Charges for cross-channel train lines to be cut for new operators
The narratives regarding new competitors on the HS1 line from London to Europe is moving very quickly. In recent months, we have reported on the plans from new operators Virgin Trains and Gemini trains to run trains on the route in competition with Eurostar. This week it was reported that access to St Pancras for...
Gemini Trains apply to run high-speed trains from UK to Europe
A new railway start-up has confirmed that it intends to go into competition with Eurostar and run high speed trains from London to Paris and beyond. Chaired by the public transport veteran Lord Berkeley, Gemini Trains has submitted an application to the Office of Rail and Road for a train operator’s licence and to be...
Case Study: UK to Selva Val Gardena by train
In March 2025, Iain travelled by train from the UK to Selva Val Gardena in the Dolomites in Italy. Brighton-London-Brussels I live in Brighton, so my journey started at 11:02 on a direct train to London St Pancras, arriving at 12:20 for a 13:01 Eurostar. It’s just my opinion, but I’m never going to turn...
Case Study: UK/London to Sicily by train
In February 2025, I travelled from the UK to Sicily by train. While I’ve taken the train to the Alps and Dolomites before, this was by far my longest journey by train since Interrailing as a university student. 5 Day Interrail Pass As it was such a long journey, and I knew I would need...
Inghams launch first ‘Impact Report’ showing decrease in emissions
We are big fans of Inghams at Ski Flight Free. There are plenty of ski companies who are guilty of greenwashing, but Inghams is not one of them. They don’t just talk the talk, they walk the walk as well. Recent evidence of this can be found in their first Impact Report, published earlier this...
‘The Alps – Skiing by Train’ new 2025 map out now
Alpine mapping specialists, 2theAlps, have released their updated ‘Skiing by Train’ map for 2025. The map features over 200 winter sports resorts, which can be reached by train for a high-comfort low-carbon journey to the mountains. As well as the classic Eurostar routes, new additions for 2025 are ferry routes across the Channel and the...
Why I’m taking the Flight Free Challenge in 2025
Regular readers will know that since I founded Ski Flight Free in 2019, I have cut down on my flights considerably in an effort to reduce my carbon footprint. Flight Free in 2024 Last year, in 2024, I stepped up another level and committed to the ‘Flight Free Challenge’ – created by Anna Hughes of...
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Virgin to compete with Eurostar on London-Europe HS1 route?
This week has seen several reports that the Virgin Group is readying itself to order £500 million of trains as part of its bid to break Eurostar’s monopoly on cross-channel passenger services. ‘Project Bullet’ Under the codename Project Bullet, Virgin has been raising funds from investors so that they can services in 2029. It has been...
How to travel by train from the UK to Austria and #SkiFlightFree
If you’ve wondered how to travel by train from the UK to Austria, this blog post should answer almost all of your questions. Austria is great for train travel as there are fast connections from major European cities and overnight options, plus many resorts have a station in the town itself. Map of train routes...
Research: What is the carbon footprint of a ski holiday?
In 2022, I looked at the carbon footprint of a ski holiday, based on some research by French ski resorts. The original research attempted to detail the carbon cost of a day’s skiing, and the differences your choices can make to the final figure. I’ve now updated these figures, to make it more specific to...
The New European Sleeper Ski Train to Austria & Italy: Your Questions Answered
The new European Sleeper Ski Train to Innsbruck in Austria and Bolzano in Italy (and onward to Venice) is a very exciting development for lovers of train travel and skiers looking for new ways to Ski Flight Free this winter. Iain Martin, host of The Ski Podcast and founder of Ski Flight Free, spoke to...
New rail map to French ski resorts
This new map is a fantastic way to work out the route by train to your favourite French ski resort. Click on the map to see the largest version. It was created by David Cooper and Daniel Elkan from the excellent Snowcarbon, on behalf of France Montagnes. Travelling by train instead of flying is the...