Make up a list of words to speak about the Chunnel and Eurostar services.

2.  Answer the following questions:

1. Have you ever travelled by Eurostar trains? What did you know about travelling through the Channel Tunnel before reading this text?

2. Would you like to try travelling through the Chunnel?

3. In what way does Eurostar train travel differ from conventional train travel?

 

3. Write an essay on the following topic: “Risks and benefits of travelling by Eurostar.”

 

Text 6.               TRAVELLING BY TRAIN

Traveling through Europe by train offers convenient, efficient, dependable and economical transportation which is additionally exciting and educational -- altogether memorable - but tiring! A network connects all the major cities and many smaller towns and villages. Main stations are centrally located and contain many amenities: post offices, change banks, even showers -sometimes. Fuel efficient trains travel at the average speed of 80 MPH, so they get you there fast. Intercity trains have very frequent departures—40 or more daily direct trains between Cologne and Frankfurt, for example. The West German railroad system, before the reunification, had a 15,000 mile network alone serving 6,500 destinations,

Thus hundreds of people may speed across Europe together, enjoying the passing scenery (often spectacular). Most trams are so dependable you can set your watch by them, making them the most popular way for commuters to get to work. Long distance travelers can count on arriving and departing on schedule 90 per cent of the time. This makes for group travellers, imperative that you know departure times. You'll be given a train schedule before leaving, keep that and your countermark with you at all times!

If your leader tells you to be at a certain spot in a given station, BE THERE. (If you miss a connection the cost of meeting up with your group is your own.) The counter-mark ticket you'll be given is good only when you are with your leader.

We reserve seats for all our groups, but occasionally, complications arise (often in Italy or Eastern Europe) and someone eke will be in your seat. Please be patient. We may book night trains to save on hotel costs and to maximize daytime sightseeing. Couchettes are economical sleeping accommodations which allow you to lie down and most persons sleep quite well.

DO NOT go to sleep in a compartment by yourself; they do not lock so there is no sure way to guard against robbery. Keep valuables on your person at all times; don't sleep with them in plain view.

Be sure to wear comfortable and durable clothing and shoes. Buying food and drink on the trains. Remember, tap water on trains is not drinkable, it is costly, so pick up light supplies before you get to the station. Many Europeans hospitably share their food with seat mates; it is always nice to be able to reciprocate.

If you enjoy meeting and talking to new people, this mode of travel is for you. Most Europeans like to find out where you are from, what you do, and what your political opinions are. It is always a good idea to bring something to read or a game to play for occasional dull times.

Think ahead about a railway pass for travel at semester's end: most can only be purchased outside of Europe. Choices include: Eurail, BritRail, France Vacancies, Interrail, German Rail among others. The Eurail pass is the most popular, good tor unlimited rail travel throughout 17 European countries — and the number of countries being added to the list grows all the time.

There are some new 'Flexi Passes" which allow you to travel alone or in groups of three for a certain number of days within a prescribed period of time. Our office has details on all these tickets.

Think before buying. The value of the pass depends on the distance you travel: calculations below are based on 1986 prices. The cost of first-class rail tickets in northern Europe averages 25 cents per mile, so you'd have to go more than 1300 miles-about the round-trip distance between Pans and Barcelona-before the pass would pay. If you buy second-class rail tickets-at about 15 cents per mile-you'd have to travel 2000 miles or more to justify the pass. That's about the round-trip distance between Copenhagen and Zurich. Consider, too that rail fares are often lower in Greece. Italy. Portugal, and Spain. and that the pass is useless in most of Eastern Europe. (The former East Germany and Hungary are now on Eurail.)

As always, on trains you should represent yourself well: be courteous, avoid drinking, excessive noise and never put your feet on seats.

Remember Eurail Passes are not valid in Britain (though they work in Ireland). With or without a pass, all seats on I.C. or other express trains are subject to an additional charge (in Germany, for example the "Zuschlag" is between 5 and 10DM). Very often substantial discounts are available for those who travel in groups of three or more. This is especially true for those with valid international student I.D.'s. Be sure to ask when you book your tickets.

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