Long-distance trains are one of the best ways to see the world, and whether you board one of the epic trains that travel thousands of miles or take routes that connect multiple train lines, it can be uncomfortable if you don’t have the correct gear. You won’t have to worry about weight because most of these items are fairly light, but they can make a big impact once you’re on the road. It’s also worth looking into the trains you’ll be taking, particularly the sleeper services, as they may already have certain amenities on board.
Bag For Sleeping
This is a great idea, and it’s especially beneficial if you’re on a budget and can’t purchase one of the luxurious sleeping compartments. Sleeping bags that can be stuffed into a small space in a bag are available, and they can be especially handy on trains in cold places where overnight temperatures can dip fairly low.
E-readers Or Books
One of the most difficult aspects of long-distance travel is avoiding boredom, and though the view can be breathtaking, you may want to do more than stare out the window at times. Having a few favourite novels or an e-reader on hand can provide some entertainment after dark or when you’ve had enough of the sights.
Fleece Jacket Or Hoodie
Whether you’re travelling in a carriage with an overly effective air-conditioning system or travelling in a chilly area, keeping warm on the train is essential, and having a hoodie or fleece jacket in your bag is ideal. They can also be folded up and used as a warm pillow.
Travel Pillow That Inflates
Because the headrests on train seats aren’t the comfiest, having an inflatable pillow with you can help you fall asleep much faster than you could otherwise. To build an additional pillow for your bunk, simply cover the u-shaped pillows with a sweatshirt.
Items To Freshen Up
You don’t want to arrive at your destination looking and feeling unkempt, so bringing a few items to help you freshen up if your train doesn’t have a shower can be quite helpful. For this important aspect of your travel gear, we recommend wet wipes, deodorant, a toothbrush, and mouthwash.
Water
Most trains will have air conditioning, which has the secondary effect of removing moisture from the air. As a result, you are more likely to lose moisture, so having a litre or two of water with you might help you rehydrate during your journey.
Games And Activities To Make The Trip Go Faster
This is especially crucial if you’re traveling with a group of friends or family, since knowing what to do to pass the time may make the experience much more entertaining if you grow bored. If you’re traveling alone, having a laptop or tablet is acceptable, but if you’re traveling on long-distance with others, card games or other distractions can help your group and other travelers join in the fun.
Food
If you’re a picky eater, traveling on a budget, or have special dietary requirements, planning ahead and carrying food will help assure that you’ll have something to eat and won’t have to spend a lot of money on train cuisine, which can be expensive.
Mug And Cutlery
Although most people associate these items with camping, they can also be very useful on lengthy train travels if you carry your own food and snacks. They’re also useful if you’re on a Russian train that has an urn with a supply of hot water so you can make noodles in the mug while keeping warm with a cup of coffee.
Camera (Digital)
A long-distance journey is an ideal opportunity to improve your photography skills and test out all of the settings and filters built into the camera that you’ve never tried before. If you have a laptop with you, you can try out the different effects right away on the computer to get a better understanding of which combinations of settings work best together.
