DB approved access to Chunnel

[Sidious]

Better ticket integration would also help, even without direct services.

I agree with this. I went to Cologne by train a few years ago and the cheapest option was two separate tickets. While in theory E* offer through tickets from UK Intercity stations and through tickets to locations in Europe the prices are insane, compared with the single sectors.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

One thing puzzles me: How come Rail Europe can do it and at reasonable prices when the operators themselves cannot do it? OK, I know they issue separate tickets per sector, but even so...

 

[blackfive460]

What I find odd regarding booking through tickets to Köln is that I can no longer do it with E* who redirect me to Thalys to book a separate ticket from Brussels.
Thalys, on the other hand seem more than happy to sell me a through ticket from London while DB will sell me one to anywhere in Germany.
E* seem to be missing the boat!

 

[brianthegiant]

I think I read somwhere this was something to do with Thalys ceasing whatever deal they had with Eurostar. Retail margin clearly more important than passenger convenience.

 

[cle]

What about that big fuss that was made about that pointless alliance?

No point really - they're better off being honest and just competing like airlines - once DB are up and running and if others join them, we'll certainly get cheaper fares...good connectivity perhaps not.

 

[edwin_m]

I wish certain train operators would stop aspiring to be airlines and realise that there are different issues with running trains, including some opportunities!

 

[cgcenet]

One thing puzzles me: How come Rail Europe can do it and at reasonable prices when the operators themselves cannot do it? OK, I know they issue separate tickets per sector, but even so...

Rail Europe is part of SNCF, so it only does the full range of French rail tickets. For other countries, it mostly can only sell full-priced tickets, simply because its system is not aware of any others. If you want, e.g. a DB Spezial ticket, you won't find it at Rail Europe, you need to go to DB or maybe Loco2.

All in all, the current state of European cross-border rail ticketing gives a good idea of what UK rail ticketing would be like had British Rail been privatised the way the government of the time originally planned.

 

[davetheguard]

I wish certain train operators would stop aspiring to be airlines and realise that there are different issues with running trains, including some opportunities!

I agree completely.

When will certain operators realise that lots of people choose to travel by train because it involves travelling on a train. And why? Because they find rail travel a lot more comfortable and pleasant than travel by air, that's why. And no airports involved.

The days of the "jet set" when air travel was viewed as being sexy, luxurious, exotic, & exciting, are all long gone.

I don't want to "fly" Virgin Trains; what they should be shouting about is the advantages of travelling on an Inter City express train: large picture windows (well even a Pendolino has big windows compared to an aircraft); room to move about and stretch your legs; plenty of toilets; food service at seat in First; & large tables so you can work as you travel.

 

[gordonthemoron]

TBF there aren't that many toilets on modern trains

 

[jon0844]

There aren't that many toilets on some airlines, due to the value of packing in an extra row or two of seats.

 

[WestRiding]

about time we had more choice over paris and Brussels.

 

[gordonthemoron]

about time we had more choice over paris and Brussels.

indeed, how about TGV Lyria or Trenitalia, or NS could use their FYRA sets

 

[WestRiding]

I do hope however that DB will do the train/hotel deals as Eurostar do, as I have had some very good value breaks away with Eurostar, and would like to do the same in Germany.

 

[87015]

It works (at least a little anyway) - currently on test in Belgium.

http://mediarail.be/UE_Eurostar/Eurostar_Velaro_P03.htm

 

[northwichcat]

TBF there aren't that many toilets on modern trains

There aren't that many toilets on some airlines, due to the value of packing in an extra row or two of seats.

It's usually 1 toilet for 60-75 seats on a plane for a journey within the EU which is better than the 1 toilet for around 150 seats on a class 156 train and the class 156 may carry 200+ passengers while the plane never carries more than 1 person per seat.