enough detail to know what's available, how to plan a journey and where to book tickets. The information was up to date at time of publication, but services do change from time to time and we cannot take responsibility for any errors or inaccuracies we provide. Always confirm details when you book with the relevant travel operator. This feature was first compiled in 2014 and since then it has been updated annually. The most recent update was done in October 2023, but if you are aware of any inaccuracies, we'd really appreciate being informed via our contact page so we can make the relevant changes to the information provided for the benefit of other travellers.

Green Traveller's Guide to taking the train from London St Pancras International Railway Station to Zürich Hauptbahnhof, Switzerland. Aerial view of Zurich. Photo Switzerland Tourism/Daniel Loosli It is possible to travel from London to Zürich in less than seven and a half hours if you take the Eurostar to Paris Gare du Nord then change to Gare de Lyon and catch the high-speed train to Zürich. Renowned for its quality of life and cultural offer, Zürich is Switzerland’s largest city with a thriving international business scene. With panoramic Alpine views from its lakeside position, Zürich offers a relaxed, healthy outdoor lifestyle combined with a buoyant restaurant and nightlife scene (over 1,500 restaurants offer cuisine from around the world), and a vast number of museums and galleries. A university city with a history dating back before the Romans, Zürich is at once young and ancient – and it wears its past proudly in its architectural heritage. Whether you come for the culture, the lifestyle, or just for business, there is plenty to enjoy in this dynamic city. Train routes from London connecting with TGV Lyria rail services in Switzerland: Flight-free travel from London to Zürich: Journey Time: from 7 hours 25 mins Sample timetable: Depart London 11.31am, arrive Zürich 8.26pm Changes: 1 Transfer: Paris Gare du Nord to Paris Gare de Lyon Frequency of Departures: 16/day Carbon emissions: 4.96 kg (flight would be 123.19kg)* Tickets provided by Trainline, which allows you to buy tickets for multiple train operators in multiple European countries. It does charge a small booking fee, but offers several useful facilities, such as a free email alert service to let you know as soon as bookings open for your chosen route so you can snap up the cheapest tickets when they become available. How to book train tickets as part of a package with accommodation If you want someone to book the whole journey for you or combine it with staying in hotels en route, get in touch with the travel agent Byway through its page for booking enquiries . What's the journey like? You have to change stations in Paris from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon, which can take about half an hour on the Paris RER line (it's only two stops, though we recommend you leave at least 50 minutes for the entire transfer - you have about an hour and a quarter to get the connection). See our guide to How to transfer between train stations across Paris . At Gare de Lyon, you board a TGV high speed train to 'Zürich Hauptbahnhof' station. Stopover hotels to break the journey in Paris If you want to break the journey and stay overnight to see a bit more of Paris while you're travelling through, there are lots of lovely places to stay near both Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon. Here are some examples of hotels that are conveniently near these stations: Hotels near Gare du Nord Hotels near Gare de Lyon Miss your connection in Paris? Don’t panic. Railteam’s ‘Hop on the Next Available Train’ service means that if you have missed your connection between high speed trains because of a delay on the preceding leg of your journey, you’ll automatically be put on the next available high-speed TGV train. NB Remember to get your ticket stamped by your Train Manager. Whenever you’re connecting, always remember to validate your onward train ticket at the machine on the platform before departing (these are often coloured yellow). For more overland routes to Switzerland, see our Flight-Free Train/Ferry Journey Planner On arrival at Zürich station Willkommen in Zürich! Zürich Hauptbahnhof is the city’s main point of arrival for mainline and international rail services, and is one of the world’s busiest railway stations. A hub of S-bahn, tram, bus, and trolley lines, it is well connected for travel across the rest of the city, and its central location at the northern tip of the old town puts the station within easy walking distance of much of central Zürich. Hotels near Zurich Train Station (Zurich HauptBahnhof) Despite being Switzerland’s largest city, Zürich remains a compact, manageable place and the central area is very walkable – your feet could be your best option for getting around. However, its (renowned) dense and comprehensive public transport system means that if you want or need to make a hop by bus, trolley, tram, or s-bahn (suburban rail), it’s definitely possible. Zürich's trams, trolleybuses and buses are operated by VBZ (Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich), but whilst the S-bahn railway network is separately run, the same tickets, travelcards and fares apply across the city’s transport network – which is collectively known as ZVV. The ZVV website has a map of the Zürich area’s train network, with bus and boat connections, a detailed map of all transport in the city of Zürich and a useful Zürich public transport journey planner . If you’ll be using public transport a lot and intend to visit several of the city’s museums and attractions, it might be worth considering buying a Zürich Card for the duration of your stay – it offers unlimited travel as well as free entry into most museums, and a range of other offers and discounts. You could also consider cycling in Zürich as a way of getting around: relatively compact and with good segregated bike lanes, the city has a bike sharing scheme called Züri Velo that allows you to borrow bikes for a small charge - you have to register with the scheme and then you can see in your customer account how much each ride cost and the amount that was debited from your credit card. Gute Reise! * Data for carbon emissions

Green Traveller's Guide to taking the train from London St Pancras International Railway Station to Valence, France. Photo: Richard Hammond It is possible to travel from London to Valence in less than five and a half hours if you take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord then change to Paris Gare de Lyon to catch the train south to Valence. Between the French Alps and the Massive Central, Valence is the gateway to Provence. It might easily be overlooked in favour of the nearby cities of Lyon and Avignon, but if you venture to this historic, chilled-out city, in the heart of La Drome region, you're in for a treat. Flight-Free travel from London to Valence: Journey Time: from 5 hours 23 minutes Sample timetable: Depart London 11.04am, arrive Lyon 5.00pm Changes: 1 Transfer: Paris Gare du Nord to Paris Gare de Lyon Frequency of Departures: 17/day Carbon emissions: 40 .5kg (flight would be 221.4kg)* Tickets provided by Trainline, which allows you to buy tickets for multiple train operators in multiple European countries. It does charge a small booking fee, but offers several useful facilities, such as a free email alert service to let you know as soon as bookings open for your chosen route so you can snap up the cheapest tickets when they become available. How to book train tickets as part of a package with accommodation If you want someone to book the whole journey for you or combine it with staying in hotels en route, get in touch with the travel agent Byway through its page for booking enquiries . What's the journey like? You have to change stations in Paris from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon, which can take about half an hour on the Paris RER line (it's only two stops, though we recommend you leave at least 