ByIANSlife Features

September 9, 2019 (IANSlife) Indians love to travel to Europe, thanks to cinema and Bollywood. Oh to flit around in the Swiss Alps wearing a sari like Sridevi in Chandni, or romance in bistros like Ranbir Kapoor in Rockstar. Nothing beats the scenes that Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan share in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge – the iconic Eurail they keep trying to catch and miss. 

Since the time it was introduced in 1959, the popularity of Eurail Pass – that permits travel through 31 European countries – has only grown for travellers across the globe. But here’s what’s interesting, it's not youngsters recreating all the cinematic drama during the journey, but seniors, who now account for around 10 per cent of total Eurail passengers from India. Buoyed by the numbers, Eurail now offers a 10 per cent discount on its standard adult Eurail Pass for travellers that are 60 years or above.

IANSlife caught up with Yi Ding, Spokesperson and Market Manager - Asia, Eurail Group, for an insight into what the train has to offer. Ding was born in Beijing, and has been based in Europe for the past six years. But she considers herself a citizen of the world, having travelled close to 50 countries so far.  

Why should seniors pick Eurail over airlines?
YD: Senior citizens are no longer shying away from exploring the world while living their golden years. According to a recent survey by Eurail, seniors now account for around 10 per cent of total Eurail customers from India. An interesting trend we are registering globally is the multi-generational travel, with both seniors and children enjoying a discount on their Passes. In fact, since this year, travellers who are 60 years and above get a 10 per cent discount on standard adult Eurail prices with a Senior Eurail Pass, the most flexible train travel pass that allows discerning travellers from all over the world to experience flexible, borderless travel across Europe. And with the recent drop in Eurail prices, enjoying the perks of a 1st Class Eurail Pass is more affordable than ever, given the 37 per cent permanently discounted prices of Eurail Passes in 2019 compared to the previous year.
With evolving times, there is growing awareness among seniors on preference while planning their vacation. Opting to travel by rail allows seniors to experience a fast, easy and relaxing journey, but more importantly the experience enables one to immerse oneself in each destination, taking in the varied landscapes from the comfort of a train seat. With comfort and ease, seniors can visit each destination at their own pace, either exploring the continent at length with one Eurail Global Pass, or opting for a One Country Pass that allows them to explore in depth a single country, with the many eases offered by train travel, such as arriving in the heart of a city (or village), not having luggage constraints and having the flexibility to plan their itineraries along the way. And if they miss their train, with a Eurail Pass they can always change their schedule as they go and catch the next one, at no additional fee.

Why is post-retirement the best time for Seniors to explore Europe?
YD: One does not stop travelling just because you are growing older. After years of hard work, slogging through long hours in office, investing time in supporting the family, seniors want to make the most out of their golden years. For many, it’s a time to explore the world. It has been said that travel is the only thing we can buy and get enriched. It plays an important role in life, even beyond 60. It keeps one moving and active, often providing more opportunities to explore life and enhance mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional health. It also lends senior travellers confidence to overcome their fears.

Indian cinema is a big reason for tourists to visit destinations in Europe. Does Eurail help create an itinerary that includes the many places shown on screen?
YD: Cinema is indeed a powerful medium attracting travellers worldwide. Bollywood being the largest part of the global film industry after Hollywood, has a major impact, not only on the Indian audience but also, abroad. We have been seeing very popular European destinations like Switzerland, Prague and Spain featured in Bollywood movies, and with Eurail, one can relive the experience of the place on screen. Bollywood films like Diwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Rockstar etc.. really gave the audience a great representation of what it is like to be in Europe. We do see a majority of Indians travelling to these select places. 

How does the Eurail facilitate additional requirements that senior passengers may have? 
YD: Seniors are no longer dependent. They are more confident and tech savvy. They know their preferences and are aware of their requirements while planning a vacation. A Eurail Pass offers more than a train travel. As mentioned, if you're a senior traveller, you will benefit from the additional 10 per cent discount on the standard adult Eurail Pass prices.

We are aware that seniors are embracing technology more than ever. We have also recently upgraded our Rail Planner App with updated rail time-tables, new features -- from planning your train journeys to booking seat reservations, from finding your accommodation to getting around, the app is designed to cater to users of age-group.

Opting to travel by rail allows one to experience a fast, easy and relaxing journey, while avoiding traffic congestion and getting to the hearth of the destination. 

Which are the top trending Eurail destinations?
YD: The 10 most popular destinations, in terms of countries, opted for by Indian travellers are: Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Austria, France, The Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, Spain and Denmark. The itineraries in the top 3 countries that Indian travellers choose are Luzern-Zurich/Engelberg-Luzern/Zurich-Luzern in Switzerland; Frankfurt-Koln/Munich-Salzburg/Koln-Frankfurt in Germany; and Rome-Florence-Pisa-Venice in Italy. The fans of scenic rail routes will also be spoilt for choice in Europe, which offers an array of spectacular scenery, from dramatic mountains to crystal clear lakes, through vast forests and along stunning rivers. There are dozens of scenic train routes in Europe, but among the most popular are the Golden Pass train, running between Lucerne and Montreux, which offers the perfect view of a range of Swiss delights, including the Alps, pristine vineyards and lakes, small villages, and bigger cities. Germany' Rhine Valley, which follows the famous Rhine river through vineyards, between mountains, and past dozens of castles and quaint picturesque towns, and again the Cinque Terre in Italy, with scenic train routes that follow the country’s dramatic coastlines. The train journey between Levanto and La Spezia, for example, is brief but beautiful, and it gives travellers a stunning vantage point of this dramatic corner of Italy. 

More Information
All routes can be enjoyed with a Eurail Global Pass, or with a Eurail One-Country Pass for those who want to spend their vacation experiencing one European country only.

For more guidance about the Eurail Pass portfolio, please visit: https://www.eurail.com/en/eurail-passes.

(This article is website-exclusive and cannot be reproduced without permission of IANSlife)

IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in