Train travel has so much more to offer the traveller than simply getting from A to B; some train journeys are adventures in themselves, invariably generating good memories and they can be a vacation in themselves.
It doesn’t involve the tremendous hassle of airport queues nor does it have the monotonous uniformity of air travel where you’re anonymously processed like a piece of labelled cargo - strapped into a seat until you can be off-loaded.
I’ll take the train over the plane any day. Here are some useful tips:
InterRail have an excellent website for planning journeys and they can book necessary reservations for sleeper trains and high-speed routes. Non-EU residents buy a Eurail pass which is basically the same and has some useful advantages
Download the really useful InterRail planning app (and route map) which works on iPhone and Android devices and is great for checking times and routes whilst travelling
Planning pays off if you want a leisurely and comfortable trip, especially pre-booking at least the first nights accommodation at each destination
Use overnight trains to save on accommodation costs and minimise perceived travelling time, but there are supplements to pay
For short trips between destinations it may sometimes be sensible to take a bus or buy a local train ticket and save a rail pass travel day for longer journeys
Although you can usually take as much luggage as your like, its sensible to pack light and only take one bag to reduce transit hassle
Decent restaurant carriages are very rare so buy your favourite picnic food and drink for long journeys and skip the overpriced and invariably poor fare from the snack trolley
Whatever it is that you enjoy at home for relaxation - reading, music, games, films - take some with you for long journeys or station waitsYou can reserve seats at any station on your day of travel, but during high season (June-September) reserve seats as far in advance as possible if you need to travel on a specific train - especially French TGV, Thalys and sleeper trains
For maximum flexibility check the InterRail website option to search routes and timetables for trains that don’t need reservations
It doesn’t involve the tremendous hassle of airport queues nor does it have the monotonous uniformity of air travel where you’re anonymously processed like a piece of labelled cargo - strapped into a seat until you can be off-loaded.
I’ll take the train over the plane any day. Here are some useful tips:
InterRail have an excellent website for planning journeys and they can book necessary reservations for sleeper trains and high-speed routes. Non-EU residents buy a Eurail pass which is basically the same and has some useful advantages
Download the really useful InterRail planning app (and route map) which works on iPhone and Android devices and is great for checking times and routes whilst travelling
Planning pays off if you want a leisurely and comfortable trip, especially pre-booking at least the first nights accommodation at each destination
Use overnight trains to save on accommodation costs and minimise perceived travelling time, but there are supplements to pay
For short trips between destinations it may sometimes be sensible to take a bus or buy a local train ticket and save a rail pass travel day for longer journeys
Although you can usually take as much luggage as your like, its sensible to pack light and only take one bag to reduce transit hassle
Decent restaurant carriages are very rare so buy your favourite picnic food and drink for long journeys and skip the overpriced and invariably poor fare from the snack trolley
Whatever it is that you enjoy at home for relaxation - reading, music, games, films - take some with you for long journeys or station waitsYou can reserve seats at any station on your day of travel, but during high season (June-September) reserve seats as far in advance as possible if you need to travel on a specific train - especially French TGV, Thalys and sleeper trains
For maximum flexibility check the InterRail website option to search routes and timetables for trains that don’t need reservations
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