50 minutes for the entire transfer - you have about an hour and a quarter to get the connection). See our guide to How to transfer between train stations across Paris . At Gare de Lyon, you board a TGV high speed train to Valence station. Stopover hotels to break the journey in Paris If you want to break the journey and stay overnight to see a bit more of Paris while you're travelling through, there are lots of lovely places to stay near both Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon. Here are some examples of hotels that are conveniently near these stations: Hotels near Gare du Nord Hotels near Gare de Lyon Miss your connection in Paris? Don’t panic. Railteam’s ‘Hop on the Next Available Train’ service means that if you have missed your connection between high speed trains because of a delay on the preceding leg of your journey, you’ll automatically be put on the next available high-speed TGV train. NB Remember to get your ticket stamped by your Train Manager. Whenever you’re connecting, always remember to validate your onward train ticket at the machine on the platform before departing (these are often coloured yellow). On arrival at Valence station Bienvenue à Valence! There are plenty of hotels in the centre of the city, see below: Hotels in Valence Like an increasing number of French cities, Valence has its own government-funded bike hire scheme: in Valence it's called 'Libelo'. There are 20 stations throughout the city where you can access the bikes. A 1 Euro charge and a 150 Euro deposit will give you access the bikes for 1 day, with additional charges if you use the bike for more than 2 and a half hours. A whole day with one bike will cost approximately 6 Euros. Libelo Bike Scheme . Valence and the surrounding area have an excellent public transport network on coaches and buses, with 38 regular lines. Information and timetables are available from Tourist Offices or tel 08 10 26 26 07 or visit CTAV Valence Bus Map to plan a journey. For more information about where to stay and things to do, see our Green Travel Guide to Valence . Bon Voyage! See our Flight-Free Train/Ferry Journey Planner * Data for carbon emissions

Green Traveller's Guide to taking the train from London St Pancras International Railway Station to Turin, Italy. Important: The Paris–Turin-Milan line has been blocked due to a landslide in the French Alps and is likely to remain so until Spring 2025. An alternative route is to go from Paris via Switzerland (changing at Geneva, Lauranne, Basel or Zurich) to Milan. If you leave on one of the early Eurostar departures from London St Pancras you can get to Turin the same day. Turin at night. Photo: Wix Media Journey Time: from 10 hours 40 minutes Sample timetable: Depart London 9.22am, arrive Milan 9.50pm Changes: 1 Transfer: Paris Gare du Nord to Paris Gare de Lyon Frequency of Departures: 23/day Carbon emissions: 18 .51kg (flight would be 243.9kg)* Tickets provided by Trainline, which allows you to buy tickets for multiple train operators in multiple European countries. It does charge a small booking fee, but offers several useful facilities, such as a free email alert service to let you know as soon as bookings open for your chosen route so you can snap up the cheapest tickets when they become available. How to book train tickets as part of a package with accommodation If you want someone to book the whole journey for you or combine it with staying in hotels en route, get in touch with the travel agent Byway through its page for booking enquiries . What's the journey like? You have to change stations in Paris from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon, which can take about half an hour on the Paris RER line (it's only two stops, though we recommend you leave at least 50 minutes for the entire transfer - you have about an hour and a quarter to get the connection). See our guide to How to transfer between train stations across Paris . At Gare de Lyon, you board a TGV high speed train to 'Torino Porta Susa' station. Stopover hotels to break the journey in Paris If you want to break the journey and stay overnight to see a bit more of Paris while you're travelling through, there are lots of lovely places to stay near both Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon. Here are some examples of hotels that are conveniently near these stations: Hotels near Gare du Nord Hotels near Gare de Lyon Miss your connection in Paris? Don’t panic. Railteam’s ‘Hop on the Next Available Train’ service means that if you have missed your connection between high speed trains because of a delay on the preceding leg of your journey, you’ll automatically be put on the next available high-speed TGV train. NB Remember to get your ticket stamped by your Train Manager. Whenever you’re connecting, always remember to validate your onward train ticket at the machine on the platform before departing (these are often coloured yellow). For more train routes to Europe, see our Flight-Free Train/Ferry Journey Planner On arrival at Torino Porta Susa station Benvenuto a Torino! Turin is at the foot of the western Alps, and is one of Italy's greenest cities – alongside the Po river it has over 300km of tree-lined streets, lots of public parks and historic gardens. If you're looking to stay near to the station, at least for the first night, there are plenty of hotels within walking distance, see below: Hotels near to Torino Porta Susa train station Turin has many public green spaces: one of the best known is Parco del Valentino and the 18th century Botanical Garden on the banks of the River Po. Another green space it at Pellerina in the north-west of the city on the banks of the Dora Riparia. For more information about green travel in Turin see: Torino Green City . Like many European cities, Turin has lots of places to hire bikes. For example, Turin Bikes is just two minutes from the Porta Nuova train station. Buon Viaggio! * Data for carbon emissions

Green Traveller's Guide to taking the train from London St Pancras International Railway Station to Toulouse Matabiau, which is conveniently located in the centre of Toulouse. It is possible to travel by train from London to Toulouse in less than 8 hours if you take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord and change to Paris Gare Montparnasse to catch the train to Toulouse. Sunset on the River Garonne, Toulouse. Photo: DAT Vo/Unsplash The university town of Toulouse, known as 'La Ville Rose' for its distinctive pink buildings, is the gateway to the French Pyrenees. France’s pink city has a unique character, sunny and Spanish-flavoured, it’s a world away from much of the rest of the country. A largely unsung destination, its bustling historic centre is lined with warm brick buildings, in every shade of red, pink and ochre. Flight-free travel from London to Toulouse: Journey Time: fastest from 7 hours 48 mins; average 9 hours 30mins Sample timetable: Depart London 12.24pm, arrive Toulouse 9.17pm Changes: 1 Transfer: Paris Gare du Nord to Paris Gare Montparnasse Frequency of Departures: 16-18/day Carbon emissions: 14 .04kg (flight would be 83.86kg)* Car hire at Toulouse Railway Station: Yes Tickets provided by Trainline, which allows you to buy tickets for multiple train operators in multiple European countries. It does charge a small booking fee, but offers several useful facilities, such as a free email alert service to let you know as soon as bookings open for your chosen route so you can snap up the cheapest tickets when they become available. How to book train tickets as part of a package with accommodation If you want someone to book the whole journey for you or combine it with staying in hotels en route, get in touch with the travel agent Byway through its page for booking enquiries . What's the journey like? You have to change stations in Paris from Gare du Nord to Montparnasse, which can take about half an hour on the Paris metro (though we recommend you leave at least 50 minutes for the entire transfer). See our guide to How to transfer between train stations across Paris . Stopover hotels to break the journey in Paris If you want to break the journey and stay overnight to see a bit more of Paris while you're travelling through, there are lots of lovely places to stay near both Gare du Nord and Gare Montparnasse. Here are some examples of hotels that are conveniently near these stations: Hotels near Gare du Nord Hotels near Gare Montparnasse Miss your connection? Don’t panic. Railteam’s ‘Hop on the Next Available Train’ service means that if you have missed your connection because of a delay on the preceding leg of your journey, you’ll automatically be put on the next available high-speed train. NB Remember to get your ticket stamped by your Train Manager. Whenever you’re connecting, always remember to validate your onward train ticket at the machine on the platform before departing (these are often coloured yellow). See our Flight-Free Train/Ferry Journey Planner On arrival Bienvenue à Toulouse! The city's many squares buzz with life and it is littered with architectural gems, including a grand main square (Place de la Capitole), Europe’s largest Romanesque church, a lovely waterfront, and numerous hôtels particuliers, or merchants’ palaces. Now France’s fourth city, Toulouse is forward-looking, metropolitan, and dynamic, with a huge student population: and it has a busy bar, restaurant and art scene to match. Immerse yourself in its lifestyle, wander its museums, and linger over its hearty cuisine: Toulouse has a lot for you to enjoy. There are lots of places to stay close to the main railway station, see below: Getting around Toulouse Toulouse-Matabiau is the city’s main railway station and almost all mainline services arrive here. Located just to the north-east of the city centre, it is on metro line A (and future line F), and has good bus connections. Here's an excellent visitor guide to Toulouse public transport . Whilst the centre of Toulouse, and particularly the historic core, is very walkable, for longer journeys the city has a metro system complemented by a tram and buses. Tisséo operates the public transport network for the Toulouse area, and their site is available in English. The metro consists of three lines, A, B, and C, however only A and B run through the centre of the city (in roughly an X-shape) and are likely to be of use for visitors; future extensions to the network are in the pipeline. Tramline T1 (the only tram line for the moment) runs through the west of the city, connecting with metro lines A and C at Arènes: here is a map of Toulouse metro and tram network . Whilst you are unlikely to need to take buses often, you can also find a map of the Toulouse area bus network on the Tisséo website. Tickets are valid on buses, trams and the metro, for up to three changes in a total of one hour, multi-trip tickets and passes for one, two, and three days are also available: here is a full breakdown of tickets and fares for public transport in Toulouse . If you intend to make much use of the transport network, and will be visiting several attractions in the Toulouse area, you may want to consider getting hold of a Pass Tourisme, which offers unlimited travel plus free or discounted entry to various attractions for a period of 24, 48, or 72 hours. Toulouse is a relatively flat city, so cycling is also a viable option for making short hops or a lazy ride along the Canal du Midi – it also has a self-service bike share scheme, meaning you can pick up a bike at one docking station and drop it off later when you reach your destination: called simply Velo Toulouse, the website is only in French but does have a handy map of Toulouse cycle station locations . Bon Voyage! * Data for carbon emissions

Green Traveller's Guide to taking the train from London St Pancras International Railway Station to Nice in the South of France. The waterfront at Nice. Photo: Constantin/Unsplash on Wix Taking the sleeper train to Nice is worth it just to be woken up by the sun as you hit the Cote d'Azur. Wake up early so that you can follow the coast as the sun comes up, admiring the rich and famous' back gardens as you head to Nice. The Grande Dame of the French Riviera, Nice enjoys a fine, sun soaked Mediterranean climate and spectacular setting between the Alps and the sea. The famous sweep of its Baie des Anges has been drawing tourists for centuries and it is still a prime spot to come and experience the highlife of ritzy hotels, chic bars, fine dining, gambling, sunbathing and more. But Nice isn’t all glamour: it has a rich history and cultural heritage, boasting everything from Roman ruins to museums of the work of Matisse and Chagall; the old centre is well-preserved and atmospheric, and it is very much a bustling, diverse, 21st century port city. When you’ve had enough of city life, you can head to the spectacular beaches that spread out in both directions along the coast. Journey Time: from 8 hours 53 minutes Sample timetable: Depart London 9.22am, arrive Nice 8.07pm Changes: 1 Transfer: Paris Gare du Nord to Paris Gare de Lyon Frequency of Departures: 14/day Carbon emissions: 15 .51kg (flight would be 97.24kg)* Bike hire at Nice-Ville Railway Station: Yes Tickets provided by Trainline, which allows you to buy tickets for multiple train operators in multiple European countries. It does charge a small booking fee, but offers several useful facilities, such as a free email alert service to let you know as soon as bookings open for your chosen route so you can snap up the cheapest tickets when they become available. How to book train tickets as part of a package with accommodation If you want someone to book the whole journey for you or combine it with staying in hotels en route, get in touch with the travel agent Byway through its page for booking enquiries . What's the journey like? You have to change stations in Paris from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon, which can take about half an hour on the Paris RER line (it's only two stops, though we recommend you leave at least 50 minutes for the entire transfer - you have about an hour and a quarter to get the connection). See our guide to How to transfer between train stations across Paris . At Gare de Lyon, you board a TGV high speed train to Nice-Ville station. Stopover hotels to break the journey in Paris If you want to break the journey and stay overnight to see a bit more of Paris while you're travelling through, there are lots of lovely places to stay near both Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon. Here are some examples of hotels that are conveniently near these stations: Hotels near Gare du Nord Hotels near Gare de Lyon Miss your connection in Paris? Don’t panic. Railteam’s ‘Hop on the Next Available Train’ service means that if you have missed your connection between high speed trains because of a delay on the preceding leg of your journey, you’ll automatically be put on the next available high-speed train. NB Remember to get your ticket stamped by your Train Manager. Whenever you’re connecting, always remember to validate your onward train ticket at the machine on the platform before departing (these are often coloured yellow). See more overland journeys by train to France in our Flight-Free Train/Ferry Journey Planner On arrival at Nice-Ville station Bienvenue à Nice! International and intercity trains pull into Nice-Ville, the city’s main railway station, on the northern edge of the city centre. Served by the city’s tramline, it is also a hub for many bus services. The old centre of Nice is relatively compact and walkable, but for the rest of the city (including the cultural district of Cimiez in the northern hills), and the surrounding area (including the neighbouring beach resorts), there is a good network of buses, as well as a tram and rail services. Hotels near Nice Ville railway station Just a few minutes walk from the station is Hotel Florence Nice , one of the first hotels to gain the European Ecolabel, it's a great place for a green stay - don't miss the honey that's produced from the hotel's 3 rooftop hives where thousands of bees produce