So I'm back from my hiatus!! I'm sure you have all missed me, so I'll get right to it. Trains. Fast trains, commuter trains, metro trains, all excellent modes of transportation when traveling on a budget. Whether meandering through Europe, India, the U.S., or Northern Africa, trains are always available to get from one place to the other. Anything from half hour hopper trains to get from Guernica in northern Spain to Barcelona to a 7 day trek from Hong Kong to Moscow, this old school method of transport has yet to lose it's convenience and efficiency. If you're planning on using trains as one of your means of getting around, there are a few different things to consider. The length of your trip, the number or places you're planning on seeing, and the part of the world you're schlepping around can help you decide how to go about using the available train systems. Eurorail, the major train system through Western Europe, is a great way to get from country to country. Eurorail offers a number of different options if you choose to pre-purchase your travel ticket ranging from 5 rides to unlimited journeys over a designated length of time. When weighing the options on what type of ticket best fits your needs, consider this: many trips will require a reservation fee even if you have an unlimited ride ticket. These fees can range from $5-$30 depending on orign and destination. Sometimes it would be cheaper in the long run to purchase a regular ticket instead of using an unlimited pass, especially if you have a student travel card like ISIC. When I went through western Europe I pre-purchased an unlimited Eurorail pass for $1,100.00 With reservation fees and trips that weren't on Eurorail designation trains, I spent an additional $500. Given the individual cost per trip on the train system, I most likely would have spent less if I had pre-purchased a ticket with a limited number of train rides for a much cheaper price. Make sure you do some research and lay out some sort of loose plan about where you want to go. This can save you a lot of money in the long run.
A side note when considering using trains to get around. Some countries are a lot safer than others. Eastern Europe, for instance, can be pretty shady when using trains, especially over night trains. There have been instances of robberies and other not so savory occurrences. I had been made aware of these possibilities prior to traveling, and when leaving Budapest for Prague, I was warned to sleep with one eye open and keep my most important possessions on my person. Trust me when I say that overnight train ride was an uncomfortable and shitty one. I chose a cabin that was completely empty thinking that would be the safest option for me. I figured once my passport was checked I was in the clear and could lock my cabin door.... Big mistake. The customs officials unlocked the door and came in unannounced not 1, not 2, but 3 times throughout the night. I never even left the cabin! I can't lie. Each time they forced their way in I thought I was going to be gassed and all of my crap was going to be stolen. When the train finally arrive in Prague I felt blessed I made it all in one piece. Moral of the story? Know in advance what to expect with each ride and be prepared for whatever may come your way. Other than that, enjoy the ride. You never know who you're going to meet. I still have friends who I met on train rides.
Cheers,
Danni
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