Turning 60 and retiring often makes people want to seek adventure. With fewer constraints, more time, more freedom, and sometimes a little more money, it's the perfect time to (re)discover train travel. But in practice, how do you go about it and how much does it cost?
Because it's always more interesting to hear from those directly involved, we asked Jacques Vareilles, author of the travel blog Travels-of-a-Life. For him, the train is the obvious choice: “comfortable, convenient, safe... and much more environmentally friendly than cars or planes.” Born in the 1960s, he has always been passionate about travel: "Whether through my family environment, my work, or my hobbies, travel has always been the driving force in my life. When I was a student—at a time when night trains were still common—I had the opportunity to work as a conductor on board, and that experience had a profound impact on me." Since then, he has never lost his love of rail travel: Jacques has been traveling by train for over 40 years. In this article, he shares his best tips with us. Follow the guide!
It may sound obvious, but having time makes all the difference. During working life, getaways are often limited to weekends or school holidays — when ticket prices are highest or seats sell out fastest. Being able to leave midweek, during off-peak periods, or for longer stays can be a real luxury.
Jacques confirms:
“Being newly retired means no longer having to squeeze every bit of value out of your 25 vacation days. Without time pressure, you rediscover the joy of traveling at your own pace.”
Another benefit of this new relationship with time is being less stressed when the unexpected happens (like a train delay).
“Recently, my train was over an hour late on a trip from Paris to Oise — less than a 30-minute journey,” Jacques recalls. “If I had still been working, I would have been very annoyed, since it meant my evening of relaxation after work would be shortened. Now that I have time, I take these disruptions more calmly: I went to a café, had a beer, and read a good book. Thanks to the SNCF Connect app, I was kept informed of the new departure time and platform number.”
In case of delays, “waiting in a café is more pleasant than getting annoyed standing in front of the timetable boards,” says Jacques! © Travels-of-a-Life
At HOURRAIL!, we’re convinced that the train journey is an integral part of the trip — beyond its ecological benefits. And having more time is the perfect opportunity to rediscover a different way of traveling. For Jacques, the train has become his go-to mode of transportation.
After 34 years working in the airline industry, his conclusion is clear: air travel has changed in ways that no longer appeal to him.
“Between endless security checks at crowded airports, narrow and tightly packed economy seats, reduced onboard service and meals, and the growing number of paid ‘options’ — supposedly to give us more choice…”
On his blog, Jacques even compared today’s air travel with that of the 1980s. His findings:
“Today, flying — especially with low-cost airlines — no longer makes me dream.”
As for cars, while they offer door-to-door flexibility, hidden costs make them more expensive than most people think (vehicle depreciation, maintenance, insurance…). And the comfort level doesn’t compare:
“I’ve always hated driving, with its traffic jams, and I only use the car when I have no other choice. Since retiring, I make the most of my newfound freedom to take the train more often. It’s just as convenient, with stations right in city centers, and you can board up to two minutes before departure without security checks. Even in second class, seats are generally spacious and comfortable. On TGV trains, I can grab a coffee or drink at the bar, stretch my legs, and enjoy the ride.”
Break in the dining car on a German ICE train. © Travels-of-a-Life
When you know the ecological impact of flying compared with trains (aviation accounts for 2.5–3.5% of global CO₂ emissions and can be up to 80 times more polluting than trains), it’s clear that traveling by train also helps fight climate change.
“Given my professional past, I know air travel well and used it a lot,” Jacques explains. “I’ll be honest: although I’m aware of its heavy ecological footprint, I haven’t decided to stop flying completely. But I limit it strictly by setting rules for myself, like avoiding short trips or long-haul flights for trivial reasons. When I was a child, flying was something exceptional — and it should have stayed that way.”
And as he points out:
“Cars, especially when running on gas and carrying only one or two people, are far less eco-friendly than trains.”
Waking up in a sleeper car in the early morning to a new landscape: a sublime moment! © Travels-of-a-Life
And what about the cost?
“On SNCF Connect, the full fare is always displayed alongside the discounted price with the Senior Advantage Card,” Jacques explains. “This makes it easy to see that after just two or three trips, the cost of the card is paid off.”
For travelers over 60, the Senior Advantage Card (available for €49/year) offers 30% off all year round, with no day restrictions.
