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Travelers may have numerous ways to get from points A to B, but few modes of transit blend relaxation, efficiency and scenery like hopping aboard a train.
“A four-hour train journey from city center to city center is just as fast as a one-hour flight once you add travel to and from the airports and check-in,” says Mark Smith, founder of train-travel blog The Man in Seat 61. “An overnight journey from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. takes less time out of your day than a four-hour relay race of train, airport, flight, airport, train — and is much more fun.”
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The perks of train travel abound, yet rail travel remains a tourism-industry underdog. That could soon change. With new scenic train routes, high-speed-rail innovations and President Joe Biden’s proposed infrastructure plan to bolster Amtrak’s U.S. train routes, the wheels are in motion for a global train-travel boom — and we have everything you need to hop aboard.
We talked with leading rail-travel experts for their tips and tricks. The result? Our jam-packed Smart Guide to Train Travel, which will have you riding those rails like a pro.
Note to readers: Logistics from baggage allowance to seating options vary by train line, route and country. This guide highlights top-level rail travel tips, but it’s best to confirm details with your specific rail line or travel agent.
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PLANNING YOUR TRIP
1. Book early
Want to snag the best train-travel deals? “Book ahead for the cheapest prices, just as you would for air,” Smith says. In Europe, the booking windows vary from 30 days to six months, depending on the operator, he adds. Benji Stawski, senior reporter for The Points Guy travel website, notes that Amtrak’s booking schedule is a bit different. “Fares are released 11 months before departure, and often rise with demand. Look out for any sales or promotions; Amtrak offers buy-one-get-one deals from time to time.”
2. Best travel days
If you have some flexibility in your schedule, Stawski has some money-saving advice. “Business-heavy routes are pricier on weekdays,” he says. “Leisure routes might be more expensive on weekends. Likewise, you may be able to save money by booking less desirable departure times, such as late at night or in the middle of the day.” (Stawski notes that the day of the week you actually book the ticket doesn’t matter.)
3. Find low-crowd train cars
If you’re ready to get back into travel, but not necessarily ready for the crowds, Amtrak spokesperson Kimberly Woods suggests referencing the company’s real-time seat availability tracker. “When searching for travel, the percentage of seats sold displays next to each trip option and adjusts as more reservations are made, which gives customers the opportunity to book a train that is less crowded,” Woods says. “If capacity exceeds comfort levels, customers can change their ticket without incurring a fee.” (She notes that a fare difference may apply.)
4. Earn points on train travel
You’ve likely heard of points and miles for air travel, but rewards-travel enthusiasts can also accumulate miles via train trips. “You can earn points on your trips through Amtrak’s loyalty program, Amtrak Guest Rewards. Then, you can redeem those points for free train tickets,” says Stawski, noting that this rewards program is free. Rail lines abroad offer similar rewards program, too, including Via Preference for Canada’s Via Rail and Club Eurostar for Europe’s Eurostar line.
5. Hire a train-travel agent
Booking an established route like Amtrak’s California Zephyr, between Chicago and San Francisco, is relatively straightforward via the Amtrak website or by calling the Amtrak reservations team. But if you’d rather have an expert handle the logistics, or you want to concoct a DIY route with multiple legs, it may be best to hire a travel agent. But don’t just hire any agent, says Jim Loomis, author of All Aboard: The Complete North American Train Travel Guide. Make sure the agent understands train travel with a simple test: “I tell people to ask, “What’s the difference between a roomette in a Superliner train compared to a Viewliner train?’ ” he says. “The difference is that there is no window in the upper berth on the Superliner roomette. On the Viewliner, there is a window. A good travel agent [for train travel] will have the answer right off the top of their head.” One option Johnston suggests for U.S. train travel is Amtrak Vacations, an Amtrak-specific travel agency.
6. Anticipate delays
Just like flying, train travel often comes with delays (particularly in the U.S., where Amtrak shares railroads with freight trains). That’s why Bob Johnston, a correspondent for Trains.com, suggests building extra time into your schedule. “Don’t assume a train will be on time; give yourself plenty of time [to catch a connection],” he says. “Let’s say the Lake Shore Limited gets into New York at 6:20 p.m. You don’t want to plan a Broadway show for that night.
7. Snag the best seat
Not all train seats are created equally — and we’re not just talking class level. Johnston shared his simple but valuable seat-selection advice: “You want to sit on the side opposite the sun,” he says. “It’s not just the fact it [would be] beating down on you. You also have to think like a photographer.” Sun rays make window dirt significantly more distracting than on the shady side. And, even if you’re not taking photos, it’s more enjoyable and comfortable to watch the landscapes without eye strain from the sun.
8. Bring your kids (or grandkids)
Want a particularly memorable trip? Bring your little ones, says Johnston, who took his son on countless trips throughout his childhood. “If you’re traveling with kids, it’s such a confidence-building and knowledge-building exercise,” he says, noting the adventure can double as a multiday geography lesson. “Bring a map and follow your trip. Or with a smartphone, [use] the map app, and it will show you where you are.”
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