BellaOnline Forums Travel and Culture Solo Travel Train Trips

Where have you been on a train? Whenever I'm in a country that has train service, I've always at least sampled the rails. I love the way you can get up and walk around, meet people and talk to them. And sitting in the dining car is my idea of glorious luxury. My latest train trip was in France, from Paris to the Alps and back. The French passenger train service is fabulous, though I appreciate all European trains. I've also taken the Eurostar from London to Paris and back. It's the best $100 I've ever spent!

I have been on a train between Bergen and Oslo Norway...it is truly one of the most beautiful rides I have ever taken. I have seen it in the snow and in warmer weather, through fjords.

I also have traveled from Oslo to Stockholm and Stockholm to Copenhagen. Those rides are very nice - but the DSB has just cancelled the Stockholm-Copenhagen route, saying that not enough people take it anymore, choosing to fly instead.

In the USA I have taken the train from New York to Baltimore but that is all. It was rather dirty.

Oh I'd love to hear more about the Eurostar adventure!

Most unforgetable -- the Trans-Siberian from Beijing to Moscow.

Most uncomfortable -- without doubt Guangzhou to Beijing. Fourth class is called "hard seat" for good reason -- my back is still aching.

I'm very curious about trains in India and the Middle East. I hear the Indian trains are great. Any tips?

I love travelling by train. My last trip was from Barcelona to Milano in a hoteltrain, it was lovely. Trains in Italy are quite frequent and a good way to move around the country.

I also travelled by train in India. There're luxury trains which are amazing, comfortable, good service and clean but are mainly used by tourists. Other trains are really crowded and not so clean. Of course, first class is a bit different, but if you travel using the lowest fare, it is a bit uncomfortable but you meet the locals.

I also recommend two luxury trains in Spain, The Transcantabric (It goes along the north of Spain and stops to visit the most relevant historic sites, it includes lunch in famous restaurants) and the Al-Andalus which does the same along Andalucia.

I did the trans Manchurian from Beijing to Moscow. It took several days and was great fun. If anyone else ever thinks of doing the same my advice would be to be very very careful of all belongings as you can be robbed while you're asleep. I'd recommend it thoroughly though <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

best wishes - Jane

Since I live in Germany, I enjoy the Deutsche Bahn on a fairly regular basis. In fact, I have a Bahn card so I can get discounts. I've been on the high-speed train going to Berlin and back, and that was very nice.

I've also traveled on the Dutch and Belgian rail systems, the English, and the Italian. The Italian rail system is the worst. They don't announce the stops, so you have no idea what station you're at whenever the train stops. I found the trains to be dirty. And the toilets empty onto the tracks. Ewwwww!

That is one great thing about living here in Europe...I enjoy train travel so much more than I enjoy driving.