In France, the SNCF has already sold 8 million TGV tickets for travel in July and August, i.e. 10% more than in mid-June 2019 (and 50% more than last year on the same date ), and the weekends of July 8-9 and the weekend of July 14 are already busy. In an interview with AFP in mid-June, the CEO of the French company, Christophe Fanichet, already qualified the summer of 2022 as that of “all records”.
“There is a real craze for holidays in France, travelers are starting to plan their holidays again whereas they have tended for the past two years to decide at the last moment, with a desire for the train. On the bridge of July 14, for example, we already have one out of two TGVs which is full for 17” returns, he detailed. The SNCF also says it is “at the maximum” and claims to mobilize its entire fleet of available trains while the trains to tourist areas are almost all full for the month of July.
The competitive train over short and medium distances
Here, the SNCB is also seeing an increase in requests for summer reservations. “We are seeing a real enthusiasm for this summer”, confirms Marianne Hiernaux, spokesperson for SNCB. Partner of several European rail operators, including SNCF, SNCB offers 3,600 international destinations, 1,000 of which are less than six hours away by train. “Via TGV InOUI, for example, we offer 30 destinations without a connection. And in terms of the increase in requests, we see a 30% increase in sales for reservations for international destinations, 20% for TGVs and 10% on ICE trains compared to the year 2019”she says.
Often accused of offering prices that are too expensive, the train can prove to be competitive over short and medium distances, we are thinking in particular of stays in Avignon, Bordeaux, Nantes or La Rochelle. On the Thalys side, sales are also up, especially for the Thalys Soleil, which connects Brussels to Marseille, Valence, Avignon and Aix-en-Provence between July 2 and August 27. “This offer is a huge success from a sales point of view this yearsays Vanessa Gohy, communications manager for Thalys. There will be 33 trips this summer (16 “goes” to Marseille – 17 “returns” to Brussels). It’s one train per week going down in the South vs one train per week going up towards the North. We are even ahead of the occupancy rate/tickets sold compared to 2019. Overall, we are at a rate of‘ almost 90% occupancy.
Soon more departures abroad from Belgium
One of the reasons behind this craze: soaring fuel prices. “Between the price of gasoline, tolls and ancillary costs, traveling by car can become more expensive than traveling by train, emphasizes Marianne Hiernaux. And besides that, we see that there are more and more people who opt for the train for reasons of comfort and durability. For the same trip, we consume 14 times less by train than by car for a train 50% full.
Faced with the uncertainties and disruptions caused by the strikes planned for this summer in the air sector, some travelers have also opted for rail. Another explanation for this fervor: the comfort offered by the train. No luggage restrictions, greater freedom, the possibility of arriving ten minutes before departure, an arrival in the city center and therefore no taxi to be expected: the train has many arguments to make against the plane . Even if to obtain affordable rates, it is better to go a few months in advance. Moreover, the SNCB wishes to inflate its possibilities of departures abroad by 2,000 destinations, discussions are underway with European rail operators.