7 Tips for Making the Most of Train Travel

Train travel is back baby, and by all accounts this year is set to be a boom year. There was a time when train travel was the most important form of long distance transport, but the introduction of commercial airlines in the 1940s saw demand dwindle. Now, in the post pandemic era when focus and priorities have shifted, trains are seeing a new surge in demand. That’s why we’ve put together this list of 7 tips for making the most of train travel.

But first let’s take a look at some of the factors behind this trend toward train travel:

Some articles in my blog contain affiliate links. If you book or buy through these links I earn a small commission at no cost to you, which helps support this blog. You can find more information about this in my Privacy Policy.

 

BEHIND THE TREND – BENEFITS OF TRAIN TRAVEL

Sustainable Travel

Studies have shown that travelling by train can cut CO2 emissions by as much as 90% when compared to flying. And as trains get more advanced and more popular (fuller trains), the impact of switching is likely to get even bigger.

We all know why this is important. We’ve all heard the warnings from climate change scientists and the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). But we also all remember what the air was like at the height of pandemic restrictions. That’s what is helping shape the trend toward ‘greener travel’.

Greater Flexibility

Trains tend to run much more frequently than planes, and don’t have the same need to arrive 2-3hrs early to allow for checking luggage and getting through security.

Booking at the last minute, like 10 mins before, is also possible. This offers travellers much more flexibility with day trips and shorter journeys, which is especially useful for families with young children.

More Convenient 

By avoiding the construction, congestion and weather delays, train travel is much quicker than by road, but carries none of the burdens of flying. There’s rarely luggage restrictions and certainly none of the fluid restrictions.

The space available to you is also much greater, which is much more convenient for families. It means that you have space to keep children entertained, enjoy lunch, and sit in relative comfort compared to flying.

Affordability 

This isn’t always the case, but generally speaking train travel tends to be cheaper than flying. It also tends to be cheaper than road travel, especially when you factor in tolls and congestion charges.

What’s more is many countries often have rail discounts and travel cards to encourage tourism, such is the case with Germany. Even more have public transport offers for getting around specific cities as is the case in Switzerland.

Get to the Heart of the Matter

Unlike flying, travelling by train means that you can usually travel from city centre to city centre, without the worry of road congestion and parking charges. 

Window with a View

We go into this a little more later in this post, but some of the best views can be seen from the window of a train. Something that isn’t possible on a plane.

 

TRAIN TRAVEL TIPS – MAKING THE MOST OF TRAIN TRAVEL

Do Your Research

Just like any other form of travel you need to be clear about what your needs and requirements are, and therefore whether travelling by train is a viable option for you. 

Is train travel affordable where you want to go or would flying/ driving be cheaper? 

Are trains in your destination country reliable? 

Are there direct trains? 

Are there likely to be strikes or repair works during the time you want to travel? 

Which station in your destination city is the closest to your accommodation? 

These are just some of the questions you need to ask yourself. The idea here is to find out whether train travel is your best solution, whether there are limitations and whether there is anything you need to consider. 

For example, it’s not a viable option if the trains don’t run on days or time that you need to travel. You won’t know this unless you research thoroughly.

Weigh Up the Pros & Cons

Having done your research, try to weigh up how your needs might be best met. A scenic train journey may sound idyllic, especially if it’s the cheapest method. But, if you’re limited on time, is a long train journey your best option? 

Think about what’s most important to you. What are your priorities? Is it time? Money? Or is it sustainable travel, or even the ability to be flexible especially on journeys with multiple legs. 

Having your priorities in mind will help you decide. But remember that this isn’t an all or nothing situation. There’s no reason why travel can’t include a mix and match.

Make it Part of Your Experience

One of the joys of train travel is that for many it’s not just a form of transport. Unlike being on a plane, train journeys still allow you to experience the word around you. In fact some train journey’s provide some of the best views on earth.

Travelling by train isn’t always just about getting from A to B. It can be an experience all on its own. Like the Jacobite Express that runs between Fort William and Mallaig in the Scottish Highlands. A line made famous by the Harry Potter movies.

Or how about taking an epic route across four countries on the Golden Eagle Danube Express between Istanbul and Budapest. Or maybe travel through the Swiss Alps and take in the magnificent scenery between St Moritz and Zermatt on the Glacier Express.

You can see from these examples how significant the journey itself can be to the experience. It doesn’t have to be grand or budget busting either. Think about a day trip on a steam train, or even just an hour-long journey on a route known for its fantastic views.

Book in Advance…..Way in Advance

In the majority of cases, the earlier you book the better, and cheaper it will be. This may not be the case everywhere. Some European countries have standardised ways to price journeys based on distance. 

We’ve been caught out a few times. You check prices 3–4 months in advance, the prices don’t seem too expensive and you carry on  researching thinking you have plenty of time. When you eventually go to book, prices have doubled or even tripled.

Do your research early on, finalise your route, and as soon as you do book, book, book!! You don’t want to blow the budget just because you left it too late..

There’s an App for That

It goes without saying that the majority of the time you will have no issues pre-booking tickets online via the operators website. However, it will also often be the case that the operator will have an app that you can download.

Through an app you’ll be able to book tickets, check train times, and check for delays. This should make it easier while on the go.

It’s also worth knowing that a lot of  the time European trains are bookable via the Trainline app. This means you only need the one app.

Avoid Peak and Busy Times

Peak times such as rush hour, festive periods and special events (i.e. sporting events or concerts) can have a huge impact on train fares. Avoiding these periods by doing a little research will really help your budget.

Busy periods also mean longer queues at the ticket office or ticket machine, fewer seats and occupied toilets, and a harder time getting to and within the station. Again, either try as best you can to avoid these periods but if you can’t , see if you can pre-book a specific seat. This way you won’t be left sitting in the walkway on your suitcase.

Travel Light & Organised

Just because you don’t have to pay for your luggage to be checked doesn’t mean you need to bring your whole wardrobe. Remember that you’ll need to be able to get all your things on and off trains, and up and down stairs. So do yourself a favour and travel light – your back will thank you for it.

Similarly, being organised can mean the difference between sailing through a train change without a hiccup or being left on the platform a blubbering mess having missed your connecting train with one of your bags is on its way back to Cardiff!

Compact and light luggage should be your new best friend. 

 

CONCLUSION

It’s clear that train travel has significant benefits, not least of which is the reduced environmental impact when compared to flying. But on top of that the flexibility, convenience and affordability offered by train travel is what is driving demand. It’s an old form of transport, but you know what they say…..’the oldies are the best’!

Now that you’re armed with our top 7 tips for making the most of train travel, why not take a look at post on the 5 best train journeys in Europe that you can do without breaking the bank. Feel free to comment below or contact us and let us know about your next epic train journey or if you’d like to make recommendations for us. Finally, check out our other posts for more travel tips and destination guides.

Like this post? PIN IT!