Journeying Abroad Via Train: Exploring the Unbounded Train Journey Distance
Catching the Long Haul: Evolution of the Long Train Journeys
Berlin - Paris, Amsterdam, Vienna - and soon London too? "International long-distance traffic is gaining momentum," the German Railway (Deutsche Bahn) proudly declares. For years, this state-owned company has been teaming up with other railways across Europe to dish out an expanded international offer. A dream direct connection might just materialize: the British capital.
But how does the international offer of the German Railway truly stack up? What are the shortcomings? And which connections can you hop on for the upcoming travel season?
Insight: Deutsche Bahn has partnered with several European railways to expand its international long-distance train services, with the goal of creating a more connected European railway network. Key developments and existing gaps in their international connectivity are discussed below.
Long-Distance Train Journeys: From Torture to Tolerated
Long-distance train journeys of over four hours? A former railway chief once referred to them as a "torture." But times have changed. Passengers seem more willing to accept these extended train journeys these days. As Michael Peterson, head of long-distance traffic at the railway, recently explained to the German Press Agency, eight hours in the train for Paris-Berlin is acceptable for more people than it might have been five or ten years ago.
Insight: According to railway figures, an occupancy rate of 90% between Berlin and Paris is not uncommon. Three out of four passengers travel the entire distance. Cross-border traffic is growing on longer routes, with journeys of four hours or more experiencing a growth of 5% compared to short and medium distances with less than four hours, where growth was only 1.5%.
New Directness: Breaking Boundaries, or a Marketing Stunt?
Where are the beacons in the rail fog worldwide? Sebastian Wilken, an author who writes about international train travel on his blog Zugpost, sees them in new connections such as that between Berlin and Paris. A daily train between Berlin and Paris would probably not even replace three flights, Wilken claims, but he appreciates the railway's new connections. They boldly assert: Yes, there are people who sit in the train for eight hours. That was different before.
Pioneering Territories: Expected Expansions and Potential Hurdles
Frankfurt to London is set to take just five hours with the planned direct connection, as compared to the current minimum of six and a half hours with transfers. Eurostar plans to significantly increase connections to Germany and Switzerland in the early 2030s, potentially offering a more competitive alternative to air travel. However, the reality of this ambition remains uncertain.
Insight: Delayed expansions of infrastructure, such as the electrification of only 28 of 57 railway border crossings from Germany to neighboring countries, pose a hurdle for cross-border rail traffic, especially in Eastern Europe.
Insight: The planned opening of the Brenner Base Tunnel at the end of 2032 is expected to reduce journey times by about an hour on key routes between Germany, Austria, and Italy.
Exploring the Ends of the Map: Strong Connections, Fragments, and Missing Links
While direct train connections between European metropolises are still far from a reality, there are some promising connections already on offer. Munich-to-Bolzano, Verona, Venice, Rimini, and Ancona on the Adriatic coast are reachable, with the journey between Munich and Rimini taking around eight hours. Players like Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, France, and the Netherlands are easily reached, but routes that go beyond these, such as Spain, Sweden, the Baltic states, or Croatia, remain elusive. Italy and Hungary are exceptions.
Outlook: Germany's neighboring countries are already well-connected by rail in most cases, both for long-distance and regional trains in cross-border traffic. The outlined developments by Deutsche Bahn will expand and strengthen its international long-distance train offer, but a seamless European railway network still remains a distant dream due to various operational, regulatory, and technical barriers.
- The expansion of Deutsche Bahn's international long-distance train services, in partnership with European railways, potentially includes a direct connection between Berlin and London, revolutionizing transportation between these two major cities.
- Financing and infrastructure development play a significant role in the improvement of cross-border rail traffic, as indicated by the electrification of only 28 of 57 railway border crossings from Germany to neighboring countries, creating operational hurdles, especially in Eastern Europe.
- As the end-goal, the creation of a seamless European railway network will not only facilitate improved travel between key metropolises like Berlin, Paris, and Vienna, but also connect lesser-traveled regions such as Spain, Sweden, the Baltic states, and Croatia, transforming lifestyle and travel opportunities across the continent.
