BEST OF. The explosion in travel prices or the new expectations of visitors are stimulating the development of an offer that aims to differentiate itself. But you have to read the clauses to the end. And collect user opinions. The writing of the Figaro Travel tested some of these “good plans”. Verdicts.
Tested, verified and approved. Or not! In 2024, the editorial staff of Figaro Travel verified that certain good deals, services presented as advantageous or effective and other so-called “ethical” trips really were. As always, nuance is required, the context benefits from being clarified. In short, trying it does not always mean adopting it. Here is a selection of the services which seemed emblematic of the developments in the travel sector in 2024. And our verdicts.
Traveling by train in the United Kingdom: Is BritRail Pass worth it?
In the UK, everything is expensive, especially the train. By dissecting the possibilities of reducing the bill, we became interested in the BritRail Pass. Reserved for foreign travelers, this ticket offers on paper half a dozen configurations to enjoy unlimited use of all United Kingdom trains. But there are conditions and things to know… Perfidious Albion!
READ OUR BRITRAIL PASS TEST
Fear of flying: are Air France’s anti-stress courses effective?
The figure may seem excessive and yet, almost one in 5 French people would be aviophobic and would break down at the mere idea of boarding a plane. Dressing up your fear of flying with an ecological speech on Christmas Eve will fool no one: the subject is serious and nothing, not even the very official figures proving that the plane is the safest means of transport in the world, comes calm the anxieties of “aviophobes”.
Aviophobic, our journalist suddenly became one. And his life was never the same again. To the point of borrowing a cargo ship to travel between France and the United States where she had to go for professional reasons. She chose to talk about her pathology, and to complete the “anti-stress” course offered by Air France. His goal? Boarding a plane for her family’s dream trip to Japan. His story in three episodes fascinated our readers and provoked numerous reactions.
READ OUR STORY IN 3 EPISODES
House swapping, don’t put your hand in your pocket, really?
Every time the holidays approach, the house and apartment exchange enthusiasts come out of the woodwork and sing the refrain: “we don’t pay for our accommodation, it’s a great plan, you should try it”.
The market, dominated by Homexchange, is growing steadily and the little music can have an effect when inflation (taxes, prices, etc.) particularly hits accommodation, the second largest expenditure item after transport, if not the first. Is the score without false notes? In return, is it easy to open your home to strangers? Verdict.
READ OUR HOUSE EXCHANGE TEST
Ethical travel: in Casamance who really benefits?
When you visit a country outside of Europe or North America, you have about a 90% chance that life there will be more difficult than at home in one or more aspects (economic, rights, etc.). ). And that tourism is both an actor of emancipation and progress of peoples, but generates painful side effects, sometimes unbearable to our Western eyes: pollution, destruction of fauna and flora, “dysneylandization” of certain communities…
A new avatar of responsible tourism, ethical travel would be driven by a need for meaning. We went to Senegal to check.
READ OUR ETHICAL TRAVEL TEST
Paris-Brussels train: cheaper but slow, what is the new OuiGo worth?
Time is money. By launching a “low speed” OuiGo between Paris and Brussels this December, the SNCF hopes to convince a new clientele whose attraction to low prices (starting price announced at €10) would take precedence over comfort and, above all, travel duration, which is at least doubled.
We turned our backs on the dashing Eurostar to take the flashy OuiGo from Paris and towards the Belgian capital via Creil, Aulnoye-Aymeries, Mons…
READ OUR SLOW OUIGO TEST
On video – TGV: when can you get fined for excess baggage?
”
data-script=”https://static.lefigaro.fr/widget-video/short-ttl/video/index.js”
>
