Whether you love relaxing on a long train journey or you find yourself getting restless, we all have ways to make those long journeys easier and more fun. If you’re going to be stuck on trains for hours soon, be sure to bring these ten items.
- Refillable water bottle. Rather than spending money on expensive bottles of water on the train, be sure to bring your own. It’s more environmentally friendly and you can refill it at train stations with ease.
- Rubbish bag. Trains will almost always have their own bins, but when you’re settled into your seat it’s great to have your own rubbish bag so you can keep the space around you clean and tidy without having to constantly get up and get rid of your rubbish.
- Flushable wet wipes. Spilled something on your table? Toilet out of toilet roll? Wet wipes are an essential travel item. Ideally, look for biodegradable, flushable wipes.
- Moisturiser. Whether you prefer a simple tub of vaseline or a luxurious hydrating face mist, something cool and moisturising to relieve dry and puffy skin brought on by travelling is essential if you’re stuck on a train.
- Overnight travel pack. Whilst overnight trains aren’t common in the U.K., if you’re travelling around Europe by train you could find yourself on a ten hour plus overnight train. An overnight travel pack with an eye mask, earplugs, a roll-up travel pillow, and even a small blanket will make that overnight train much more bearable.
- Powerbank. Many trains have plugs so we can keep our phones and other gadgets charged up on a long journey. Sometimes, however, trains don’t have plugs or they are broken and there’s nothing worse than your phone dying a few hours into an eight hour journey. A portable powerbank means you have a backup option if there’s nowhere to plug in your phone.
- An extra layer of clothing. A cardigan, jumper, or scarf could make a world of a difference when the temperature drops in the evening on your train. Packing an extra layer that you can easily throw on if you’re feeling chilly.
- Food. Whether or not your train has a refreshments cart or a dining carriage, you’re going to want your own snacks. We may sound like your Gran here, but try to pack healthy, filling food like sandwiches and fruit as well as all those tasty snacks and sweets.
- Eco-friendly cutlery. If you plan on getting food on or off the train, a set of eco-friendly cutlery, such as bamboo cutlery, means you don’t need to worry about cutlery and you’re doing the environment a favour too.
- Something to pass the time. A book, an e-reader, a pack of cards, headphones for music and audiobooks, or a colouring book. Whatever you enjoy, be sure to bring it along so you don’t go nuts with boredom on that long train journey. This list of fun things to do on the train has some great ideas to keep you, your friends, or family entertained.
If you’re planning on a long train journey soon, you can buy tickets and make network rail enquiries to keep up with your connections at nationalrail.com.
