What if the journey started before we even reached our destination? When we think about vacations, we often think about where we’re going… a beach, a city, a mountain, a home where we can put our bags down… But the journey itself is also part of the trip. Taking the time to watch the landscapes go by, stop somewhere along the way, discover a new city en route or simply enjoy not having to drive. This is the vision we share with HURRAIL!, the media platform dedicated to low-carbon travel and slow travel. It’s a partnership that means a lot to us, because we believe it’s possible to change the way we travel without giving up the pleasure of getting away.

Traveling differently, without traveling less

european-sleeper-paris-berlin Rosalie from HOURRAIL ! aboard a European Sleeper night train!

At HomeExchange, we believe responsible tourism isn’t about stopping traveling. It’s instead thinking about how we travel.

Whenever possible, choosing the train over the plane, opting for public transport, traveling less often but for longer, or discovering destinations that can be reached without flying are all ways of reducing the impact of our journeys.

Transport also accounts for a significant share of a trip’s carbon footprint. According to a study by ADEME (the French Agency for Ecological Transition), a long-distance train journey produces an average of 95% fewer CO2 emissions than traveling by plane.

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Did you know? According to ADEME data, transport accounts for 69% of tourism’s carbon footprint, with aviation alone accounting for 29%!

But beyond the figures, traveling by train also offers a different way to experience a journey. The journey itself becomes part of the experience: we pass through varied landscapes, take our time and sometimes discover places we would never have thought of visiting.

That’s exactly what HURRAIL! is about: alternatives to flying that are simple, accessible and, above all… exciting.

HURRAIL!: getting travel back on the right track

train journey planner © HOURRAIL! – The HOURRAIL! train journey planner

HURRAIL! is an independent media platform dedicated to low-carbon travel. It offers itineraries, advice and inspiration for exploring Europe and beyond, with a focus on traveling by train, as well as by ferry or boat-crossings.

It’s a great way to plan a trip without flying, while keeping what makes travel special: adventure, discovery and the unexpected.

Their philosophy can ultimately be summed up in one simple idea: traveling differently doesn’t mean giving something up, it means discovering it in a different way.

And for those who want to take things further, HURRAIL! has created the HURRAIL! Club.

The HURRAIL! Club: a community for traveling differently

HOURRAIL! mobile app © HOURRAIL! – The HOURRAIL! mobile app

The Club brings together people who want to travel more by train and choose low-carbon forms of transport.

By joining the Club, members get access to the Premium version of the HURRAIL! app, designed to make it easier to find train and ferry routes across Europe. They can also enjoy exclusive benefits negotiated with various partners, take part in meetups and support the development of an independent media platform dedicated to a different way of traveling.

The benefits available evolve as new partnerships are added. They include offers on night trains, boat crossings and accommodation.

The idea isn’t simply to offer discounts: it’s also about making low-carbon travel easier to imagine and plan.

Offers for traveling by train differently

And right now, Club members can enjoy two offers in particular:

  • 25% off Eurostar: Until 23 September 2026, when traveling with Eurostar.
  • 20% off Caledonian Sleeper: Until 30 September 2026, to discover the overnight train connecting London and Scotland.

To take advantage of these offers, simply join the HURRAIL! Club before the dates indicated.

And what about HomeExchange members?

As we’re delighted to be part of this adventure, we’ve put together an exclusive code so you can join the HURRAIL! Club at a special rate, with 25% off your Club membership.

Our aim is to make it easier for you to discover this community and the solutions it offers for planning your future trips differently.

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Join the HURRAIL! Club with the code: HOME_EXCHANGE_G4B

What if we enjoyed the journey a little more?

low-carbon travel

Traveling more responsibly doesn’t necessarily mean completely changing our habits. Sometimes it simply starts with a question: what if, for our next trip, we also looked at the possibilities between where we’re starting from and where we’re going?

  • An overnight train instead of a flight,
  • An unexpected stop along the way,
  • A destination that can be reached without flying,
  • A journey we finally take the time to enjoy.

At HomeExchange, we love the idea that travel isn’t just about the destination, but also everything that happens in-between.

What if your next adventure started at the station? 🚆

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Other articles you might be interested in:
> Inspiring stories from our community: low-carbon travel
> Travelling low-carbon with children: our tips
> 10 of the most beautiful train journeys in Europe for your next vacation
> 10 questions about the night train
> Calculate the carbon footprint of your trip
> Why home exchanging can be a more sustainable way to go on vacationTraveling by night-train with the children