One of my joys since being retired is taking the time to travel by train and I love it.
Following my recent writing workshop in Greece, I was keen to return to Paris to continue my work. There was no rush to return to Australia, so I decided to travel by train wherever I could.
My travel agent advised that due to the confusion of catching trains from Athens to France, it was better to fly to Milan, Italy and catch the train to Paris from there. It was good advice. The arrangements weren’t complicated, which reduced the stress on a solo traveller like me. The flight from Athens to Milan took less than three hours and was inexpensive.
It was raining heavily at the Milan airport. I wanted to be reasonably close to the train station for the next day, so I grabbed a taxi to the stylish Hotel Tocq Milano, within walking distance of the station. The trade-off for this convenience was a taxi fare that cost me 114 Euros (more than A$200). Wow, and that was the standard set price for all the taxis. I wasn’t in a position to negotiate. Still, I balked at the price, particularly compared with the cheaper taxis in Athens.
The positive: I didn’t have to rush the next day and was able to walk 250m with my wheelie case and carry-on bag to the TGV Inoui express train platform at the railway station.
My agent pre-booked my first class eTicket for an allocated solo window seat from Milan Porte Garibaldi to Paris Gare de Lyon for A$337. I was able to lift my suitcase onto the train, despite the fact that it weighed almost 18kg since leaving Greece. The case was now filled with my clothes, shopping and books. The seat area was spacious, comfy, and the seat reclined to a reasonable angle with footrests. On board, the service was great. My food was delicious and was served at my seat.
It took a little more than seven hours to reach Paris. The changing scenery from Italy to France captured my attention. I didn’t realise we had changed countries until I noticed the different architecture and layout of the countryside. In Australia, it would be a change of states, not countries. This never ceases to impress me.
On arrival in Paris, there were ample taxis available at the station and they were a whole lot cheaper than in Italy.
The pros: I see more by train than I would by plane, and I gain a sense of the land we cover. Comfortable seats with much more leg room, most times less expensive and great value for money. Perfect for retirees.
Pricewise, you can often find good deals. It can be expensive but, in my experience, it’s generally cheaper by train, and often a seniors’ discount is available. Fares can fluctuate depending on the day you travel. As a retiree, you have more flexibility to choose the best times.
Boarding is simple. You don’t need to go through the strict security process like airports. You can walk through the gates, then wait on the platform for your train. The seats are extremely comfortable and wider than a plane. There are no seatbelts, the seats recline further than on a plane, and you have footrests. Also, you can walk around freely whenever you need.
There are more amenities aboard, great bag storage, clean bathrooms and, if you’re in a family or group, you can face each other with a table in the middle. Personally, the views from the large windows are a huge attraction, and you often see parts of the country that you may not otherwise see. There are plenty of taxis available at the final destination, but you should check your options before you depart.
The cons: On most trains, you are responsible for your luggage. For this reason, as with luggage on an airport carousel, if your suitcase is too large and heavy, it will be difficult to manage. Lifts are not always available and stairs may be a challenge. I didn’t look for a porter at the train station, but I’m sure there would be some available, at a cost.
My 65cm suitcase is lightweight with four wheels, but I’m looking to downsize. My case didn’t exceed 18kg. Next time I’m going to try to reduce this weight because it can be difficult to lift on and off the train. Although, I did have a lovely young couple help this ‘older woman’ with her luggage.
Geographically, you may not always have a rail network that connects directly, as was the case Athens to Milan. In this case, the costs can be higher and you need to allow longer times for travel. Timetables are not always flexible.
Otherwise, sit back, relax, stretch out and take in the view.
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