Rail travel: tips for a pleasant train ride

There are many options for travelling by train in Switzerland. There are also international connections from here, and you can reach many cities in Europe by train – whether by night train or during the day. Hop on at the train station and off you go: to help you enjoy travelling by train, we’ve put together a few tips.

Plan your train journey: things to bear in mind

A good train journey begins before departure. It’s worth keeping a few things in mind and planning before you travel:

• Allow extra time: it’s especially worth allowing plenty of extra time at large stations with many platforms and transfers. It’s better to be at the platform a few minutes early than to rush through the station with all your luggage in a panic. And it may even give you enough time to get a cup of coffee. Also check your connections and transfer times before you travel and, if necessary, find alternative connections if your connection is short.

• Reserve a seat: the cost of a seat reservation is usually reasonable and guarantees you a seat on an overcrowded train – depending on the booking system, you can even choose your preferred seat (by the window, in the aisle). If you’re travelling in a pair or group, you can check in advance whether the seats are next to each other. This is not automatically the case.

• Check out first class offers: if you book early, there are often attractive deals to be had for a small extra fee. When travelling abroad especially, the differences between first and second class are often not that big. More space and quiet can make a big difference.

Gadgets for greater comfort

Besides the luggage you’ll need for your stay, be sure to pack these items for your train journey:

• Charging cable & powerbank: even though there are usually power outlets on trains, they don’t always work. It’s best to be prepared, especially on long train journeys.

• Snacks and drinks: always handy when hunger strikes, especially on long journeys where meals aren’t provided. On-board restaurants aren’t always open. Take plenty of drinking water with you, too.

• Wet wipes or disinfectant: to clean your hands now and then and before eating.

• Neck pillow and silk sleeping bag: when travelling seated, a neck pillow offers more comfort. Although fresh bed linen is usually included on overnight train rides in couchette cars, a silk sleeping bag can provide additional comfort and warmth.

• Headlamp: when travelling in a sleeper car, you won’t have to turn on the main light when climbing down from the berth at night or in case the reading lamp doesn’t work in the darkened compartment.

• Earplugs and headphones: to help you doze off more easily or listen to podcasts and music. Noise cancelling headphones or earplugs help to block out the sounds around you.

• Comfortable clothing: loose travel clothing that you feel comfortable in makes a lot of difference. In addition, a scarf is a good idea for extra comfort and protection from the air conditioning.

Tips for entertainment during the train journey

To make sure you have a good time on the go:

• Offline entertainment: to enjoy movies, music, audiobooks, podcasts or e-books without the internet, download them before you travel. Often, there’s no internet connection on trains, especially in tunnels.

• Games: card games or travel board games are great for playing on the train and make the journey feel shorter. Bring analogue crosswords or Sudoku puzzles with you or download them as apps before you travel.

• Move from time to time: stand up now and then, stretch, take a walk through the train or visit the on-board bistro.

Safety tips for relaxed train journeys

Staying safe while travelling will also help you relax:

• Keep an eye on your luggage: keep valuables such as your mobile phone, passport, wallet and other documents close to you or ideally store them in a bum bag or document pouch.

• Have your ticket and ID to hand: this will save you stress during ticket checks or at national borders.

• Secure your luggage: if possible, store your luggage where you can see it. You can also secure it with a small lock so it can’t be opened easily.