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Do you enjoy traveling by train? Do you do it often?
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Don't really have public transportation where i live, but i would kill to take a train over a car any day of the week.
I love traveling by train. Usually my trips by train are rather short - about a half hour between DC and Baltimore. But even the longer trips I've taken such as up to NYC have been a breeze. So much better than planes and airports.
If DC was actually connected by train to Detroit I might prefer it, provided that freight wasn't prioritized like it is everywhere except parts of the northeast corridor.
If DC was actually connected by train to Detroit I might prefer it, provided that freight wasn't prioritized like it is everywhere except parts of the northeast corridor.
I did it once in socal, fairly recently. It was very cool. I've rode the bus a lot in the past though.
But yeah seeing hte land from the train perspective is cool. Of course the train travels through a lot of different kind of land than what I'm normally used to, so you get different views.
But yeah seeing hte land from the train perspective is cool. Of course the train travels through a lot of different kind of land than what I'm normally used to, so you get different views.
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Well, I live in China. I so much prefer taking the fast trains over flying. No having to get to the station/terminal hours early, no long security lines, comfy seats, plenty of leg room, and a smooth ride that I can fall asleep on. I'm just able to chill for a while.
I don't mind it when it isn't busy, but trains in the UK are often overcrowded. And expensive as fuck.
I've never stepped foot on a train in my life.
I have been thinking about taking my kids on the Everett to Leavenworth train in Washington this summer, though. You can get one-way tickets for as little as $15 each if you're willing to go early or late in the day.
I have been thinking about taking my kids on the Everett to Leavenworth train in Washington this summer, though. You can get one-way tickets for as little as $15 each if you're willing to go early or late in the day.
I use municipal rail daily for my commute, but I've only taken longer train trips a handful of times - mostly up and around the Northeast Corridor. It's relaxing enough, but I feel like the US is too spread out for it to be a real travel alternative to flying.
I am so so so jealous of my European friends. I would kill to be able to travel to nearby cities by high speed train and it bothers me every single day that this way of travel doesn't exist in the US.
When I vacation in Europe I specifically make it a point to travel by high speed train even if a flight would be cheaper. The experience of a train is orders of magnitude better.
When I vacation in Europe I specifically make it a point to travel by high speed train even if a flight would be cheaper. The experience of a train is orders of magnitude better.
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This looked comfy.
Yeah I'm excited to try a bunch of weird EU train routes on sleeper cars and stuff. I've taken some shorter Japan train trips but the variety here is exciting.
Yup. I don't drive and the UK has great public transport. They are absurdly expensive for long journeys unless you book in advance though.
I quite enjoy booking the quiet carriage and just playing my Switch or watching Netflix with snacks for 4-5 hours.
Unless some dickhead brings their screaming kid in the quiet coach.
I quite enjoy booking the quiet carriage and just playing my Switch or watching Netflix with snacks for 4-5 hours.
Unless some dickhead brings their screaming kid in the quiet coach.
I commute to work on the train everyday. Whenever I go to a bigger city, like Amsterdam, I take the train. And I've taken the train to Paris and Berlin.
I enjoy it. You can read and play games while enjoying the scenery.
I enjoy it. You can read and play games while enjoying the scenery.
It's my favourite way of travelling. That said, trains in the UK are ruinousley expensive and often shit, so apart from riding the tube I mainly use trains abroad
Yes. As long as it's not rush hour, and it's fighting for a seat, I love it. Headphones on, good book and that's all I need. Driving is a waste of time in comparison, and flying has more hassle.
I used to take the train every day when I studied. Now I take a train maybe once or twice a month. Belgium's train network is quite performant, so it's usually easy to get where you want. It's also great you can take a train to Amsterdam, Paris and London.
I also loved taking the night train in Vietnam. Did it twice, and it was one of the best sleeps I ever had due to the soothing rhytm of the train. It also has a cool atmosphere. I'd love to do more night train travel in Europe, but it's been replaced by flying (Belgium in't on any route anymore) or very expensive. (I would be able to fly 2 times to Lisbon return, for one way on the night train)
I used to take the train every day when I studied. Now I take a train maybe once or twice a month. Belgium's train network is quite performant, so it's usually easy to get where you want. It's also great you can take a train to Amsterdam, Paris and London.
I also loved taking the night train in Vietnam. Did it twice, and it was one of the best sleeps I ever had due to the soothing rhytm of the train. It also has a cool atmosphere. I'd love to do more night train travel in Europe, but it's been replaced by flying (Belgium in't on any route anymore) or very expensive. (I would be able to fly 2 times to Lisbon return, for one way on the night train)
I've done an overnight sleeper train twice. Once from Amsterdam to Munich, and another time from Amsterdam to Prague (both on bahn.de) and I loved it. In both cases I opted for the first class private sleeping cabin because I am not interested in sharing a sleep cabin with some rando. I had my own private bathroom (and shower, which I didn't use) and the entire experience was wonderful. Train departed at like 8 or 9 pm and rolled into the station at 8-ish. Breakfast was served to me in the cabin when I woke up.
The UK rail system is an utter disaster so... no, I hate it and only use it as a necessity. I'd say it's only really a must with somewhere like London where you can't really drive easily.
