Why slow travel steals my heart every time

What should have been a round trip from London to Barcelona and back, was shortened to a one-way trip following strike action affecting my outbound journey.

But this change of plan only built my excitement for my return journey from Barcelona to London by train, in just one day.

I knew it could be done because many people have done it before me, including isla founder Anna Abdelnoor and of course, the train journey guru himself, The Man in Seat Sixty-One.

So, with another great edition of IBTM World behind me, I was ready to board the 10:33 from Barcelona Sants to Paris Gare de Lyon before hopping on the metro to Paris Gare de Nord to take the 20:09 Eurostar back to London.

With all my luggage safely stowed a few meters away from me, a wide and comfortable seat, unobstructed views of the changing landscapes as we hurtled through Spain and into France, and a strong Wi-Fi connection, the journey flew by, in relative comfort.

After a short stopover and a quick bite to eat in Paris (I can highly recommend Restaurant Thé opposite Gare de Lyon station), I took line D on the metro to Gare de Nord, then hopped on the Eurostar and headed for London.

As simple as that. Two trains and the world's easiest* metro transfer.

Opting to take a train over flying to a destination does, in most cases, take longer, but there are a multitude of benefits to choosing a train, including significant carbon savings.

Train travel has a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to air travel. Trains generally produce fewer emissions per passenger, making it an eco-friendly choice for environmentally conscious travellers.

My journey, for example, produced 0.1 metric tonnes of Co2, compared to 0.42 metric tonnes of Co2 if I had flown.

This matters because carbon emissions build up in the atmosphere and warm the climate, leading to many catastrophic changes in the atmosphere, on land, and in the oceans which directly impact humans.

However, aircraft release not only carbon emissions but also noxious gases and water vapour. Because these emissions are released high up in the atmosphere, they prevent heat from leaving Earth.

Scenic journey

Train journeys offer a unique and scenic experience, allowing travellers to enjoy picturesque landscapes and beautiful countryside views along the way. It can be a more relaxed and enjoyable way to travel compared to the hustle and bustle of airports.

 City-centre to city-centre

Trains typically depart and arrive in the city centre, saving you time and money on additional transportation to and from airports. This convenience can make the overall journey more efficient and less stressful.

Luggage allowance

Budget airlines seemingly offer cheap airfares but on closer inspection, the add-ons can often add up to just as much as an international rail fare. For example, on some airlines, all baggage is an additional cost, including a cabin bag and one budget airline is known for charging customers who forget to check in online.

 

When travelling by Eurostar, passengers’ tickets include two pieces of luggage and one piece of hand luggage in Standard and Standard Premier, and three pieces in Business Premier. Plus there’s no limit on liquids in hand luggage and no need to get them out of your bag at security.

Comfort and space

Train travel often provides more space for passengers to move around, stretch their legs, and relax during the journey. Seats are generally more comfortable than economy-class aeroplane seats, offering, in my opinion, a far more pleasant travel experience.

Distance, cost, and time constraints can mean rail travel is off-limits for many business travellers. Getting to Australia for example, which I did at the start of November, would take six weeks by train and ship, costing £4,000. An adventure to be had, but not on company time.

Yet, when a fast, efficient and well-priced train connects the UK to the European Continent which has thousands of rail links, it’s certainly something to consider next time you reach for SkyScanner.