Travelling By Train
Fast and Direct
Travelling by train can be very cost effective if you can acquire a rail pass for your destinations. Many people would argue that the train is the best form of travel as you can see a lot as you cut through the countryside and city. Depending on the country you are in, you can expect better standards than you would on a bus, or plane if you book a cabin for the duration of the journey. In parts of South America and Asia this may not be the case.
Europe By Train (InterRail)The InterRail Global Pass allows you to travel on all 30 participating railway networks across Europe. It provides excellent value for money, outstanding flexibility and an opportunity to upgrade to first class for those affluent travellers. The global passes come in two flavours: FlexiPass or the Consecutive Pass.
Flexi Pass - valid for 5 days travel within a time span of 10 days, or 10 days travel within a time span of 22 days.
Consecutive Pass - for use on everyday for either 22 days or 1 month
Also available is the InterRail One Country Pass valid for a month. It permits unlimited travel within one country for the number of days specified. You have a month to use the number of days travel you opted for before the pass runs out.
Trans Siberian RailwayThe immense 9000 kilometers of railway is the world's longest and most famous train route. Starting in Moscow, the train runs across the whole of Asia and finishes in Vladivostok. You encounter many different cultures and will not see two landscapes the same due to the immense length of the route. It takes in excess of six days to complete the journey, and therefore overnight stays are advisable along the way to make the trip more enjoyable.
After crossing Siberia, the train line splits offering three different routes
Trans-Siberian: Moscow - Vladivostok The original route taking you to the far east and the Pacific Ocean.
Trans-Mongolian Route: Moscow - Ulan-Bataar - Beijing This route will take you passed the Siberian plains and forests, and parts of the Gobi Desert on route to China via Mongolia.
Trans-Manchurian Route: Moscow - Beijing A more direct route to China. Good for those who are not interested in seeing Mongolia.
Australia By Rail
Travel this vast continent comfortably and economical on the railway network in Australia. Similarly to European travel by rail there are several passes on offer for all types of explorer.
Flexipass entitiles you to 15 or 22 days of travelling within a 6 month period over the entire Australian railway network. In economy class, 15 days of travel is priced at 447.00 and 22 days is 626.00. Note that a day is a period of 24 hours, or less. If for example you travelled overnight this would be regarded as a day.
Rail Explorer Pass provides flexible and unlimited travel on the entire Great Southern Rail Network for 6 months. The pass gives you the opportunity to visit the Australian coast and outback providing access to Alice Springs via The Ghan, Sydney, Perth and Adelaide on the Indian Pacific Route, and travel between Adelaide and Melbourne on The Overland Railway.
East Coast Discovery Pass allows 6 months economy class travel in one direction only; north or south. You can get off the train for overnight stays as many times as you wish as long as your journey is completed within the 6 month validity period. Reservations on train journeys on this route should be made in advance as they can get busy. The routes are Sydney-Melbourne, Sydney-Brisbane, Melbourne-Brisbane, Brisbane-Cairns, Sydney-Cairns, Melbourne-Cairns and vice versa. Prices vary so shop around.
America By Rail (Amtrak)It can be hard to comprehend the diversity of cultures, cuisines, and landscapes in the USA. Whether you are a keen shopper, crazy about sight seeing or wild about natural attractions, the Amtrak Railway Network can take you to where you want to be.
Amtrak offer passes to a 22,000 mile route boasting 500 stations in 46 states. There are four rail passes on offer valid for 15 or 30 days of consecutive travel and unlimited stopovers. Prices vary depending on whether you travel in the peak of the season or not.
National Rail Pass - Offering access to the entire USA network.
Northeast Rail Pass - Valid for travel from Washington DC up into the New England area via Niagara Falls and Montreal.
Western Rail Pass - Covering a large part of the country from Chicago, Memphis and New Orleans travelling westwards leaving much to be explored.
Eastern Rail Pass - Extending eastwards from Denver and Albuquerque this pass stretches to all reaches of the east coast.
You can of course book single route tickets and set route tickets on the Amtrak website.