Rail

Since France introduced its health passport, travellers entering the country from outside the EU had to convert their vaccine passports into a format compatible with the French system. The government will introduce another system whereby travellers must pay for their QR code. Anyone vaccinated outside the EU, Schengen zone, or the UK must use the new system to use the French health passport, or they will be unable to enter cafés, theatres, bars, restaurants and tourist attractions, or use long-distance train travel. Travellers can now only receive their codes through physically visiting and presenting their passport and vaccination certificate at French pharmacies. Previously, travellers had to apply online or by email in advance to obtain their code. The pharmacies will issue a QR code, which travellers can scan into the French TousAntiCovid app to create their health pass for up to 36 Euros.

The Canadian luxury rail-tour company has announced that it has delayed the start of its travel season in the country until at least 5 July 2021; the operator had previously hoped to begin offering services in June.

Italy's main train operator, the state-owned Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane, has announced from April they will begin operating 'COVID-free' train services, including to Italy's main tourist destinations, in time for the Summer season. As part of this initiative, passengers will have to arrive at the station an hour ahead of departure, before being subject to testing for COVID-19 prior to boarding - with train crew also undergoing the same procedure.

London's Luton Airport has welcomed the news that rail operator East Midlands Railway (EMR) is set to introduce a new half hourly non-stop service between London St Pancras and Luton Airport Parkway, the station serving the airport. The new service will be introduced as part of the May 2021 timetable change and is the first significant step towards a separately-branded ‘Luton Airport Express’ service. The service will operate using electric trains and run every 30 minutes between 06.00 and 22.00 (local time) daily, with additional late night and early morning services to serve departures from the airport.

The country's government has announced that from 14 February it will restrict the number of passengers permitted to travel domestically on long-distance trains and buses, in an effort to a curb a rise in infections from COVID-19 variants. Capacity will be limited to 50% if the journey is longer than 150 kilometres, and the measure will be in place until at least the end of May. Exceptions will be made for people who have already bought tickets.