Many of us assume that if we’re to travel on our holidays or yearly vacation, it’s wise to book a flight or drive there. You may have a novel choice that defines the experience itself, such as a cruise, which of course is its own means of transportation.
However, it’s also true that trains, while highly convenient, often comfortable and providing the means to get around quickly, are rarely brought up as an obvious choice when planning a vacation. There are reasons for this of course – train travel is more precise and the route is already laid out, so perhaps you’re not as free as you would be if renting a car from a road trip.
That being said, centering your travels around the use of trains could be an exciting new prospect, inspire you to travel more widely and even out of your comfort zone, while serving as a convenient and affordable means of doing so.
In this post, we’ll discuss the benefits of vacation train travel, the various experiences you can have here, and what the conveniences of doing it this way can be. Without further ado, let’s begin!
Trains Can Be A Vacation Experience
Most holidays begin with the rush to get there, which often implies the stress of packing, airport queues, or making sure your car is in good enough condition to handle the drive. But there’s something to be said about the journey being enjoyable in its own right, and trains offer that option more than most. There’s a certain romance to it, even. There’s reason many books have been written with trains as the main point (murder mysteries perhaps less appealing compared to the experience you’re looking for on vacation).
This is generally because there’s a calmness to watching the countryside roll by, having space to move around, and not being the one in charge of navigation. This means you can spend hours sitting down with a book, having a chat, or enjoying a drink from the onboard bar, because trains give us a kind of ease that planes and cars just don’t. Better yet you think less about rushing to a destination, and more about being part of your surroundings on the way there.
Overnight Trains Are Underrated
Sleeper trains might not be on the top of everyone’s list, but once you try one, you’ll likely understand the appeal, especially in countries that prioritize them, like Japan. As the name suggests, you board in one city, go to sleep, and wake up somewhere else entirely, which means you can actually sleep your way through a commute. That’s a kind of magic you rarely get with other forms of except for planes, perhaps, but planes are usually accompanied by more travel, not immediate access to the middle of a city.
Such an overnight train will generally offer basic sleeping compartments or even shared couchettes if you have a partner, but some others will have private cabins with beds, washbasins, and yes, even showers. Now, even the expensive ones will be relatively humble in scope, even if they have some nice trimmings, but it’s often more than comfortable, especially when you’re looking to save a night’s accommodation. It’s an adventure and can make you feel like a real explorer..
Train Stations Can Be Hubs For Your Own Exploration
Generally, we consider trains with practicality for getting to A to B, as we do with most travel. As such, your mind might go to early morning commuters or long queues, because most of us take them for work. That said, major hubs like Paris’s Gare de Lyon show that stations can be right at the heart of things, and are connected to many wonderful local towns too.
Better yet, in places like this, you can use conveniences like Gare de Lyon luggage storage that make your journey easier and let you explore the city without carrying luggage so far. Then, when you’re done, you can take a train back to your accommodations quite comfortably, or just keep it moving and keep booking overnight stays in the places you’ve commuted by train to.
Many of the most convenient hotels surround train stations, and while they might not be as cut-rate as some of the budget options outside of main cities, you can still navigate between them quite comfortably.
Rail Passes Can Open Up A Whole Region
If you’ve ever looked into an Interrail or Eurail pass, you’ve probably realized how far they can take you, because with just one single ticket, you can hop through countries, explore cities, or maybe just pay one price for a huge trip that you get to define on your own terms. It’s pretty amazing, especially in Europe.
While these passes aren’t always the cheapest option, especially if you’re only planning to hit a couple of destinations, they’re great for getting around in a flexible way or going from country to country with far less admin than you might otherwise have to plan. They also let you travel in the way that feels best on the day, and not many vacation types allow for that.
Some Countries Make Rail Travel A Dream
The train system is better in some countries than in others. For instance, while the USA is known to have great trains, the infrastructure just isn’t as wide or as flexible as in some other countries. In Switzerland, for example, you’ll find rail services that are heralded for their punctuality, beautiful scenic routes, and connections to some remote mountain villages. J
Japan is another great example, perhaps even one of the best, where the Shinkansen (bullet train) is so fast and efficient that flying often feels unnecessary for domestic travel. That’s pretty amazing for some of us to think about. India has a wide train system that is common and often appreciated by those hoping to do major tours of the country and to soak in its vibrant culture. As such, if you’re hoping to do a full train expedition, it can be worth doing so in a wonderful country you can appreciate.
Train Travel Makes Packing Easier
This is one benefit that few people speak of. You don’t have to be a minimalist to enjoy a more forgiving packing list, and luckily on trains you don’t deal with strict luggage weight limits or the anxiety of lost bags. You can keep your things with you, stow them in the luggage area, or pop smaller bags on the rack above your seat. You can also bring larger suitcases too, and you have access to it for the most part.
That doesn’t mean you’re going to be doing full outfit changes between carriages, but it does let you be more practical, such as by keeping pair of walking shoes, a few changes of clothes, and perhaps a coat for changing climates can be nearer you if needed.
You’re Not Locked Into A Window Seat
Now, this is a convenience if you just like comfort. Unlike planes or long car rides, trains let you walk around, at least within reason. You can at the very least stretch your legs, take a proper bathroom break, or wander to the café carriage when you’re feeling hungry. That kind of mobility can really improve your comfort, especially on longer routes.
If you’re traveling with others, you can easily chat face to face, play card games, or just enjoy a bit of space, perhaps with a table you can sit at and share. The social element of train travel is often ignored, but it’s there, and if you’re going with a group, it can be a fun time.
With this advice, we hope you can reconsider train travel in the best way!