an average of 40kg of honey a year! If you want to spend some time in Nice, you can use the city's hire bikes (there's a stand close to the hotel) or you can also rent bikes near the hotel from Holland Bike and HOLIDAY Bikes . There are plenty of other hotels within walking distance of the station, see below: Getting around Nice Nice’s ultramodern tram service currently consists of one line, looping from the north-west, past Nice-Ville station, through the centre and up to the north-east. Three further lines are either planned or under construction, and you can find more information on the Nice tramway website (in French), and here is a map of the Nice tram network (the tram line is in red). Both the tram and the buses are covered by the same tickets (1,50€) - you can find out more information in English on the city’s tourist website. You can also purchase a French Riviera Pass for unlimited travel in the Nice Côte d'Azur Metropolis, as well as discounts and free entry at a variety of attractions. Lignes d’Azur also offers information on public transport across the Nice area in English, including a zoomable map of bus routes and other transport across the city; and the tourist board’s website has information on useful train services for tourists around Nice. An alternative to buses, particularly if you’re not heading up into the surrounding mountains, is to travel by bike: enabling you to feel the fresh sea breezes and sun on your skin as you take in the city. Like many cities, Nice has a self-service bike sharing scheme, called VéloBleu (site is in English and French), which allows you to pick up a bike at one docking station and return it to another at your destination: the 1st half hour is free. There are VéloBleu bike stands throughout the city as well as in the areas of Saint-Laurent-du-Var and Cagnes-sur-Mer. You can also hire electric bikes with E- VéloBle . Nice also has an electric car sharing service called Auto bleue , which works on a similar system to the bike hire. You'll need a valid driving license and there are currently four kinds of car available: Renault Zoe, Peugeot iOn, Citroën and Mia. The cars are available to hire 24/7 from nearly 70 self-service stands. There are two ways to hire it: on a 'flex' system where you can return the car at another station other than where you originally hired it (the hourly rate is higher, but you can return it sooner) or the 'zen' system where you have to return the car at the station where you hired it. Bon Voyage! Cafe culture in Nice. Photo: Paul Rysz/Unsplash on Wix * Data for carbon emissions

Green Traveller's Guide to taking the train from London St Pancras International Railway Station to Nantes in the north west of France. Les Anneaux de Burren. Photo: Richard Hammond It is possible to travel from London to Nantes in just over 5 hours from London if you take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord and change to Paris Gare Montparnasse for the train to Nantes. Nantes is the capital of the Pays de la Loire and is a fascinating historic city - it once rivalled Rennes as capital of the old Duchy province of Brittany. It is now one of the most artistically creative cities in France and has a wonderfully joined-up public transport network, including trains, trams and a comprehensive city bike hire scheme. Flight-free travel from London to Nantes: Journey Time: from 5 hours 17 minutes Sample timetable: Depart London 7.55am, arrive Nantes 2.19pm Changes: 1 Transfer: Paris Gare du Nord to Paris Gare Montparnasse Frequency of Departures: 20/day Carbon emissions: 10.8kg (flight would be 133.4kg)* Tickets provided by Trainline, which allows you to buy tickets for multiple train operators in multiple European countries. It does charge a small booking fee, but offers several useful facilities, such as a free email alert service to let you know as soon as bookings open for your chosen route so you can snap up the cheapest tickets when they become available. How to book train tickets as part of a package with accommodation If you want someone to book the whole journey for you or combine it with staying in hotels en route, get in touch with the travel agent Byway through its page for booking enquiries . What's the journey like? You have to change stations in Paris from Gare du Nord to Gare Montparnasse, which can take 20-30 minutes on the Paris metro (14 stops), but we recommend you leave at least 50 minutes for the entire transfer. See our guide to How to transfer between train stations across Paris . At Gare Montparnasse, you board an intercity train to Nantes station. Remember, whenever you’re connecting trains in France, always remember to validate your onward train ticket ('c ompostez votre billet ') at the machine on the platform before departing (these are often coloured yellow). Stopover hotels to break the journey in Paris If you want to break the journey and stay overnight to see a bit more of Paris while you're travelling through, there are lots of lovely places to stay near both Gare du Nord and Gare Montparnasse. Here are some examples of hotels that are conveniently near these stations: Hotels near Gare du Nord Hotels near Gare Montparnasse See more overland routes to France in our Flight-Free Train/Ferry Journey Planner On arrival at Nantes station Bienvenue à Nantes! At the station, there are tram and bus connections, including the terminus of the Navibus service that goes to the University of Nantes. There are lots of hotels near to the railway station, see below. Hotels near Nantes train station Nantes may often be overlooked by holidaymakers heading to the more famous cities of France, but it's a great place to go, especially for a city break by train, as it's less than six hours from London. Nantes is on the confluence of the Loire, Erdre and Sèvre rivers, 55km from France's Atlantic coast. Here are some impressive green statistics about the city: All its residents live within 300 metres of a green area in the city 57 squared metres of green space per person 100,000 trees in the city 15% of daily travels are made using public transport 60% of land area is either agricultural or a natural or official green area Four Natura 2000 sites and 33 natural zones of floral, faunal or ecological interest Nantes is a wonderful city, but don't take our word for it, go see for yourself! For information about where to eat and sleep as well as things to see and do in the city, see our Green Traveller's Guide to Nantes . Bon Voyage! * Data for carbon emissions

Green Traveller's Guide to taking the train from London St Pancras International Railway Station to Central Station Munich, Germany. Oktoberfest. Credit: Wix Media Journey Time: from 8 hours 48 minutes Sample timetable: Depart London 10.24am, arrive Munich 21.52pm Changes: 1 Transfer: Paris Gare du Nord to Paris Gare de L'Est Frequency of Departures: 14/day Carbon emissions: 6.13 kg (flight would be 145.41kg)* Car hire at Central Station Munich: Yes Tickets provided by Trainline, which allows you to buy tickets for multiple train operators in multiple European countries. It does charge a small booking fee, but offers several useful facilities, such as a free email alert service to let you know as soon as bookings open for your chosen route so you can snap up the cheapest tickets when they become available. How to book train tickets as part of a package with accommodation If you want someone to book the whole journey for you or combine it with staying in hotels en route, get in touch with the travel agent Byway through its page for booking enquiries . What's the journey like? You have to change stations in Paris from Gare du Nord to Gare de L'Est, though it's just a short 10-minute walk: exit Gare du Nord, turn left then at the main intersection turn right (slightly downhill) along Rue du Fauberg Saint-Denis for about 400m then left along Rue de Chabrol to Gare de L'Est. Alternatively it is one stop on the metro line - from the Eurostar arrival platform, turn left, walk down the stairs and follow the signs for Metro line M4 to Gare de L'Est (which is signposted 'direction Porte d'Orléans'). See our guide to How to transfer between train stations across Paris . At Gare de L'Est, you board a TGV high speed train to Central Station Munich station. Stopover hotels to break the journey in Paris If you want to break the journey and stay overnight to see a bit more of Paris while you're travelling through, there are lots of lovely places to stay near both Gare du Nord and Gare de L'Est. These hotels get good reviews: Hotels near Gare du Nord/Gare de L'Est Miss your connection in Paris? Don’t panic. Railteam’s ‘Hop on the Next Available Train’ service means that if you have missed your connection between high speed trains because of a delay on the preceding leg of your journey, you’ll automatically be put on the next available high-speed TGV train. NB Remember to get your ticket stamped by your Train Manager. Whenever you’re connecting, always remember to validate your onward train ticket at the machine on the platform before departing (these are often coloured yellow). For more rail routes in Germany and elsewhere in Europe, see our Flight-Free Journey Planner On arrival at Central Station Munich Willkommen in München! There are lots of hotels near to the station for that first night, see below: Hotels near Munich Central Station: For more information on where to stay elsewhere in Germany, as well as restaurants and other things to see and do, see our Green Traveller's Guide to Germany : * Data for carbon emissions

Green Traveller's Guide to taking the train from London St Pancras International Railway Station to Marseille St Charles, which is conveniently located in the centre of Marseille and close to the port. Photo: Wix Media A city without too many airs, Marseille has a life and energy that more manicured destinations lack. The spectacular old port at its centre is surrounded by pavement cafes, restaurants and bars, and overlooked by an iconic hilltop church. Detour into the old quarter of Le Panier or the hippyish Cours Julien and you’ll find atmospheric architecture, bustling markets and some of the country’s most down-to-earth inhabitants. Flight-free travel from London to Marseille: Journey Time: fastest from 6 hours 19 mins Sample timetable: Depart London 11.04am, arrive Marseille 6.49pm Changes: 1. In the summer there is a direct train, see Direct Train London to Marseille Transfer: Platform change at Lille Europe Frequency of Departures: 21/day Carbon emissions: 16.22kg (flight would be 94.73kg)* Tickets provided by Trainline, which allows you to buy tickets for multiple train operators in multiple European countries. It does charge a small booking fee, but offers several useful facilities, such as a free email alert service to let you know as soon as bookings open for your chosen route so you can snap up the cheapest tickets when they become available. How to book train tickets as part of a package with accommodation If you want someone to book the whole journey for you or combine it with staying in hotels en route, get in touch with the travel agent Byway through its page for booking enquiries . What's the journey like? There's just a quick same-station change of platform at Lille Europe station to catch the onward connection. From the Eurostar platform arrival, go up the stairs (or lift) to the main concourse from where the onward TGV trains depart. Stopover hotels to break the journey in Lille If you want to break the journey and stay overnight to see a bit more of Lille while you're travelling through, there are lots of lovely places to stay near the station. Here are some hotels that are conveniently nearby: Hotels near Lille Europe train station Miss your connection in Lille? Don’t panic. Railteam’s ‘Hop on the Next Available Train’ service means that if you have missed your connection because of a delay on the preceding leg of your journey, you’ll automatically be put on the next available high-speed train. NB Remember to get your ticket stamped by your Train Manager. Whenever you’re connecting, always remember to validate your onward train ticket at the machine on the platform before departing (these are often coloured yellow). See more overland routes to France, see Green Traveller's Flight-Free Train/Ferry Journey Planner On arrival at Marseille St Charles station Bienvenue à Marseille! A city without too many airs, Marseille has a life and energy that more manicured destinations lack. The spectacular old port at its centre is surrounded by pavement cafes, restaurants and bars, and overlooked by an iconic hilltop church. Detour into the old quarter of Le Panier or the hippyish Cours Julien and you’ll find atmospheric architecture, bustling markets and some of the country’s most down-to-earth inhabitants. There are lots of hotels near to the station, see below: Hotels near Marseille Train Station (Marseille Saint-Charles): Various eco-districts are also in development across the city, with renewable energy, greywater recycling schemes, tree planting projects and bike paths part of the plans. The most high profile of these lies within the Euroméditerranée district; a 480-hectare urban renewal project between the commercial harbour, the Vieux Port (Old Port) and the TGV station. The city is gradually moving towards a more sustainable future. With an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, many public buildings in the city are being equipped with solar panels; it's said there are more roofs here than in any other city in France. The Calanques nature reserve, near to Marseille. Photo: Wix Media Getting around Marseille Marseille has an excellent public transport network. From Marseille Saint Charles train station there are trams, metro and buses that take you around the city centre and to the main harbour and port, see: Marseille public transport timetables and routes (French only). Marseille’s handy City Pass is an allin package including free entry to many of the city's museums, a boat trip to the Château d'If, a trip on the Petit Train, reductions on certain other excursions, and unlimited travel on the buses, metro and trams. It is valid for one (€22) or two (€29) days. See Marseille Tourism for more information. From outside the station, you can pick up a bike from the city’s bike hire scheme Le Vélo . For more information about where to stay and eat in Marseille, as well as local attractions and other things to do in the city, see Green Traveller's Guide to Marseille . Bon Voyage! * Data for carbon emissions

Green Traveller's Guide to taking the train from London St Pancras International Railway Station to Basel, Switzerland. Photo: Richard Hammond It is possible to travel from the UK to Interlaken by train in under 9 hours if you take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord and then change to Paris Gare de Lyon to take the train to Basel and from there to Interlaken. Between the alpine lakes Brienz and Thun, and overlooked by the mighty Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountains, Interlaken is a great base for exploring the region - it is now the starting point for the Jungfrau Marathon, which climbs to 5,960 feet, and is a great place to go for watersports on the lakes or hiking and cycling to the impressive waterfalls in the surrounding mountains. Train routes from London connecting with TGV Lyria rail services in Switzerland: Map courtesy of Eurostar Flight-free travel from London to Interlaken: Journey Time: about 11 hours Sample timetable: Depart London 07.01am, arrive Interlaken Ost 5.59pm Changes: 3 Transfers: Paris Gare du Nord, Paris Gare de Lyon, Basel SBB Frequency of Departures: 4/day Carbon emissions: 12 kg (flight would be 261.6kg)* Tickets provided by Trainline, which allows you to buy tickets for multiple train operators in multiple European countries. It does charge a small booking fee, but offers several useful facilities, such as a free email alert service to let you know as soon as bookings open for your chosen route so you can snap up the cheapest tickets when they become available. How to book train tickets as part