traitors train journey

Welcome, 'Traitors' and Faithfuls alike: Here's the best way to see the Scottish Highlands

With the tallest mountains in the United Kingdom and home to the legendary Loch Ness, the Scottish Highlands have good reason to make someone’s travel bucket list. 

The hit reality television show “The Traitors” has made the stunning area even more popular among travelers. Since the show’s premiere in 2022, train bookings to Inverness – the largest city and cultural capital of the Scottish Highlands – went up 25% between Jan. 2022 to 2023, according to rail and coach travel platform Trainline . 

The best way to see the Scottish Highlands is by train, where you can take in the rolling hills and mystical lochs from the comfort of your seat, no GPS required. “It's one of the most picturesque rail lines in the UK and travelling by train means you can concentrate on the views not the road,” Trainline’s CEO Jody Ford said in a statement to USA TODAY. Travelers don’t need to worry about parking, traffic, or unfamiliar roads, and arrive right in the city center. 

It’s no wonder the train from London to Edinburgh is one of Trainline’s top three bestselling routes for American travelers. 

Travelers who go by train can also feel better about their choice because trains emit up to 75% fewer carbon emissions than airplanes. 

Learn more: Best travel insurance

Here are the most popular routes to exploring the Scottish Highlands by train, all starting in Edinburgh:

Forget the plane: 10 train routes in Europe that are faster than flying

Loch Ness: 3 hours, 18 minutes by train 

For those seeking out the fabled Loch Ness monster, Inverness is the closest train station to the famous loch. From the station, travelers can take a bus or taxi to Fort Augustus and board a boat tour or fishing charter to try to spot the creature. Even if she isn’t found, Loch Ness is still a sight for the eyes, with a historic pier and trails through the forests and past waterfalls. As Scotland’s second-largest loch and holding more water than any other lake in the U.K., Loch Ness is a great place to fish or kayak.

Fort William and Mallaig: over 5 hours by train

Although a long train ride, the trip from Edinburgh to Mallaig , a charming fishing village, is worth it. This route offers some of the best scenery in the world – in fact, riders might recognize the train and its route, which goes over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, as Harry Potter’s Hogwarts Express. Travelers can board the 19th-century-inspired Jacobite Steam Train and wind past enchanting villages, the Morar River and beaches. If it’s a clear day, the “Small Isles,” an archipelago of islands off the west coast of Scotland, are visible in the distance. (Travelers can board a ferry service to visit these isles too.)

Ben Nevis: over 5 hours by train

At an altitude of over 4,412 feet, Ben Nevis is an ancient volcano that exploded and collapsed on itself to become the tallest mountain in the British Isles. Travelers can take the train to Fort William , a town offering castles, distilleries, rugged coastlines along the West Highlands Peninsula and dramatic mountains at the Glencoe National Nature Reserve. The town is also dubbed as the “Outdoor Capital” of Scotland, so thrillseekers can go skiing and hiking to their heart’s desire. If hiking Ben Nevis doesn’t sound appealing, there’s also a gondola that provides stunning views without the exercise. 

Oban by train: 4 hours, 8 minutes by train

With colorful row houses and medieval castles, the coastal town of Oban has the history and charm many travelers seek. It’s often regarded as a gateway to the Highlands and Scottish isles – and Scotland’s seafood capital. The thing to do here is definitely island hopping, where travelers can hop on a ferry to Kerrera, Lismore, Mull, or the other pristine isles to bike, dive, hike, or kayak. During the summer, travelers may spot passing whales on whale-watching tours. 

Cairngorms National Park : 2 hours, 54 minutes by train

The town of Aviemore is where travelers should take the train if they want to visit Cairngorms National Park , the U.K.’s largest national park and an ideal place to stargaze or catch the Northern Lights. During the summer, watersports reign, but snowsports take over once it’s the winter. The park is also home to the world’s only sled dog center. For adrenaline junkies, the U.K.’s first permanent bridge-based bungee jump is located here, where the brave can jump 132 feet down. There are also gentler trails and historic castles for the less adventurous. 

Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at [email protected] .

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Where is The Traitors filmed? This is everything you need to know

We go behind the scenes at the scottish castle and highland hangouts where the treachery is set to unfold … plus the surprising hotel where the cast are staying.

T wenty-two contestants, two teams, a possible prize pot of up to £120,000 and one incredible Highlands location — the second series of the BBC reality TV show The Traitors has put Ardross Castle back in the spotlight.

While much of the filming takes place behind the walls of the 100-acre privately owned estate, the beautifully elemental countryside around its location in Easter Ross — usually sped through as either the beginning or end of Scotland’s popular North Coast 500 driving route — is also having its moment on the small screen too.

A workforce of 400 people was required when Ardross, all turrets and Scottish triumphalism, was constructed in the 1840s by the banker, opium dealer and MP, Alexander Matheson. The present owners bought the estate in 1983 and turned it into a wedding and events venue, which means seeing inside Ardross as a visitor these days is a challenge — although we have tips below and you can easily check out Ardross Ark, the church that’s also a location for filming the show. Just outside the castle grounds, the volunteer-run, 19th-century church is used for concerts and other events, and hosted a series of carol-fuelled get-togethers this December that were altogether friendlier than a Traitors meet-up.

How to stay at Ardross Castle

To get through the estate’s gates — if you haven’t made the grade as a contestant — the sound of wedding bells really helps. Up to 130 guests can join you and there are plenty of beds for the bridal party, although couples will need to start their budget at £45,000 for two nights’ exclusive hire. Kim Rait, who runs Black Orchid wedding planners in Inverness, has arranged 15 weddings at Ardross in the past few years (blackorchidevents.com). “It’s a gorgeous venue,” she says, “like a home but it’s all done to an incredibly high standard and has a unique setting. It’s in its own glen, very private and the managers of the estate are brilliant.” There are games tables, rolltop baths and commercial kitchens, but no deceit or intrigue. “We do try to avoid that with weddings,” points out Kim. Yes, you could always couple up and ask to visit as if booking a wedding, but after two series of The Traitors , Ardross’s owners can probably see through every ruse.

Where the contestants actually stayed

The actor and comedian Alan Cumming, who hosts the US version of The Traitors , which is also filmed at Ardross, let slip that the contestants don’t stay overnight at the castle, but at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel at Inverness airport. Proving that appearing on a TV show isn’t all glamour, the mid-price hotel’s 130 rooms are decked out in identikit style, with blue and beige carpet and cushions. A lucky few will also get spectacular views across the airport’s car park — although the location is handy for a quick getaway. Hopefully The Traitors contestants aren’t forking out the extra £16.95pp for the full Scottish breakfast either (room-only doubles from £74; marriott.com).

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Recreate episode one

The new series might have started with a cosy get-together on a vintage steam train, but as with almost everything on The Traitors all was not as it appeared. The contestants were filmed at the appropriately Agatha Christie-style Boat of Garten station — an hour’s drive southeast from Ardross Castle — and boarded the Strathspey Railway, even though the route’s ten miles of tracks head to Aviemore and nowhere near Ardross’s local station of Alness (strathspeyrailway.co.uk). In classic smoke-and-mirrors television style, the aerial shots from the scene were actually of the Jacobite train route on the west coast of Scotland. To relive the Strathspey experience, stay at the Boat Country Inn, overlooking the Boat of Garten station. The inn has a classic style that’s all deer antlers, four-poster beds and tartan armchairs (B&B doubles from £89; boathotel.co.uk).

Three other places to hunker down in the Highlands

1. wyvis lodge, evanton.

