Top Rail Travel Tips

1.  Think of a rail trip as an adventurous experience rather than merely being transported from A to B. Unlike flying you can plan an intricate meandering route and get off and stay wherever you want.  Why not pick a place you’re unfamiliar with & break your journey to explore for a few hours or stay overnight?

2.  Remember you’re travelling, not commuting – don’t rush, enjoy what happens rather than wanting it to be different. A delay is an opportunity to see or do something unexpected.  ‘Leaves on the track’ and ‘the wrong kind of snow’ are expresions only heard in the UK!      

3.  Take one suitcase. Most people pack far too much, there are few places in the world where you can’t pick up necessities.  It’s a great moment to try something different: in Greece the wonderful shampoo I bought turned out to be fabric conditioner, and we survived!   

4.  Do you really need to travel as fast as possible – in Europe the tickets on slower trains (non-express) are often half price or less.  The many and varied views from your window are all part of your journey and add to a sense of adventure, as well as really showing changes in topography, a living geography lesson.

5.  Overnight sleeper trains can be a bargain, not only do they save on accommodation costs, enable you to arrive feeling fresh, they also reduce the perceived length of a journey.  And they are often a totally wonderful experience, with a chance to really enjoy the differences in culture, tea and chapattis for breakfast in India for example. The romance of Agatha Christie tales spring to mind as well, though not the murders we hope.

6.  Except on luxury trains, food is often airline quality so take your own along with a bottle of wine. M&S at the St Pancras Eurostar terminal sell wine in cleverly sealed plastic glasses.  Alternatively, a quick foray into a local food shop on your journey can be interesting!  In Japan what’s on the picture bears no resemblance to what’s in the packet – beware.

7.  European rail passes can be good value but there are many rules like having to make a seat reservation on many routes which reduces the simplicity. Unless you use a pass extensively, buying local tickets can work out cheaper because most European rail fares are a fraction of the price in the UK. A slow train from Venice to Rome costs from £35 second class & £44 first class.

8.  For maximum simplicity consider a rail & accommodation package with a UK provider where all rail tickets, timetabled itinerary, accommodation at stopover destinations & emergency backup are provided before departure. Railbookers in London do this & a recent London to Venice rail trip, stopping over in Switzerland, worked out cheaper than booking everything independently on the web.

148 people found this helpful
17391

Share Article:

Peter Lynch

Journalist, rail and wildlife specialist & contributor to Great Train Journeys of the World

Leave a comment

*

Sign up to our newsletter to receive the latest travel tips on top destinations.

Join the club

Become a member to receive exclusive benefits

Our community is the heart of Silver Travel Advisor, we love nothing more than sharing ideas, inspiration, hints and tips between us.

Most Recent Articles

There’s something refreshingly nostalgic about the quintessential British coach holiday….

Come feel the love on a Princess cruise. You’ll enjoy the MedallionClass experience others simply can’t, and it’s exclusively for everyone. Visit incredible destinations and be involved in the best experiences around each one of them.

Experience more with Princess and connect effortlessly with the world around you, spend time away with loved ones, take a moment for yourself, and fall in love with your holiday of a lifetime, every time.

With over 20 years of experience, Wendy Wu Tours has mastered the art of creating exceptional, fully inclusive tours which showcase the very best of each destination.

Each tour is led by a world-class guide, who will highlight the very best of their homeland, and includes authentic cultural experiences so you are not just seeing the sights, but truly immersing yourself in local life.

Say hello to ease at sea. Ambassador’s purpose is simple: they want to inspire every guest to experience authentic cruising, effortlessly and sustainably. Passionate about protecting our oceans and destinations, their ships comply with the highest industry emission standards and there is no single-use plastic on board.

On your voyage, you will receive the warmest of welcomes from the Ambassador community as you sail upon the friendliest ships afloat.

This is a global co-operative co-owned by local partners using real local experts and guides, which supports local communities, environments and wildlife. It offers travellers quirky places to stay, activity holidays and learning experiences. Not In The Guidebooks gets travellers off the beaten track into local culture with day experiences and longer, immersive adventures.

From wild wellness breaks in Wales to painting in Portugal, sustainable adventures in Mauritius to food safaris in Brazil, this is immersive, exciting travel.

Seabourn’s five intimate ships carry guests to the heart of great cities, exclusive yacht harbours and secluded coves around the world, while two new purpose-built expedition ships will combine exhilarating adventures in remote destinations with the sophisticated amenities of the world’s finest resorts at sea.

From the luxury of all suite accommodations to complimentary fine wines and spirits, and a no tipping policy, Seabourn exemplifies the definition of travelling well.