Intrepid Travel Unveils New Rail Journeys for Eco-Conscious Travelers

Intrepid Travel, a leader in small group adventure travel, has launched 40 new rail travel experiences and four flight-free routes from London. This move represents a significant shift toward more sustainable and immersive travel options for modern travelers.

The launch comes as a response to growing interest in eco-friendly travel. A survey conducted by Intrepid Travel, involving 2,800 respondents, found that 75% of travelers are keen to include train journeys in their future trips to minimize environmental impact. Moreover, 87% are willing to consider rail travel to reduce their carbon footprint, with 31% prepared to accept longer travel times for the benefit of the environment.

For travelers in the UK, a notable 92% expressed a preference for train travel. Intrepid meets this demand by offering flight-free journeys from London via Eurostar to cities like Berlin, Madrid, and Istanbul through Paris.

On a global scale, new rail routes include journeys from Bangkok to southern Thailand and from Varanasi to Agra in India. Family-friendly adventures are also available, such as trips from Tokyo to Kyoto and from Rome to Pompeii.

Train travel offers a slower pace, providing travelers with deeper cultural immersion and more authentic local experiences. Intrepid’s small group sizes, typically between 10 and 12 people, are guided by local experts who help navigate complex routes and maximize the value of rest stops and overnight stays.

These new rail adventures are designed to take travelers off the typical tourist paths, fostering a sense of community and connection. For instance, the Paris to Istanbul trip allows travelers to enjoy local Serbian delicacies in traditional homes. The Paris to Rome journey follows the historic Gotthard railway, offering stunning views of the Swiss Alps and fresh farm-to-table Italian cuisine. Meanwhile, the Trans-Mongolian journey traces ancient tea caravan routes from Beijing to Mongolia.

Intrepid’s initiative aligns with their broader commitment to reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable travel. Since 2020, Intrepid has operated as a fully carbon-neutral company, actively removing internal flights from their itineraries where feasible. For example, on their Vietnam rail itinerary, an internal flight was replaced with an overnight train, reducing carbon emissions by 12% per person per day.