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Tim Richards

Tim Richards

Travel writer

Tim Richards fell into travel writing after living and teaching in Egypt and Poland. He’s a light packing obsessive, and is especially drawn to the former communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Follow him on Instagram @aerohaveno

Traditional wooden boats cross the Mekong with Cai Be church in the background.

The spirit of Vietnam bursts into life along the Mekong

During a cruise on the Mekong River, an excursion proves nourishing in more ways than one.

  • Tim Richards
Mekong Serenity on the river.

A perfect home away from home on the Mekong

Vietnam and Cambodia may be countries bristling with energy, but serenity abounds when you swap the rails for the river.

  • Tim Richards
The MAV Corona is a comfortable throwback to an earlier era of train travel.

This overnight train through Eastern Europe is a Cold War thriller

The Corona is a welcome blast from the past, a charming sleeper train with full dining car trundling through the mists of Transylvania.

  • Tim Richards
Budapest Keleti railway station was built between 1881 and 1884.

This grand old station is the perfect place to begin a train journey

An impressive survivor from the golden age of rail, this European hub has been updated and modernised for 21st-century travel.

  • Tim Richards
A PKP Intercity train at the station.

Rude awakening aside, this old-school European sleeper is a pleasant ride

Have your tickets ready for a middle-of-the-night inspection by border guards if travelling overnight from Poland to the Czech Republic.

  • Tim Richards
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One of the Vinelander stops along the Silo Art Trail.

One of Australia’s great lost rail journeys is back (with a twist)

It’s been impossible to catch a scheduled passenger rail service to Mildura since 1993. Now a heritage rail operator has filled the gap.

  • Tim Richards
Poland still uses its own currency, the zloty.

Trying to avoid seven currencies on one trip, I opted to go cashless

Across eight countries in Europe, six of which do not use the euro, I attempted to travel without getting out any cash. I succeeded (mostly).

  • Tim Richards
The Sofia-Istanbul Express.

There’s a rude awakening (and no dining) on board this sleeper train

A ride on the comfortable Sofia-Istanbul Express includes a dramatic border crossing in the middle of the night.

  • Tim Richards
Seats are stylish and curvy, though a fully reclined seat in front feel intrusive.

This superjumbo’s premium economy gets a perfect score

It’s clearly more comfortable than economy, and even has a hint of business class in its food offering and stylish cabin.

  • Tim Richards
Scenic delights en route to Oxford.

Can’t afford the Orient Express? This train offers a taste of its decadence

Brexit complications mean this luxurious, art-deco train now runs day trips from London, instead of chugging across Europe.

  • Tim Richards