“It’s true freedom… and a great way to cut the bill. Unlike the Adult Advantage Card, it doesn’t force you to travel on weekends.”
“The train is more expensive than the plane…” — this is a phrase you often hear. But with the luxury of flexibility, you can actually find much cheaper fares.
Jacques confirms:
“By avoiding evening or weekend departures, and comparing prices over several days, you can find really good deals. On SNCF Connect, prices can vary by as much as 50% depending on the day! For example, even in peak tourist season, say mid-August, a Nice–Paris trip by TGV inOui can cost much less if you leave on a Tuesday instead of a Sunday.”
For him, the train is often cheaper than people think — as long as you spend a bit of time hunting for good fares online and are willing to stay flexible.
“It’s a bit like shopping during sales,” he adds. “You have to browse and dig to find the best bargains!”
© SNCF Connect
Even at full price, deals can be attractive. Take the same Nice–Paris example:
Pretty reasonable, right?
“When I travel, I first choose my destination and length of stay. Then I spend some time comparing prices over different days on SNCF Connect to select the cheapest train journeys. Most of the time, I find First Class tickets that cost barely more than Second!” — Jacques
This combo of Senior Advantage Card + flexibility often means you can travel in comfort for very little extra.
“Since I retired, I’ve almost never traveled in Second Class when First was available. The price difference is small, but the comfort is far greater. The trick is, of course, to book as early as possible. And with the SNCF’s inOui fares for seniors, tickets are refundable up to seven days before departure — real flexibility for last-minute changes.”
During off-peak periods, traveling first class is often only slightly more expensive than traveling second class! © Travels-of-a-Life
Also worth knowing: some trains, like the Eurostar or TGV Lyria, offer an intermediate class between First and Second. The seats are the same as in First, but without free meals or drinks.
“I just plan ahead and bring my own food and drinks,” says Jacques.
Traveling across Europe by train can seem daunting if you’ve never done it — different rail companies, different fares. That’s exactly why the Interrail Pass was created.
Contrary to popular belief, Interrail isn’t just for young backpackers.
“There’s a pass for seniors too, with discounted prices, even in First Class,” Jacques explains happily.
Still, it’s important to compare: depending on your itinerary, the pass may or may not be cheaper than standard tickets.
Jacques himself used a First Class Interrail pass to travel to Stockholm.
“It was my first time using one, and honestly, the instructions were a bit complicated. Afterward, I wrote a practical guide to Scandinavia by train on my blog to help others.”
He also points out another tip:
“I always check the local railway company websites for schedules and fares. They’re usually the most accurate and comprehensive, especially for discounts. That’s how I discovered the UK’s Senior Railcard, which costs £35 and gives discounts on all UK trains — even for non-residents.”
Jacques’ first tip: don’t travel more than 6–7 hours per day by train.
“When I traveled from Copenhagen back to Paris, I could have done it in one day. But that would have meant leaving at 5 or 6 a.m., with at least two — possibly three or four — connections, and 14 to 15 hours of travel if everything went perfectly. Enough to put anyone off trains! Instead, I decided to make an overnight stop in Frankfurt… and took the opportunity to discover its old town, which was faithfully reconstructed after the war. I tell the story on my blog.” — Jacques
An unexpected discovery between two trains: Frankfurt's reconstructed old town. © Travels-of-a-Life
Short connection times can also be stressful, so Jacques prefers to allow for longer stops:
“I usually plan a 1–3 hour layover. You can always leave your luggage in storage and go for a walk, grab a drink, or even have a meal. That’s easy since most stations are right in the city center. For example, when I traveled from Paris to Hamburg with a connection in Cologne, I had time to visit the famous cathedral and enjoy a typical Rhenish Sauerbraten (a braised beef dish) in a local brasserie.”
The more he travels, the more he adapts:
“For example, in Germany, train delays are very common. So I always plan longer connections there than in other countries, just to avoid stress.”
Cologne train station is right next to the famous cathedral. © Travels-of-a-Life
He also recommends night trains with couchettes or sleepers:
“At the request of public authorities, the SNCF has revived night trains in France. The pity is that they now only offer couchettes, having gotten rid of all the old sleeping cars. Honestly, the most important thing for me is not sharing a cabin, since I’m a light sleeper. Fortunately, if you book early enough, you can sometimes privatize a compartment at a reasonable price. I did this on a Paris–Nice trip, and it was an excellent travel experience. Another story I share on my blog.”