of a package with accommodation If you want someone to book the whole journey for you or combine it with staying in hotels en route, get in touch with the travel agent Byway through its page for booking enquiries . What's the journey like? You have to change stations in Brussels Midi where you then board an intercity express train (ICE) to Cologne where you change to a similar ICE train to Basel for the final leg to Interlaken Ost station. Stopover hotels to break the journey in Brussels If you want to break the journey and stay overnight to see a bit more of Brussels, Cologne or Basel while you're travelling through, there are lots of lovely places to stay near their stations. Here are some examples of hotels that are conveniently near these stations: Hotels near Brussels Midi Hotels near Cologne Hbf Hotels near Basel SBB Miss your connection in Brussels or Cologne? Don’t panic. Railteam’s ‘Hop on the Next Available Train’ service means that if you have missed your connection between high speed trains because of a delay on the preceding leg of your journey, you’ll automatically be put on the next available high-speed TGV train. NB Remember to get your ticket stamped by your Train Manager. Whenever you’re connecting, always remember to validate your onward train ticket at the machine on the platform before departing (these are often coloured yellow). For more overland journeys in Switerland, see our Flight-Free Train/Ferry Journey Planner On arrival at Interlaken station (Interlaken Ost) Bienvenue à Interlaken! The city is small enough to cover on foot. Local buses are regular and hotel guests receive a visitor's card on arrival that allows free rides within the town on buses and trains. You can also use bus No. 105 from Interlaken Ost station to Wilderswil (every half hour, journey time 9 mins) for all mountain-bound trains. The visitors card also includes discounts at various area attractions. There are lots of hotels near the main train station, see below: Hotels near Interlaken Ost train station Things to do in and around Interlaken The impressive Lake Brienz is deep blue stretch of water ringed by snowcapped mountains above and sleepy alpine villages below, and is a wonderful place to explore throughout the year. Nearlby are the Giessbach Falls, which tumble down 500m into Lake Brienz in 14 tiers – a path leading to the falls was created in the 19th century and allows you to get right under the falls. You can also take the train to the ‘Top of Europe’ – at 3454m, Jungfrau railway station is Europe’s highest, and is a definite highlight for anyone visiting the area. Alternatively, you could go hiking in the Bernese Oberland, which has a dense network of trails and routes. Tinkling cowbells, picturesque picnic spots, and myriad paths and trails that meander through wildflower meadows and valley bottoms – hiking in this corner of the Alps isn’t technical or particularly strenuous, and cable cars can take the strain if the going gets tough. There is also the Three Waterfalls Trail – a 6 km route which hugs the lake all the way from Bönigen, (a kilometre or so east of Interlaken), to Iseltwald (a picture-perfect Swiss alpine village). It’s an easy 2-hour hike, and takes in some lovely waterfalls and beautiful lake views. You can then hop on a boat back to Bönigen. For more ideas of what to do in and around Interlaken, see Green Traveller's Guide to Interlaken . Gute Reise! * Data for carbon emissions

Green Traveller's Guide to taking the train from London St Pancras International Railway Station to Geneva, Switzerland. It is possible to reach Geneva by train from London in less than 7 hours if you take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord then change to Paris Gare de Lyon for the onward train to Geneva (see details below). Aerial view of Geneva. Photo: Switzerland Tourism/Stephan Engler Internationally famed for diplomacy, banking, watches, and chocolate, Geneva is a tiny city that casts a massive shadow. With the fine restaurants, great shopping and international vibe that you would expect in a compact city centre, the heartland of Protestantism has hustle and bustle and yet a wonderfully relaxed, open feel. Train routes from London connecting with TGV Lyria rail services in Switzerland: Map courtesy of Eurostar Flight-free travel from London to Geneva: Journey Time: from 6 hours 37 minutes Sample timetable: Depart London 09.22am, arrive Geneva 5.29pm Changes: 1 Transfer: Paris Gare du Nord to Paris Gare de Lyon Frequency of Departures: 19/day Carbon emissions: 18 .9kg (flight would be 200.7kg)* Car hire at Geneva Cornavin Railway Station: Yes Tickets provided by Trainline, which allows you to buy tickets for multiple train operators in multiple European countries. It does charge a small booking fee, but offers several useful facilities, such as a free email alert service to let you know as soon as bookings open for your chosen route so you can snap up the cheapest tickets when they become available. How to book train tickets as part of a package with accommodation If you want someone to book the whole journey for you or combine it with staying in hotels en route, get in touch with the travel agent Byway through its page for booking enquiries . What's the journey like? You have to change stations in Paris from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon, which can take about half an hour on the Paris RER line (it's only two stops, though we recommend you leave at least 50 minutes for the entire transfer - you have about an hour and a quarter to get the connection). See our guide to How to transfer between train stations across Paris . At Gare de Lyon, you board a Lyria high speed train to 'Geneva Cornavin' station. Stopover hotels to break the journey in Paris If you want to break the journey and stay overnight to see a bit more of Paris while you're travelling through, there are lots of lovely places to stay near both Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon. Here are some examples of hotels that are conveniently near these stations: Hotels near Gare du Nord Hotels near Gare de Lyon Miss your connection in Paris? Don’t panic. Railteam’s ‘Hop on the Next Available Train’ service means that if you have missed your connection between high speed trains because of a delay on the preceding leg of your journey, you’ll automatically be put on the next available high-speed Lyria train. NB Remember to get your ticket stamped by your Train Manager. Whenever you’re connecting, always remember to validate your onward train ticket at the machine on the platform before departing (these are often coloured yellow). See more overland routes in Green Traveller's Train/Ferry Journey Planner On arrival at Geneva Bienvenue à Genève! Lake Geneva meets the Rhone in the heart of the city, and the towering jet d’eau fountain forms a spectacular centrepiece, whilst the city is shouldered by mountains on both sides: the Jura to the north, and the dramatic Alps to the south. With fresh air, beaches, parks and a lovely historic centre – there’s far more to Geneva than just international business and politics. There are plenty of hotels close to the station, see below: Hotels near Geneva's train station (Gare de Cornavin) We link to this reservation service for checking availability and booking a stopover hotel because you can read hundreds of reviews from people who have recently stayed in these hotels, slept in the rooms and eaten in the nearby restaurants. We've tried it out ourselves and found it makes choosing and booking a stopover hotel a doddle. We hope you do too. Getting around Geneva To book tickets on Switzerland's impressively well organised network of over 20,000 km of rail, bus and boat routes go to: Travel by train in Switzerland . Almost all mainline international train services to Geneva arrive at the city’s Gare de Cornavin, on the northern edge of the city centre, with great bus, tram and suburban rail connections across the city and surrounding area. Some international trains (from France) pull into Gare des Eaux-Vives, just to the south-west of the centre, which also has good bus connections. A compact metropolis, central Geneva is extremely walkable, but for longer journeys you can make use of extensive bus, tram, and suburban rail networks. TPG, the city’s transport operator, offers various downloadable maps of the Geneva transport networks (page in French), as well as a handy English language journey planner. Wikipedia also has a map of the Geneva tram network. The city’s transport is integrated, offering a range of tickets usable on all public transport in Geneva (transport zone 10): a single ticket is valid for an hour, or get a day pass. Another transport option to consider is a bike: with miles of segregated cycling lanes and great cycle provision, outside of the icier winter months cycling is a great option for getting around. The Geneva tourist website offers information on cycling for visitors, and between April and October, the Genève Roule bikesharing scheme offers free cycle loans (you have to leave a deposit of 20 swiss francs) from six different pick up points across Geneva, for up to four hours. Bon Voyage! * Data for carbon emissions

