The Man in Seat 61
@seatsixtyone.bsky.social
Mark Smith, the Man in Seat 61, the chap who runs that train travel site http://seat61.com. YouTube: http://youtube.com/c/seat61.
Yay! Finally found how to eliminate annoying Westbahn trains on Bahn.de, as they prevent the sale of a through ticket. Click 'Mode of transport' and toggle off 'Interregio- and Fast trains' and it'll find an all ICE/IC/RE/RB connection which it can sell. Result!
DB Fahrplan, Auskunft, Tickets, informieren und buchen - Deutsche Bahn
Deutsche Bahn: bahn.de - Ihr Mobilitätsportal für Reisen mit der Bahn. Deutschlands beliebtestes Reise- und Mobilitätsportal: Auskunft, Bahnfahrkarten, Online-Tickets, Länder-Tickets, günstige Angebo...
Bahn.de
November 27, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Yay! Finally found how to eliminate annoying Westbahn trains on Bahn.de, as they prevent the sale of a through ticket. Click 'Mode of transport' and toggle off 'Interregio- and Fast trains' and it'll find an all ICE/IC/RE/RB connection which it can sell. Result!
This morning was a classic railway 'real time' case study:
If it says "4 minutes late" you KNOW it's running ✅
If it says "On time" you have no idea if it'll even run ❌
Only drove to Bicester once I saw the 10:12 to Oxford was +4 late so knew it was actually running! 🤷♂️
If it says "4 minutes late" you KNOW it's running ✅
If it says "On time" you have no idea if it'll even run ❌
Only drove to Bicester once I saw the 10:12 to Oxford was +4 late so knew it was actually running! 🤷♂️
November 27, 2025 at 10:59 AM
This morning was a classic railway 'real time' case study:
If it says "4 minutes late" you KNOW it's running ✅
If it says "On time" you have no idea if it'll even run ❌
Only drove to Bicester once I saw the 10:12 to Oxford was +4 late so knew it was actually running! 🤷♂️
If it says "4 minutes late" you KNOW it's running ✅
If it says "On time" you have no idea if it'll even run ❌
Only drove to Bicester once I saw the 10:12 to Oxford was +4 late so knew it was actually running! 🤷♂️
Well I never.
Not RPI+1%, not RPI, not even CPI, just 0%...
Not RPI+1%, not RPI, not even CPI, just 0%...
The Chancellor has announced that regulated rail fares will be frozen next year. A huge win for passengers and the economy, and one of our Budget asks!
November 23, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Well I never.
Not RPI+1%, not RPI, not even CPI, just 0%...
Not RPI+1%, not RPI, not even CPI, just 0%...
Reposted by The Man in Seat 61
Become a co-owner of #EuropeanSleeper and get a free ticket for our first night train from Paris to Berlin!
Buy 7 or more shares (min. €980) and receive an invitation for a free return ticket on the very first festive departure.
More info 👉️ www.europeansleeper.eu/invest
Buy 7 or more shares (min. €980) and receive an invitation for a free return ticket on the very first festive departure.
More info 👉️ www.europeansleeper.eu/invest
November 18, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Become a co-owner of #EuropeanSleeper and get a free ticket for our first night train from Paris to Berlin!
Buy 7 or more shares (min. €980) and receive an invitation for a free return ticket on the very first festive departure.
More info 👉️ www.europeansleeper.eu/invest
Buy 7 or more shares (min. €980) and receive an invitation for a free return ticket on the very first festive departure.
More info 👉️ www.europeansleeper.eu/invest
BREAKING: European Sleeper will start a Paris-Berlin sleeper train from 26 March 2026, after Nightjet pulls out in December.
It'll run via Brussels (with Eurostar connection from London) 3 times a week. This + existing train = Brussels-Berlin 6 times a week. www.europeansleeper.eu/paris
It'll run via Brussels (with Eurostar connection from London) 3 times a week. This + existing train = Brussels-Berlin 6 times a week. www.europeansleeper.eu/paris
November 12, 2025 at 7:16 AM
BREAKING: European Sleeper will start a Paris-Berlin sleeper train from 26 March 2026, after Nightjet pulls out in December.
It'll run via Brussels (with Eurostar connection from London) 3 times a week. This + existing train = Brussels-Berlin 6 times a week. www.europeansleeper.eu/paris
It'll run via Brussels (with Eurostar connection from London) 3 times a week. This + existing train = Brussels-Berlin 6 times a week. www.europeansleeper.eu/paris
1/3: Now SNCF is sabotaging its own service.
The 12:11 Paris-Hendaye has been Ouigoisée, no catering, no 1st class, baggage fees.
