Plus, trains are a great way to explore the scenic and picturesque landscapes across Europe.
There’s a strong demand for both leisure and corporate travel, and our focus in the B2B market, particularly with OTAs and travel agents, is paying off
– Björn Bender
With slow travel emerging as one of the key trends for 2025, TTN speaks to mobility expert Björn Bender, Executive Chairman & CEO of Rail Europe, about summer train performance and what’s to come.
Here’s an excerpt of our conversation:
How has the summer been for trains in Europe? What have been the top popular train journeys by tourists this summer?
The summers have been great for trains across Europe! We saw many trains fully booked as travellers flocked to popular destinations. The usual favourites–France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal–remained top choices for tourists.
Night trains are also in high demand, as travellers prefer the convenience of covering long distances overnight while saving on accommodation. Overnight trains are especially popular with Gen Z’s and younger travellers.
There’s also growing interest in scenic overnight trips across Switzerland and Austria, offering both comfort and stunning views by morning.
Also, an interesting trend this year is the growing interest in Croatia. Tourists are drawn to Croatia’s beautiful coastline by train and adding it to their European itineraries. So, while France, Italy, and Spain were the main attractions, we’re seeing new interest in destinations like Croatia as well, which is exciting!
What trends do you notice based on booking patterns from the Middle East?
We’ve seen an increase in demand for high-speed trains, especially Eurostar, TGV, and Frecciarossa.
Summer is a particularly busy time, with many customers travelling to popular destinations like Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK.
We also see travellers opting for rail passes due to their flexibility and the various benefits they offer, which is great for multi-country trips. Swiss Travel Passes, in particular, remain very popular with tourists and are consistently one of our top sellers.
Obtaining Schengen visas is a bit challenging for some with travellers struggling to get visa appointments, and that leads to tourists explore alternative destinations like Georgia and Azerbaijan.
On the business travel front, high-speed point-to-point trains are a preferred choice for travellers visiting Europe for work. It’s an efficient option for those needing to move between cities quickly.
Post-COVID, Rail Europe transitioned from paper tickets to mobile tickets, which has been well-received by our partners in the Middle East. Many OTAs and travel agents in the region have embraced this shift and adopted our online booking portals, making the process more seamless for travellers. If travellers are concerned about not having data or Wi-Fi while travelling, they can easily take a screenshot of their ticket and barcodes and save them. It’s as easy as that!
We are the only train booking platform where you can book all the way from London to Warsaw, top to toe of Italy or Scotland to Switzerland. In addition to being partners to over 200 rail providers in Europe, we keep adding more trains and routes to our ever-expanding inventory.
How do you forecast the rest of the year to go in terms of train travel in the Middle East?
We’re seeing a steady growth rate of around 15 per cent from the Middle East, and we expect that trend to continue for the rest of the year.
There’s a strong demand for both leisure and corporate travel, and our focus in the B2B market, particularly with OTAs and travel agents, is paying off. We have partnerships with key players in the region like Al Rostamani, Dnata, and Satguru Travels in Dubai, Regency Holidays in Qatar, and Jumbo Travels in Kuwait, to name a few.
Our participation in events like Marhaba Europe, Discover Europe, and Arabian Travel Market, that I was happy to attend last year, has helped us build stronger relationships with these partners and further boost our visibility in the market.
What’s new and upcoming in train travel?
As sustainability becomes a key focus globally, rail operators are increasingly investing in greener technology, such as hybrid and electric trains, to reduce environmental impact further.
Several new high-speed routes are being developed, including expansions of the TGV in France and the new Berlin to Prague line that will cut travel time significantly.
Post-pandemic, digital ticketing has become the norm, with enhanced flexibility allowing passengers to change or cancel tickets easily, a big plus for modern travellers.
What are the ‘hidden gems’ when it comes to scenic/interesting train journeys – tracks less travelled?
If you’re the type of traveller who steers clear of overly touristy spots, you could consider exploring incredible cities like Brno, Ostrava and Český Těšín.
Also get a taste of Central or Eastern Europe – Budapest, Krakow, Prague. Nature seekers will find green solace in the mountains and forests of Central and Eastern Europe. The easiest and most exciting way to see these natural wonders is by train.
Central and Eastern Europe are a treasure trove of history. Nearly every city or town you visit holds stories that span centuries. Vienna, a favourite among history buffs.
Name a top luxury offering in European trains right now.
Club Class on Frecciarossa. For those looking for modern luxury, Frecciarossa offers premium seating with personal service, gourmet meals, and all the comforts you’d expect from high-end travel.
* Rail Europe can be found on stand S4-422
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Publish date : 2024-10-31 14:08:00
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