When The Traitors wants to take the water, it heads to Loch Glass, just outside the Ardross Estate, where at the northern end you’ll find this mock-Tudor lodge. Built in 1886, it has been thoroughly updated with squashy sofas and chandeliers. Combine Wyvis Lodge and the converted stables and up to 20 people can bond rather than bicker (it’s got an excellent layout for the more benign country house games of hide and seek or sardines). There’s a swimming pool right in front of the loch but, in true The Traitors style, it’s not heated. Details Seven nights’ self-catering for 20 from £9,500 (georgegoldsmith.com)

2. Kinloch Cottage, Novar Estate

On the neighbouring estate of Novar (although these things are relative in this sparsely populated part of Scotland), you’ll find the one-room, off-grid cottage Kinloch. So what will you do if you can’t watch The Traitors ? There are books to read and the estate has six fishing beats, on which you might also spot the endangered but trusting red-breasted dotterel bird. Details Three nights’ self-catering for two from £395 (novarestate.co.uk)

3. Highland Hotel, Strathpeffer

A century before The Traitors , people flocked to these parts for the sulphurous springs of Strathpeffer. A 30-minute drive from Ardross, it still has the Victorian architecture and some rather nice delis and places to stay, including the well-named Highland Hotel, with the ridge of Ben Wyvis as a brooding backdrop. This weekend the village hosts Strathpuffer 2024, an annual 24-hour mountain-bike race, rated as one of the toughest in the world. Details B&B doubles from £67 (bespokehotels.com)

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‘The Traitors’ returns and unveils the first three traitors

A riveting inaugural episode of ‘The Traitors’ unfolded with anticipation as 22 contestants embarked on a steam train journey, forging connections and forming initial impressions before reaching the notorious Scottish Castle.

Host Claudia Winkleman orchestrated a dramatic turn of events, convening the contestants in the drawing room to inquire if they were willing to assume the role of a Traitor. Subsequently, at a round table, blindfolded participants sat in silence as Claudia discreetly selected Paul (Business Manager), Harry (British Army Engineer), and Ash (Events Coordinator) as the chosen Traitors.

Claudia assured the audience that no murders would transpire that night, teasing that the Traitors’ selection was not yet “quite complete.” The suspense intensified as the Traitors convened in the turret, deciding on the final member they would recruit from the Faithful before the “killing spree” commenced.

In a secretive meeting, Claudia informed the new Traitor, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats, speculating who harbored a hidden agenda. Meanwhile, the Faithfuls speculated on the potential Traitor among them during breakfast, unaware of the unfolding drama.

The episode reached a climax as the players arrived at a Loch for their first mission, involving rearranging puzzle pieces in the water to construct a massive beacon. Claudia unveiled the twist that hidden shields, once collected, could protect players from murder that evening, though not banishment. The players successfully completed the mission, adding £15,000 to the prize pot.

Kyra, Jaz, and Harry secured shields, safeguarding them from potential murder. However, a cliffhanger ending left viewers eagerly awaiting the next episode, promising the revelation of the fourth Traitor. ‘The Traitors’ has truly set the stage for an enthralling season of mystery and suspense.

‘ The Traitors’ continues on BBC One on Thursday 4 th  January at 9pm.   You can watch the first three episodes on BBC iPlayer now.  

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

The Traitors’ Amos Ogunkoya on exact moment he knew ‘potty-mouthed’ Andrea Addison was his ‘ride or die’

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Amos Ogunkoya and Andrea Addison’s friendship is the best thing to come out of The Traitors , right?

Amos, 30, and Andrea, 72, hit it off instantly as they boarded a steam train to enter the game of a lifetime, competing in challenges to build up a potential prize pot of £120,000.

Alas, Amos and Kieran Tompsett had their game prematurely cut short in shocking scenes when host Claudia Winkleman ousted them just moments into the first episode. Thankfully, they re-entered the game, and Amos and Andrea’s friendship could blossom.

However, there’s a side to Andrea the BBC gameshow hasn’t shown a lot of – but that’s what made London-based GP Amos fall in love with her.

He told Metro.co.uk of the exact moment he knew they were going to be pals.

‘The thing about Andrea is, she got such a nice edit! She is so potty-mouthed! Half of the reason why she’s not in the first few episodes is because of everything she said.’

He continued: ‘We bonded instantly because of the fact that, when we were on the train, I was with her for the journey, it was a couple of hours and they were filming us.

‘While they were doing filming me, she was mouthing, “F**k off!” And I was like, “We’re gonna be friends, aren’t we?”

‘And when I got kicked out, she basically squared up to Claudia and she told me about it when we met up and I was like, “We’re friends. You’re definitely my ride or die until the end.”

Honestly, Andrea sounds like the kind of friend we all need in our lives.

Upon learning that Amos had been ‘murdered,’ she actually carried his portrait around with her, which he says felt like ‘seeing your own obituary.’

‘She’s really sweet but she got a really good edit because when she says things like, “I wasn’t gonna s**t a brick,” that’s just how she talks!’, Amos laughed.

One person Amos was also close with at the start of the game was Traitor Wilfred, but Amos decided to keep his distance after heading back into the game for one very important reason – he knew Wilf wasn’t the same person he met days earlier.

‘I pretty much knew it was Wilf from the second I came back in. I backed off him,’ Amos said.

He believes Wilfred’s emotions gave him away, as he was struggling with the ‘guilt’ of murdering and banishing true Faithfuls.

‘He was obvious to me because I spent time with him on the train there, I was in the car with him, I knew his character relatively well and the change was so sudden, like he felt really guilty. I was pretty much convinced it was him, but Amanda took me by surprise.’

Speaking of Amanda, it was her who sealed poor Amos’ fate at the doomed dinner party, giving him a peck on the cheek after being tasked with murdering in plain sight.

While he doesn’t have regrets about his time on The Traitors, perhaps Amos could’ve picked up on what was coming when Sophie Ellie-Bextor hit Murder on the Dancefloor started playing, moments before the deadly kiss was given.

‘The thing about that game is you never let your guard down for a second so, once they started playing Murder on the Dancefloor, I was like… something’s gonna happen. I didn’t know what, but I knew something was gonna happen.’

He says he didn’t know until the episode aired on TV that it was Amanda who administered the poisoned peck.

‘I didn’t clock it.’

The Traitors is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : The Traitors star Amanda Lovett shares sweet message to Theo Mayne after savage vote

MORE : The Traitors viewers cringe as Meryl Williams admits to trusting Wilfred Webster ‘with her life’ and blurts out that she’s safe from murder

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Where is The Traitors filmed? Filming location in Scottish Highlands for Claudia Winkleman’s new BBC series

Claudia winkleman has described the location as 'magical' during the three weeks filming in the highlands.

Claudia Winkleman hosts a treacherous new gameshow in which contestants must weed out traitors from their midst to win up to £120,000.

BBC One show The Traitors pits 22 strangers against each other in a castle in a psychological game of detection.

Over the course of 12 episodes, participants must decide who are the traitors among them and banish them before they commit another “murder”.

At the same time, the entire group has to complete a series of missions in the Scottish Highlands to boost the prize fund pot to a maximum of £120,000.

Where is The Traitors filmed?

The 22 contestants join Winkleman at Ardross Castle in Alness, north of Inverness in the Scottish Highlands.

Built in the 19th century in the Scottish baronial style, it boasts formal gardens and 100 acres of parkland on the banks of the River Alness.

Once home to the 1st Duke of Sutherland, it was later sold to Sir Alexander Matheson who redesigned the building to create the castle seen today.

It is has been owned by the McTaggart since 1983, who have renovated and restored the castle and grounds and hire it out for weddings and corporate events.

What did Claudia Winkleman make of the location?

In a dramatic departure from her glamorous role in Strictly Come Dancing , the presenter reveals a darker side to her character as the host of The Traitors .

But she said filming on location was a pleasure and she had “never been anywhere more beautiful than the Scottish Highlands in my life”.

“It felt sometimes like we were in a painting if that’s not too cheesy,” she added.

The Highland climate posed some wardrobe dilemmas for her over the three weeks of filming with tweed featuring heavily but on the plus side double rainbows were a regular occurrence.

She was so smitten she FaceTimed her kids telling them how the Highlands were “magical”.

