Top 10 Reasons Train Travel is THE BEST
Jason and I have had the occasion to travel by train quite frequently since we moved to Europe. It didn't take us long to come to the conclusion that train travel is the only way to go. Why do we find taking the train so superior?
- This post is coming to you live from the train somewhere in Yorkshire, England via FREE Wi-Fi. That alone is probably enough, but there's more...
- No long airport security lines. No removing your laptop from it's carrying case; no taking off your shoes, belt, jewelery, jacket, etc.
- No luggage restrictions.
- A nice, roomy table for me to spread out my books, coffee, laptop, etc. on so that I can really get comfy.
- Reserved seating, which apparently is becoming a thing of the past among many airlines. Does anyone else hate throwing elbows and tripping the guy next to you to get a decent spot in line so that you don't end up with a middle seat on the plane? Which brings me to...
- No middle seats! Enough said.
- Plug-ins to charge laptop and cellphone batteries.
- A snack cart that serves reasonably priced treats and drinks.
- On the train, you never leave the ground - this is a big plus for someone like me who has a *slight* fear of flying.
- Flexibility. If I get to the train station early or late, it doesn't matter. I can get on whatever train I want so long as I have a ticket between my departure and destination stations.
3 comments:
11. No fingernail shards left in your arm from the Kung Fu grip of the person next to you (read: Mica).
We are excited to try out this test ourselves in 2 days.
Trains in the UK are the best. Note that I said "in the UK." Every time (with the exception of one) that I've been on a UK train I've had a blast. The one bad time was more a function of drunken football fans than anything else.
Anyway, a coupe of summers ago I was digging in Nottingham and ended up visiting York for a few days to sightsee. (Have you been yet? If not, get over there -- it is a wonderful city, my favorite spot in England.) For some reason a first-class ticked from York to London was cheaper than a lower-class one, and I purchased the former. It was great. Free WiFi, all the tea you could drink and snacks you could eat, a huge comfy chair and -- I'm sure you can relate, Mica (and you, Jason) -- it had nothing to do with a plane. It was marvelous.
I then flew (ugh) over to Rome to meet KT, and upon picking her up in Rome we took a train to Venice. Although this was also first-class, the discrepancy in service was noticeable. In the UK the beverages flowed abundantly and the service was terrific. In Italy the ladies with the "beverage" cart (your choice? water) ran through the aisle as fast as they could in the hope they would not have to service anyone. WiFi was a sweet memory. The seats were smaller. It was amazing how different the two experiences were.
I was on the Rome/Venice train again last summer and things have improved noticeably. However, a word of advice: never, ever take the local train if you can avoid it. Always take the express train.
Post a Comment