I was in a long distance relationship for two years and the train delays have become something of a running joke between me and my girlfriend. Being caught on a Manchester train packed arm to arm with other passengers whilst there's also a broken toilet in the same carriage... yeah. No.
I was in a long distance relationship for two years and the train delays have become something of a running joke between me and my girlfriend. Being caught on a Manchester train packed arm to arm with other passengers whilst there's also a broken toilet in the same carriage... yeah. No.
Live on the coast. View out the window every morning on the train to work is fantastic. I get time to read and sort stuff like bills/emails.
Not gonna lie and say it's perfect. There's been some particularly shit co-passengers - the lady that held the doors open with her bags so she could finish her cigarette and then jump on being a particulalry memorable one - but overall I enjoy trains.
Not gonna lie and say it's perfect. There's been some particularly shit co-passengers - the lady that held the doors open with her bags so she could finish her cigarette and then jump on being a particulalry memorable one - but overall I enjoy trains.
Loved traveling by KTX in Korea, but now that I'm back in America my only option is Amtrak, which is potentially slower than driving to where I would want to go would be, so no.
That being said, would love to do this route someday: https://dereklow.co/across-the-usa-by-train-for-just-213/
That being said, would love to do this route someday: https://dereklow.co/across-the-usa-by-train-for-just-213/
I enjoy it, but very rarely do. In 2018 I did Moscow -> Beijing -> Lhasa by train and it was pretty fun!
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Amazing! Will experience this soon hopefully. Something romantic about sleeper cars and on board meals (restaurant / bistro cars rather than meal service specifically)
Europe all about dem trains, and I like 'em. I will say Northern Rail sucks ass here in the UK. Virgin is pretty good, though pricey.
I wish the US had a better train system. It would probably allow for more tourist travel.
I enjoyed the trains when I was stationed in Korea. Japan has a nice system as well. Germany's was fine also but way more expensive compared to the other two.
Korea's was the most economical though. $5 for a bullet train to the capital, great deal. It was a smooth ride as well.
I enjoyed the trains when I was stationed in Korea. Japan has a nice system as well. Germany's was fine also but way more expensive compared to the other two.
Korea's was the most economical though. $5 for a bullet train to the capital, great deal. It was a smooth ride as well.
Yeah, it's cool. Amtrak in America sucks.
I like the Romance Car from Tokyo to Hakone and the ICE Train from Hanover to Berlin was cool.
I like the Romance Car from Tokyo to Hakone and the ICE Train from Hanover to Berlin was cool.
It depends on the train. Some trains in the UK are very comfortable and the journey is often good as a result. However many new trains here are both uncomfortable and noisy. It's a bad situation when trains from the 1970s are alot more pleasant to use than modern replacements.
I do, we have a train system that goes to my state's capitol among other cities.
It's not too expensive either and is decently smooth and quiet enough to have conversations.
It's not too expensive either and is decently smooth and quiet enough to have conversations.
Always took the train as part of my job and now as a uni student
Anybody from the UK knows that southern rail is dogshit. espcially in the mornings. Ohter rails are fine. I lvoe the train though. Conveniant and i can watch some quick tv shows or movies depending on length of journey, or just listen to music
Anybody from the UK knows that southern rail is dogshit. espcially in the mornings. Ohter rails are fine. I lvoe the train though. Conveniant and i can watch some quick tv shows or movies depending on length of journey, or just listen to music
Trains are good here in Ireland, but the train from my town to Dublin can get crowded and I hate standing, so I get the bus, which takes longer but I always get a seat and I can nap or read in peace.
I know it's shit compared to the rest of the world but Amtrak has some pretty routes. I've taken the entire eastern seaboard route, NYc to Chicago, Boston to Chicago, Seattle to SF, LA to SD, and Seattle to Glacier Park. They have some really pretty routes, especially the last three. One of the most unforgettable trip I have taken in my whole life.
Take it when you can and while you are still young.
Take it when you can and while you are still young.
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Are there still trains in the US you can use to travel to different states? I've always wanted to.
Budapest-Berlin, years ago: listened to podcasts half the way, slept (uncomfortably) the other half. I didn't have enough devices/battery to entertain myself the whole trip.
Barcelona-Madrid a few times. After the first time you realize it is going at 300km/h you just dont care anymore for the rest of the trip. Cant say it is much more comfortable than a shitty airplane.
Also Budapest-Prague and Moscow-St.Petersburg, but those I had company so it was not so bad, chatting along the way.
It is quite tedious and monotonous in general so I always prefer the cheapest option (meaning: bus or airplane). If I want to go "sightseeing" while traveling, better option is renting a car and taking your time.
Barcelona-Madrid a few times. After the first time you realize it is going at 300km/h you just dont care anymore for the rest of the trip. Cant say it is much more comfortable than a shitty airplane.
Also Budapest-Prague and Moscow-St.Petersburg, but those I had company so it was not so bad, chatting along the way.
It is quite tedious and monotonous in general so I always prefer the cheapest option (meaning: bus or airplane). If I want to go "sightseeing" while traveling, better option is renting a car and taking your time.
Yes, tons of them. Up and down the Northeast and from coast to coast