Mastodawn

#FlyLess
#EuropeRailAdventure
#SlowTravel
#EuropeByRail
#WinterRailTrip
#GWR
#IET
#Class800
#Paddington
#FOSDEM
#FOSDEM2026

Rolled into Paddington right on time. First leg complete and the rhythm of the journey is setting in. Next up is St Pancras and Eurostar to Brussels, then the real fun begins with night trains and Central Europe ahead.
Still very much #BetterByRail. No flying, just watching Britain slide past the window and enjoying the feeling of actually travelling, not teleporting.

#BetterByRail
#FlyLess
#EuropeRailAdventure
#SlowTravel
#EuropeByRail
#WinterRailTrip
#StPancras
#StPancrasInternational
#Eurostar
#FOSDEM
#FOSDEM2026

Edward Betts

Through security and passport control at St Pancras and now waiting to board. Super smooth and impressively quick, no queue at all. This is how international travel should feel.

Next stop Brussels on Eurostar, then onwards by night train into Central Europe. The rail adventure continues.

#BetterByRail
#FlyLess
#EuropeByRail
#TrainTravel
#Eurostar
#SlowTravel
#WinterRailTrip
#FOSDEM
#FOSDEM2026

Just boarded and waiting for departure. Doors closed, everything on time, and that quiet pre-departure buzz in the carriage. Next stop Brussels, with night trains and Central Europe to follow.

#GWR #IET #Class800 #LondonPaddington #PaddingtonStation #TrainToot

#ShaniaTrain (This was in Paddington)

Anders Norén Jan 19

@edward
Did it impress you much?

#BetterByRail
#FlyLess
#EuropeByRail
#NightTrain
#SleeperTrain
#RailAdventure
#SlowTravel
#WinterRailTrip
#Brussels
#FOSDEM
#FOSDEM2026

Arrived right on time, dumped my bag, then headed out for a wander. Stumbled past the Porte de Hal, grabbed Lebanese food, and ate outside soaking up the early evening buzz. Exactly the kind of pause that makes rail travel so good.

Back to the station next. NightJet at 19:06 and my first proper sleeper train awaits. Very excited about this bit.

#BetterByRail
#NightTrain
#SleeperTrain
#Nightjet
#EuropeByRail
#FlyLess
#SlowTravel
#WinterRailTrip
#RailAdventure
#FOSDEM
#FOSDEM2026

Rolling east through the night 🌙🚆

On the Nightjet to Vienna and we’ve just passed Cologne. Lights low, steady rhythm of the rails, and that brilliant feeling of waking up somewhere completely new tomorrow. First sleeper train and I am very much a fan already.

This is exactly why I love travelling this way.

#BetterByRail
#NightTrain
#SleeperTrain
#Nightjet
#EuropeByRail
#SlowTravel
#WinterRailTrip
#RailAdventure
#FlyLess
#Nightjet
#OBBNightjet
#SnowyMorning
#FrozenLandscape

Woke up to snow-covered fields and an orange sunrise outside the window ❄️🌅

Slept really well, the bed was genuinely comfortable, and showering on a moving train still feels slightly magical. Breakfast was far better than expected too. Rolling east while the world slowly wakes up is an excellent way to travel.

First sleeper train experience and I am completely sold.

#BetterByRail
#NightTrain
#SleeperTrain
#Nightjet
#EuropeByRail
#SlowTravel
#RailAdventure
#Vienna
#LuggageLocker

Arrived into Vienna Hbf after a night on the rails 🚆

About ten minutes late after a 15-hour journey across three countries, which feels like a small miracle. Vienna Hbf is a strikingly modern station and a great place to roll into after a sleeper. Bag safely stashed in a locker and the city is calling.

A few hours to explore Vienna before heading on to Budapest. This trip just keeps getting better.

#BetterByRail
#RailJet
#EuropeByRail
#SlowTravel
#RailAdventure
#WinterRailTrip

Made it to Budapest. All good!

#BetterByRail
#EuropeByRail
#TrainTravel
#RailAdventure
#SlowTravel
#FlyLess
#Budapest
#Prague

Edward Betts Jan 25

Good morning from Budapest ☀️🚆

Time for the next international train, this time heading to Prague. That makes capital city number five on this trip, after London, Brussels, Vienna, and Budapest. Not a bad way to travel across Europe.

Onwards by rail.

Edward Betts Jan 25

The windows on this train are filthy. I'm tempted to get out at a station and clean them.

Edward Betts Jan 25

Bratislava, another capital city. But not getting off here.

Edward Betts Jan 27

Nutria (also known as a swamp rat) in Prague

Prague Castle in the snow

#BetterByRail
#HackerTrain
#EuropeanSleeper
#NightTrain
#SleeperTrain
#EuropeByRail
#SlowTravel
#RailAdventure
#Prague
#FOSDEM2026

Edward Betts Jan 29

Waiting at Praha hl.n. for the #HackerTrain 🚆

All set for the sleeper back to Brussels, but currently showing a 40-minute delay on the board. Honestly, not too bad for a cross-Europe night train, and it’s all part of the adventure.

Next stop: Brussels and FOSDEM.

