Train tips and lists

By: Barry Sheppard
Submitted: 2007-06-06 00:59:54
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

TRAIN Tips & Lists

These tips are in no particular order. Things I have found to be more than useful in all my trips by rail.

My greatest journey was from Birmingham in England to Los Angeles in California without going anywhere near an airport. I didn't want to anyway since we'd come down in Siberia on my way back from Tokyo. Didn't fly again for 20 odd years and enjoyed it all. Seen and learnt more than I could have in a plane.

Same applies to Europe. Travelled all over by train with Total Freedom. Train travel gives you the ability to do exactly what you want. Stop anywhere you take a fancy to. Plan or no plan. Who cares although I do suggest some sort of plan in the Tip section. Wherever it takes you. Paris to Milan. Go to Venice. Shall I go North, East, West or South? Decide on Barcelona. Like that, so spend couple of days or more. Whatever suits you. Fancy popping down to the Algarve in Portugal. Yes I'll have a week here.

I'm sure by now you have the idea.

Also forget the idea that the trains are meant for students only. Don't think I've seen them on the Orient Express and don't think you'll see them on a lot of rail trips. See mine and others journeys all over the world when you get to my website.

If possible, plan your train journey before you start, or even the beginning of it, and plan the rest on the train. Take a small notebook/and pen and get all the details written down. Get a few phrases written down-words like Hello, thank you, how much, where is and what time etc. It pays off to speak even a little of the language of the country you are visiting. The natives love it and will help you because you have made the effort.

On long distance - travel overnight by train. Usually cheaper than hotel rooms and you don't waste time. Get to your destination the next morning. As an example I have left Paris in the evening, had a meal on the train, gone to bed/sleep and next morning. Voila. Nice in Southern France or Madrid in Spain or somewhere I chose in Italy and other destinations all over Europe. Some breakfast either on the train or off it and ready to go refreshed for the day.

Don't take a suitcase. Best with a type of largish back pack whatever age you are. Inside that a smaller easily carry-able day pack because you can leave most of your main luggage at Left Luggage Facilities at the Railway stations. And don't forget to get some wheels for the large pack. Makes even easier.

Put all your documents together before you leave. Passport. Any Visas needed. Driving Licence. Credit Cards. Take a photocopy of all of it. Get some passport type photos at your local store. Ideal if Visa needed anywhere. Put main docs in a very safe place about your person. Perhaps in one of those body wallets. The photocopies elsewhere. Split monies into various pockets.

Which brings me to the next tip. Use one of those multi pocketed sleeveless light jackets. Pockets all over the place.

Inside pockets ideal for monies and passports.

This one is more of a list for you to consider taking. Tissues or Toilet Roll. Wipes for refresh and clean. Combined corkscrew/bottle & tin opener. Good thick reading book. Fruit. Bottled water. Pack of cards and one of those combined game sets of dominoes chess etc. Pen & Paper (Use the notebook) Mini Magelite. Sunglasses and sun lotion. Audio set for Wireless/News/Tapes/Music/Learning. Don't forget the headphones. Mobile phone with charger/adapter, if you must. I always take a baguette and maybe ham, corned beef, tomatoes and a flask of hot water. Some sachets of tea sugar and milk. Take it all I say. Why not. No luggage restrictions here. You could even take a Bike with panniers and if travelling say from America, buy the bike when you arrive in Europe.

Wear comfortable loose clothes. Take a blow up pillow. Maybe even eyeshades. Kick off shoes.

Get a pass for all the train travel in the countries you intend to visit. Do all this before you leave. Some passes cover border cities not even on the pass. List of all websites you may need on your travels. My website covers passes.

In Europe, couchettes (seat goes back for sleeping) are the cheapest method on a train. Private sleepers are available but cost a fair bit more. If using any sleeping facilities overnight and in some cases just travelling by night you must make reservations. The TGV or THALYS in France, TAV in Italy, AVE and TALGO 200 for Spain & Portugal. All these high speed trains mentioned also need to be booked for any day or night travel.

Make friends with other travellers. Don't forget the conductor-a bundle of information on the local scenes. Learn from them and pick up tips which I'd love to hear about. The local people will always know of some special place or thing. Pal them up.

Travel in Europe is well within reach without setting foot in any airport. I've travelled all over Europe by train. You can't beat it. You can keep being stuck up 3 miles high with no where to go and nothing to see.

