ESCAPE PLAN: ALL ABROAD

Why you should let the train take the strain this summer

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In 1853, India's first passenger train journey took place and, one hundred and seventy years later, the country now has the world's largest rail network. A number of new train journeys are continuing to make it both easier and cheaper for us to explore our favourite destinations.

One example is the new European Sleeper train, which takes to the rails at the end of May 2023. The train will connect Berlin to Brussels via Amsterdam, and prices for the full 12-hour journey start from £42 for a seat and from £95 for a bed in a deluxe sleeper cabin. The best bit? Over the coming years, several new long distance train services will slash travel times between Europe's most popular cities. Italy's national state-owned railway Trenitalia recently announced plans to launch a high-speed Paris to Madrid service in 2024, while European Sleeper plans to launch an Amsterdam to Barcelona service in early 2025.