Do a trip by train is undoubtedly a more comfortable and environmentally friendly way to travel rather than fly as far as medium to short journeys are concerned.
You want to make sure to have a pleasant journey, so you need to plan it ahead getting well organised to avoid annoying inconveniences.
In this post, I thought I would give you five useful tips that are often underestimated when preparing a trip by train but they can really make the difference:
1. Download APPs to check timetables and buy tickets
2. Buy tickets online (in advance)
3. Choose a seat with a shared table
4. Arrive at the station at least 15 - 20 minutes before departure
5. Always remember to take a valid ID with you
Whenever you do a trip by train, technology comes to the rescue. There are in fact some apps that are always good to have on our smartphones because they provide us with a lot of useful information on timetables and types of tickets you can buy.
Trainline is an excellent app when you need to compare prices and timetables for trains and buses. With this app you can compare trains from all over Europe to get the lowest offer and the best time. It relies on state and private railways in every European country to always guarantee the best value for money. Trainline is totally free, and it is not necessary to register to buy tickets. You only need to enter the traveller's name and e-mail, with a completely secure payment system.
Another very convenient app is Orario treni, which allows you to check the status of trains in real time (timetables, connections, delays): you can also buy tickets, which can be downloaded in the app or in PDF format. It is a 100% Italian app so it is very useful if you want to travel with Trenitalia, Italo or Trenord. This app is also free and has a news section that allows you to get all the information and in-depth reports on last-minute announcements and news in the event of strikes or route cancellations.
Each European country has its own app: in France there is OUI.snfc (also available in Italian), in Great Britain there is National Rail Requires and in Germany DB Navigator. In Italy there are Trenitalia, Trenord and Italo APP
If you don't like queuing at station ticket offices and you don't have much time, the best thing to do is booking your tickets online in advance , using your smartphone or computer, so you can avoid long queues and save time. You don't need to print out your ticket, you can show it on your mobile device.
If you book well in advance, you are likely to get great discounts, and online payments are completely secure if you make your purchase from an authorised website.
When purchasing your ticket you can select the seat you prefer: you will be able to choose a seat other than the one automatically assigned by the system. Of all seats available, it is best to opt for those with a shared table: it is certainly more comfortable to place your notebook or tablet on it if you have some work to do or to watch a film and there is always an electrical outlet.
Even if you have already bought your ticket and have a reserved seat, it is advisable to arrive at the station a little earlier, at least 15-20 minutes before departure. It will give you plenty of time to get to the platform, get on board and settle in.
Finally, always carry a valid ID with you, as the ticket inspector may ask for it to make sure that you really are the ticket holder or to show it to the guards when you cross the national border.
Efficient planning is essential to optimally prepare for a trip. Whenever you are about to organise a trip, whether for business or pleasure, it can be useful to create a to-do list where you write down these simple rules which will allow you to fully enjoy every moment of your trip by train.