When does The Traitors start?

The first hour-long episode of the 12-part reality show starts on BBC One on Tuesday night at 9.30pm.

Successive episodes are on Wednesday and Thursday evenings this week before resuming again next week.

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‘That was intense’ - Viewers are ‘hooked’ as The Traitors returns with a cliffhanger

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4 Jan 2024, 08:09

Credit: BBC

The Traitors is back, and the opening episode of series two brought plenty of intrigue.

There are mega spoilers ahead if you haven’t seen The Traitors series two, episode one.

After a chatty train journey, the 22 players had the life scared out of them by having to line-up outside the castle in order of where they thought they’d finish. However, rather than ‘eliminating’ any of them, like at the start of the last series, the impish Claudia simply then sent them all into the castle. Once the class of 2024 had settled in, the host secretly selected who the Traitors would be in this new series, with Paul (Business manager), Harry (British Army engineer) and Ash (Events coordinator) getting Claudia’s hand on their shoulders. 

And here came the first twist. It was revealed by Claudia that the three Traitors would need to choose a FOURTH. They made their decision, but wasn’t immediately revealed who the fourth Traitor was. 

It was then time for everyone to embark on their first mission as a team, with the chance of getting the prize pot going with a cool £15,000. 

However, things have changed slightly from the last series, and Claudia surprised the players by revealing that there were three shields available to grab during the mission. As before, a shield protects a contestant from being murdered by The Traitors, but it does not protect them from banishment.

The mission involved them having to light a beacon in the water, but they all started off by being tied to poles. Once untethered, Kyra went for a shield, as did Jaz and Harry (the latter doing so to hide the fact that he’s a Traitor). The team finished the task with seconds to spare.

The episode was left on a cliffhanger, with the mystery fourth Traitor not revealed. Their identity will be unveiled in episode two. 

Fans were quick to react to episode one on social media. One person wrote: “Booom 💥 what an episode #TheTraitorsUK immediately hooked!!!”

Someone else said: “OMG so hooked already!!!!!”

Another wrote: “That was intense and what a cliffhanger.”

One X user commented: “What a great first episode of the @TheTraitorsUK was, so glad it's back.”

Somebody else said: “There’s no way they just ended the first episode like that!! Need to know who it is 😱.”

Once all of the Traitors and the Faithful have been successfully categorised, the betrayal can began in earnest, with the four Traitors tasked with ‘murdering’ members of the Faithful throughout the series, and therefore eliminating them from the game, all the while hoping not to be found out and banished themselves.

Find out more about the new contestants, and all the information you need about the new series, in our handy guide .

The Traitors continues tonight, Thursday 4th January, on BBC One at 9pm. You can watch the first three episodes on BBC iPlayer now 

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Where Is The Traitors Filmed? Inside The Stunning Scottish Castle Location

25 January 2024, 16:03

By Kathryn Knight

The Traitors has taken over our lives with series 2, but where is the castle that’s used for the iconic show? Here's everything you need to know about where it's filmed and locations.

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Claudia Winkleman has brought us yet another killer (excuse the pun) series of The Traitors with the likes of Harry and Andrew lying their way through to the final episodes .

But when viewers aren't completely engrossed in the deceitful games, their breath is being taken away by the stunning filming location of the centuries-old Scottish castle.

Complete with acres of land, shadowy corners and long corridors, the castle's location has captured viewer's attention thanks to it's beautiful backdrop, isolated placement and gorgeous scenery.

The faithfuls and traitors have been using the now iconic location to build up their cash pot, to dine in and to figure out which ones of them need to be banished.

• Read more: Who Is The Traitors’ Harry’s Famous Girlfriend Anna Maynard?
• Read more: Who Won The Traitors UK Series 1 And Where Are They Now?

But as we approach the final, viewers have become even more captured by the stunning Traitors location so here's everything you need to know about where it's filmed.

Where is The Traitors filmed?

The Traitors is filmed in a 19th century castle called Ardross Castle, which is around 25 miles north of Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. It has over 100 acres of parkland on the banks of the River Alness and is used as a wedding and events venue as well as for TV shows.

The incredible castle is used for both the UK and US versions of The Traitors.

Now owned by the McTaggart family, who bought the estate in 1983, the castle has undergone extensive renovation .

Loukas Tsarmaklis, a director of Ardross Castle Enterprise, spoke to The P&J in January 2023, saying they’d tried to keep a low profile up until the success of The Traitors.

He said wedding bookings have soared since the production company chose the castle as its filming location.

“We weren’t sure how it would go, and I don’t think they did. We did not know it was going to be so popular,” he revealed. “But it’s taken off and we’ve been inundated with people making inquiries.”

Tsarmaklis also praised the show for putting the area on the map, helping local businesses like B&Bs, tradesmen and taxi drivers.

Where is The Traitors castle in Scotland?

The Traitors castle, Ardross Castle, is in Ross-shire, a county just north of Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. It's nestled within over 100 acres of land on the banks of River Alness – which is often part of the difficult missions the contestants must take on.

While the contestants of The Traitors don't stay at the castle itself as the venue doesn't let out individual rooms, they stay nearby in individual lodgings which they are driven to separately at the end of each night.

Listen live to Capital, and catch up on any shows you missed, on Global Player.

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The Traitors castle: Where is the BBC show filmed and where do the cast sleep?

Can you sleep like a Traitor, too?

The reality show, which returned earlier this month, sees 22 contestants pitted against each other in the hope of winning £120,000.

The selected Traitors, hidden among the Faithfuls, must weave their deceitful web and work to 'murder' their virtuous counterparts behind the scenes whilst participating in group challenges.

If the group successfully completes their mission, they will add to the pot of money, eventually building up to the grand prize of £120,000.

So much more fun and games to be had in the iconic castle that — much like host Claudia Winkleman's roll-neck jumpers — has become a trademark of the show. But where does all this duplicitous gameplay take place? Here's everything you've ever wanted to know about where The Traitors is filmed and its castle.

Where is The Traitors filmed?

The deceitful gameplay all goes down in Scotland. From the challenges to the subtext-heavy breakfasts and the round-table eliminations, it takes place across several locations, with much of the action being filmed in Ardross Castle.

Where is The Traitors castle?

Ardross Castle is located north of Inverness in the Scottish Highlands.

The Ardross region is very remote, making it the perfect playground for the Traitors games.

The McTaggart family owns the 19th-century castle, but ownership has changed hands several times over the years.

It was built in the 1840s, extended in the 1870s and bounced around a few times before ending up with the McTaggarts in 1983 when the family began to restore the building to the spectacular version we see today.

Fans of the US version of the reality show will also recognise the castle, as the same setting is used across the franchise. This means we can expect to see Love Island's Ekin-Su make her mark on the castle grounds when she joins the show as part of the US celebrity line-up next season.

Despite the castle being the focal point for the franchise, there is, apparently, no rest for the wicked… or even the Faithful... at Ardross Castle. As it turns out, the contestants don't actually sleep there.

So, where do they rest their heads after a full day of backstabbing?

Where do The Traitors cast sleep?

When the gong strikes, announcing the contestants must retire, they aren't offered one of the many rooms in the lavish castle. Instead, they must pack up and get transported to a far less glamorous location.

According to Alan Cumming, host of the US version, they were carted off to a hotel in Inverness Airport.

"Spoiler alert," Cumming said during an interview . "None of us stayed in the castle. None of us. They all stayed in the airport hotel in the Inverness Airport. How glamorous — you come to Scotland, and you stay in the Inverness Airport hotel."

He added: "I stayed in a little house in Inverness. But I had a room in the castle where I would get made up and dressed. It had a huge bed in it. So I did actually sleep quite often, but not overnight." Well, that's more than can be said for the cast, but is it the same for their British counterparts?

It turns out it is. Neither Claudia Winkleman nor the cast are given the castle treatment. Instead, they also stay in the airport hotel.

