Trains from UK to Portugal...

martin · Post by **martin** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 9:11 pm

On BBC Holiday programme tonight they mentioned that there is a good source for information on trains from UK to Portugal (and everywhere else in the world)
its called www.seat61.com.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 02, 2004 10:33 pm

Good one Martin.
From way I read its 24 hour trip.
Waterloo to Paris-Paris to Irun,Spain-then overnight on Sud Express to Lisbon.
Haven't looked at cost yet!

Matt K · Post by **Matt K** » Tue Feb 03, 2004 12:27 am

Intresting site. I reckon though you would have to either absolutly hate flying or absolutly love trains to get to Europe this way. I just booked a flight to berlin for 30 squids on easyjet for the summer, and I dont like flying one bit-but Id rather go through the two hour anxiety than the pain of a £145 train trip and a full day in a seat! I guess Il go Mr.T style like in the A team (classic) and fly sedated! I pity the fool who dont agree with me.

Sad, I know

Matt

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Feb 03, 2004 12:55 am

yes the only benefit is if you cant fly or if the journey is regarded as part of your holiday and you want to see europe thru your train window as opposed to 30000 feet above it.

martin

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Tue Feb 03, 2004 1:06 am

Iwouldn't say you were sad Matt.its 'horses for courses'..and youdo it the way you choose.
im not that fond of flying either..but as you say ..its the fastest ..and often the cheapest way to travel to your destination.
But the train trip across to Portugal is something Ive always wanted to try..if youve plenty of time..and going for a long stay...I fancy i would enjoy it.
Would it be more tiring than driving across? Have done that a few times..and thats certainly very tiring..even with a few stops! In fact..sounds crazy.but one trip..we even suffered a sort of 'jet lag'! :

I think..if you were going for say..a months stay ..I think the train journey would be quite something...the scenery through France & Spain alone--well worth it...
Think it'd be quite a bit more than £145 though wouldn't it?

martin · Post by **martin** » Tue Feb 03, 2004 10:01 am

trains of course always had a sense of style ..a sense of adventure..what can match "the flying scotsman", "the orient express"," the blue train", "the trans siberian express".....er sorry but no bus service can match such style..who on earth ever gets excited about the 107 service to Watford....thats the trouble with british railways, they more or less handed them over to bus companies.

meantime, here in the algarve work goes on with the new electric service from lisbon...we have new road bridges being built everywhere to cross where before it was four planks of wood to bump over the line...new 55 kilo rails, new foot bridges over the Tunes junction. stations at messines plus many other places remodeled.

the plans are then to electrify the whole of the algarve line.

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Tue Feb 03, 2004 12:39 pm

The 'Orient Express' is still operating isnt it?
Saw a hol. prog. on it some time back....but I believe it now only travels as far as..is it 'Venice'...or its somewhere in Italy.
Wouldnt mind trying that one either

Do you know when this new 'electrifried' line will be finished from Lisboa?
I remember ..as little girl..going by steam train to visit my auntie..travelling from London's Fenchurch street..to Shoeburyness in Essex..such an adventure!
Now..little ones fly all over the world

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Feb 03, 2004 1:01 pm

The Orient Express is still running, it came through Chislehurst at 10.00 the other day whilst I was waiting for a train to London. It doesn't normally run my way but it was quite a site watching everyone on the train tucking into breakfast!! I think it was off to Canterbury on a day trip. Mike.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Feb 03, 2004 2:40 pm

Bet that was a sight to see Mike!
Did you wish yourself on it I wonder?
Dont recall having eaten in a dining car before..is was usually packed lunches!
Must be something though...on that O.E....the touch of luxury..the hol prog I saw they even had a pianist on board..whilst they sipped their evening cocktails...wonder how much it costs?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Feb 03, 2004 2:41 pm

c'est moi ..above, Ellie

Mike,Chislehurst · Post by **Mike,Chislehurst** » Tue Feb 03, 2004 5:41 pm

Right, re Orient Express, I've had a chat with the people at OE about running a service down to Tunes which took more than a while to explain where it is! The response I have to say was not what I expected and had to look certain words up. So, until they realise what a golden oppotunity they are missing, here's the web site www.orient-express.com for anyone that fancys a trip, well worth a look.

martin · Post by **martin** » Tue Feb 03, 2004 8:52 pm

the electrification is supposed to be finished before the euro championships..but it doesnt look hopeful from what I have been told.

They are building new sets of "Alfa Pendular" rolling stock for the line.
its worth looking at the www.cp.pt site and then looking at the links which give the projects for new terminus at lagos with a railway museum and faro..all look very swish but as the saying goes "to the making of plans there is no end"

as for that orient express lot coming here we dont need em...its far to exclusive in Tunes for a service .