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Trains -The Other Travel Option
By SkiTripper | March 15, 2010
Nowadays, traveling by train is not the most popular choice among travelers. One reason for this is that air travel is the fastest way to get from place to place. Traveling by car is obviously more convenient, and choosing to travel by bus is usually the most affordable option available. However none of these methods of travel will give you the unique travel experience that going by train will.
There are many reasons why traveling by train is not as popular as it once was. For one thing, the travel time is much greater than going the same distance by plane. In addition, the cost is greater than the price of a bus ticket. However, there are also upsides to taking a train and following these tips may make the journey more comfortable and enjoyable.
Be prepared for a long trip on train travel. Many people make the mistake of being anxious about travel time and are under prepared for the length of travel. Be aware that trains may halt frequently for stops and for border crossings, and so will take their time getting to their destinations. If you understand this ahead of time, it will make your travel much easier and much more enjoyable.
Train travel affords a unique opportunity to see countryside you might not otherwise experience. Many sights you might overlook while traveling by airplane are much more visible when traveling by train. To enhance your experience, you may even want to consider studying up on the geography of your route and bringing binoculars to get a really good look. Also, bring a good book and take the time to read, reflect, or even finish preparing that important presentation. One bonus of traveling by train is that there is less motion than travel by bus, so these activities will be easier on the eyes and hands.
If sightseeing is not your cup of tea, then an mp3 player, laptop or any other portable electronic device can help you pass the time more quickly. However, be sure the device is fully charged before beginning your journey and pack an extra battery, if you have one. If you watch a film on a laptop, remember to bring your headphones so as not to disturb other passengers.
If you are not into sightseeing or reading, you could bring your laptop to play games, watch movies, or to work on that presentation. With the exception of cars specifically designed to be quiet, you bring a CD player, I-pod or hand held video game player. Play cards with someone you meet on the train, you just may make a new friend or two along the way. Depending on the length of the trip, some type of food is available, or you can bring your own.
If you are traveling with children, please make sure you have enough activities to keep them occupied, like coloring books and crayons, books, cards activity books, board games, snacks or video games with headphones. You can even make parts of the trip educational by teaching them about the cities and geography of the areas you ride through. Many of the games you play on long car trips will work as well.
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