The high-speed train, a fully-fledged alternative?

At the moment, debates are on-going about the environment and ecological travel. A possible flight tax is being mentioned in political circles. More and more often, a '1000-kilometre limit' is cited as an acceptable distance to opt for a flight instead of an alternative such as a car, bus or train. Everyone seems to agree that CO2 emissions must be reduced. The way to do that will be on the table for a long time to come.

A LIST OF THE BENEFITS

For those who would like to start considering alternatives, we would like to highlight the advantages of the high-speed train.

1. Direct from city to city

Train stations are often located in the city centre. So you immediately arrive at the heart of your destination and not dozens of kilometres away.

2. No traffic jams or parking problems

No loss of time on arrival because you have to search for a parking space. And there are no traffic jams at all!

3. No long check-in procedures

You do not have to be present hours in advance or have to wait a long time at check-in or security.

4. No baggage limits

No restrictions or extra costs apply for baggage. You can take along as much as you can carry yourself.

5. Comfort on board

On the way, you can relax in a comfortable seat, stretch your legs, have a drink in the bar or enjoy the scenery.

6. Wi-Fi

On most high-speed trains, there is Wi-Fi on board, so you can work undisturbed.

7. Ecological footprint

Currently, this is often the only argument put forward. The impact on the environment is indeed many times lower than with a flight, but, as you can see, there are also many other benefits.

Extensive European network

NMBS International offers access to an extensive network of high-speed trains in Europe. Thalys connects 16 European cities including Paris, Amsterdam and Cologne. Eurostar runs between London, Brussels, Paris, Lille, Rotterdam and Amsterdam. ICE-Deutsche Bahn provides connections between dozens of German cities with connections from Brussels, Amsterdam, Vienna and Zurich. TGV rails run directly from Brussels to 20 major French cities, without a transfer in Paris-Noord.