Green Traveller's guide to taking the train from London St Pancras International Railway Station to Brive in the centre of France. Hotel La Réserve de Brive is a ten-minute walk from the railway station. Photo: Richard Hammond Journey Time: from 7 hours 28 minutes Sample timetable: Depart London 9.22am, arrive Brive 7.00pm Changes: 1 Transfer: Paris Gare du Nord to Paris Gare de Austerlitz Frequency of Departures: 11/day Carbon emissions: 18 .3kg (flight would be 247.2kg)* Car hire at Brive Railway Station: Yes Tickets provided by Trainline, which allows you to buy tickets for multiple train operators in multiple European countries. It does charge a small booking fee, but offers several useful facilities, such as a free email alert service to let you know as soon as bookings open for your chosen route so you can snap up the cheapest tickets when they become available. How to book train tickets as part of a package with accommodation If you want someone to book the whole journey for you or combine it with staying in hotels en route, get in touch with the travel agent Byway through its page for booking enquiries . What's the journey like? You have to change stations in Paris from Gare du Nord to Gare de Austerlitz, which can take 20-30 minutes on the Paris metro (9 stops), but we recommend you leave at least 50 minutes for the entire transfer. See our guide to How to transfer between train stations across Paris . At Gare de Austerlitz, you board an intercity train to 'Brive-La-Gaillarde' station. Remember, whenever you’re connecting trains in France, always remember to validate your onward train ticket ('c ompostez votre billet ') at the machine on the platform before departing (these are often coloured yellow). Stopover hotels to break the journey in Paris If you want to break the journey and stay overnight to see a bit more of Paris while you're travelling through, there are lots of lovely places to stay near both Gare du Nord and Gare de Austerlitz. Here are some examples of hotels that are conveniently near these stations: Hotels near Gare du Nord Hotels near Gare de Austerlitz For more overland train routes in France, see our Flight-Free Train/Ferry Journey Planner On arrival at Brive-La-Gaillarde station Bienvenue à Brive! At the station, there are onward train connections to several large French cities, including Limoges, Périgueux, Clermont-Ferrand, Bordeaux and Toulouse, as well as several regional destinations. Brive is a market town in the farming department of Corrèze (hence there are lots of weekly farmers markets). In particular, there's a weekly food market at the Georges Brassens market hall on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings. There are a number of fine 15th and 16th century houses and mansions, including Maison Cavaignac, Maison Treilhard and the Tour des Echevins. Brive is also a great base for exploring the upper reaches of the Dordogne and the department of Correze. There are plenty of hotels close to the railway station, we stayed at Hotel La Réserve de Brive , which is a 10-minute walk, but there are many others, see below: For more information about where to stay, local restaurants, and what to see and do in the region, see our Green Traveller's Guide to Nouvelle-Aquitaine Bon Voyage! * Data for carbon emissions

Green Traveller's Guide to taking the train from London St Pancras International Railway Station to Bordeaux St Jean, which is conveniently located in the centre of Bordeaux. Graceful and beguiling, Bordeaux is a city relishing its joie de vivre – years after the restoration of its centre restored the original golden hues of its buildings, residents and visitors alike are exploring its UNESCO-protected historic centre and sipping coffees in its numerous cafés. With first-rate museums and galleries (including the CAPC museum of contemporary art), splendid architecture and a wealth of restaurants, squares, and shops, Bordeaux is a pint-sized rival to Paris: but with its own distinct charms and without the capital’s tourist hordes. And who could forget the wine? It is, of course, everywhere – and it’s delicious – with the Cité des civilizations du vin and the Musée du vin et du negoce offering an introduction to the world and culture of the city’s most famous export. Photo: Clovis Wood Photography/Unsplash on Wix Media Flight-free travel from London to Bordeaux: Journey Time: fastest from 5 hours 25 minutes Sample timetable: Depart London 10.24am, arrive Bordeaux 5.56pm Changes: 1 Transfer: Paris Gare du Nord to Paris Gare Montparnasse Frequency of Departures: 18/day Carbon emissions: 12.71kg (flight would be 70.43kg)* Train tickets provided by Trainline: Tickets provided by Trainline, which allows you to buy tickets for multiple train operators in multiple European countries. It does charge a small booking fee, but offers several useful facilities, such as a free email alert service to let you know as soon as bookings open for your chosen route so you can snap up the cheapest tickets when they become available. How to book train tickets as part of a package with accommodation If you want someone to book the whole journey for you or combine it with staying in hotels en route, get in touch with the travel agent Byway through its page for booking enquiries . What's the journey like? You have to change stations in Paris from Gare du Nord to Montparnasse, which can take about half an hour on the Paris metro (though we recommend you leave at least 50 minutes for the entire transfer). See our guide to How to transfer between train stations across Paris . Stopover hotels to break the journey in Paris If you want to break the journey and stay overnight to see a bit more of Paris while you're travelling through, there are lots of lovely places to stay near both Gare du Nord and Gare Montparnasse. Here are some examples of hotels that are conveniently near these stations: Hotels near Gare du Nord Hotels near Gare Montparnasse Miss your connection in Paris? Don’t panic. Railteam’s ‘Hop on the Next Available Train’ service means that if you have missed your connection because of a delay on the preceding leg of a high speed journey, you’ll automatically be put on the next available high-speed train. NB Remember to get your ticket stamped by your Train Manager. Whenever you’re connecting, always remember to validate your onward train ticket at the machine on the platform before departing (these are often coloured yellow). For more overland train routes to France, see our Flight-Free Train/Ferry Journey Planner On arrival at Bordeaux St Jean train station Bienvenue à Bordeaux! There are lots of hotels near to the station, see below: Hotels near Bordeaux St Jean train station Getting around Bordeaux Bordeaux’s main railway station, the Gare St Jean, gateway for train travellers, is located a little to the south of the city centre. It is on line C of the tram network, which will whisk you to all points central