Geography · Ch 7 — Transport and Communication
The Orient Express
The Orient Express
The Orient Express is one of the most famous long-distance rail routes in the world, connecting the European heartland to the Near East. It is a classic example of how railways can dramatically shorten travel time between major cities compared to sea routes.
The line runs from Paris to Istanbul, passing through a string of important European capitals and cities: Strasbourg, Munich, Vienna, Budapest, and Belgrade. This route links Western Europe to the Balkan Peninsula and Turkey.
The journey from London to Istanbul via the Orient Express now takes 96 hours (four days). Before this rail link, the same trip by sea took 10 days — a reduction of over 60% in travel time.
The chief commodities exported along this rail route reflect the agricultural and industrial output of the regions it passes through:
- Food products: cheese, bacon, oats, wine, fruits
- Industrial goods: machinery …