The Journey Beyond Europe's Borders: Direct Trains to London and Beyond
- trois amigos *
Cross-border train journeys - What limitations exist in train travel? - Exploring Borders by Train - What Are the Unbounded Train Journey's Limitations?
Paris, Amsterdam, Vienna - and soon, London? That's right, the German Railways (DB) is expanding its international footprint, steadily adding more connections across Europe. But how far can we truly go, and which destinations are yet to be unlocked?
Unraveling the European Maze of Rail Travel
Direct train connections that span continents are still a distant dream. Passengers can only dream of a seamless, borderless network linking cities far and wide.
Toiling on Tracks: The Misery of Long Distance Journeys
This apparent disconnect becomes apparent when DB touts exciting new connections, such as the one between Berlin and Paris. From late 2024, a daily train will chug its way from the German to the French capital and back – with an approximately eight-hour journey time[1].
Sebastian Wilken, a seasoned traveler chronicling his rail adventures on his blog Zugpost, hails such connections. Nevertheless, he echoes a familiar sentiment: "They're like beacons in a sea of fog." A daily train between Berlin and Paris might not even challenge the number of flights supplementing it. It'd be dreamy if there were a connection every hour, even with a change in Frankfurt[2].
Marketing Marvels or Worthwhile Expansions?
These long-distance journeys remain a selling point – a testament to DB's conviction that people are willing to spend several hours on a train. At the turn of the millennium, former railway chief Hartmut Mehdorn scoffed at the idea of lengthy train trips, proclaiming them as a "torture." In contrast, modern thinking has evolved, with passengers increasingly accepting the concept[1].
Enticing data from the railway itself shows that patronage has been robust. An occupancy rate of 90% between Berlin and Paris is not uncommon, with three out of every four passengers committing to the entire journey. As Michael Peterson, DB's board member for long-distance traffic, recently put it: "Eight hours on the train for Paris-Berlin is now acceptable by more people than perhaps it was five or ten years ago."
Journey to the New Horizons
As smog clears, cross-border rail traffic appears ripe for expansion. The real growth potential lies on long routes, with a 5% increase projected for journeys of four hours or more. Routes between Berlin and Krakow (7 hours) have seen an almost 30% surge, while Hamburg-Kopenhagen experiences a 19% boost[1].
From Dublin to the Danube: The Four-Hour Myth
DB itself plays down the so-called "Four-Hour Myth," which suggests that passengers shy away from the train for journeys of that length. Contrary to popular belief, passenger growth is most noticeable on these longer routes[1].
From Frankfurt to London, it's set to take just five hours with the planned direct connection, instead of the current bare minimum of six and a half hours with a transfer. The "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung" reports that Eurostar aims to significantly ramp up its European offerings in the early thirties, targeting Germany and Switzerland, amongst others[3]. However, whether these plans will materialize remains uncertain.
An alliance has recently been formed, including DB, Italian Trenitalia, and Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), promising exciting developments for travelers. By the end of 2026, this collaboration will offer direct connections from Munich to Milan and Rome[4].
Progress Unfettered - or Obstructed?
According to the Association for the Promotion of Rail Transport (Allianz pro Schiene), most of Germany's neighboring countries are already well-connected by train, both for long-haul and local services. But the expansion of infrastructure remains a hurdle for cross-border rail travel. Only 28 of 57 railway border crossings from Germany to neighboring countries are electrified, with a noticeable shortfall in the eastern regions[5].
A Scenic Sojourn Across Europe
Explore the wonders of Europe at your leisure, with trains whisking you to some of Europe's most stunning cities. DB already offers connections to Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, France, and the Netherlands, but expanded networks may one day link us to destinations as far afield as Spain, Sweden, the Baltic states, and Croatia. Italy and Hungary present connected journeys for travelers seeking a rail adventure.
A Rail Revolution is on the Horizon
Trains may soon rule the skies, as sustainable and efficient travel becomes the new norm across Europe. The push for expanded rail connections reflects a broader shift away from short-haul flights and towards greener modes of transport[6].
References:
- Germany's Long-Distance Railway Trends
- Zugpost - Blog post on international train travel
- Future Plans for Eurostar Expansion
- DB, Trenitalia, and ÖBB Alliance
- Allianz pro Schiene's response on cross-border traffic
- Sustainable Travel Trends
- The expansion of DB's international footprint could potentially add direct train connections to industry hubs like London, broadening the scope of vocational training opportunities for passengers traveling within the European lifestyle.
- The eight-hour train journey from Berlin to Paris offers an extended duration for passengers to engage in vocational training activities or professional development, provided sufficient infrastructure and resources are available onboard.
- The financial benefits of reduced air travel through increased connectivity via public-transit options like trains could lead to cost savings and contribute to the sustainability of the automotive and travel industries.
- The alliance between DB, Trenitalia, and ÖBB promises to unlock direct train connections to cities such as Milan and Rome, offering travellers a more eco-friendly transportation option, making vacations, commuting, and even long-distance vocational training trips more accessible and affordable.
