Travelling by train is not only relaxing, it's better for the environment and at times a lot of fun. Here are 6 reasons to travel by train on your next holiday.
I’ve always loved travelling by train and the more I travel the more I fall in love with it. I’ve spent countless hours studying route maps and planning my next adventure. Train travel is more popular than ever, and new lines are opening around the world every year. In Europe, lines that have been shut for decades are beginning to reopen.
Most people talk about cost when they're weighing up which mode of transport to use. Depending on which country or continent you are on, trains can be a fraction of the price of flying or an added expense. For this reason, I’ve listed 6 reasons to travel by train, without factoring in the cost.
1. It Lowers Your Carbon Footprint
The travel industry is one of the largest contributors to global climate change, and as travel becomes more accessible the environmental consequences are only getting worse.
Sceptics can point out that flying doesn't account for that large a percentage of emissions in places like Australia and the US. However, those of us that can afford to fly regularly are already producing, per capita, more than our fair share of carbon emissions. So even if you only fly once or twice a year, switching to train travel is an easy way to lower your overall footprint.
So, how much better is taking the train than flying or driving? The exact numbers vary depending on distance, how full the train/plane is, and whether it is electric or diesel. This article by the BBC helps make sense of the differing levels of emissions for each transport option. Also, keep in mind that taking a long-distance cruise can be up to twice as bad for the environment as flying.
2. See more, by doing less
Taking a train trip through a country is one of the easiest ways to see and learn about places off the beaten path. As more and more countries adopt freeways and by-passes, traveling by bus, or even car can be incredibly tedious. A lot of train lines follow tracks that have existed for decades and many can pass through dense forests or hug the sides of mountains. I can happily spend hours looking out the window and imagining what life must be like for the people who live there.
And as an added bonus, it requires very little physical or mental stress! At some point throughout your travels, you will burn out. Even people who are completely fit and healthy underestimate the challenge of traveling for more than a few days at a time. Whether you plan it in advance or spontaneously change your plans, train trips are the perfect way to chill out and learn more about a country.
3. Freedom
Long-haul journeys can be incredibly tiring, especially for people with chronic pain or fatigue. After traveling by bus or plane for hours I usually end up with horrendous back pain and muscle weakness in my legs. Regularly getting out of my seat and doing a few small stretches can make a huge difference, but my ability to do this in a car or bus is restricted.
There's always more room to move on a train. There's usually a restaurant or buffet car, and almost no restrictions prohibiting you from walking through other carriages. It's not uncommon for you to have two seats all to yourself, meaning it's less likely you'll be cramped and sore when you reach your destination.
On some trains in India, people can even sit in the open door frame to get a good dose of fresh air. In Tanzania, my train would stop every few hours for up to 30 minutes where you could leave the train, walk around and even buy local snacks for your journey.
4. You could have an amazing night's sleep
I’ve met two kinds of people on trains, those that can sleep and those that can’t. Something about the movement and sounds of a train lulls me to sleep almost the moment I shut my eyes. But, this is not the case for everyone, and some people will always prefer to travel during the day.
My favourite part about catching sleeper trains in India is waking up to local vendors making their way through the carriage with piping hot coffee or chai that costs next to nothing.
Sleeping or not, the price of a first-class upgrade on a train is usually only slightly higher than the economy seat. That means beds on a sleeper train, or larger, more comfortable seats in a quieter carriage during the day, are pretty accessible.
Plus you will save money on booking a hotel room for a night!
5. It's Less Stressful
Airports are rarely in the centre of town, and transport to them means extra time and money. Train stations are usually centrally located and have easy metro connections. There are never restrictions on baggage weight or prohibited items in your carry-on. If you do cross international borders, border police usually board the train to check documents, so there is no chance that you will get left behind! Usually, there are no rules about bringing aboard food and drink, so you can easily stock up on snacks and water without worrying it will be confiscated by customs.
In many countries, there’s no restriction about bringing aboard alcohol, however, in Australia, this is strictly prohibited (and monitored) so be sure to check in advance.
6. You meet the quirkiest people
Since train travel is still not considered the best way to travel, you’ll meet some very interesting people. Most people are solo travellers or locals moving cheaply from towns not accessible on other transport networks.
A group of fellow travellers and I once had a lot of beers with some local men in a restaurant car in Zambia and followed it up with a photo shoot. I once shared a cabin in Australia with a woman who had travelled to Melbourne to end her relationship with the Jehovah's Witness church and was excited to start fully exploring life at 50. At the end of that journey, she gave me a book of Maya Angelou poems that had influenced her life, a symbol of the joy we found together drinking wine halfway to Sydney. In Tanzania, I shared a cabin with 5 nuns, none of who spoke English but after 3 days that seemed to not matter anymore as we had developed some kind of unspoken understanding.
If you are more interested in this element of train travel and want to learn more I would recommend the book Around the World in 100 Trains by Monish Rajesh.
Hopefully this list has helped convice you to consider travelling by train on your next journey.
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