Hopping on your first rail adventure can be thrilling, with epic landscapes viewed from your cabin and the ability to pit stop in captivating places along the way. That’s the simple part, but how do you go about planning it all? And can you save money by looking in the right places? Read on…
Where do I start?
Where exactly to begin is a problem most would-be rail trippers have. “The first thing you need to consider is what type of journey is right for you,” says Matthew Lucas of traintravelexpert.com. “No two journeys are alike – the beauty of the Glacier Express in Switzerland provides a different experience to spending long days on the Trans-Siberian railway, as Europe melts into Asia.”
Working out your budget and timeframe, however, can help narrow down your options significantly, says Mark Smith of The Man in Seat 61 website (seat61.com): “You can also start planning at any time, there’s no need to book years ahead. Most trains only open for bookings 90 days before travel although some, such as the Eurostar, open up to 180 days ahead.”
Plus, in this digital age, train travel is finally catching up with flights and hotels, and now you can book seats for most rail journeys across the world with a simple press of a button. That in itself offers you flexibility as to when you book – you could seal your seat as soon as they’re made available, right up to (in theory) the day the train departs, without having to queue for hours at the ticket office.
If you’re still unsure where and for how long you’ll be away, then a rail pass is the best option for you. It lets you move about flexibly during any period of time. The Interrail Pass (interrail.eu) is the best known in Europe, but many others exist worldwide.
How can I save money?
Esta historia es de la edición May 2018 de Wanderlust Travel Magazine.
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Esta historia es de la edición May 2018 de Wanderlust Travel Magazine.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
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