Tips for Your Solo Train Travel
Figure out the Best Ways
Okay, so let’s assume those five reasons discussed in “Why You’re Missing Out When Taking the Plane and Not the Train” convinced you to take off.
Here are 10 tips that might make your trip even more enjoyable!
1. Go Anytime that’s NOT in High Season
Figure out when your route is most travelled. Don’t go then.
I went in January, and that simply gave me more space (I only had someone sitting next to me during one of the seven nights) and according to themselves: the staff is more relaxed and friendlier. They will have time to talk to you. The staff is a great source of remarkable stories. They are the experts of the trip. They know when to look where, and have ample exciting experiences to share.
Also the people travelling on the train are usually not your typical holiday travellers. Why are they travelling by train? What is their story (besides “Oh, I want to see the world”)?
2. Pack Smart
Even though luggage size and weight isn’t a limiting factor, I do highly recommend to pack light and thus smart.
Here’s a picture of what I packed. I would have packed a little different knowing what I know now.
DO Pack
- Bag of underwear. Great to have it all packed together. Easy to grab, and can be used as an (additional) pillow
- Earphones. Once in a while you’ll want to zone out. Listening to music = wearing a sign on your head “don’t talk please”
- Mug, Opinel knife, lunch box. I couldn’t have been happier with the ability to make my own snacks (more on it bellow)
- Eye mask, earplugs and washcloth. If you’re a light sleeper like me, bring everything you can to bring you silence and darkness. The train makes sounds endlessly and a chance of a snorer in your proximity is very likely, and there are small lights at all times. Washcloth: So nice to refresh yourself when you’re 32h on a train.
- Sleeping bag. No real “bed feeling” without something to cover you. Sleeping bags are easier to pack than a blanket.
- A daypack. I used my daypack to carry all my stuff to the lounge. It’s easy to have it all in once space.
- Water bottle. The air in the train is so dry, you’ll want to have water next to you at all times. There are water fountains on the train to fill it up.
- Tripod. If you want to take good pictures in the train, I highly recommend taking a tripod. The train is so wobbly, it’s hard to hold your camera still.
- A good book. There will be hours to spend without Wi-Fi. You don’t have that privilege often anymore. Time to dig in that book you’ve wanted to read for such a long time!
NOT Necessary
- Toilet paper. I hate it when I have to use a public toilet and there is no toilet paper. However, that was not an issue at all on the train. Plenty of toilet paper and tissues everywhere.
- Warm socks. I hate it when I have cold feet. That always happens on airplanes. But the temperature on the train was actually good, almost too warm (says someone who’s always shivering and wearing at least 3 layers).
- Too many clothes. I packed four different outfits. Two would have been enough. You just go with the flow and don’t really bother changing. You end up, almost unnoticeably, wearing the same outfit for three days. It’s okay. Everyone does. A little deodorant and perfume and you’re all good!
3. Figure Out Where to Sit, Before You Settle
Know on which side of the train the sun shines; it will become too hot so you’ll have to close the curtains. Closed curtains = no views.
Test your seat, table, footrest and electric plugs. I’ve had issues with all of those. Ask for another seat if something isn’t working properly.
Know on which sides and when the highlights of your trip will be best viewed. Amtrak offers free guides that nicely describe all of the stops along your trip. Read them in the beginning of the trip!
4. Bring a Book and a Journal
Yes, can’t mention it enough I guess. Disconnect. No computer. No phone. Enjoy the silence.
5. Bring Your Own Snacks
Whenever you have the chance, pay a visit to the supermarket and pile up with snacks. It’ll be cheaper, and you’ll have much more options. The menu on the train is the same for every train trip. You’ll get tired of the burgers, the microwave pizza, and the expensive dinner meals.
Some inspiration — you won’t have a fridge to keep your food cool!
- Goat cheese, almond butter and crackers
- Hummus, carrot and crackers
- Avocado, cherry tomatoes and Parmesan
- Non-diary milk and granola
- Banana, apple, grapes — fruits that are easy to eat of the hand
- Nuts. But don’t mix in your pistachios with your other nuts (soooo annoying)
- Chocolate
- Protein and energy bars
- Assemble a meal from the salad bar — most grocery stores have roasted veggies and grains etc. already prepared
6. Belong to the Smokers Club (even if you don’t smoke)
Go outside whenever there is a smoke stop. Fresh air. Stretch your legs. Feel the outside temperature. Do some old-men stretches.
7. Make Use of the Lounge to Socialize With Others
The lounge is not ideal for working; don’t sit there with your earplugs in all the time — others might still annoy you. The lounge is ideal for meeting others. Sit, stare, relax, and see what happens.
8. Bring a Tripod and Become Friends with the Conductor
The train shakes — a lot. The windows are dirty. The windows are highly reflective. Taking good pictures is not easy. Don’t try to take pictures as if you’re not in the train (i.e. “clean” landscapes). How can you frame your pictures to embrace your situation and actually use it to tell a story?
Talking to the conductor might help too. They know a lot of “secrets” on how to take amazing photos. Try it.
9. Get Comfortable to Sleep
I was lucky enough to have two seats for most of the nights. Put something underneath your ass to cover the hard in-between space, bring your footrests all the way up and tilt your seats → bundle up in fetus position = almost like sleeping in a bed! Don’t worry about waking up on time. The conductor will make sure you’re off the train on time.
If you’re unlucky to not have two seats, you can always try to sleep in the lounge car on the ground (a sleeping bag will definitely come handy). Unless your getting off the train in the middle of the night.
10. Some Ideas to Save Money
Know when to book your train tickets. Amtrak has special offers; e.g. if you book 14 days in advance you’ll save 20%. They also have rail passes, which is often a more economic option if you travel for more than 2 weeks.
If you have to eat on the train, go for breakfast or lunch. The prices are much more reasonable then.
When looking for a place to stay in cities, look for a couchsurfer. People love to hear stories about your train travel. No worries if you can’t find any, it’s often better to get a last-minute hotel.
If you’re befriending someone on the train, let it be the café bartender. Ask stupid questions, tell funny stories. They are often quite bored and lonely. And your company might be compensated with some nice treats. But don’t let that be your motivation to talk to them.
All in all, I spend 971$ in total for traveling around the USA for two weeks. This includes transportation, sleeping arrangements, food, activities etc.
I slept in a private cabin in a ski resort in Whitefish, MT, I experienced a Mardi Gras parade from a rooftop, and had the best fresh ginger-lemon-honey-cayenne teas on the train.
Off you go, my friend!
No more reasons to be skeptical about traveling by train around the USA. You’ll have an unforgettable journey.
I just got back, but I’m already planning a next trip.
Perhaps we meet on the train?
If you aren’t convinced yet, these 5 reasons why you’re missing out when not taking the train might make you feel less suspicous about train traveling.
