If you’re thinking of heading out into the continent to do a bit of exploring, then good for you! There’s a great deal of fun ahead. However we always have to proceed with caution and make sure we’re being as careful as we can. So many people go abroad these days with their heads buried firmly in the sands, and come home with tales of the unexpected. When you are travelling by rail in a foreign country, there is a lot to take on board, and a lot of quick thought processing required throughout your European rail line trip. For this reason, we’ve compiled a few tips that are great to keep in the forefront of your mind while you are travelling abroad.
24 Hour Clock
First things first, make sure you’re used to dealing with a 24 hour clock, because on the continent, this is pretty much all you are likely to encounter. When you are trying to decipher train departure times in a busy, foreign station, the last thing you need is to be struggling with something as basic as this!
Train in Italy
Schedule Information
For schedule information, go online if you haven’t yet left, and once you are on the move, you should be able to find the schedule information you need as you go. You can normally pick up free timetables in most major stations, and you’ll find flicking casually though one of these far easier than trying to make sense of a huge ticker board perched twenty feet above your head in the middle of Brussels!
Ask For Help!
Don’t be afraid to speak to officials about your rail line excursion. Explain to ticket officers about your journey, and don’t be worried about explaining to them that you have some confusion as to which train you need to be on. It’s not unusual for them to be approached; after all, that’s what they are there for!
First or Second Class?
Most people embarking on European rail line trips tend to go for second class tickets, but you might fancy a bit of luxury somewhere during your trip. Just keep in mind that it’s likely to be 50% more expensive for that extra bit of comfort, and it’s not going to get you to your destination any quicker!
Get The Right Station!
A lot of major cities throughout Europe have a good number of different railways stations, so it’s always worth double checking to make sure you’re in the right place, before you get there!
Pick Your Carriage Carefully!
Some trains on the continent may appear to be set for one journey, but often, sections of a train will be unlinked in a station to carry on a different journey from the one you were intending! If you don’t want to wake up in the wrong country, it’s advisable to stay in the carriage you initially booked for!
For Cheep Sleep, Go For a Couchette
It’s not something you see all too much in Britain, but the couchette is a compartment on a train which has pull out beds, equipped with full bed linens, normally catering for three to five people on board. Of course, you effectively have to share a room with strangers, but it could be your cheapest chance to secure some sleep through the night during your rail line experience!
About Author
Anna Lua is a well known travel writer who loves exploring the less explored areas of Europe. When she’s not exploring the continent you will normally find her exploring the great outdoors at home with her boyfriend.