10 Mistakes to Avoid on Your First Long Train Ride

If you’ve had your fill of airport travel for a while, why not consider taking the train? Since it may add a few additional days to your itinerary, it may not be practical. 

But, if it’s at all possible, you’ll find a smoother, more relaxing, sometimes decadent method of travel that delivers every time. As you’re getting ready to take the chance on this lovely alternative, here are ten things to keep in mind while making arrangements. 

1. Not Packing Lightly

Even in the most luxurious cabins, say, aboard the Oriental Express, you’re still looking at a compact space. While one of the perks of train travel is not being limited to a mere three ounces, don’t take that as an invitation to go all in; you’ll end up feeling quite cramped in your quarters. 

Beyond that, you’re sure to have to travel up and down stairs, potentially through tunnels, and move quickly when boarding the train. You’d really be setting yourself up for a terrible time if you were weighed down the whole time. 

On long train rides, you can check baggage, also like a plane ride. Take a look at their requirements for number of bags and weight limits; you may feel more at ease checking your luggage with everything you need for your destination and just reserving a few items for the actual train journey. 

2. Not Dressing Comfortably

While it’s possible you might meet someone who resembles Johnny Depp from his performance in Murder on the Orient Express, you still want to dress comfortably. 

In a moment, we’ll discuss how you have to be able to move quickly and nimbly. The right Johnny Depp will love you in your skinny jeans, Banana Republic t-shirt, and ballet flats just as much as that A-line skirt, blouse, and Mary Janes. 

It’s best to dress comfortably so you can move quickly throughout the station and the train, and sit comfortably for several hours at a time. 

3. Not Packing Your Chargers

While you should only take one or two pairs of shoes, not four, there’s one area you don’t want to skimp: electronics. By now, most train lines have plenty of outlets to charge our laptops, tablets, and cell phones on the go. But, don’t expect that. 

Instead, free yourself from the worry of hoping you’ll land in a seat close to an outlet and invest in one or two charging banks. There are many reputable brands out there on Amazon, like Anker, that have charging banks for all your appliances – many of which will be able to support your devices for a few days before needing to be recharged. 

4. Not Packing Snacks

One final note for the preparation stage: bring a few snacks. Again, you don’t want to pack the whole earth in your luggage. But, food options vary wildly from train to train. Some may have gourmet burrata salads while others only have basic sandwiches. 

Either way, you’ll be glad to have that pack of peanuts in your bag while you’re working at your seat and those Digestive cookies when you’re having a cup of tea in your cabin at night.