Details of rail journeys all over the world can be found at www.traintravellers.com. You can email me at info@b1zz.com

You are totally flexible. You can buy an InterRail Pass for a month if you wish. Covers 8 zones 30 countries.

THE PASSES

Inter-Rail tickets come in three types:

A one-zone pass, valid for 16 days, costing £145 for under-26s, £215 over 26, £108 for under-12s.

A two-zone pass, valid for 22 days, costing under-26s £205, £295 over 26 under-12s £148

An all-zone ("global") pass, valid for one month, costing under-26 £285, £405 over 26, under-12s £203.

There are eight zones, covering 29 countries, from Finland to Morocco and from Spain to Turkey. For more information, visit www.interrailnet.com.

ZONE MAP

Inter Rail is a special rail pass with no age restrictions for unlimited travel in 2nd class. Inter Rail includes 29 countries in Europe and in North Africa. You will see below the various zones

United Kingdom, Ireland

Norway, Sweden, Finland

Denmark, Switzerland, Austria, Germany

Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bosnia-Herzegovina

France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Belgium

Morocco, Spain, Portugal

Greece, Slovenia, Turkey, Italy

Ancona/Bari/Brindisi Korfu/ Patras Romania, Yugoslavia, Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia, Bulgaria

Barry Sheppard, an established author and filmmaker, has written over 140 articles on train travel www.traintraveller.com

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Travel & Leisure category

  • Australian Student Activities and Highlights - By: Dexter Nicholson
    Culture shock is probably the most abrupt effect felt by new international students studying in Australia. The Land of Opportunities is multicultural, this is something that student visa holders should know right before they decide to study down south. However, possessing multiple types of culture is not a negative issue. It can actually ease up your aim for faster adjustments. Even though you're novice to an Australian life, everything will be easier and handy. Coping up with the new environment is just like learning the alphabet. Everything will come automatic. Because as you try to keep up with an Australia life, most of the people around you would slow down and help you learn what you need to learn. Boredom and homesick is a big joke because there are a lot of recreations waiting for you inside and outside your school.
  • Recommended Budget Hotels in New York - By: Larry Austin
    New York City is the most populated city in the United States and even as a region New York is very popular among travelers. This is the number one destination in the Untied States for foreign visitors as it is the cultural, financial, entertainment, industrial, fashion and commercial center of the United States.
  • The Old Vicarage Ambleside Guest House Now Has an Indoor Swimming Pool - By: Kathleen Maze
    The Lake District is best known for its lakes but there is also a phenomenal amount of walking that can be enjoyed by all abilities. It is easy to find something suitable for all abilities, ranging from a gentle ramble, a mountain walk or an exhilarating high-level traverse.
  • 3 Ways Beach Chairs Make a Day at the Beach Bearable - By: MJ Marks
    Not sure if you are a beach type persons? Well, find out how beach chairs keep you comfortable and happy at the beach.
  • Working Students in Australia - By: Dexter Nicholson
    A lot of families and individual cannot support their studies so they either look for a scholarship, not study at all or work part time. As education is very important for the development of the young mind, every thing should be done to be able to get that diploma. Read more for the working students in Australia.
  • Six Reasons Why to Choose Aluminum Beach Chairs - By: MJ Marks
    If you go on a tropical getaway this summer, don't forget your beach chair! A great option are aluminum beach chairs. Here are six reasons why you should consider them for your
  • Tourism After Katrina - By: Jesse Henson
    Hurricane Katrina affected not only the local populations but also the once-thriving tourist industry in the area.
  • 101Malta and 101Dublin - a far cry from the usual online travel guides - By: Luciano Borg
    Log on to any site that claims to be your perfect travel guide and what do you get - a multitude of travel deals. Wherever you click you are instantly overwhelmed with special offers: book this, buy that, fly with us, hop on this, reserve that!
  • Getting in Touch with Nature in Malta - By: Luciano Borg
    The Maltese countryside is small and, like that of many other countries, threatened by over development. Thankfully, there is still enough of it that is protected to help one get away from the urban areas on the Island to be able to get in touch with nature.
  • Wreck Diving in Malta - the paradise of the Mediterranean Sea - By: Luciano Borg
    The Maltese Archipelago is a real paradise for divers and snorkellers. In the case of wreck diving, for many it is a dream come true. The islands have fortunately retained their natural state due, to a large extent, to the sea and its fauna.