TRAIN TRAVEL Top 10 Tips

From Barry Sheppard

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 my 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, were 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 wast 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 carriable 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.

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 ib 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 conducter-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

You are totally flexible. You can buy an Interail 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