As train travel becomes an increasingly popular option amongst holidaymakers across Europe, TUI has confirmed plans to expand its business into the world of night trains. This week, the travel company confirmed that, starting this winter, it will offer package holidays to the ski slopes of Austria, with customers travelling via night train instead of the plane!

TUI expanding number of night train package holidays

In the spring, TUI announced a new partnership with Green City Trip which would allow it to offer new holiday packages for six cities across Europe - all accessible via night train. This decision was followed by Sunweb’s announcement that it planned to launch a new night train service connecting the Netherlands with the French Alps. 

Now, with the summer holidays coming to an end and the winter season fast approaching, TUI has confirmed it’s also looking to expand its train holidays into the world of winter sports. Starting this Christmas and running all the way through to the end of March, TUI will offer customers the chance to book a winter holiday to Austria, which will involve them taking the night train instead of the plane. 

Board the night train from Amsterdam to the Austrian ski slopes

Setting off from Amsterdam and travelling via Utrecht, the night train takes a route that allows it to cross the Austrian border near Wörgl, before splitting into two routes - one heading to Tirol and the other to Salzburg, stopping off at Zell am See, Gerlos, Söll, Nietderau, Kirchberg in Tirol and Westendorf along the way. The train departs on Friday evening, arriving back in the Netherlands the following Sunday morning.

TUI argues that one of the big selling points of this deal - aside from the fact that it ensures you miss the chaos and queues at Schiphol - is that there are no limits on luggage, meaning travellers can take all their ski equipment with them at no extra cost. Depending on the final destination, prices start at 463 euros per person, and include eight days of accommodation and a six-day ski pass.