As a result, I've had to delete the 08:32 London-San Sebastian. Now just 1 London-San Sebastian daytime service.😢
The 12:11 Paris-Hendaye has been Ouigoisée, no catering, no 1st class, baggage fees.
As a result, I've had to delete the 08:32 London-San Sebastian. Now just 1 London-San Sebastian daytime service.😢
November 10, 2025 at 8:48 AM
1/3: Now SNCF is sabotaging its own service.
The 12:11 Paris-Hendaye has been Ouigoisée, no catering, no 1st class, baggage fees.
As a result, I've had to delete the 08:32 London-San Sebastian. Now just 1 London-San Sebastian daytime service.😢
The 12:11 Paris-Hendaye has been Ouigoisée, no catering, no 1st class, baggage fees.
As a result, I've had to delete the 08:32 London-San Sebastian. Now just 1 London-San Sebastian daytime service.😢
Today’s fun tax tip…
(It’s a similarly daft situation that railways pay tax on fuel/energy but airlines don’t pay any tax on their aviation fuel, a huge hidden subsidy)
youtu.be/dr9MH0NuUtg?...
(It’s a similarly daft situation that railways pay tax on fuel/energy but airlines don’t pay any tax on their aviation fuel, a huge hidden subsidy)
youtu.be/dr9MH0NuUtg?...
Private jets don't pay fuel tax. Now I don't either.
YouTube video by Oli Frost
youtu.be
November 9, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Today’s fun tax tip…
(It’s a similarly daft situation that railways pay tax on fuel/energy but airlines don’t pay any tax on their aviation fuel, a huge hidden subsidy)
youtu.be/dr9MH0NuUtg?...
(It’s a similarly daft situation that railways pay tax on fuel/energy but airlines don’t pay any tax on their aviation fuel, a huge hidden subsidy)
youtu.be/dr9MH0NuUtg?...
Just updating my UK-Portugal page. The 09:30 Vigo-Madrid AVE has had its 1st class & all catering removed, to become an Avlo.
It’s almost as if @Renfe is deliberately sabotaging its own service. If you want a proper train it’s 06:00 (ouch!) or 13:27 (doesn’t run Saturdays). 🤷♂️
It’s almost as if @Renfe is deliberately sabotaging its own service. If you want a proper train it’s 06:00 (ouch!) or 13:27 (doesn’t run Saturdays). 🤷♂️
November 9, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Just updating my UK-Portugal page. The 09:30 Vigo-Madrid AVE has had its 1st class & all catering removed, to become an Avlo.
It’s almost as if @Renfe is deliberately sabotaging its own service. If you want a proper train it’s 06:00 (ouch!) or 13:27 (doesn’t run Saturdays). 🤷♂️
It’s almost as if @Renfe is deliberately sabotaging its own service. If you want a proper train it’s 06:00 (ouch!) or 13:27 (doesn’t run Saturdays). 🤷♂️
European Sleeper introduces Comfort Standard from December - a couchette compartment ‘converted’ to a sleeper by getting mattresses & fully-made up beds, and sold as single double or triple. A good idea!
www.europeansleeper.eu/travel-class...
www.europeansleeper.eu/travel-class...
November 4, 2025 at 10:32 AM
European Sleeper introduces Comfort Standard from December - a couchette compartment ‘converted’ to a sleeper by getting mattresses & fully-made up beds, and sold as single double or triple. A good idea!
www.europeansleeper.eu/travel-class...
www.europeansleeper.eu/travel-class...
Still needs Swiss parliamentary budget approval : but a new all-year 3 times a week sleeper could link Basel with Copenhagen and Malmo. ftnnews.com/travel-news/...
Sleep to Scandinavia: New Swiss night train to Copenhagen and Malmö - Focus on Travel News
SBB’s tri-weekly EuroNight from Basel to Copenhagen and Malmö launches 15 April 2026, with tickets on sale 4 Nov 2025 and CHF 47m support to 2030.
ftnnews.com
October 31, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Still needs Swiss parliamentary budget approval : but a new all-year 3 times a week sleeper could link Basel with Copenhagen and Malmo. ftnnews.com/travel-news/...
Vagonweb now showing proposed Vienna/Budapest-Belgrade service, due to start in Spring 2026:
1) Budapest-Belgrade by SOKO train every 4 hours, in just 3h17.
2) Two direct Eurocity trains Vienna-Budapest-Belgrade, the Avala & Ivo Andric.
Bring it on...
See www.vagonweb.cz/razeni/razen...
1) Budapest-Belgrade by SOKO train every 4 hours, in just 3h17.
