Travel in a Train Around Europe and Asia

Image via WikipediaIn most developed countries, traveling by train is quite comfortable and safe for solo women travelers. In countries with extensive rail lines, taking the train can be more affordable than flying, and it's often faster than buses and/or cars. Since you have the ability to walk around and stretch while traveling on a train, it can be more comfortable than other forms of transportation. And many trains offer sleeper cars. Some trains even provide sleeper cars dedicated to females. Except during very busy times, such as holidays and festivals,tickets can be purchased just prior to or even on your departure date; although, if I have to be somewhere by a certain time and date, I book in advance.

As some cities have more than one station location, be sure to confirm which one you'll arrive in when you purchase your ticket. In less-developed areas, you may want to book first-class passage or a private berth if your wallet allows. Train tickets in these countries will be relatively affordable and will provide you with a bit more safety than traveling in often overcrowded second- or third-class cars.

Rail Passes are used in 18 countries (excluding the U.K.), Eurail passes are geared toward non-European travelers and, as a result, it is difficult to find an outlet where you can purchase them in Europe. While the Eurail Aid offices located in major European cities do sell them, they are priced at a 20 percent markup. As a result, it's best to purchase online in advance at the Eurail website. The pass will be good for a specified time period, and doesn't go into effect until your first day of travel. Eurail Pass Flexi allows you to travel during a specified time period on nonconsecutive days. Use your rail pass only for longer, more expensive, trips. If you're traveling within a small region, such as the northwest corner of Italy, I recommend buying point-to-point tickets,rather than using a rail pass.

Other passes, such as the Britrail Pass, must be purchased in advance outside of the country you'll be traveling in, and validated on your first day of travel, no more than six months from date of purchase. For detailed info on purchasing rail tickets for all of Europe, including the U.K. and Australia, go to the RailPass website.

While the Eurail pass may be the most well-known, rail passes are also available for trains in Japan, India, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Africa. You can often purchase combination passes that include rail and bus, or rail and ferry services. Thomas Cook timetables provide complete listings of train schedules throughout the world. To better plan your schedule, purchase schedules for Europe or overseas from the Thomas Cook website.

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