Reducing your Carbon Footprint with some train travel ideas

January was a long, cold month and the idea of a holiday or short break might help see you through to spring. You don't need to stay in mud huts or be confined to the UK to enjoy responsible travel. With a bit of forward planning, you could be enjoying an exciting, unique trip that gets you closer to the action - and has a low impact on the environment.


Train travel to Europe and beyond
Travelling by train may be slower than by plane, but its advantages more than make up for any loss of time. Train journeys get you much closer to the scenery and allow you to see so much more of a country. You can jump off at different sights en route or sit back and watch the scenery go by. You will also avoid the hassle of airport restrictions and check-ins.


Across to Ireland
Getting to Ireland from Britain by train and ferry is a lot cheaper than you'd think. Right now you can get a train and ferry to anywhere in Ireland from any station in Britain for just £30.50 or less each way, at all times. Find out more .


Round the continent
Travelling around Europe by train is easy, fast, fun and affordable. The great thing about travelling round Europe is that everything is so close together so you can fit loads of great destinations into one trip.

European trains are known for being punctual, and most of the continent is covered by a high speed network.

The European high speed network can be easily accessed on the. The high speed network currently stretches from Paris across to Berlin and Vienna and down to Rome and the Marseille but extensions are expected soon.

Get a night train with a sleeper berth and fall asleep in one country and wake up in the next.

Top tips for Euro-railing

• Plan your trip in advance. Decide how much time you have and where you want to visit.

These should help with your planning:
European rail network map
Comprehensive schedule of trains in Europe

• Book as far ahead as possible for the cheapest deals, and try to be as flexible as possible. Depending on the country, tickets become available two or three months in advance. Rail Europe specialise in selling tickets and rail passes.

• If you just want to visit one or two cities or are only going for a short break, then it's often cheaper to just buy tickets for those journeys.

• For longer breaks, you may be better off getting an InterRail pass. These give you access to the railways of 30 European countries and are a great and cost effective way to see much more of the continent. There are no region restrictions on the tickets so you can travel wherever you wish. Once you've paid for the ticket, travel is free except for high speed and sleeper trains, which require a supplement. You have complete control over your itinerary, choosing your route and how long you wish to travel before setting off.


Going further afield
If you're looking for adventure and have the time, you could travel all the way across Europe to Asia by train.

• The Silk Route will take you from London, across Europe, through central Asia and beyond to Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Hanoi, Saigon, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. The Silk Route encompasses the famous Trans Siberian railway, which stretches from Moscow or St Petersburg to Beijing, crossing Mongolia en route. The views along the way are breathtaking.

• The Royal Orient train is one of the world's most exotic trains and crosses two Indian states - Gujarat and Rajasthan. It is an experience that takes you back to the times of the Rajas and Maharajas.

• The Orient Express is a wonderful way to see South East Asia and the beautiful scenery of Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.


Great value coach trips
For really environmentally friendly and low cost travel, you could opt for travelling round Europe by coach or bus. Coaches are the most efficient form of public transport and cost as little as £15 one way to Europe. Eurolines are Europe's largest regular coach network with routes to over 500 destinations throughout the continent and Ireland.


Plain sailing round the UK
If you're ever wanted to captain your own boat, then a canal holiday might be right up your street. Britain has over 3,000 miles of canals and navigable rivers to explore. Although a self-drive narrow boat is the usual holiday choice, canals are also popular with other types of craft including small motor boats and canoes, so look around for the best option for you. Ecotravelling.co.uk has some great information on canal travel and can put you in touch with booking agents.

For more information on reducing your carbon footprint, visit the Energy Saving Trust.