A sleeper compartment can sometimes be privatized for greater comfort. © Travels-of-a-Life
We don’t always think about it, but you can extend your travels beyond the sea without flying — by combining train and ferry. Jacques has plenty of stories:
“My first ferry crossing was from Helsinki to Stockholm with Silja Line. I was amazed by the luxury of the ship. The next morning, we sailed for hours through the Stockholm archipelago. It was winter, and it was one of the most extraordinary landscapes I’ve ever seen.”
The Silja Line ferry in winter departing from Helsinki. © Travels-of-a-Life
Another highlight:
“I once took a daytime ferry from Liverpool to Belfast. I paid a small extra for access to the VIP lounge at the bow of the ship, with unlimited drinks and snacks. Midway through, we passed the Isle of Man — I only saw its distant cliffs, but it was enough to make me dream.”
The VIP lounge with buffet on the Stena Line ferry from Liverpool to Belfast. © Travels-of-a-Life
What Jacques enjoys most is people-watching on ferries:
“Scandinavians buying duty-free alcohol, Italians lying on deck to soak up the sun, Irish passengers gathering over pints of beer… Every trip is full of little slices of life.”
One of Jacques’ favorite tricks is to break up his journeys with stopovers in cities along the way.
Example: Paris–Rome by train.
“One of the great things about this route is the number of fascinating cities you can stop in for a few hours or a few days. I took the opportunity to visit Turin and Genoa, two Italian cities I didn’t know. I tell the story on my blog.”
The beautiful village of Boccadasse, 15 minutes from the center of Genoa by bus. © Travels-of-a-Life
Sometimes, even railway disruptions can be a blessing.
“When I traveled from Stockholm to Copenhagen, I wanted to take the direct train, but due to track work I had to go via Malmö, taking several trains and a ferry between Sweden and Denmark. Thanks to that, I discovered Malmö and Helsingør, places I hadn’t planned to see. And taking an electric ferry was an unexpected and delightful experience — one I tell on my blog.”
The electric ferry from Helsingborg in Sweden to Helsingør in Denmark. © Travels-of-a-Life
Another time, Jacques reinvented the “boring” Paris–London Eurostar train route:
“I took the train to Dieppe, then the ferry across the Channel, spent two days in the seaside town of Brighton, and finished the trip by train to London. I promise you, it was wonderfully refreshing!”
On his blog, Jacques shares many train trips — from Puglia via Milan to Scandinavia by rail, passing through Austria and Ireland.
For someone trying train travel for the first time, he recommends starting with a trip to Scotland:
“It guarantees a very comfortable journey and, come morning, the discovery of breathtaking landscapes. It’s one of my most recent stories on the blog, and I came back absolutely thrilled.”
To go further, check out our Scotland by Train guide: four ready-made itineraries (7, 10, or 15 days).
Travel in comfort in a sleeper car and arrive in Scotland to find sumptuous landscapes. © Travels-of-a-Life
Back in the early 2000s, Jacques even traveled the Trans-Siberian several times:
“I went to China, Japan, and across Siberia. These were extraordinary trips I dream of repeating one day — once the war in Ukraine is truly over. For now, I refuse to go for ethical and safety reasons.”
Between Irkutsk and Vladivostok in the early 2000s. © Travels-of-a-Life
For more inspiration, check out Jacques’ blog Travels-of-a-Life — especially his train journeys section. (We even hear he’ll soon be sharing his latest trips through Italy all the way down to Sicily!). And of course, don’t miss our own itineraries and guides on our website.
Issue du monde de la communication et des médias, Sophie est Responsable éditoriale chez HOURRAIL ! depuis août 2024. Elle est notamment derrière le contenu éditorial du site ainsi que La Locomissive (de l'inspiration voyage bas carbone et des bons plans, un jeudi sur deux, gratuitement dans ta boîte mail !).
Convaincue que les changements d’habitude passent par la transformation de nos imaginaires, elle s’attache à montrer qu’il est possible de voyager autrement, de manière plus consciente, plus lente et plus joyeuse. Son objectif : rendre le slow travel accessible à toutes et tous, à travers des astuces, des décryptages et surtout, de nouveaux récits.