Just because they've been banished from the castle at night, does that mean all visitors will, or can you actually sleep even better than a Traitor?

Can you stay in Ardross Castle?

Sadly not. The banishment extends from cast to public alike, as is clearly spelt out on the Ardross Castle website , which states: "Ardross Castle is not a hotel so it is not possible to book to stay for a night."

While you may not be able to get your 40 winks at Ardross Castle, some access is available.

Is Ardross Castle open to the public?

According to the Ardross website, the castle is available to visit under very specific requirements.

"The Castle and the Estate are available for private hire and, while we do not let individual rooms, we can accommodate small groups," the website states.

"The Castle and Estate are privately owned, and therefore, there is no facility for tour parties or individual visits."

The Traitors series 2 airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. For further details, check out the full Traitors series 2 release schedule here .

Interested in talking about The Traitors ? Visit our dedicated sub-forum

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TV writer, Digital Spy Janet completed her Masters degree in Magazine Journalism in 2013 and has continued to grow professionally within the industry ever since.  For six years she honed her analytical reviewing skills at the Good Housekeeping institute eventually becoming Acting Head of Food testing.  She also freelanced in the field of film and TV journalism from 2013-2020, when she interviewed A-List stars such as Samuel L Jackson, Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. In 2021 she joined Digital Spy as TV writer where she gets to delve into more of what she loves, watching copious amounts of telly all in the name of work. Since taking on the role she has conducted red carpet interviews with the cast of Bridgerton, covered the BAFTAs and been interviewed by BBC Radio and London Live. In her spare time she also moonlights as a published author, the book Gothic Angel .  

.css-15yqwdi:before{top:0;width:100%;height:0.25rem;content:'';position:absolute;background-image:linear-gradient(to right,#51B3E0,#51B3E0 2.5rem,#E5ADAE 2.5rem,#E5ADAE 5rem,#E5E54F 5rem,#E5E54F 7.5rem,black 7.5rem,black);} The Traitors

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You will not be betrayed by 'The Traitors'

Linda Holmes

Twenty contestants are sequestered in a castle in The Traitors. Three of them are designated as traitors. If all the traitors have been banished when the game ends, the remaining faithfuls split the money. If there are any traitors left, the traitors split the money. Euan Cherry/Peacock hide caption

Twenty contestants are sequestered in a castle in The Traitors. Three of them are designated as traitors. If all the traitors have been banished when the game ends, the remaining faithfuls split the money. If there are any traitors left, the traitors split the money.

The new Peacock competition series The Traitors , all 10 episodes of which are now streaming, is goofy, hyperdramatic, suspenseful and pretty entertaining.

The basic structure is this: 20 contestants are sequestered in a castle. Three of them are designated by the show as traitors. Viewers know which three, and the three are aware of each other and meet privately, but their identities are a secret to the rest of the group. Each round, there are two eliminations. One comes when the traitors choose someone to "murder," which they do by slipping a note under their door. The other comes when the entire group sits around a table and votes somebody out (everybody votes, traitors included).

Everyone obviously denies being a traitor; everyone claims to be what they call "a faithful." The objective of the faithfuls is to identify and vote out ("banish") all of the people who are secretly traitors. The objective of the traitors is to make it all the way through the rounds of banishment and still be standing at the end. There is a pot of money, and if all the traitors have been banished when the game ends, the remaining faithfuls split the money. If there are any traitors left, the traitors split the money. (The very-very-endgame isn't revealed until it's upon them, so don't worry that it's not clear how this will actually conclude.)

There are some parallels with the long-running (on and off) show The Mole , in that there are betrayers among the group, but there are also a couple of key differences. One is that viewers are in on it the whole time, so they get to see the traitors maneuvering and trying to avoid being found out — and, of course, to banish people other than themselves, especially ones who might be onto them. (Speaking for myself, I greatly prefer it this way.) The other is that the traitors don't have any incentive to sabotage the group when the group is winning the "missions" that build up the prize pot. On the one hand, this makes the missions feel pretty feel-good, because it's just a group of people trying to accomplish a common task (like completing puzzles or games together), but on the other hand ... what's wrong with that?

There are two other things to know about Peacock's version of The Traitors . One is that this version has chosen to stack its cast with one-half regular players (let's say, civilians) and one-half reality-show veterans. A couple from Survivor , a couple from Big Brother , a former Bachelor , people from Real Housewives and Summer House , a former chief stew from Below Deck , and even Ryan Lochte, Olympic swimmer turned ... whatever he is now .

Alan Cumming is the perfect host for The Traitors. Euan Cherry/Peacock hide caption

The other is that the host is Alan Cumming, whose relishing of every single word he utters, especially "traitors" and "murder," elevates the entire thing to a high level of ridiculous good fun. Parading around in a series of plaids, capes, hats, bright colors and whatever else is festive, he is invested . Like, invested . You could feed a lion a gazelle, a large pepperoni pizza, and an ice-cream sandwich, and you would not see that lion make a meal out of it the way Alan Cumming makes a meal out of hosting this show.

It turns out to be a surprisingly well designed competition. My assumption with most competitive shows is that while people are playing to the cameras (obviously including those who are veterans of playing to the cameras), they do actually want to win. That means people really are trying to figure out who among them might be the traitors, and the traitors really are trying to escape detection. The best part is that when someone is banished, they immediately go to the "Circle of Truth" and tell the group whether they were a traitor or a faithful. So obviously, if the person announces they were a faithful the whole time (and has been protesting that they were), the faithfuls feel foolish for voting them out. And if they were a traitor, there is much rejoicing. Rarely does voting someone off a show have such an instant payoff, where the evictee gets to announce whether their own removal was folly.

When someone is banished, they immediately go to the "Circle of Truth" and tell the group whether they were a traitor or a faithful. Euan Cherry/Peacock hide caption

When someone is banished, they immediately go to the "Circle of Truth" and tell the group whether they were a traitor or a faithful.

To appreciate what the show is doing right, it helps to distinguish between shows that are silly on one hand and shows that are stupid on the other. In this case, by "silly," I mean shows that have a self-aware, intentional, winking sense of how overwrought they are; they are openly in on the joke. By "stupid," I mean shows that don't really show any skill, any wit, or any strategy on the part of anyone involved. Some shows are silly and stupid ( Real Housewives ), some are neither silly nor stupid ( Top Chef ), some are stupid but not silly ( The Bachelor ), and some, like this one, are silly but not stupid. Alan Cumming is very silly, the ideas of the "Circle of Truth" and "banishment" and "muurrrrrrrder" are very silly — but you can also actually see people trying to figure out how they can best position themselves to win.

And while some of the reality show veterans they brought back are certainly people I never hoped to see again (particularly Rachel Reilly of Big Brother and The Amazing Race ), lots of them are either affable enough or entertaining enough to make good company, and Cirie Fields, a multi-season Survivor competitor, is a favorite of mine. When you put a solid cast together with a very entertaining and over-the-top sense of atmosphere, the perfect host, and a nice, juicy game design, you end up with a highly watchable — and highly binge-able — show.

This piece first appeared in NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour newsletter. Sign up for the newsletter so you don't miss the next one, plus get weekly recommendations about what's making us happy.

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Train strikes in April and May 2024: Full list of dates and lines affected

Overtime bans, an action short of a strike, also mean some services may not be running or may be reduced as drivers refuse to work their rest days.

Saturday 6 April 2024 08:45, UK

Drivers at 16 rail companies have started a fresh wave of strikes, plus overtime bans, causing disruption to the rail network.

The strikes are part of a long-running dispute over pay and will take place across April and May.

Tube strikes planned for April and May have been called off.

In an "entirely separate dispute", ASLEF members will also strike and refuse to do overtime at LNER on specific dates in April "because of the company's failure to adhere to the agreed bargaining machinery", the union said.

LNER's alleged failure to adhere to bargaining machinery refers to it using managers to drive trains on strike days.

People are advised to check before they travel.

Here's what's happening when:

Rail strike dates

Friday 5 April

Strikes will affect Avanti West Coast, East Midlands Railway, West Midlands Trains, and CrossCountry.

Saturday 6 April

Strikes will affect Chiltern, GWR, LNER, Northern, and TransPennine Trains.

Monday 8 April

Strikes will affect Greater Anglia, c2c, GTR Great Northern Thameslink, Southeastern, Southern/Gatwick Express, South Western Railway main line and depot drivers, and SWR Island Line.

Overtime ban dates

Thursday 4 April

Tuesday 9 April

People are advised to check before they travel, as some areas may have no service.

LNER action dates

Members will strike on Saturday 20 April and refuse to work non-contractual overtime from Friday 19 to Sunday 21 April .

Why are the strikes happening?

ASLEF says the LNER strikes are because of "the company's persistent failure to comply with existing agreements".

Nigel Roebuck, an ASLEF organiser in the northeast, said the operator had been trying to get "every driver manager and driver instructor to work on strike days".

A spokesperson said: "LNER has used managers - paid £500 a shift - to drive trains on strike days and, after the expiry of the last non-contractual overtime agreement, on most days of the week now.

"There is no agreement in place for management to drive services on mainline infrastructure.

"It results in branch line services - such as Lincoln, Skipton, and Harrogate - being cancelled because of a lack of route knowledge and means virtually no driver training is being done."

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Mick Whelan, ASLEF general secretary, said of the rail strikes : "Last month, when we announced renewed mandates for industrial action, because under the Tories' draconian anti-union laws we have to ballot our members every six months, we called on the train companies, and the government, to come to the table for meaningful talks to negotiate a new pay deal for train drivers who have not had an increase in salary since 2019.

"Our members voted overwhelmingly - yet again - for strike action."

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A Rail Delivery Group spokesperson said: "Nobody wins when industrial action impacts people's lives and livelihoods, and we will work hard to minimise any disruption to our passengers.

"We want to resolve this dispute, but the ASLEF leadership need to recognise that hard-pressed taxpayers are continuing to contribute an extra £54m a week just to keep services running post-COVID.

"We continue to seek an agreement with the ASLEF leadership and remain open to talks to find a solution to this dispute."

When the strikes on the London Underground were announced, Finn Brennan, ASLEF's full-time organiser on the network, said in a statement: "ASLEF Tube train drivers will strike in April and May in a long-running dispute over London Underground's failure to give assurances that changes to our members' terms and conditions will not be imposed without agreement and that all existing agreements will be honoured.

"Despite a previous commitment to withdraw plans for massive changes to drivers' working conditions, London Underground management has established a full-time team of managers preparing to impose their plans.

Sadiq Khan said they had been called off after "talking and engaging with transport staff and trade unions rather than working against them".

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Riding in Style on Japanese Trains

Luxurious rail cars offer countryside views with a range of cultural itineraries and budgets.

By Vivian Morelli

Reporting from Tokyo

Japan’s public transportation is known for its punctuality, efficiency and high-quality service, which means train travel is a great way to see the countryside and to experience Japanese culture — even if you’re squeezed into Tokyo’s crowded Yamanote line at rush hour or experiencing the popular high-speed Shinkansen bullet train .

But many savvy visitors crisscross the country in another way, using luxury trains that resemble five-star hotels on rails.

Luxury rail travel appeals to “someone who wants slow travel, the experience of excellent service in a contained environment, the finest dining, the most exquisite accommodation with private bathrooms,” Simon Pielow, co-founder of the Luxury Train Club , said by phone from Wiltshire County, England. “Things that many people have no idea is possible on anything other than a royal train.”

One trip chartered by his agency starts and ends at Hakata station in the city of Fukuoka, crossing the southern Japanese island of Kyushu on the Seven Stars , a seven-car luxury sleeper train. Journeys for either two days and one night (per person, double occupancy) range from 650,000 to 900,000 yen (about $4,292 to $5,942), or four days and three nights from ¥1.2 million to ¥1.6 million. (A single supplement would apply.)

“The train is very much sought-after because of the quality of the service on the train and its exclusivity,” Mr. Pielow said. “The people who come to us are desperate to travel on the train.”

With limited space, most would-be travelers need to apply several months in advance.

The Seven Stars, or Nanatsuboshi in Japanese, was named in part after the number of its carriages, in part after the seven prefectures of Kyushu: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki and Kagoshima, and for seven of the main attractions of the region, including its nature, food and hot springs. (Other stars have been known to ride these rails: The actress and producer Margot Robbie told Vogue last year that she and her husband had traveled to Japan in part to ride the Seven Stars.)

The train consists of a lounge car, a bar, a tatami-mat tearoom and a souvenir shop, as well as eight 108-square-foot private rooms and two larger suites, the biggest measuring 226 square feet.

Guests don’t necessarily have to spend all their time on board. They can also get off to participate in activities such as a guided walk along the Wakimoto coast, a seaside area of Kagoshima Prefecture, that lasts about an hour.

Meals can be consumed aboard the train or at restaurants along the way, and one night can be spent in a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn.

So how does that work on a train? Some stops last an hour or more, enough time for guest excursions. But often, the train will keep rolling and pick up the guests at a later station.

But there also are other luxury trains in Japan. (Seven Stars and the Shiki-Shima, detailed below, can be booked from overseas. The others listed here must be booked from within Japan.)

The Twilight Express Mizukaze is an Art Deco-inspired sleeper train decorated from traditional crafts such as pottery and cut glass. Onboard entertainment includes a tea ceremony, live music and a signature cocktail from the bar. Five routes are offered, including a two-day, one night one-way trip and a three-day, two-night round trip. A suite includes a private balcony and bathroom with a tub at ¥875,000 for a shorter journey and ¥1.4 million for a longer one. A “royal” twin room with windows on both sides of the car was recently listed at ¥385,000 per person, double occupancy.

The Aru Ressha is known as a “dessert train” that runs between Hakata and Yufuin in Kyushu. The one-way, three-hour itinerary is just enough time to indulge in appetizer, fish, meat and dessert courses for ¥35,000 per person. The train is decorated with black and gold arabesques on the outside and baroque styling inside.

The Spacia X offers a more budget-minded luxury experience. This six-carriage train equipped with plush sofas and private lounges links Tokyo to Nikko, a picturesque city in Tochigi Prefecture. Simran Nagra, a 33-year-old Canadian actuary who lives in Tokyo, used the train for a two-hour, ¥3,840 trip in July to the hot springs resort of Kinugawa Onsen. “I was really excited to ride it because it’s a luxury train, but has very affordable pricing,” she said. “The windows are huge and hexagonal, to highlight the views,” she said, and the cafe car featured Nikko specialties including craft beer on tap, two types of sake and locally sourced coffee.

GranClass was the choice out of necessity for the Australian journalist Jake Sturmer, 35, and his wife, Rachel, in 2018. “We had just moved to Japan, some friends invited us on a trip, and the only seat available for us to travel was on GranClass,” he said, referring to the first-class cabin on the Shinkansen. “What a luxury it was,” he said, mentioning the large, cushy seats, the hot towels to cleanse hands and faces, and bento boxes they were served during a two-hour ride from Tokyo to Iiyama in Nagano Prefecture.

The Train Suite Shiki-Shima was created to contribute to the recovery from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in northern Japan.

Riders can choose from four seasonal routes lasting from one to three nights and departing from Tokyo. One goes northward along the Sea of Japan to Hakodate and the Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park in Hokkaido Prefecture. Another is a wintertime itinerary through the snowy Tohoku region, where guests will get off the train to view traditional dancing and participate in woodwork or sewing workshops with local artisans. Prices range from ¥420,000 to ¥1.3 million per person, based on double occupancy in a sleeper car.

