Over the last fifteen years of travelling together, a few travel experiences have cemented themselves as must dos. One of these is the chance to try out a train in each new country we visit. From rickety night trains in Myanmar to super smooth intercity European trains via the great, silver snakes that slowly wind across North America, they all have something to offer. We know that you will fall in love with train travel too, and this is why.

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1.) The Comfort Level

If you have ever been stuck in a middle seat, on a 4-hour flight, with little to no legroom, this is for you! On a train, seat pitch is usually much greater than in your average economy seat. Even at five foot, I have been in plane seats where my knees are close to the seat in front of me, but never on a train. Groups can often fid a spot to sit all together which is much more sociable, able to chat easily.

You can also stand up and stretch, go for a wander or pop to the loo whenever you fancy. (Although it is still wise to avoid using the loo when in stations on older trains or when the ticket inspector is coming around). With no pesky seatbelt signs or laws, you are free to roam. 

2.) You Can Picnic

Sure you can have a few bits on a plane but what you can bring with you, fit in your hand luggage and can squeeze on those tiny trays is limited. On a train, you can find a table and spread out a little. If booking tickets in advance you can even request a table which gives you better chance of nabbing one. You also don’t have to worry about bringing liquids meaning you can have plenty of water/wine and yummy sauces/dips.

The other advantage, is that the only designated driver is the one hired by the train company. You are free to have an alcoholic beverage, as long as public drinking is allowed in the country you’re travelling in. In the UK for example, it is perfectly normal for people to share a six pack on the way home from work on a Friday night, or for people to have a drink or two on the way to a fun event. 

3.) Station Locations

The convenience of travelling from city centre to city centre cannot be understated. This is especially true for those airports that don’t have public transport connections…(Why do they still exist)? A short walk or bus/metro ride to your hotel after a train journey is so much nicer than the long journey from the airport. This could mean that a break between journeys that would otherwise involve sitting in the airport can instead be used for some quick sightseeing. Many European train stations have lockers that you can pay to use, meaning you can run around hands-free. 

Now, this isn’t true all over the globe. The USA in particular will leave it’s Amtrak passengers miles from town sometimes. Just do your research ahead of time so you aren’t stuck.

4.) No Luggage Restrictions…to a Point

Most trains don’t have luggage restrictions. Some long-distance sleeper trains encourage checking your big bags for the journey but this is the exception rather than the rule. Really, on most train journeys the only restriction is your ability to get it to the train, hoist it up and get it off again. There are normally luggage storage areas for larger bags. Just remember to sit where you can see your luggage or to secure it with a cable lock or similar, just in case any opportunistic folks decide to take your suitcase off at the next station.

The other nice things about train travel is that liquid restrictions don’t really exist. Feel free to pack your big bottle of shampoo or a bottle of bubbly home from Italy.

The only outlier is the Eurostar which does have certain rules that are more like those you might find on a aeroplane when it comes to luggage.

Some things you might need to check about are:

• Pets
• Bicycles
• Instruments
• Sports Equipment
• Alcohol
• Prohibited Items

5.) You Can Take in the View

Travelling at 30,000 feet does produce some amazing views across the clouds, beautiful sunsets and some cool views of mountain tops. However, being at ground level, moving rather slower, there is so much more to see.

Some trains have routes so gorgeous that they are a tourist attractions in their own right. There is a reason you may have heard of the Glacier Express and that train that runs through the island of Sri Lanka between Kandy to Badulla (Ella).

6.) It’s Environmental Impact

Better for the world than driving, or flying, taking the train is one of the greenest modes of transport around. Let’s take London to Paris as a quick example (and probably the most extreme). Taking a flight is around 68.54kg of CO2 pp + another 58.56kg of “secondary effect from high level non-CO2 emissions”. Taking the Eurostar is only 2.88kg of CO2 total. Driving it (if you could) would be 82.08kg for a single person in a car. You can see that taking the train makes a huge difference.

7.) Hassle-Free Travel

Arriving at the station fifteen minutes before your train departs with no security lines is a breeze. Compare that to arranging a rental car or the general faff involved in airport travel and you will see how hassle-free a journey by train is. The most hassle you’ll receive is having your ticket checked at some point along the route.

The clack of the rails, the gentle vibration of the windows and the scenery slipping by all make train travel incredibly relaxing. You are not in control and so you don’t have to make any effort to watch for traffic or road signs. Instead you can sleep, watch a film, read a book or just enjoy the view.

8.) Flexibility

You can easily book a train that allows you to travel at any time on a certain date. Some open returns here in the UK allow you take the return leg any time within a month. It gives you so much choice.

Some countries have travel asses (Germany and Switzerland for example) with which you can travel anywhere and at any time within say, a month. Interrail/Eurail even have multi-country passes that allow travel on an any given day in periods all the way up to three months. Flight passes like these are rare and changing regular flights can be time-consuming and expensive.

9.) Train Travel is an Adventure

Commit to trains not withstanding, catching a long distance train can be such an adventure. This is especially true if you are travelling in a country you don’t live in. Working out the timetables, buying your tickets and getting to the right platform at the right time can sometimes be a challenge, but it is so rewarding. Then there are overnight trains. Having a bed for the night, falling asleep in one location and waking up in another is always exciting. You can even take it to extremes, and travel for up to 7 nights on the same train.

10.) Buckets of Nostalgia

Whether you have fond memories of your train journeys as a child, or for a time gone by when steam trains criss-crossed the countryside full of Agatha Christie murder mysteries, there is a huge amount of nostalgia for train travel. Of course steam locomotives, and restored vintage carriages are the epitome of classic train travel, but even some modern trains can spark sense of romanticism.

11.) Affordability

Train tickets can be extremely cheap when booked in advance. If you know where you want to go and when, there are some seriously low prices to be snapped up. in much of the world train tickets are based on distance, hit a certain level, and the prices do not increase at all. This is vastly different from airline prices which, after a certain point, will only ever go up. 

Then, once again, consider night trains. Not only is the price of your journey sorted but it covers your accommodation too. You have saved a hotel fee and gain some time back on your trip as well. 

Finally, if you are delayed, claiming your money back is so much easier! Many train companies have delay repay schemes. In the UK, you put in the time of your train, when it arrived, (they check it to make sure you’re not making things up) and then a refund is issued. They have set amounts of refund depending on how late your train works. Many European countries have similar schemes and they all pay out with a much shorter delay, and in a much more timely manner, than most airlines.

12.) Getting Social

Now, I am not saying you have to start talking to every carriage-mate you have. In fact, as a Londoner, this gives me the horrors. However, sometimes you can make some fast train friends. People who are off to big events are so ready to chat with like-minded people (especially if they have a drink or two with them). Delays are another moment people tend to come together. The collective eye rolls, leading to sad sighs are a beautiful bonding moment.

Final Thoughts

I know the name of this blog is Flying Fluskey but I think I love trains just as much as I love flying. I will continue to find any excuse to travel across the world by rail. I hope this inspires you to fall in love with train travel too.

Rosie xx