Embracing Slow Travel by Train: A New Trend for Relaxation

David Crossley, a 74-year-old from East Yorkshire, loves train travel so much that he often takes the rail route while his wife flies to the same destination. Last year, while his wife flew to Narbonne, France, David chose the train, finding the journey more relaxing and enjoyable.

David prefers the comfort and pace of train travel over the speed of flying. "I much prefer train travel over flying, even if it takes longer and costs more," he explains. "There's less hassle and stress compared to airports, plus you can enjoy the scenery at a relaxed pace."

David has traveled on some of the most iconic train routes worldwide. For his 70th birthday, he took the Eurostar to Paris, then joined the Orient Express to Venice. Using a Eurail pass, he explored Italy, Austria, Hungary, Germany, and Belgium. Another memorable journey was his two-week "All Lines Rover ticket" trip from Penzance to Mallaig and the Isle of Skye for his 60th birthday.

David's favorite train experience is the Caledonian Sleeper from London Euston to Fort William. "It's special to wine, dine, and sleep, then wake up to breakfast and the stunning scenery of the West Highlands," he recalls. He also cherishes his travels on Japan's "bullet train" from Tokyo to Hiroshima with a Japan Railways Green Class pass, experiencing rail travel at its finest.

David's passion for slow travel aligns with a growing trend. According to luxury travel operator Scott Dunn, UK Google searches for "slow travel trips" have surged by 61 percent in the past three months. TikTok posts mentioning the trend have exceeded 16.3 million.

Scott Dunn's latest travel trends report indicates that in 2024, British holidaymakers are prioritizing rest and relaxation. Over three-quarters (81 percent) are traveling specifically to de-stress this summer. The company saw triple the volume of train journey bookings between January and April compared to the same period last year. Additionally, 45 percent of their guests plan longer holidays, craving more rest stops and slower schedules.

The study also revealed that half of the respondents find eating and drinking out the most relaxing holiday activity. Other top relaxation methods include reading (42 percent), sunbathing (33 percent), spending time in nature (31 percent), and excursions (30 percent).

Simon Lynch, Global Product Director at Scott Dunn, commented, "Taking a slower and more 'gentle' approach to travel, making the journey part of your trip, encourages relaxation and leads to discovery along the way, helping you make meaningful memories."