Shinobu Ohashi, 34, a paper-cutting artist who lives and works in Saitama, Japan, used the Shiki-Shima in December 2020 and April 2022. “I wanted to experience the design of the Shiki-Shima train, which I had seen on TV and in magazines, and the hospitality provided,” she wrote in an email.

The attention to detail impressed her: “When my companion complimented the garnishes that were offered only to the women on the dishes,” she said, “he was then also brought the same ones. We were both surprised.”

During one trip the cherry blossoms in Hakodate were in full bloom, she said: “We were taken to a cherry blossom viewing spot that was not on the trip schedule.”

The train has special meaning for her. “I am from the Tohoku region, from Fukushima Prefecture,” she said. “Even though a lot of time has passed since the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami in Japan, I believe that Shiki-Shima is a reassuring presence.”

Taking the train in Spain - all you need to know

Apr 3, 2024 • 15 min read

The vintage train from Sóller to Palma de Mallorca is one of the most scenic rail routes in Spain © Shutterstock

Spain boasts Europe’s longest high-speed rail network, second only to China globally, and its trains are exceptional and far-reaching. In one day, you could gawp at Gaudí’s architectural genius in Barcelona , be whisked by rail to Madrid ’s museums, and still arrive in Seville for a sunset flamenco show.

Not that it’s all A to B whirlwind rail routes. There are some outstanding scenic train journeys to slow down and enjoy the Spanish pace of life, whether trundling along the northern coast’s narrow-gauge tracks or meandering into the mountains. And with some new low-cost operators now on the scene, exploring Spain by train has never been more affordable.

With over a thousand stations and thousands more daily departures, getting around Spain by train is a straightforward joy rather than a stressful necessity. Seat reservations on most services guarantee uncrowded carriages, Rioja-serving cafe cars provide perfectly wine-paired panoramic views, and electric-powered trains make journeys even more sustainable. What’s not to love? Here’s everything you need to know to plan a train trip in Spain like a pro.

Train services are generally excellent in mainland Spain

You can traverse all four corners of Spain by train, usually on swift, reliable, well-maintained carriages. Few areas aren’t covered by at least a regional service. And where there are coverage gaps, buses will usually take you the final stretch to that pretty medieval village. While strikes can occur, they are rare, and minimum service levels are generally guaranteed. Compensation payments are offered for delays over one hour, which helps keep timetables on track. 

Renfe is Spain’s national railway company, operating everything from non-stop regional capital connections to short-hop commuter services. Iryo and Ouigo provide low-cost competition on the main high-speed intercity lines, with the latter’s double-decker trains being a welcome addition.

While the numerous names for differing service and train types can be confusing, the trains in Spain can generally be divided into three categories:

• High-speed, mainly long-distance (larga distancia) services link many major cities, mainly via Madrid. These full-service trains can reach 310km/h (193mph) and include Renfe’s AVE (Alta Velocidad Española), its new no-frills Avlo counterpart, and Iryo and Ouigo. There’s an ever-growing network of high-speed routes , including the popular Barcelona–Madrid, Madrid–Seville, and Madrid–Valencia lines.
• Mid-distance services – although they can sometimes cover long distances and reach speeds of 250km/h (155mph) – make up the majority of other major routes. Renfe services these under names including Media Distancia, Avant and Alvia. Intercity and Regional Exprés services are somewhat slower but only call at major stations. Popular routes include Madrid– Toledo , Granada–Seville, and the Euromed coastal service between Barcelona and Alicante . Nearly all long and mid-distance services use sleek, modern carriages.
• Slower trains , including Regional, Proximidad, and Cercanías commuter services (Rodalies in Catalonia), complete the network. The older Cercanías AM trains, previously FEVE, mainly operate on the northern coast’s picturesque narrow-gauge tracks.

Nearly all large and medium-sized train stations are staffed and contain shops or cafes. High-speed train stations operate similarly to airports, with luggage security scanners and boarding gates. It’s advisable to arrive 20–30 minutes early, especially as boarding can close five minutes before departure. The bonus is you’ll have time to admire the stations. Some, like Toledo’s Mudejar-style ticket hall and art nouveau Bilbao Concordia , are attractions in their own right.

There are tourist trains and unique rail services too

In addition to standard train services, Spain has an exceptional selection of specialist rail routes known as “ tourist trains .” These range from seasonal, short routes, such as the scenic Tren dels Llacs in the Pre-Pyrenees, to indulgent, multiday sojourns like the luxury Transcantábrico train hotel. There are currently no standard domestic night trains.

International and island rail routes are limited

Away from the mainland, the rail situation is starkly different. The Canary Islands have no train services, and only Mallorca in the Balearic Islands has limited rail connections . These consist of three short, modern lines and the vintage Sóller train. 

Traveling to and from France by train is possible on France’s TGVs (from Paris) and Renfe’s International AVE services to Marseille and Lyon . Fares start from €29. You can also cross via Hendaye in the Basque Country or take the slower, scenic sleeper service via the Pyrenees . The Trenhotel (night service) between Madrid and Lisbon has been discontinued, leaving the Tren Celta between Vigo and Porto and the slow route to Lisbon via Badajoz as the only connections with Portugal . Work continues on improving the tracks to accommodate a direct, high-speed link between the two Iberian capitals.

Book ahead to save money and guarantee your seat

Spain’s rail operators all use dynamic pricing for high-speed and long-distance services. Therefore, early booking is advised, especially as seat reservations are mandatory. Advanced Avlo tickets between Madrid and Barcelona start from €7, with Ouigo and Iryo also offering competitive pricing on primary routes. A same-day ticket can sometimes cost more than 10 times more than booking in advance. Prices are less competitive on routes solely operated by Renfe. 

When booking tickets online to or from major cities, use the dropdown city name followed by todos (all) to check for direct and affordable tickets from all stations. Provide the Passport or ID number of the photo document you’ll be traveling with, as tickets are personal. The second surname can be left blank – Spanish people take both their father's and mother’s surnames. Tickets can be printed, collected at self-service machines, or displayed as QR codes on mobile devices. Overall, Ouigo and Iryo's websites are easier to navigate than Renfe's, which can be glitchy. While most people would recommend using a third-party booking service – handy for comparing prices between all operators – direct reservations avoid booking fees.

Even short-distance, popular services with fixed fares (some mid-distance and regional trains) can fill up. I’ve previously struggled to get last-minute weekend tickets on the Madrid to Toledo route. Secure all tickets ahead if your vacation coincides with a major holiday such as Easter (Semana Santa) or Christmas, including around Three Kings Day on January 6.

Iryo and Ouigo release tickets many months ahead. Renfe’s tickets should be available at least 60 days ahead, but this isn’t always true. Check regularly in the months leading up to your departure and sign up for newsletters on the three websites to receive ticket availability and discount updates.

Occasionally, two single fares (ida) can be cheaper than a return (vuelta) . Reservations can also be made at station ticket machines (in English) or staffed desks. Larger stations may have separate sales points for particular types of tickets. 

You’ll always be assigned a mandatory seat reservation. However, if you’d prefer to select your own to guarantee a window, you can change it for a nominal fee. Confusingly, Renfe’s website has this step after choosing a payment method. 

Cercanías and Cercanías AM tickets can’t be purchased in advance and should be purchased at the ticket office, self-service machine, or onboard from the conductor when traveling from the tiniest unstaffed stations. This is the only time you’re allowed to board a train without a ticket. 

If you wish to upgrade from basic class (básico) on high-speed routes, you can choose from Elige, Elige Confort and Prêmium on Renfe, or similar options on Iryo. Upgrades can include access to premium station lounges, at-seat food service, and more spacious seats. Solo travelers may want to upgrade to enjoy an individual seat in the 2+1 configured carriages. Ouigo allows these seats as a paid add-on without upgrading.

Discounts and offers: know your benefits and bring ID

Much noise was made about the launch of Spain’s fixed-price travel pass . Yet this system, established to offer discounted fares on repeat return trips, is primarily aimed at locals and commuters.