2) Two direct Eurocity trains Vienna-Budapest-Belgrade, the Avala & Ivo Andric.
Bring it on...
See www.vagonweb.cz/razeni/razen...
October 31, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Vagonweb now showing proposed Vienna/Budapest-Belgrade service, due to start in Spring 2026:
1) Budapest-Belgrade by SOKO train every 4 hours, in just 3h17.
2) Two direct Eurocity trains Vienna-Budapest-Belgrade, the Avala & Ivo Andric.
Bring it on...
See www.vagonweb.cz/razeni/razen...
1) Budapest-Belgrade by SOKO train every 4 hours, in just 3h17.
2) Two direct Eurocity trains Vienna-Budapest-Belgrade, the Avala & Ivo Andric.
Bring it on...
See www.vagonweb.cz/razeni/razen...
The decision is in! The Office of Rail & Road (ORR) has approved Virgin Trains’ application to access Temple Mills depot, paving the way for competition between London and Paris, Brussels & Amsterdam from 2030. www.railwaypro.com/wp/orr-appro...
ORR approves Virgin for new Channel Tunnel services
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has approved Virgin Trains’ application to access Temple Mills International depot in London, paving the way for a new era of competition on Channel Tunnel routes.
www.railwaypro.com
October 30, 2025 at 10:16 AM
The decision is in! The Office of Rail & Road (ORR) has approved Virgin Trains’ application to access Temple Mills depot, paving the way for competition between London and Paris, Brussels & Amsterdam from 2030. www.railwaypro.com/wp/orr-appro...
My article in The Times today, telling the tale of our family summer holiday to Kusadasi by train (includes a quote from Eurostar’s train manager Blake!):
www.thetimes.com/travel/desti...
www.thetimes.com/travel/desti...
My two-week Tring to Turkey rail holiday — that even won over my teens
Mark Smith, the voice of rail travel website The Man in Seat 61, gathers his family and takes the scenic route to the Turquoise Coast via Prague, Budapest and more
www.thetimes.com
October 25, 2025 at 6:42 AM
My article in The Times today, telling the tale of our family summer holiday to Kusadasi by train (includes a quote from Eurostar’s train manager Blake!):
www.thetimes.com/travel/desti...
www.thetimes.com/travel/desti...
In The Times today, by yours truly: "Hooray for the double-decker train! I’ve a soft spot for them"
www.thetimes.com/travel/inspi...
www.thetimes.com/travel/inspi...
Hooray for the double-decker train! I’ve a soft spot for them
As Eurostar announces the launch of a two-storey fleet for the future, Mark Smith, The Man in Seat 61, says it’s just a shame we had to wait so long
www.thetimes.com
October 23, 2025 at 11:20 AM
In The Times today, by yours truly: "Hooray for the double-decker train! I’ve a soft spot for them"
www.thetimes.com/travel/inspi...
www.thetimes.com/travel/inspi...
Krakow to Warsaw for €2.10 has got to be some sort of record, surely?
Lo-cost operator Regiojet is expanding into Poland, they've run 1 train per day since September, increasing to 8 trains a day from December.
They'll also run trains from Warsaw to Poznan, Gdansk & Gdynia.
Lo-cost operator Regiojet is expanding into Poland, they've run 1 train per day since September, increasing to 8 trains a day from December.
They'll also run trains from Warsaw to Poznan, Gdansk & Gdynia.
October 23, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Krakow to Warsaw for €2.10 has got to be some sort of record, surely?
Lo-cost operator Regiojet is expanding into Poland, they've run 1 train per day since September, increasing to 8 trains a day from December.
They'll also run trains from Warsaw to Poznan, Gdansk & Gdynia.
Lo-cost operator Regiojet is expanding into Poland, they've run 1 train per day since September, increasing to 8 trains a day from December.
They'll also run trains from Warsaw to Poznan, Gdansk & Gdynia.
What a time to be alive....
October 22, 2025 at 11:10 AM
What a time to be alive....
EUROSTAR GOES DOUBLE-DECK:
Eurostar confirms order for 30 new double-deck trains from Alstom, similar to TGV-M, with option for 20 more, in service from May 2031. The 200m sets can run to/from London as 2 x 200m with 1,080 seats.
(Another move in the Battle for Temple Mills...)
Eurostar confirms order for 30 new double-deck trains from Alstom, similar to TGV-M, with option for 20 more, in service from May 2031. The 200m sets can run to/from London as 2 x 200m with 1,080 seats.
(Another move in the Battle for Temple Mills...)
