5 things to expect on a major train journey
Train journeys are unlike any other type of travel. Here’s what you need to know before you go.
1. Everything is really (really) small
Unless you’re lucky enough to be travelling on a luxurious train through India in your own private carriage (yes, they do exist), be prepared for a world in miniature. Most sleeper cabins will have bunk beds that convert to a two- or three-seat lounge during the day, as well as a very small ensuite. There’s not much in the way of storage space so you’re advised to pack light.
2. Your day is scheduled around food
On long journeys, like Australia’s iconic The Ghan that travels through the middle of the country, you’ll quickly learn to mark time by meals. Because there’s not much to do beyond look out the window, read a book or take a nap, you’ll be looking forward to the next meal when you’ve barely finished the first one. It helps that meals onboard tend to be lavish, delicious affairs of many courses and many glasses of wine.
3. You’ll get to know everyone onboard
Travelling by train puts you in very close quarters with everyone else onboard, both the passengers and the staff. You’ll be seeing the same people in the dining car, the lounge and the corridors, so it pays to be friendly. If you really want some quiet time, try putting your headphones in when in the lounge (though definitely not at meal times).
4. It’s a step back in time
Say goodbye to television and Wi-Fi. Trains tend not to be fitted out with the latest gadgetry. Passengers are encouraged to admire the view and interact with their fellow passengers, rather than bury themselves in a screen. Entertainment is usually restricted to in-cabin music or a commentary on the route. Some trains, like the iconic Venice-Simplon Orient Express, go even further and try to recreate the golden age of rail travel from the 1920s, right down to décor and staff uniforms.
5. Something might go wrong
You can’t think of a train as a hotel or even as a cruise ship. It’s constantly on the move, often through remote places, with limited facilities and few expert staff onboard. The kitchen might run out of a particular dish or the air conditioning in your cabin might be struggling, but part of train travel is rolling with the punches. Order something different or retreat to the cool of the bar.
Have you ever taken a long train journey, and how did you find the experience? What would you recommend to people taking similar trips?
Let us know in the comments.
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