Featured image: Consider one of these scenic train trips for your next adventure! | Photo by den-belitsky on Envato

Practical advice and wisdom from women about train travel

Curated by the JourneyWoman team

Who doesn’t love the idea of travelling by train, especially when it’s so much more relaxed and less hectic than most airports? When we asked experienced women travellers about their most memorable train trips, the responses surprised even us. While luxury train trips are most often touted as the most highly desirable experiences, it turns out that there’s much joy to be found in the journey itself, whether it’s a milk train across Canada or taking a steam locomotive in Zimbabwe.

If you’ve not travelled by train yet, make sure to read our Train Travel Etiquette Tips and Train Travel Tips from the Man in Seat 61.

15 memorable train trips

From long journeys in South Africa to misadventures in Europe, here are some of our readers’ favourite journeys, with some practical advice thrown in for good measure.

1. London to Exeter, England

“My first solo train trip was from London to Exeter in England. All the larger pieces of luggage are placed in a luggage receptacle at the back of the carriage as you board the train. I remember being concerned because so many riders exited that door and grabbed their luggage on the way out of the exit. My concern was that someone would take the wrong “black” luggage (mine) when they got off at their stop and I’d lose my suitcase. So like I do when checking luggage at the airlines, I decorate my luggage with bold decor and ribbons to clearly identify it. Better yet, I’ve pared down my luggage to handheld and a small carryon which can be placed at my seat or overhead if possible.” — RoseAnn W.

Book tickets for London trains here!

2. Brisbane to Cairns, Australia

“My most memorable train trip was a 24-hour journey on the Spirit of Queensland’s RailBed from Brisbane to Cairns in Australia. I booked in advance for the best price and for any train travel, I suggest carry-on luggage as most trains have an overhead rack and for extra security, a bag can be secured to the rack with a combination cable lock.” — Anne B.

Book the Spirit of Queensland here!

3. A steam locomotive in Zimbabwe

“My most memorable train trip was in 1992 and lasted two weeks. It was organized by Spoornet (South African Railways) and had a steam locomotive which I drove for about an hour in Zimbabwe. Our coach was built in 1923 and normally lived in Spoornet’s museum. Only cold water in the wash basin even though we got grubby from the smoke smuts and the South African summer heat. Therefore, comfort was 2/10, scenery 10/10, food 7/10 (no ice cream available, only steam puddings). My second most memorable train trip only lasted half an hour. This was in 1979 when I test-drove a brand new steam locomotive from its factory in Datong, northern China. 7/10 for comfort, 10/10 for experience.” — Danae P.

4. Overnighting across Europe

“In 1990, my friend and I used our Eurail passes to live for cheap as we backpacked around Europe. After we’d spent whatever time we wanted in a city, we would go to the train station in the evening and find a train leaving around 10-12 that was 6-8 hours long. Our trip had no coherence but lots of adventure. Once we met some Italian guys who asked if we wanted to go to Venice. We said “Sure! We haven’t been there yet.” As we passed various train stations, I realized we weren’t going to Venice, but rather Vienna.” — Rebecca L.

Click here to find a Eurail pass now!

5. Edmonton to Winnipeg, Canada

“Many many years ago when I was quite young, I remember being sent with my siblings to Winnipeg on the “milk train” from Edmonton to Winnipeg. I remember the tags around our neck with instructions for the porters to deliver up to my uncle at the train station in Winnipeg. It was an overnight train so we had berths to sleep in. It was our first experience of travelling on our own. We were 10,7 and 6 in age with me being the oldest. The other instruction given to the porters was that we were Jewish and be given kosher food only.” – Marion B., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Book tickets on ViaRail here!

6. From London to Budapest

Last fall, I took the Eurostar from London to Paris, then via Munich (for a quick stop to see the Christmas market) to Prague, where I spent two weeks and then hopped on a river cruise that ended in Vienna. From Vienna, my daughter joined me and we carried on to Budapest. Train travel is so peaceful and even with minor delays, I enjoyed just being with her.” — Carolyn R., Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Find Eurostar tickets here!

