This article is produced by National Geographic Traveler (United Kingdom).
In Europe, there has been investment in new lines that should move people faster and increase capacity. As a result, several new high-speed routes have opened in recent years. Here are a few to look out for.
1. Spain: Madrid-Gijón
Spain has led the way in high-speed rail for the past 20 years, despite economic problems along the way. It celebrated the opening of a new 213-mile line between Madrid and the northern principality of Asturias in 2023, following the completion of a 30-mile stretch of mostly tunnels – including one 15 miles long – running through the Cantabrian Mountains. Experts believe the line will increase train arrivals in Asturias from 230,000 to 600,000 a year. The journey to Gijón takes 3h 42m. Tickets with Renfe Avlo, Spain’s no-frills service, cost from £44.
2. France: LGV Sud Europe Atlantique
The opening in 2017 of a new route between Tours and Bordeaux was a game-changer for travel to the south-west wine region, cutting journey times between the two cities by around 50 minutes, making Paris-Bordeaux possible in 2hrs3m. The TGV services are operated by both SNCF’s premium brand inOui (from £45) and its budget sibling Ouigo (from £17). The latter has non-reclining seats, no buffet and no first class. Plans to extend the route to Toulouse and the Spanish border have been shelved, with a 2029 opening now optimistically underway.
3. Spain: Madrid-Galicia line
It took 20 years to build, but in 2021 the 270-mile line connecting the capital to Ourense in Galicia opened. The final 64-mile section between Pedralba de la PraderÃa and Taboadela features 32 viaducts and 31 tunnels. Trains can travel at up to 205mph, cutting journey times from 1h28m to just 2h30m. New ‘next-generation’ Talgo Avril rolling stock debuted on the line earlier this year and features back-of-seat entertainment and a buffet car, although the ‘ironing board’ seats have drawn complaints. Tickets from £18.
4. Germany: Berlin-Nuremberg Line
The aim of VDE 8 (Verkehrsprojekt Deutsche Einheit Nr. 8) was to reduce the journey time between Berlin and Munich, pitting trains against cars and planes. Over 230 kilometres of new track were laid, 27 tunnels were bored and 37 viaducts were built, cutting the journey time by 2 hours and 30 minutes. High-speed trains travelling at 300 km/h now connect the two hubs in under four hours. The entire line, which opened in 2017, took over 26 years to plan and build. The ICE trains have dining cars, a bar and wifi. Tickets start from £43.
5. Turkey: Ankara-Sivas Line
One of the most significant rail projects to open in the past decade, the 250-mile Ankara-Sivas line was completed last year, cutting travel time from nearly six hours to 2h30m. There are 49 tunnels and 53 viaducts, and trains can travel at speeds of up to 155mph. New Siemens Velaro rolling stock has been ordered for the line, with first, business and economy cars, as well as a bistro and seat-back entertainment (in first). Six more new lines are planned, and earlier this year funding was secured for an 87-mile Yerköy-Kayseri line, which will connect to the Ankara-Sivas line.
6. Spain: New operator of Madrid-Córdoba/Sevilla
Launched in 2022, Iryo is a newcomer to Spain’s high-speed network, competing with Renfe, the national operator. It is well established on Madrid to Zaragoza and Barcelona, ​​helping to keep prices down, and has now started services between the capital and Cordoba (1h 47m) and Seville (2h 33m). It is part-owned by Trenitalia, Italy’s state-owned railway company, and uses the same Frecciarossa rolling stock. This is a budget service, but Iryo has won plaudits for its on-board food service, including tapas and Spanish wines. Tickets start from £20.
7. France: Ski train to the Alps
Eurostar is expanding its ski train services this winter, although the number of trains is significantly lower than pre-pandemic levels. Passengers will board at London St Pancras and then change at Lille before travelling south to the Alps. The train stops at Albertville, Moutiers and Bourg-Saint-Maurice, from where skiers can reach some of France’s largest ski resorts, including Les Trois Vallées and Paradiski. The journey takes around seven hours. Latest statistics show that just 2% of skiers took the train to the Alps last season, down from 6% before the pandemic. The service will run on Saturdays and Sundays from 21 December until the end of February. Tickets start from £139.
Published in the October 2024 issue of National Geographic Traveler (United Kingdom).
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