Train travel is very enjoyable and relaxing, but there are times when you just want to get from A to B as quickly as possible by catching some cheap flights. Obviously, in some cases – but in others you might like to think twice. Why bother, for example, when there’s a bullet train to rocket you between destinations? There are many of them operating in Europe, with confusing acronyms (ICE, TGV, AVE) or glamorous names (Eurostar, Thalys, Cisalpino, Signatur et al). They are well worth investigating, take it from me.
Photo by ulybug
I love trains, and especially love the idea of wending my way slowly through Europe on one. I’ve been lucky enough to do so a number of times. 
But, as you chuff gently away from the gazillionth little station, tedium can set in.
Yes, there’s a lot to be said for high-speed inter-city rail links, and the latest of these has just been launched. It’s the long-awaited AVE service between Madrid and Barcelona.
Photo by sanderovski
By normal train, this trip takes four or five hours. All in all, when you add the time needed for getting to and from stations, that’s a big chunk of a traveller’s day. By AVE (Alta Velocidad Española), the 550 kilometre journey lasts a mere 2 hours 35 minutes. Well worth the extra euros if you’re in a hurry. However, not so good for gazing at the Spanish scenery, which you’ll whistle through at speeds of up to 300 kph. You can find out more about the train on the BBC. Other AVE options are:
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Madrid - Seville (2 ½ hours)
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Madrid - Zaragoza (90 minutes)
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Madrid - Toledo (30 minutes)
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Seville-Cordova (25 minutes)
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Madrid-Cordoba (1 3/4 hours)
Spain now aims to have more high-speed trains than any other nation in the world, but France does not intend to be left in its dust: the super-fast AGV will hit speeds of up to 360kph and cover 1000 kilometres in three hours. Phew! Hold on to your hats. It’s not in service yet, but definitely on the horizon.