Eye On Travel: On the Rails - but not with Southern

Delayed: the 7.32 Brighton to Victoria

If you are a regular user of Southern trains that occasionally run between London and the South coast then the idea of involving a train in any part of your holiday is likely to induce a serious sense of humour failure. However, not all train journeys are the same.

Of course there are luxurious trains that cater to an elite clientele - at elite prices but we’re going to look at regular scheduled trains that can enhance the holiday travel experience. All you have to do is get to an airport first. Or not.

Eurostar: The right kind of snow

The first train doesn’t even involve any flying. It is the still impressive Eurostar service from London to mainland Europe via the Channel Tunnel. If you ever get fed up of the 100ml liquids rule at airports, try the train instead.

Look beyond Brussels and Paris and you can travel to the French Alps in the winter stopping near the biggest ski resorts. Travel overnight and you can ski for 8 full days. During the summer you can speed down to Provence and the Mediterranean city of Marseille. Even more enjoyable during an air traffic controller’s strike.

ALL ABOARD: Eurostar serves Avignon and Marseille up to 5 times per week (6h-6h30) April-October. Ski trains run twice weekly December-April to Bourg St Maurice (8h-9h30)

The Southern Line: Thailand not Sussex

Train travel in Asia avoids bad roads and budget airlines. The journey from Bangkok to Singapore has a luxury option but the regular trains are a fraction of the cost and get better as you head south.

Combine Thai beaches with Malaysian jungles and futuristic Singapore. Sleeper trains at least offer you the concept of sleep but the scenery is good and the on board meals are freshly prepared (and generous with the chilli)

ALL ABOARD: Fly to Bangkok and return from Singapore. The full train journey takes 48 hours so plan stops across all three countries visited to break it up.

Vietnam: Rocking it from the Delta to the DMZ

Staying in Asia, one of the great and symbolic journeys by train is through Vietnam. The optimistically named Reunification Express travels slowly between Ho Chi Minh City and capital Hanoi. The scenery is well worth it.

Aside from the main cities, stop at coastal Nha Trang for the beach, Da Nang for colourful Hoi An and historic Hue. Allow time to visit Halong Bay from Hanoi and the Cu Chi tunnels from Ho Chi Minh, aka Saigon.

ALL ABOARD: Fly into either Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi and return from the other. The full train journey takes over 30 hours to cover the 1,726km. Caution is advised with the local wine.

Walkabout by train? Yes you Ghan

Finally, if these look too short, then head to Australia where everything is just bigger. The Ghan train runs in mostly a straight line between Adelaide and Darwin through the spectacular and remote red centre.

Stopover opportunities include Opal town Coober Pedy, Uluru & the Olgas base Alice Springs and natural wonder Katherine. No sharks to worry about on this trip-the crocs have eaten them all.

ALL ABOARD: Fly to Adelaide with domestic flights from Darwin. The Ghan takes 54 hours to cover the 2,979km. Still too short? Try the Perth to Sydney India Pacific at 4,346km.

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I have been to all of these destinations - ask me to find out more!
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