Train travel: 5 good reasons to go is written by Lau Holmelin. Illustrations: Ida Rørholm Davidsen, Photographer: Mads Tolstrup.
Experience Europe in a new way
Train travel is on the rise, and for good reason. Europe has so much to offer, whether you love the pulse of the big city or pure nature experiences.
Whether it's northern lights and dog sledding in it Finnish Lapland or sandy beaches and vineyard visits Croatia, I can almost guarantee that a train journey is a unique experience by train in Europe that you have not yet experienced.
Our continent is truly unique with a rail system that connects us across national borders, making it easy to travel by train around the continent – especially if you get a little help to book tickets.
Here I come with 5 reasons why you should choose a train journey as your next vacation. But first a good story from my own recent trip. Here went the trip to it Swedish og Norwegian Lapland, where a magical winter landscape and a lot of good activities awaited.
On a train journey to Lapland
The train journey itself is not cumbersome. From Copenhagen Central Station we only had to change once in Stockholm. The trip was with a good view from start to finish, and there is plenty of opportunity to buy food and drink on board the train at reasonable prices.
We visited Kiruna, Abisko and Narvik on the trip, and all the destinations are reached by night train from Stockholm. In the areas there are lots of activities. We fell in love with the energetic sled dogs, were out in the cold waiting for the northern lights, were fascinated by the Sami culture and history, experienced the Nordic wildlife and much more.
I absolutely love the train ride as a form of travel, and the positive aspects are expressed in so many ways: comfort, experiences, togetherness, climate and more.
1. The train ride becomes part of the journey
Transport time on holiday is often about getting from A to B and can be associated with hectic situations. But with train journeys, the transport itself becomes an essential part of the journey itself.
On the longer stretches, nothing is required of you, and because you don't have to do anything, you get room for a free space right down to the pace.
Some even talk about a rare feeling of thinking thoughts all the way to the end; a situation you do not always have the pleasure of having in a busy day.
On the trip in the train, you settle in and experience the landscape whizzing by. Each section will give you an insight into the local area and the people who live here.
They will act as a brief insight into the everyday life and context of a nationality, and you will be left with a better understanding of our European neighbours.
To travel at night and arrive in the city center
By train you can travel while sleeping reasonably comfortably and while moving towards your destination. In the evening, indicate to the train staff when you want to be woken up. Then breakfast is ready when you wake up while enjoying the view.
Another great thing about traveling by train is that you arrive in the city center - not an airport transfer like after the flight.
So there are no unforeseen additional costs, you are rarely far from your accommodation and the first experiences at the destination are just around the corner.
Did you know: Here are 7 of the best local food markets in Denmark!
7: Green Market in Copenhagen
6: Eco market in Randers
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3. Climate protection on the train journey
It should come as no surprise that the electrified train journey pollutes a whole lot less than air travel.
There is also reason to believe that there is a connection between the increasing sales of train tickets and the desire to travel with a clean "green" conscience.
In order to make concrete the climate impact - and lack of it - that lies on air and train journeys, we have looked at a journey from Copenhagen Central Station to Stockholm Central Station.
It takes approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes by plane including the trip to the airport, where you have a three-quarter-hour journey by bus from the airport to central Stockholm. In this case, the trip will cost you 1138 Kona.
With the train, you arrive approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes later, but you save on the bus journey, as the train arrives directly in the city centre. In addition, this trip has a price of DKK 900.
CO2the savings on this trip are absolutely wild. You save 132,47 kg each way, which equates to a saving of 99,5%. It is worth taking into consideration, and for me I would like a slightly longer transport time if I can save the environment and climate.
This is a great reason to choose a train journey.
4. Try something new, go on a train journey!
There are still many who have never tried a longer train journey. In a small survey recently, a number of high school students at Risskov Gymnasium in Aarhus were asked two things: First, whether they had flown on holiday, and secondly, whether they had taken the train on holiday.
The result was not surprising. A single student had tried to take the train, whereas all had traveled by plane.
This developed into a conversation about why it is important to go on vacation, what is it you want to get out of leaving your home for a week or more? It can be relaxation and the desire to get rich on new experiences.
Try asking yourself the question: What are your overall wishes for your vacation? If you had seven days without plans, how could your wishes be fulfilled? Could they be done with trains as a means of transport?
5. Train travel – comfort, luggage and restaurant car
As a rule, trains have a higher level of comfort than both buses and planes. There is far more leg and luggage space, the opportunity to get up and stretch your legs and on most stretches - when you leave the Danish borders - a restaurant cart where you can buy food and drink at good prices.
On the routes where we recommend a sleeping car, you can book your own compartment if you want more privacy on your train journey.
Since the train does not have the same restrictions on how much luggage you can take with you on your journey, it opens up some possibilities.
For example, you can take locally produced goods such as wine, oils and food home with you, or you can take your ski equipment or tent with you at no extra cost.
Departure on the train journey
So just get going and try this amazing form of travel. Or relive it if you've been there before. Because on a train journey you get the soul.
Have a good train journey!
Here are 5 reasons to choose a train journey
- The train ride will be part of the journey
- Travel at night and arrive downtown
- More climate-friendly form of transport
- Try something new
- Comfort, luggage and restaurant trolley on board
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7: Nice in France – 342 hours/month
6: Valencia in Spain – 343 hours/month
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