#BetterByRail
#HackerTrain
#EuropeanSleeper
#NightTrain
#SleeperTrain
#EuropeByRail
#RailAdventure
#SlowTravel
#TrainTravel
#FOSDEM2026
#FOSDEM

Edward Betts Feb 2

Thursday night drama, now with a happy ending 🚆

At one point it looked like we’d be on buses all the way from Prague to Brussels, which was… not the plan. Then, against the odds, they fixed the train. Suddenly a platform was announced, the Night Train rolled in, and off we went, about 3.5 hours late but very much back on track.

I’d already started plotting hotels and a daytime backup route, so this felt like a proper railway miracle.

#BetterByRail
#EuropeByRail
#Eurostar
#TrainTravel
#SlowTravel
#RailAdventure
#FlyLess
#HomewardBound

Edward Betts Feb 2

Homeward bound under the sea 🚄🌊

On the Eurostar from Brussels to London, originally from Amsterdam, and running about 20 minutes late. Currently racing beneath the Channel, which never stops feeling slightly surreal.

Should roll into St Pancras around 14:17, then it's Hammersmith and City line to Paddington and GWR back to Bristol. Nearly there after a brilliant rail adventure across Europe.

#BetterByRail
#EuropeByRail
#TrainTravel
#RailAdventure
#SlowTravel
#GWR
#IET
#HomewardBound
#NoFlyTravel
#FOSDEM
#FOSDEM2026

Edward Betts Feb 2

Final leg underway

Rolled into St Pancras at 14:17, made it across London, and now settled into a quiet First Class seat on a GWR IET heading back to Bristol. Everything lined up perfectly and it feels great to be gliding west for the last stretch.

After weeks of rails, borders, and night trains, home is in sight. Due into Temple Meads at 16:35.

Anders Gulden Olstad Feb 3

@edward @aviancer I remember London - Paris as a breeze compared to the 25 bus to Ilford. Had to change buses twice due to breakdowns

Dr. Sobek Feb 2

@edward European Sleeper has to deal with a limited and aging rolling stock, acquisition of new rolling stock is pretty much a key challenge for that.

This NL Coop is raising capital right now, btw. (160€ per share, and those who have enough money to invest 2k/34 get discounts on all train ins 2026/26-27).

Jarrod Urban Jan 27

@edward I saw one the last time I was there. For that matter, it might have been the same exact location.

Acesabe Jan 29

@edward
Aka: an otter!

Edward Betts Jan 29

@acesabe Pretty sure it wasn't an otter.

Acesabe Jan 29

@edward
Ah, in Spain they call otters nutrías but they also call tortoises turtles and so on lol
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nutria

Nutria - Wikipedia

Richard Barrell Jan 25

@edward good selfie, too ❤️

Baudouin Feildel Jan 26

@edward how long are you staying in Prague? Do you want to hang out for drink with a fellow internet citizen?

Edward Betts Jan 26

Hi @amdg2!
I’m here until Thursday evening, then heading off on the #HackerTrain (European Sleeper) to #FOSDEM.

I’d normally love to meet up with fellow Internet people, but this time I’m travelling with my girlfriend and our schedule is pretty full, so I don’t think I’ll manage it. Sorry about that, hopefully another time!

Baudouin Feildel Jan 26

@edward no worries, I understand 👍

If you want/need any tip what to do or see in Prague let me know, I'll be happy to help.

Enjoy the gem of central Europe 😀

Bogomil Shopov - Бого Jan 21

@edward coming to Prague?

Edward Betts Jan 21

@bogo Yes.

Arriving into Prague Sunday afternoon.

Leaving Prague on the #HackerTrain to #FOSDEM on Thursday.

Bogomil Shopov - Бого Jan 21

@edward if you have time I'd love to chat

Edward Betts Jan 27

@[email protected] I’d love to, but I’m travelling with my girlfriend and we’ve packed in a lot of sightseeing, so there isn’t really any spare time on this trip.

Let's meet up at FOSDEM. Looking forward to your talk!

Olly Womump Jan 20

@edward awesome! I was retuning Rotterdam to London last night, and stopped next to the departure board at Brussels-Midi. As the list of destinations scrolled past (stops for ages at Brussels) I saw a “Vienne” train announced with a “NJ” head code and thought “wow”. It still amazes me that people can travel far at night. I didn’t take a photo of that, instead, you can have a view from Rotterdam Eurostar lounge, looking down onto a Paris-bound Eurostar (TGV) and assorted NS trains.

@womump It really does feel a bit magical, doesn’t it. Standing there and seeing "Vienne" on the board with an NJ code is one of those moments where long-distance rail suddenly feels very real.

That Rotterdam lounge view is great too. I love those slightly elevated perspectives where you can watch the choreography of trains coming and going. Night trains and high-speed sets crossing paths feels like the best of European rail all at once.

simonbp Jan 20

@edward Yeah the shower makes a difference, when it works. The Caledonian sleeper shower is tiny but functional, Amtrak showers are shared but large, and the one time I took the Sunrise Express, the shower was just broken (very unjapanese). But the best was the Night Riviera, where they don't have showers on the train, but do have some very nice lounge showers that you can book while on the train and use immediately on arrival.