INTRODUCTION - Europe by Eurail 2015: Touring Europe by Train - page 15

Eurail also offers many other types of rail passes: single-country, two-
country, and regional passes. For a full listing of passes and prices,
please refer to the Appendix.
Europe's Passenger Trains
Europe's passenger trains range from perky little cogwheel cars that ascend the
Alps to the sleek, high-tech, high-speed trains that whisk you to your destination
at an average speed of 186 mph. In between are international EuroCity (EC) ex-
press trains running on the main lines, national InterCity (IC) and regional trains
providing express services within a country's borders, and the extensive collection
of railcars that ply suburban lines.
The basis of Western Europe's high-speed rail traffic is a flawless rail bed
equipped with endless-welded track, which enables the trains to glide smoothly
enough to permit dining without fear that the next curve might slosh your coffee.
The newer high-speed passenger trains include a whole stable full of various pas-
senger car (carriage) types, including plush compartment interiors, comfortable
seats, a children's play area, and businesslike amenities such as computer hook-
ups and telephones.
TGVs ( train à grande vitesse , or train of great speed) and Thalys trains are at
the very heart of the European high-speed rail network connecting France with Bel-
gium, the Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland. The TGV Atlantique cruises
at speeds up to 186 mph to link Paris with western and southwestern France.
France's TGV Méditerranée (TGV Med) connects Paris with Avignon in 2 hours
40 minutes, Marseilles in only 3 hours, Montpellier in 3 hours 15 minutes, and Nice
in 5 hours 36 minutes. Travel time to 140 cities was reduced by up to one hour
and frequency of service increased on the Paris to Marseilles route from 11 to 17
trains per day and on the Paris to Nice route from 3 trains per day to 6. TGV Med
is a double-decker train that can accommodate up to 1,056 passengers in total
comfort. The newest “superstar” among the TGV lines is the TGV Est Europeén
which broke the TGV's previous world speed record (320 mph, or 515 km/h) in
April 2007 by traveling at 357 mph! The TGV Est slashed rail travel times not only
between Paris and cities in eastern France but also to cities such as Luxembourg
City; Frankfurt, Munich, and Stuttgart in Germany; and Basel and Zurich in Switzer-
land. TGV high-speed lines also connect Paris's Charles de Gaulle Airport and Dis-
neyland Paris with many other major French cities.
Germany's InterCity Express (ICE) service provides cars with increased
legroom, headphones, and even some video systems built into the seat backs. The