7. Nice to Monte Carlo

“We had a fascinating trip on the regional train from Nice to Monte Carlo in 1983. In our cozy compartment, we had some colourful characters including a South African naval attache who reminded us of James Bond, a charming young Parisian escort, and two Moroccan drug dealers. There was much conversation in French and English, along with sharing laughter, food and drink.” — Flavia S., Toronto, Canada

Book train tickets in France here!

8. Oslo to Bergen, Norway

“Train from Oslo to Bergen. Fantastic. A 6-hour journey with gorgeous scenery – waterfalls, hills, quaint villages, and fjords. Midway, the train stopped at a waterfall and a woman in red emerged from the forest dancing to a Norwegian song. It’s just an enactment of a forest spirit but the sight of her dancing on the rock against the backdrop of the waterfall was beautiful.” — Vara H.

Book tickets from Oslo to Bergen here!

9. Florence to Naples

“Trains reign, Florence to Naples. My front-row seat is an art museum. Relaxing, transitioning from city to country, forest green cypress, and golden-hued villas give way to fields of blood-red poppies and deep blues encroaching on the Mediterranean. My seat reclines, the sun hot, the cabin air-conditioned cool as my companion journals. I drift, drinking in the passing scene. Trains are easy on the soul.” — Gail M.

Click here to find train tickets in Italy!

10. Warsaw to Krakow, Poland

“Warsaw to Krakow. Paid a bit extra for a fast train—and it broke down. We had to wait for a new engine. As we watched a slower train pass us, the staff brought out beer, alcohol, wine and lots of appetizers. Turned into a great party. Didn’t matter what class you were in. Wandered the train laughing drinking and eating. Smiling a lot because neither hubby nor I understand a word of Polish. Sorry for those who were on time constraints—we weren’t and somehow they didn’t seem to care too much. Arrived about 2 hours late and very happy.” — Sandy B., Toronto, Canada

Book this train trip here!

11. Tirano, Italy to St. Moritz, Switzerland

“My partner and I took a December trip to Milan and booked a very spontaneous day trip from Milan to Tirano, where we then boarded the famous Bernina Express train to St. Moritz. I had never been to the Alps before, and getting to climb through the mountains on board a beautiful train with panoramic views was nothing short of spectacular. I will never forget going through a tunnel at one point and coming out on the other side to a completely snow-covered landscape. I actually teared up at some points from the sheer beauty of it all. We rode all the way to the beautiful St. Moritz where we spent a few hours before taking a bus back to Milan.” — Stephanie C.

Find tickets to ride the Bernina Express here!

12. Athens to Bucharest

“Athens to Bucharest. C 1999. The main trip began at midnight in Thessaloniki. One night, a day, then another night. A nice couple from Bucharest adopted me, worried I might not be safe. Mrs and I were locked in one compartment together at night. She tied up the door elaborately from inside. He was next door. Sofia station, a change, brutalist concrete building, a strip-lighted horror, with many many steps. Arrived in Bucharest to be met with a large bouquet from my hosts. A Romanian custom, hand kissing too. Fascinating country, would love to do it again. Returned in a sleeper with an odd conductor, had a tussle for my passport, and wouldn’t let him keep it. October. A coal fire kept the carriage warm. One other, not nice, male passenger sneered at the gypsies, Roma, on the platform. No more conversation there. A comfy sleeper, I locked myself in. Great journeys inside Romania too, very cheap, old trains. Met some lovely people, including Roma, on trains.” — Ros C.

12. Milan to Lake Como

“Most lovely ride was from Milan to Lake Como as we saw the lake from our seats.” — Gail M.

Book train tickets to Lake Como here!

13. Austria-Switzerland-France

“Austria-Swiss-France trip with my 10 and 6-year-old daughters in 2004. We had trolleys and no wifi alternatives yet so careful planning helped. Overnight trains instead of hotel.”— Faith P.

Book train tickets from Austria here!

14. Dublin to Galway

“Spent four days in Dublin. Took a regular coach to Galway. In both cities, I did the Hop on Hop off tour. A great way to get an overview of a place when you don’t have a car. Public transit is generally very good. Trains that run down the coast to Bray make a nice day out. The Wicklow mountains are beautiful.” — Davina J.

15. Beijing to Mongolia / Russia to St. Petersburg

“I love train travel! My epic train trip was from Beijing to Mongolia and across Russia to St. Petersburg. Lots of stops to enjoy local culture.” — Tara T.

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