Renfe does offer a Spain Rail Pass for travelers , covering between four and ten journeys. However, depending on the routes you plan to take, pre-booking discounted, advanced fares can be cheaper. Some region-specific options exist, such as the better value three-day Galica Rail Pass .

Other discounts available on Renfe include:

• Small group discount when booking four or more travelers together.
• Seniors discount, up to 40%, for over 60s. However, this requires purchasing a card ( La Tarjeta Dorada ) in person before making the reservation. Advanced, discounted fares can be better value.
• Youth Discounts for under 25s with a European Youth Card or suitable International Student Card. A digital card can be purchased online by citizens of most countries.  
• Babies travel for free, as do children, although the age cap varies between operators.

Considering an Interrail or Eurail pass? Check on any savings first. All high-speed trains in Spain require seat reservations, an additional cost not included in these passes. Avlo, Iryo, and Ouigo are likewise excluded, and these cheaper advanced tickets may be better value than using the pass, though there is less flexibility.

Money-saving tip: high-speed trains include a free local ticket

If you’re traveling on a high-speed AVE or long-distance service operated by Renfe or Iryo, Combinado Cercanías is included. This allows for free use of local Cercanías trains to reach your departure station and again on arrival. Scan the QR code at barriers, or use the PDF code to get a zero-priced ticket at Cercanías’ self-service machines.

Seat reservations ensure most train journeys don’t feel crowded

Traveling by train in Spain is so enjoyable because all long and mid-distance services require a seat reservation. With no congested corridors or jostling vestibules, these trains never feel crowded, even when full. However, some regional and Cercanías services can be packed, particularly around commuter hours and Friday and Sunday evenings. You might want to avoid peak times or, when available, pay for a regional service seat reservation.

Plan around major events and regional holidays during your trip, such as Semana Santa, when ticket demand and crammed suburban trains are common. Trains in Spain operate every day of the year, though some services may finish earlier on public holidays. If you’re traveling on weekends or during holidays, check onward public transport in advance as small, rural stations may have a reduced weekend bus service.

Train can be the fastest, most affordable transport method

Using the train in Spain can be quicker and cheaper than flying. For example, a flight from Madrid to Barcelona takes 1¼ hours compared with 2½ hours by high-speed rail. But once you factor in security checks, out-of-city airport transfers, and runway taxi times, the overall journey length by plane becomes longer.

Driving distances are considerable. The same journey by car will take closer to seven hours. It’s unquestionably worth renting a car if you’re planning a road trip , but generally, long-distance jaunts are best by rail. 

Most train terminuses are connected to city buses and, in larger metropolises, commuter rail or metro systems. Barcelona-El Prat Airport and Madrid–Barajas Airport are on the train network. If you wish to visit smaller towns or villages that are not on the train network, consider other ways to get around Spain .

Onboard facilities differ between service types

All of Spain’s high-speed train services are spacious, comfortable, clean and well cared for. Carry-on luggage can be placed in overhead racks, while storage areas at either end of the carriage accommodate bulkier luggage. Popular services (especially on Friday and Sunday evenings) can quickly fill, and train staff will usually assist in rearranging suitcases to fit. Cercanías services can be more dated and crowded and often lack enough dedicated luggage space.

If you’re traveling by bicycle, check the luggage policies of Renfe and Iryo . In some instances, bikes must be disassembled or an additional fee paid.

The dining carts on Spain’s trains are typically stand-up, cafe-style rather than seated dining carriages. They’re good for stretching your legs or getting an alternative window view, but dining at your seat table is often more comfortable. A selection of hot meals, snacks and drinks – usually all of decent quality – are available, and certain ticket types offer pre-ordered meals served at your seat. Iryo has particularly impressive dining options .

On some routes, a trolley service may be provided in addition or as an alternative. Mid-distance and Avlo services have vending machines rather than dining carts. Bringing your own food and even alcohol onboard Renfe’s services isn’t a problem.

Complimentary (sometimes patchy) wi-fi is provided on Iryo and Renfe’s high-speed services, alongside entertainment portals accessible on your device. Ouigo charges per connection. Plug sockets (F-type) are available at seats on high-speed and mid-distance trains. Nearly all trains, except commuter services, have toilets.

Plan the perfect train trip with these scenic routes and tips

The most popular train routes for travelers in Spain are the high-speed connections that rocket between Seville, Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia. But riding the rails in Spain isn’t only about barrelling between urban sprawl. These are some of our favorite scenic rail routes worth planning into your trip. 

• Santander to Oviedo :  Cross the lush landscapes of Northern Spain on this slow, scenic rail route using Cercanías AM’s narrow-gauge tracks. This six-hour journey provides some of the expensive Transcantábrico Train’s panoramas for a bargain €16.55. There are no seat reservations, which is handy, as you can switch sides to marvel at both the sparkling Bay of Biscay and the mighty Cantabrian Mountains , Spain’s answer to the Dolomites. 
• Barcelona to A Coruña :  Once served by the discontinued sleeper Trenhotel, this is one of Spain’s longest rail routes, taking nearly 14 hours. The 9:05am Alvia departure can be affordable to cross seven of Spain’s autonomous communities. Pack snacks and pay for a window seat (ideally on the right) to see the full scope of Spain’s landscapes, from arid pastures and fertile farmlands to the verdant Galician Massif . Consider hopping off a few stops early in Ourense to use the town’s free-to-access thermal pools the following morning.
• Granada to Almería : Leaving the magnificent Moorish Alhambra behind, set off across western Andalucía towards the coastal city of Almería. It’s a showstopping three-hour journey traversing the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, snow-capped peaks looming beyond, before cutting through carpets of cork trees. Book a late afternoon departure for ethereal golden light, or take two single tickets to plan a lunch pause at Guadix, best known for its cave houses. 
• Palma de Mallorca to Sóller:  Step onboard the rickety, wooden carriage of Ferrocarril de Sóller , constructed in 1912, for a one-hour-long trundle from Mallorca's capital to the pretty port town of Sóller. En route, you’ll wend through the Tramuntana Mountains, unlit tunnels, and citrus groves close enough to touch. All seats are excellent, but you might want to stand in the open-air platforms between carriages. 
• Zaragoza to Canfranc :  A one-way ticket on this twice-a-day, 2½-hour regional train costs just €16.90, and you’ll get plenty of panoramas for your money, especially after Huesca when the tracks slowly climb up into the ​​Pyrenees. Our resident rail expert, Tom Hall, calls it one of Europe’s best train routes , partly because the landmark Canfranc Station has recently been reborn as a grandiose hotel .

Station tips when traveling Spain by train

Most large cities have multiple train stations, so always confirm departure points. When traveling to dedicated AVE stations outside major cities, check the station’s distance from the city center and pre-plan your connecting travel. Some stations, such as Antequera ’s Santa Ana, can be as far as 15km (9 miles) from the Old Town. 

Spain’s largest stations, such as Madrid Atocha and Barcelona Sants, can be confusing due to split-level and separated boarding areas for different services. Don’t be afraid to ask for help navigating the station. A quick flash of your ticket will soon have you pointed in the right direction.

All major stations have cafes and kiosks where you can pick up food, although preparing a train picnic from a delicatessen might be preferable. Still, a quick tapas in Atocha's Tropical Garden, even if the pond-residing turtles have now been rehomed, is a solid start to any journey. If you’re on a connecting service with time to explore beyond the station, most larger terminals have lockers or left luggage desks (​​consigna) .

Many stations are accessible, but there’s room for improvement on older services

Adif, the agency in charge of Spain’s rail infrastructure, provides in-station and boarding assistance for travelers with accessibility needs via the Acerca service, offered at 145 stations.

