Tren de Soller

[Joseph_Pestell]

In Majorca earlier this week and managed to take a trip on the Tren de Soller (and the associated tramway down to Port de Soller). It celebrates its centenary this year.

 

I was rather disappointed. It's a victim of its own success and charges a very high fare for a rather disappointing experience. Carriages have been much "restored" in recent years and lack the character they had when I was last there (40 years ago). Ordinary passengers (if you can be called ordinary when you are paying €28) are very much second-best to the special trains laid on for organised groups. A jack-booted lady in a black shirt was refusing (very aggressively) all access to Soller station when these special trains were due.

 

I can't see why they could not run a better timetable and just reserve some of the carriages for the tour groups.

 

The other lines on Majorca are now modernised and run, together with a new Metro line) from a very impressive train/bus interchange sited below the site of the original terminus and carriage sheds.

[The Dorset Wanderer]

I always found it better to travel on the non tourist trams- doing it myself rather than an organised tour was always cheaper- about a third of the cost.

The bus ride through the mountains back to Alcudia is spectacular. It was always unnerving getting tickets as the booking office opened a few minutes before the Tram departed- bonus was the bus from Alcudia terminated across the road.

Steve

[br2975]

I've often found that booking thro' the hotel, or travel company incurs a higher price than travelling as a 'walk up' passenger.

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It's many years since I last visted Soller and Puerto de Soller, things may have changed.(I'll have to dig out my photos)

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As an example, whilst staying in Sorrento I asked the hotel receptionist if they could book me on an organised trip to Pompeii.

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Yes he could, but he advised me to walk the short distance to the station, catch a train (whoopee !) for Napoli (not so whoopee !) which stops almost directly outside the 'ruins' at Pompeii - for a fraction of the price, and allowing us much more time at the site.

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Brian R

[Joseph_Pestell]

The inclusive coach + boat + tram + train trips were actually reasonable value at €50. But my fiancee is not that keen on boats if the sea is at all choppy and does not do coaches at all.