Sleeper trains are becoming popular again in Europe. — AFP
If you’re short on money for a vacation, how about testing overnight trains in Europe for an all-expenses-paid experience?
At a time when the sleeper train network is expanding to include more and more routes in Europe – encouraging travellers to choose rail over air – a highly unusual job advert offers the chance to share your on-board experience in order to help travellers find routes that are really worth the trip.
There’s no need to wait for the Paris (France) to Berlin (Germany) line to get up and running in December, or the Barcelona (Spain) to Zurich (Switzerland) via Lyon (France) route planned for 2024 to try out the experience of night trains.
In France, routes are already available from Paris to Nice, Toulouse, Briancon or Lourdes. The result of a government stimulus plan announced in 2020 at the time of the pandemic, all night train routes in France are available to browse and book on the SNCF website.
Elsewhere in Europe, Nightjet, which belongs to the Austrian railway company OBB, is spearheading the market with its connections between Paris, Rome (Italy), Amsterdam (the Netherlands), Budapest (Hungary) and Vienna (Austria). The Belgian-Dutch company European Sleeper has just launched its Brussels (Belgium) to Berlin route via Amsterdam.
Plus, at the end of the year, you’ll be able to hop aboard for Dresden (Germany) and Prague (Czech Republic) too.
Meanwhile, the Back-on-Track initiative provides an online map that’s particularly useful for identifying all the routes you can travel by night train in Europe.
Promoted as a greener alternative to air travel, sleeper trains are becoming a trendy mode of transport on the Old Continent, according to the Italian luggage storage platform Radical Storage (https://travel.radicalstorage.com/night-train-tester/). Its popularity is such that the company is now on a mission to identify the most comfortable lines and those offering the best travel experiences.
To do this, the company is using the kind of promotional campaign that has long been tried and tested in the tourism industry: Offering a travel fan the chance to land a dream job. This lucky individual will be asked to write a blog reviewing the train routes they take and their night train experiences. They’ll be required to test the quality of the berths, the ease of boarding, the friendliness of the onboard crews, the ergonomics of the luggage compartments, and more. They will be asked to provide photos and videos to report on their experience.
Anyone can apply, provided they are at least 18 years old and have good organisational skills, as the winner will have to plan their own trips. All you have to do is fill in an application form on the Radical Storage website. (Note from the website: “Able to travel within the European Union and other European countries between July 2023 and January 2024 with valid travel documents and identification.”)
From the look of the application form, it’s probably a good idea to make sure your social media accounts are up to date.
Applications are open until July 5. Not only will the successful candidate be paid £500 (RM2,842), but they will also receive an Interrail pass valid for one month for travel throughout Europe, and expenses paid for up to five different night trains.
Bon voyage! – AFP Relaxnews