When booking tickets online, H seats – accessible spaces that can anchor a wheelchair – can be requested on the opening screen, and Acerca assistance can be requested later in the booking process. A minimum of 12–48 hours' notice is stipulated, depending on the operator. However, in larger stations, staffed service centers can usually provide support without pre-booking if you arrive and register at the desk ahead of travel. Check which facilities are available at each station on Adif’s website .

In addition to offering boarding support (many train types require a stair-climber lift, not just a ramp, while others like Avlo have level boarding), Acerca can provide technical aids for hearing and a guided sight service. Contact Adif Acerca for information on induction loop systems or to discuss alternative routes should your planned journey include a non-accessible station without in-person assistance. Tactile paving, step-free access, and elevators are installed at most major stations, and nearly every train has a conductor or staff member onboard who can assist. 

On high-speed, long-distance, and most other services, wheelchair-accessible bathrooms are located in carriages with H seats. Ouigo trains have a call button on adapted seats to provide food and drink service, as the cafe is located on the top deck. Cercanías AM carriages have no H seats but offer a dedicated space for wheelchair users with tie-downs. However, many older, narrow-gauge trains lack accessible bathrooms.

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Earthquake snarls air and train travel in the New York City area

By Megan Cerullo

Edited By Aimee Picchi

Updated on: April 5, 2024 / 4:36 PM EDT / CBS News

An  earthquake  centered in New Jersey and felt across the New York City region on Friday disrupted air and rail travel, with ground stoppages at airports in the New York City area and delays in train service. 

Travel operations were momentarily halted Friday morning with ground stoppages at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens and at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, with crews working to resume normal air traffic operations. By early afternoon, the ground stoppage at JFK had been lifted. 

Arriving and departing flights in Newark also resumed in the afternoon, but delays averaged roughly two hours,  according  to the Federal Aviation Administration. 

The earthquake, which occurred roughly 10:20 a.m. Eastern time, had either a 4.7 or 4.8 magnitude and was centered near Whitehouse Station, New Jersey, 40 miles west of New York City,  according to the United States Geological Survey.

Newark airport is experiencing average departure delays of 43 minutes, according to flight tracking website FlightAware. Inbound aircraft that are already airborne are delayed by about an hour. Inbound flights that have not yet taken off are being held until 12:30 p.m., according to the site.  

Flights in and out of LaGuardia airport in Queens were also delayed, likely in order for airport staff to check for damage to the airport and runways and clear away any debris. 

The ground stoppages and delays are not expected to last long. 

Additionally, New Jersey Transit said it's experiencing up to 20-minute delays across its entire rail service system, in both directions. NJ Transit said it's inspecting a bridge for damage to ensure train travel is safe. 

—CBS News' Kris Van Cleave contributed reporting.

Megan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering small business, workplace, health care, consumer spending and personal finance topics. She regularly appears on CBS News Streaming to discuss her reporting.

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Travel | Brightline partners with Princess Cruises,…

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Subscriber only, travel | brightline partners with princess cruises, wraps train with ‘love boat’ theme.

Florida’s high-speed Brightline train has partnered with Princess Cruises for a “Rail & Sail” program that includes one of its trains made over with the iconic imagery of the brand with ties to “The Love Boat.”

Most Princess ships call Port Everglades home in Fort Lauderdale, including the debut later this year of its newest and largest ship, the Sun Princess. The line is expanding with its first ship to be based out of Port Canaveral this fall when Caribbean Princess arrives.

The nearly 113,000-gross-ton vessel began sailing in 2004, christened by Jill Whelan who played Vicki Stubing on “The Love Boat.” Princess ships were featured during the show’s run in the 1970s and 1980s.

Brightline runs from Miami to Orlando with several stops in South Florida, including Fort Lauderdale and a northern terminus at Orlando International Airport. The line has future stops planned that include Cocoa, near Port Canaveral.

The deal between the train and cruise companies aims to offer passengers hassle-free travel to the two port destinations that includes an optional express baggage checking service at $35 per bag that people can use so their luggage is checked at the train station and will make its way to their staterooms.

The deals include complimentary motorcoach travel from the Brightline station to the cruise port terminal to board the ships. The Orlando-to-Port Canaveral service will begin once Caribbean Princess begins sailing in November.

“A Princess cruise is already the best value in travel and this new partnership with Brightline makes it even easier and more enjoyable to sail with us from the top-rated ports in South and Central Florida,” said cruise line president John Padgett in a news release. “Our guests can just sit back, relax, and let us do the rest, including delivering their luggage directly to their stateroom.”

The partnership also offers discounts of up to 15% on packages booked through the Brightline website. For those who book through May 5, an extra credit for up to $150 per person for certain packages is available.

The Princess theme design adorns four cars that include the Princess “seawitch” logo and depictions of popular ports of call. Princess branding will also be on display at Brightline terminals.

“Brightline has been connecting travelers to South Florida ports since we began operations in 2018 and cruisers from the beginning have found our train to be the easiest way to start their vacation,” said Brightline President Patrick Goddard in the release. “Today’s partnership with Princess Cruises and this train wrap with the iconic Love Boat branding is yet another example of the connection between cruisers and Brightline.

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Rail passengers face rolling strikes but London Underground action called off

Aslef members start three days of 24-hour strikes from Friday but tube driver action cancelled

Rail passengers are bracing for travel disruption as train drivers bring some routes on the national network to a halt in a wave of strikes, but two days of similar action on the London Underground have been called off.

On Friday, members of the union Aslef start the first of three 24-hour strikes that will affect 16 rail operating companies in England as part of its 20-month dispute over pay.

However, on Thursday Aslef called off two daylong tube strikes planned for the following Monday and Saturday 4 May after receiving a proposal from Transport for London that it said resolved the key issues in the dispute.

The run of single-day national network strikes starts on Friday with drivers working for Avanti West Coast, East Midlands Railway, West Midlands Trains, London Northwestern Railway and CrossCountry. All five operators will run no services on the day.

On Saturday, strikes will take place on Chiltern, GWR, LNER, Northern and TransPennine, while on Monday services on Greater Anglia, GTR’s Great Northern, Thameslink and Southern/Gatwick Express, Southeastern, South Western Railway and SWR Island Line will be cancelled.

Passengers have been warned by operators to expect significant disruption, with most trains cancelled on the strike days. Services on the days before and after the strikes could also be affected. Drivers in Scotland and Wales are not on strike but cross-border rail services will be disrupted.

The strikes coincide with an overtime ban by the union for all operators, which runs from 4 to 6 April, and then 8 to 9 April. It is expected that it will make short-notice cancellations and disruption more likely when travelling on these days.

Announcing the cancellation of the London Underground strikes, an Aslef official said: “Management have confirmed that they have disbanded their ‘trains modernisation’ team and will not be implementing their plans to change drivers’ working arrangements without agreement. They have also agreed to reinstate annual refresher training stopped during the pandemic.”

Train drivers have already held 13 one-day strikes since the dispute started in 2022.

Speaking after the vote last month , Aslef’s general secretary, Mick Whelan, said: “Our members voted overwhelmingly – yet again – for strike action.

“Those votes show – yet again – a clear rejection by train drivers of the ridiculous offer put to us in April last year by [the train operators’ body] the Rail Delivery Group, which knew that offer would be rejected because a land grab for all the terms and conditions we have negotiated over the years would never be accepted by our members.”

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Aslef has said it would continue to strike for a better pay deal after the union rejected an 8% offer last spring.

A spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group said: “We are sorry that this round of strikes called by the Aslef leadership risks disrupting journeys.

“While we are doing all we can to keep trains running and we will work with our industry partners to keep as many trains running as possible, unfortunately there will be reduced services between Thursday 4 April to Tuesday 9 April. Our advice is to check before you travel and follow the latest travel information.”

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “Aslef is the only rail union continuing to strike … Having resolved disputes with all other rail unions, the transport secretary and rail minister have ensured that a pay offer is on the table – taking train drivers’ average salaries from £60,000 up to £65,000.”

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