WHY THE TRAIN HAS BECOME THE NEW PLANE FOR MANY SME'S AND BUSINESS TRAVELLERS

With air travel today becoming more problematic and ever less popular, many SME's are discovering the real advantages that today's high-speed European rail network has to offer the business traveller.

Up until recently the majority of business travellers with meetings to attend in more than one European location would have chosen to fly from one city to the next. This is now beginning to change however, and specialist operator European Rail (www.europeanrail.com) has seen a huge increase in the number of SME's and business people discovering for the first time the many benefits of letting the train take the strain.

Rail travel within Europe is not only fast, efficient, and comfortable but is very economical too. Most importantly you'll arrive into your destination refreshed and just minutes from your hotel or meeting place. European Rail now offers highly competitive 1st class rail travel with seat reservations on all major routes in Europe. Example one way prices include Paris to Milan for £89, Paris to Cologne for £121, and Paris to Brussels for £90.50. It is clear at a glance that these 1st class rail fares are just a fraction of the sky-high pricing of business air travel.

Apart from the substantial cost savings as compared with flying, rail travel also scores favourably in many other key areas. Delays or cancellations are virtually unheard of and journeys are always city-centre to city-centre, thus eliminating the time and cost of airport transfers. In addition, rail travel conveniently does away with the long queuing times typical of check-in and baggage collection, and as your luggage always stays with you avoids the nuisance of it ever being 'lost in transit'.

As boarding a train is a much swifter affair than we experience with aircraft, travellers do not need to arrive at the station too much before their departure time. Once aboard and seated in your first class carriage you have your own space to work or relax, and on certain routes meeting areas are also available. Sockets for charging are provided, and with no restriction on the use of laptops or mobile phones business people are able to use their travel time to maximum efficiency. Whilst air travel continues to be more stressful than ever, and concern for its environmental impact grows, more and more business travellers are turning to rail travel as the convenient, economical and cleaner way forward.

European Rail offers the business traveller advice and help in planning their trip, as well as booking, seat reservation and ticketing services. Tickets can usually be collected within an hour of confirmation from the company's new headquarters which are based at Ground Floor, Unit 25, Tileyard Studios, Tileyard Road, London N7 9AH. The new premises take advantage of the proximity of the new Eurostar terminal at St Pancras. For information, fare quotes or reservations call 0901 235 0105 or visit www.europeanrail.com