European Train Travel
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re in Lubeck Germany, a UNESCO World Heritage Site just 45 minutes by train from Hamburg. We had a bit of a rowdy train ride coming here, so I thought it was the perfect time to share six unwritten rules of train travel in Europe.
#1 Be Quiet
Nobody else wants to hear your conversation on the train. This doesn’t mean you have to stop talking unless you are in a designated quiet train, but be mindful of the volume of your voice. Europeans are generally not as loud as Americans, and unfortunately, this is one way that we Americans stand out as tourists. (This applies whether you are talking to your travel companions or talking on your phone.)
Read: Ten Ways to Spot an American Tourist Abroad
#2 Don’t Steal a Reserved Seat
On European trains, you can pay extra to reserve a seat. These reserved seats are well marked, so don’t sit there unless it’s reserved for you. You can’t play dumb, either, because the translation is not difficult. In France, it will say réservé and in Germany, it will say reserviert. It’s not worth having to get up and move after you are settled, and they will ask you to move. We’ve seen some heated arguments over reserved seats.
#3 Pack Only What You Can Lift
On many trains in Europe, you will need to put your luggage in the overhead compartment. Make sure you are able to lift your suitcase over your head. Yes, this means packing light, but that’s really the only way to travel when you are using trains in Europe. Don’t count on getting someone else to lift your bag for you. There may be a lower luggage rack at the end of each cart, but not always.
Watch: How to Pack a CarryOn for Women
#4 Don’t Bring Stinky Food
Bringing stinky food on a train is inconsiderate of other passengers. This means fast food that fried, tuna fish sandwiches or anything else that has a strong aroma. What tastes good to you might not smell good to your neighbor. Go for cold foods, like a baguette sandwich.
#5 Let People Off Before Getting On
When you are waiting to board your train, let everyone get off the train before you try to board the train. By rushing on to the train while others are still exiting, it just creates a traffic jam and slows everyone down.
#6 Ticket Machines are Always Faster
When you are buying a train ticket, if there’s an automated ticket machine, it’s always faster than going to the ticket window. The machines almost always have several language options, including English, so unless you really need to speak with someone, you’re better off to use the machine rather than waiting in line. Once you have your ticket, don’t forget to validate it before boarding the train; this is required on some train lines.
These are my six unwritten rules of train travel. Do you have others to add? Tell us in the comments! For more travel tips and advice, check out our other blog posts and videos: