Before planes and automobiles took center stage, the train journey was almost the only way to travel across countries. In some parts of the world, such asEurope and much of theAsia, it is still one of the standard modes for traveling from one city to another and, in other parts of the world, for example in North America, it remains a fairly popular alternative. It does not have the speed of air travel for long distances and often not the density of coverage of the road network, but compensates by the space we have to move while someone else is driving. It is also more comfortable than air travel, especially in terms of legroom and for those who do not like the idea of being suspended from 30,000 feet above ground. For distances between approximately 100 and 800 km, it can be the fastest method of traveling, especially if you have to travel from city center to city center. We can roughly estimate that the train is faster than the plane if the journey takes up to 4 h, since this usually does not require being at the station for more than 15 min before leaving. For longer distances it takes longer than traveling by plane, but it allows you to see the scenery from ground level and allows you to make stops along the way. Train prices may be cheaper than the price of gasoline for the same car trip, especially in countries where the train is heavily subsidized, and meet or exceed the lowest airline ticket prices. cheaper, especially in countries that want their trains to generate income or have privatized them.
Ticketing
When purchasing tickets, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Be aware that it can be very expensive in some countries to travel by train. In particular, high-speed trains can be as expensive - but more convenient - than flying. When comparing prices, be sure to read the terms carefully as trains (just like low-cost airlines) sometimes charge (at unreasonably high amounts) for things like seat reservations, luggage, boarding passes. or certain forms of payment.
- If you can, book in advance. In many countries you get a substantial discount. On some popular routes, at certain times, seats on long-distance trains may already be reserved. Reserving a seat, on the other hand, will usually incur a small additional charge - in these countries you will have to estimate whether or not the train will be empty enough that seats are readily available.
- Fares may be calculated based on distance, speed, type of train, or market demand (the most popular routes being the most expensive), or of course a combination of all of these.
- Many countries offer passes which allow several trips to be made within the same region. Inter rail (for Europeans) and Eurail (for others) are a good deal for those who qualify and are keen on traveling around Europe. Otherwise, in general, the value that can be derived from such a ticket is inversely proportional to the area covered (unless you spend the entire duration of the pass in the trains). Amtrak and the state of California offer similar offers for non-residents, just like the Japan and the South Korea.
- In some countries tickets can be bought on the train, in others they must be purchased (and often composted!) Before getting on to avoid fines. In some countries, both systems exist depending on the type of train. The purchase of a ticket on the train may incur an additional charge, or not allow you to benefit from a reduced fare that would have been available at the ticket office. As a rule, tickets bought on the train will be at least as expensive as if you had bought them outside.
- Some stations (like a few TGV stations in France) are in remote locations, but most of the time the station is in or very close to the city center, and certainly closer than the airport (s' there is one). A few airports have recently had their own train station added.
- Some tickets can be purchased through a smartphone app and are usually verified by scanning your screen. Note that a ticket on a smart-phone with a dead battery cannot usually be verified.
- Many airlines in North America, Europe and Asia cooperate with rail companies to offer direct tickets from the airport to some or any station in the national network. Although the exact details vary, this can be a big discount compared to tickets taken separately, or compared to a flight (rather than a train ride) for the last leg of your trip.
When to travel
- If possible, try to avoid peak working hours. For local trains, for trains arriving in a fairly large city, this corresponds to a time slot ranging from 2 h before to 1 h after typical working hours at the start of the day; for trains leaving from a city of comparable size with a time slot ranging from 1 h before to 2 h after typical end-of-day hours. On the other hand, there are often more trains during rush hour, and if you don't mind standing, you're more likely to have good connections.
- In Western countries, Friday evenings, Sunday afternoons and holidays are also not good choices of times. Be especially careful when traveling on Sundays and holidays, services are often reduced or non-existent.
- Some lines, especially high speed, are frequently used by 'weekend commuters' and therefore tend to be crowded on Friday evenings and Sunday evenings but almost empty the rest of the week.
- The days immediately preceding "family holidays" (Thanksgiving in North America, Christmas in Europe, the end of Ramadan in Muslim countries, Chinese New Year in China, Easter week in Latin America, etc.) are particularly in demand. and thus have higher prices.
- Late night or early morning services are often infrequent and may not be as secure. However, in some countries with variable fares, taking trains very early can save you money, just like flying.
- Sometimes there is only a limited supply of discount tickets; special discounts may only apply on specific days, times of the year or times of day. If so, it's usually wiser to travel off-peak, or plan well in advance if you have the opportunity.
Boarding
- If required, verify that you have composted your ticket. Forgetting it could result in a fine or additional charge from the controllers. There are often machines on the platform and / or on the train. In some areas, the controllers have no sense of humor at all, tend to follow the rules to the letter and speak little or no French / English, so an excuse like "c'est my first day here ”is unlikely to help you.
- Before getting on a train, wait that all passengers disembarking at your station have dismounted. Trains will not leave not if there are still people queuing to get on, even if it means there may be a minute late. (The exception may be for very frequent rush hour services, where a delay of a few seconds can cause many subsequent trains to be late, but in this case the next train will not be far behind.)
- When boarding, stand on either side of the doors while other passengers are getting off.
- Find out if your class or car is in the front, middle, or back of the train and stand on the platform accordingly. Ask the staff on the platform. In some countries the stations are divided into zones and diagrams show you which zone your car number corresponds to; for high-speed trains in Japan and China, the exact positions of the doors are even painted on the platform.
- Some trains have two or more parts going to different destinations or taking different routes. Usually, they will come off at some point in the journey; therefore, be careful to board the correct part of the train.
- Give way to crowded passengers, such as people with a lot of bags, people with children, and people in wheelchairs. If they are having difficulty, give them a hand if you can.
- Do not enter or exit if the train is moving or if its doors are closing. If anyone is caught in the door, alert the staff. Many modern trains have a safety lock preventing the driver from starting the train if the doors are not fully closed and locked. If the train begins to move, activate the door release or emergency stop button / lever. (Do this only in an emergency! Because once the train is stopped in this way, it may need to be inspected from start to finish - which can cause considerable delay. There are often fines. for improper train stops and you may be taken off the train where it stopped and handed over to the police. Missing your station is not a valid reason for stopping the train.)
- Many trains, especially commuter trains, have a device that detects whether someone is getting on or off. It is often a photo sensor at the door, which can be triggered by people standing near the door. Move away from it once on board so as not to prevent it from closing and the train leaving.
At the train station
- Be on time, or early. In many countries, if you have purchased the tickets in advance, arrive to 10 min before departure is more than enough, but allow more time if the departure station is large and unknown to you. Long-distance trains often lock the doors between 30 and 60 seconds before departure. Sometimes it is necessary to arrive earlier, for example in China where there are security and identity checks before boarding, or for the Channel Tunnel between England and France / Belgium, where customs controls are carried out before boarding.
- In smaller stations, train announcements can be made at very short intervals, up to 30 seconds before the train. Keep your luggage under your belt and be ready to board quickly. Store your belongings such as drinks, maps, guides and coats before that the train arrives in order to ensure a smooth boarding.
- Don't run if you can avoid it.
- Do not walk on the tracks, except at authorized and controlled crossings, or under the direction of staff. Look both ways before crossing, even if the warning devices are working. Do not cross ignoring the warning devices.
- Stay behind the yellow lines on the platforms unless you are really boarding.
- Stay well back from the edge of the platform when a train (such as an express) passes without stopping. They can generate a lot of turbulence as they pass.
- Face the edge of the platform if you are carrying a backpack, so that it does not get caught by a moving train.
- If you have an object on wheels (suitcase, stroller, etc.) with you, keep an eye on it, make sure that the brakes (if there are any) are engaged and position it parallel to the tracks. This will minimize the risk of unexpected displacement on platforms slightly inclined towards the tracks.
- A radio-controlled watch can be a useful tool for those who often travel by train. In Western countries, trains normally leave around the scheduled second, and thetrain time is synchronized with the atomic clock, which is used by radio-controlled watches. A normal watch is often shifted by a few minutes, which can make a big difference in the world of trains. Being aware that it will take you another 120 seconds to go from platform 1 to platform 12 is going to save you from having to run and under unnecessary stress. Radio controlled watches can be purchased inexpensively online. Synchronized mobile phones and PDAs will also do the trick.
- Pay attention to both loudspeaker announcements and (electronic) billboards. If you do not speak the language or cannot read the local writing, speak to the staff of the railway company.
- Familiarize yourself with the layout of the station. Usually platforms and platforms have continuous numbers starting at 1, but there are exceptions: in some cases track 1 may be next to track 4, or track 360 may be next to the track 361 in a separate building. Sometimes part of the tracks may be underground, which may or may not be indicated on your ticket.
On board
- Trains offer a wide variety of equipment. Some trains offer airline-like entertainment systems, Wi-Fi, and power outlets. Others offer very few amenities, some don't even offer a toilet.
- Train toilets also have widely varying standards, some may not empty and others can be extremely unsanitary, while others are spotless and very modern.
- Store your luggage as much as you can. Do not let them block the aisle or the seats for other passengers. There may be luggage compartments located at the ends of the cars for larger items, or locations above the seats for smaller bags.
- Most trains in developed countries are fairly safe when it comes to petty crime. This may not be the case elsewhere and there are always "black sheep". When in doubt, make sure your baggage is kept within sight at all times. If you have your own compartment, lock the door from the inside when you sleep, preferably with your own padlock.
Seats on board
- If the train is lightly loaded, simply sit down anywhere (preferably when the seat is stable).
- More generally, there will be a few seats remaining. Double (or triple) seats are generally quite difficult to find (although there may be some at the end of the train)
- If you are on a train during rush hour, you might find that all seats (if any) are taken. Do your best to find a safe place to stand or squat. Do not occupy the roof, the toilets, the luggage racks or the space under the seats or tables.
- Many trains are first class. It can be affordable in some cases or very expensive in others. You (typically) pay for a larger seat and a less crowded compartment. The “perks” offered to first-class ticket holders are usually quite minimal (eg, free tea and coffee, better entertainment, or newspapers). Only travel first class if you have a ticket or other authorization to do so. In some countries (such as Belgium) pregnant women have access to first class at no additional cost.
- If there are seats with reservation and you have a ticket without a reservation, look above the seats as there may be reservation indications, allowing you to choose a seat without a reservation. If there is no indication system or it does not work, ask the staff for help.
Food on the train
- Almost all railways allowbring your own food and eat on board. For travelers watching their budget, this is often the best choice.
- In some developing countries people may get on the train for the sole purpose of selling food. It may be sold out the window or on the platform during (short) stops. It is generally inexpensive but you could risk the tourista (traveler's diarrhea). In high-income countries, these people are usually railway company employees or are officially licensed, but their food and drink selection is often limited and overpriced.
- In most long distance trains there is some form of dining car (under various names) offering food ranging, depending on the train, from microwave junk food to freshly prepared local specialties. Sure, expect to pay more than for comparable food outside of a train.
- On some trains (usually the “premium” category, ie first class high-speed trains), you can have food served at your seat. If it's included in the price of your ticket, don't expect too much. Sometimes you will have to pay more than in the dining car.
Night trains
Many countries offer night trains, which kills two birds with one stone by bundling two of the less exciting activities on vacation: sleeping and taking a long trip. On some lines there are also Auto-trains for transporting a vehicle. The places offered can be:
- regular seats, which can be much cheaper, but less comfortable to sleep in (although sometimes you can lie on more than one seat). In this case, you will have less privacy and your belongings will be less secure.
- berths, in compartments of 2 to 6 beds. If this formula is more expensive, it can be economical compared to the price of a hotel room and a train ticket. The best facilities may include sanitary facilities such as a sink or shower.
Night trips can have several drawbacks:
- Whether you are in a standard seat or on a bunk, you will not necessarily have the same quality of sleep as in a real bed because of the movements, the cramped nature of the bunk and the noise of the train and your companions. travel.
- It is also not necessarily easy to find a place to take a shower after the trip (which makes you feel fresh as you enjoy your day).
- Your departure or arrival time may be in the middle of the night or early in the morning. This is especially true for connections between secondary or minor towns that are along the way and not at the departure or arrival station of the train.
- If you plan to visit your destination on the day of your arrival, you may also need to find a location where store your luggage for the day, such as an automatic station locker. Bring change, and pay close attention to opening hours.
Security
Keep in mind that trains are an extremely safe form of transportation. The Japanese Shinkansen has not suffered a single death in 50 years, just like the French TGV. The last fatal German high-speed train crash was in 1998, and the causes of that crash have since been resolved. Although it may seem counterintuitive, high speed trains have a better safety history than “normal” trains. Trains exceeding the conventional speed are equipped with continuous signaling means in the cab which automatically apply the brakes if the driver exceeds the speed limit or if there is a risk of passing a signal to red. This makes driver-induced accidents much less likely.
That being said, there are some ways you can improve your personal security.
- All trains have emergency brakes. If you see something that greatly compromises the safety of the train (eg a part of a wheel having pierced the floor), do not hesitate to pull it. While doing it for no reason will usually be worth a fine, if you can show that you had a reason to believe the train was in danger then you will escape it.
- If something falls on the tracks or if your vehicle stops or breaks down at a level crossing, immediately get everyone off the tracks. If there is one, use the station or railway crossing emergency phone to contact the signalman, who will try to stop any approaching train if possible. It is only after the flagman assures you that all trains have been stopped that you should attempt to remove the item or vehicle.
- It goes without saying that we should not set foot on the tracks. Especially if the barriers are down. If you have to cross at a railway crossing, do it quickly, only when and where it is authorized, and look both ways before doing so.
- In the unlikely event of an accident, windows are usually a place to escape. In German ICEs, there is a red dot on the top of the window and a small hammer next to it. Hit this point with the hammer to break the window and push it out. The other trains have a similar system. If employees are present, they should always know how to exit through windows; otherwise, the instructions are usually written near the window or in a safety brochure.
- Automatic doors can usually be deactivated and then opened manually. Again, don't do this for fun as you risk a fine. In the event of an accident, there is usually a lever or a button.
- If you exit the train after a derailment, especially if you exit through a window, there may be a significant height between you and the ground. Keep that in mind and watch before you jump. In a fire, a broken leg (or two) is always better than suffocating from smoke.
- If you jump from the train, beware of overhead lines that might have fallen on the train. Be careful not to touch the train and the ground simultaneously, as this could connect the electric cables to the earth and receive a load of 25,000 volts.
The most important risk factor for the average passenger is delinquency on board and in stations. In particular, pickpocketing and touching can take place in crowded trains, although it is no more or no less than in other busy situations.
Movement speed
- Train speeds can be very variable. High-speed trains travel at approximately 300 km / h on dedicated lines, making rail the fastest mode of travel over fairly long distances. They are in fact able to go at even higher speeds if the infrastructure allows it, but for reasons of cost they remain at 320 km / h or less.
- Conventional trains can travel 150-250 km / h in countries with adequate infrastructure, or much slower in others. The same country can have both fast and modern lines, and slower lines.
- The general speed limit for conventional speed trains is 160 km / h in much of continental Europe, about 200 km / h in Great Britain and 79 mph (127 km / h) in the USA.
- Many countries have tilting trains (sometimes called Pendolino) with medium to high speeds that can run faster than normal trains on curves. Some travelers may feel nauseous from the movement of the train. If you are worried that this is the case, try taking another train.
- When crossing large urban areas, trains are generally faster than road transport since the tracks are less congested than the roads.
- The train is generally, but not necessarily, faster than the bus.
- If you are comparing travel times by train and plane, remember to count the time to and from the airport in your calculations. In Europe, most of the airports are located outside the city centers (especially for low-cost airlines, such as with the airport of Hahn who is at 100 km of Frankfurt to which it is supposed to be attached); this journey can take well over an hour in bad cases. Keep in mind that security checks and boarding procedures, if any, usually take longer at airports than on trains.
Consulting by continent
Africa
Asia
Europe
In Western and Central Europe, trains are fast, efficient and compete in price with the plane. High-speed trains like the French TGV, the German ICE, the Spanish AVE, the Italian Frecciarossa and Italo, and the cross-border Eurostar and Thalys run to 320 km / h. When you factor in the travel time to the airport (before and after the flight), as well as security and painfully lengthy boarding procedures, they are often faster than flying.
The flip side is that tickets purchased locally can be expensive, but there are good discounts available if you book in advance or take advantage of various offers. In particular, the passes Inter Rail (for Europeans) and Eurail (for others) are worth it if you plan to travel extensively across Europe (or even within a single region) and want more flexibility than that of cheap plane tickets or train tickets bought from there. advance can deliver.
- Deutsch Bahn (DB) – The German Railways website allows you to search for train timetables for all of Europe. You can buy tickets for any train from or from Germany on this site.
France
Swiss
North America
The train no longer has the major role it once had here. While still useful for journeys within many metropolitan areas, intercity trains in the United States and Canada remain quite convenient in the Northeast Corridor and the Windsor-Quebec City Corridor, are usable in California and parts of the city. the Midwest and Southeast of Canada, and are downright sparse in other parts of the continent. If you prefer to travel by train, this is still possible (depending on where you're going), but it usually doesn't offer either speed or convenience. Passes allowing multiple journeys within the same country are available, but cross-border passes have disappeared. Many stations no longer have ticket agents, or only have them for short periods of time when the train is scheduled to arrive. At smaller unmanned stations, you may be able to use an ATM, or you may have to purchase your ticket on board. You can also purchase tickets online or over the phone.
Trains still play an important role in parts of the Caribbean. In addition, there are tourist trains to Saint Kitts and in Jamaica. Almost all trains on the Central American continent have gone out of business, and the ones that still exist provide tourism rather than actual transportation for most people. However, talks to revive a few lines or build new ones were only interrupted by the recent global economic crisis, which may change in the future.
South America
Peru
- Ferrocarril Central Andino, the "train of the Andes" Lima To Huancayo.
- The "Hiram Bingham" train from Cuzco to Machu Picchu.
Oceania
Rail travel was a dominant form of long distance travel in Australia until the 1950s. After World War II, the popularity of the private car caused the decline of rail and nowadays Australia is no longer. only a shadow of what he was. Many lines have since been discontinued, and the only remaining suburban lines are those connecting the “big four” cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth to the smaller towns nearby.
Nowadays, train travel in Australia is quite expensive and not fast at all. This is a little less true for the more populated East Coast. La plupart des lignes ont été construites pour le fret et le transport de voyageurs n'a été considéré qu'après coup. Cela dit, un voyage en train d'un bout à l'autre du continent est une des dernières aventures, et est même luxueuse à bord des trains couchette confortables.
En Nouvelle-Zélande, l'ascension et la chute du voyage en train a largement suivi la même trajectoire qu'en Australie. De nos jours, il n'est ni commun ni rapide, excepté certaines lignes de banlieue autour de Auckland et Wellington qui représentent à eux deux la part du lion des usages du rail dans le pays. Néanmoins, un voyage sur une des quatre (oui, c'est le nombre total pour tout le pays) lignes longue distance offrent des vue à couper le souffle et un moyen de circuler dans un style avec lequel les transports routiers et aériens ne peuvent pas rivaliser. Il y a un petit nombre de lignes touristiques dont le trajet représente en lui-même une attraction.