October 22, 2025 at 6:26 AM
EUROSTAR GOES DOUBLE-DECK:
Eurostar confirms order for 30 new double-deck trains from Alstom, similar to TGV-M, with option for 20 more, in service from May 2031. The 200m sets can run to/from London as 2 x 200m with 1,080 seats.
(Another move in the Battle for Temple Mills...)
Eurostar confirms order for 30 new double-deck trains from Alstom, similar to TGV-M, with option for 20 more, in service from May 2031. The 200m sets can run to/from London as 2 x 200m with 1,080 seats.
(Another move in the Battle for Temple Mills...)
Saturday morning fun with Zugfinder:
Amazing how punctual the morning Milan-Paris Frecciarossa is, if that data is indeed correct. Read it and weep, Ryanair: www.zugfinder.net/en/train-FR_... 😇
(Mind you, have a gander at the Berlin-Stockholm sleeper, www.zugfinder.net/en/train-EN_... 🫣)
Amazing how punctual the morning Milan-Paris Frecciarossa is, if that data is indeed correct. Read it and weep, Ryanair: www.zugfinder.net/en/train-FR_... 😇
(Mind you, have a gander at the Berlin-Stockholm sleeper, www.zugfinder.net/en/train-EN_... 🫣)
October 18, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Saturday morning fun with Zugfinder:
Amazing how punctual the morning Milan-Paris Frecciarossa is, if that data is indeed correct. Read it and weep, Ryanair: www.zugfinder.net/en/train-FR_... 😇
(Mind you, have a gander at the Berlin-Stockholm sleeper, www.zugfinder.net/en/train-EN_... 🫣)
Amazing how punctual the morning Milan-Paris Frecciarossa is, if that data is indeed correct. Read it and weep, Ryanair: www.zugfinder.net/en/train-FR_... 😇
(Mind you, have a gander at the Berlin-Stockholm sleeper, www.zugfinder.net/en/train-EN_... 🫣)
Early days, but so far so good: “Eurostar reports ‘encouraging’ speeds for new EU border checks at St Pancras” www.therailwayhub.co.uk/72017/eurost...
Eurostar reports ‘encouraging’ speeds for new EU border checks at St Pancras | The Railway Hub
The implementation of a new EU border system at London’s St Pancras railway station has been “quite encouraging”, a Eurostar executive said.
www.therailwayhub.co.uk
October 14, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Early days, but so far so good: “Eurostar reports ‘encouraging’ speeds for new EU border checks at St Pancras” www.therailwayhub.co.uk/72017/eurost...
Press launch of Chiltern Railways new trains today, I’m riding this one to Brum: 13 of these excellent Mk5 trains are replacing 5 current Mk3 sets = 12,000 more seats per week (I should even see some from my local station, Haddenham, where a Mk3 set is a very rare treat!)
October 14, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Press launch of Chiltern Railways new trains today, I’m riding this one to Brum: 13 of these excellent Mk5 trains are replacing 5 current Mk3 sets = 12,000 more seats per week (I should even see some from my local station, Haddenham, where a Mk3 set is a very rare treat!)
The Stockholm-Hamburg/Berlin sleeper has been saved. RDC will take over when SJ pulls out. May not run on some winter nights in future though: www.berliner-zeitung.de/mensch-metro...
Breaking: SJ to discontinue successful Stockholm-Hamburg/Berlin sleeper train after 31 August 2026, a month after Swedish government subsidy ends.
October 13, 2025 at 11:16 AM
The Stockholm-Hamburg/Berlin sleeper has been saved. RDC will take over when SJ pulls out. May not run on some winter nights in future though: www.berliner-zeitung.de/mensch-metro...
If Trenitalia gets approval for its proposed London-Paris service, it has pledged to call at Ashford International. www.railtech.com/new-routes/2...
Italy’s FS vows to reopen Ashford and revive Kent’s Channel Tunnel link
Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS) has become the first would-be Eurostar rival to make a concrete pledge to reopen Ashford International, the Kent station shuttered since 2020.…
www.railtech.com
October 13, 2025 at 8:53 AM
If Trenitalia gets approval for its proposed London-Paris service, it has pledged to call at Ashford International. www.railtech.com/new-routes/2...
Homeward bound, on the 14:34 GLC-MKC, Avanti Standard Premium. 13 late start, but I’m coping…
October 12, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Homeward bound, on the 14:34 GLC-MKC, Avanti Standard Premium. 13 late start, but I’m coping…
Y’know, the more I see of Glasgow, the more I like it…
October 12, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Y’know, the more I see of Glasgow, the more I like it…
Heading for Polmadie depot by vintage bus. That rail advert on the side looks strangely familiar…
October 12, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Heading for Polmadie depot by vintage bus. That rail advert on the side looks strangely familiar…