in a few minutes. The ultra-modern, fast and sleek tram system is the showpiece of Bordeaux’s transport network. Three lines (A, B and C) cross the city, and most of the city centre is within a few minutes’ walk of a stop: the tram network map is clear and colour-coded. Like the trams, buses are operated by TBC who offer useful bus information, routes and timetables in English (TBC tram information) and also offer a map of central Bordeaux featuring the useful bus and tram routes for visitors. Fares for buses and trams start at €1,40 for a single journey, with a range of multi-trip and day/week tickets available: TBC offers full Bordeaux transport ticket and fare information. The centre of Bordeaux is not enormous, and many streets have been pedestrianised, making walking a great option for getting around, taking in the architecture and lifestyle and discovering hidden corners as you cross the city. The terrain is largely flat, making cycling also an appealing option: the Vcub network offers self-service bike sharing across Bordeaux (map of stations; the site is in French only) – hire a bike from one docking station and drop it off at another close to your destination. Bon Voyage! * Data for carbon emissions

Greentraveller's Guide to taking the train from London St Pancras International Railway Station to Bayonne in the Basque Country region of southwest France. The waterfront at Bayonne. Photo: Hans-Jürgen Weinhardt at Unsplash It is possible to travel by train from London to Bayonne in just over 7 hours if you take the Eurostar to Paris and then change stations to Paris Gare Montparnasse and continue the journey by train to Bayonne. Bayonne is in the southwest of France close to the Spanish Border where there are a range of wonderful places to visit including Vauban's ramparts, Saine-Marie Cathedral, Le Petit Bayonne and the Saint-André trinquet, and the Basque Museum. Journey Time: fastest from 7 hours 15 minutes Sample timetable: Depart London 11.31am, arrive Bordeaux 7.47pm Changes: 1 Transfer: Paris Gare du Nord to Paris Gare Montparnasse Frequency of Departures: 12/day Carbon emissions: 12.71kg (flight would be 70.43kg)* Car hire at Bayonne Railway Station: Yes Train tickets provided by Trainline, which allows you to buy tickets for multiple train operators in multiple European countries. It does charge a small booking fee, but offers several useful facilities, such as a free email alert service to let you know as soon as bookings open for your chosen route so you can snap up the cheapest tickets when they become available. How to book train tickets as part of a package with accommodation If you want someone to book the whole journey for you or combine it with staying in hotels en route, get in touch with the travel agent Byway through its page for booking enquiries . What's the journey like? You have to change stations in Paris from Gare du Nord to Montparnasse, which can take about half an hour on the Paris metro (though we recommend you leave at least 50 minutes for the entire transfer). See our guide to How to transfer between train stations across Paris . Stopover hotels to break the journey in Paris If you want to break the journey and stay overnight to see a bit more of Paris while you're travelling through, there are lots of lovely places to stay near both Gare du Nord and Gare Montparnasse. Here are some examples of hotels that are conveniently near these stations: Hotels near Gare du Nord Hotels near Gare Montparnasse Miss your connection in Paris? Don’t panic. Railteam’s ‘Hop on the Next Available Train’ service means that if you have missed your connection because of a delay on the preceding leg of a high speed journey, you’ll automatically be put on the next available high-speed train. NB Remember to get your ticket stamped by your Train Manager. Whenever you’re connecting, always remember to validate your onward train ticket at the machine on the platform before departing (these are often coloured yellow). For more overland train journeys, see our Flight-Free Train/Ferry Journey Planner On arrival at Bayonne train station Bienvenue à Bayonne! There are lots of hotels near to the station, see: Hotels near Bayonne train station or click on the map below: Bon Voyage! * Data for carbon emissions

Green Traveller's Guide to taking the train from London St Pancras International Railway Station to Basel, Switzerland. The Middle Rhine Bridge, Basel. Photo: Switzerland Tourism/Andreas Gerth With over forty museums dedicated to history, art and architecture, Basel is the cultural capital of Switzerland. On the border with both Germany and France, in the north of the country, Basel is much more cosmopolitan than Zurich, not as spick and span, yet more laid back. It is also one of the country's greenest cities - the city's entire energy supply comes from renewable sources and the local government has long promoted the idea of a '2000 watt society', aiming to reduce the population's overall energy use from 6,000 to 2,000 watts. Journey Time: from 6 hours 25 minutes Sample timetable: Depart London 09.31am, arrive Basel 5.26pm Changes: 1 Transfer: Paris Gare du Nord to Paris Gare de Lyon Frequency of Departures: 21/day Carbon emissions: 12 .1kg (flight would be 190.3kg)* Tickets provided by Trainline, which allows you to buy tickets for multiple train operators in multiple European countries. It does charge a small booking fee, but offers several useful facilities, such as a free email alert service to let you know as soon as bookings open for your chosen route so you can snap up the cheapest tickets when they become available. How to book train tickets as part of a package with accommodation If you want someone to book the whole journey for you or combine it with staying in hotels en route, get in touch with the travel agent Byway through its page for booking enquiries . What's the journey like? You have to change stations in Paris from Gare du Nord to Gare de Lyon, which can take about half an hour on the Paris RER line (it's only two stops, though we recommend you leave at least 50 minutes for the entire transfer - you have about an hour and a quarter to get the connection). See our guide to How to transfer between train stations across Paris . At Gare de Lyon, you board a TGV high speed train to Basel station. Stopover hotels to break the journey in Paris If you want to break the journey and stay overnight to see a bit more of Paris while you're travelling through, there are lots of lovely places to stay near both Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon. Here are some examples of hotels that are conveniently near these stations: Hotels near Gare du Nord Hotels near Gare de Lyon Miss your connection in Paris? Don’t panic. Railteam’s ‘Hop on the Next Available Train’ service means that if you have missed your connection between high speed trains because of a delay on the preceding leg of your journey, you’ll automatically be put on the next available high-speed TGV train. NB Remember to get your ticket stamped by your Train Manager. Whenever you’re connecting, always remember to validate your onward train ticket at the machine on the platform before departing (these are often coloured yellow). For more overland routes in Europe, see Green Traveller's Flight-Free Train/Ferry Journey Planner On arrival at Basel station Bienvenue à Basel! There are lots of great hotels near to the arrival railway station, see below. Hotels near Basel Railway Station We recommend hotel this reservation service for checking availability and booking a stopover hotel because you can read hundreds of reviews from people who have recently stayed in these hotels, slept in the rooms and eaten in the nearby restaurants. We've tried it out ourselves and found it makes choosing and booking a stopover hotel a doddle. We hope you do too. For more information on where to stay, local restaurants, and things to see and do, see our Green Traveller's Guide to Basel Bon Voyage! The beautiful cityscape of Basel. Photo: Switzerland Tourism/Andreas Gerth * Data for carbon emissions