My Survival Kit for 12 Hours on a Train
Traveling by train checks many boxes - economical, comfortable, environmental, and scenic - but I’ll be honest, nostalgia was the most compelling factor that had me opting for a train ticket on my recent trip to New Orleans. I’ve traveled by train in Alaska, Morocco, and Spain many times over the years, but typically for trips under six hours at a time. So for this journey that was double the distance, I pulled from my past travel experiences (in all forms) to curate my survival kit. This list, while fundamental in many ways, is one I have grown, pruned, and adapted over the years, starting with my first European train trip in 2010.
My Checklist
An exciting book
I am always tempted to bring one of my aspirational books. You know the one. It has stared at you from your shelf for years and weighs on you as you avoid eye contact when passing by. And knowing that I will be captive on a train for the better part of a day, I rationalize that this is the best time to tackle it. And yet, I rarely do. I’ll end up dragging it around on my trip and continue to avoid it unless I am genuinely excited about it. So instead, I bring a book that I know I will delight spending the day with. Sometimes it is a book I have already read, sometimes it is a book about the place I am going, but it is always one that I am itching to read.
Headphones
I love using a train ride to catch up on some podcasts. Whether you have an audiobook or an album queued up, the headphones are an mvp of any train ride. During noisy moments, they are also helpful in creating a pocket of peace for me to get a nap, some work, or writing in without distraction.
Sleep Mask
Spending the majority of a day confined to one seat will have you primed for a nap or two. If your ride is long enough, it may even be overnight. Having a sleep mask will allow you to get the rest you need, whether or not the lights or sun (looking at you, Alaska) are low.
Sunglasses
This is one that may be easy to overlook because being on a train means you’re indoors for the day. For me, sitting by the window and taking in all the scenery is part of the train experience, and I am always grateful to have my sunglasses on hand. Almost every train ride I have taken includes beautiful landscapes; bringing polarized sunglasses helps me take it all in with ease.
Battery Bank
For obvious reasons. I often need to charge my cell, my headphones, or my tablet during a day long train ride. Some trains provide outlets, but I prefer the flexibility a battery bank offers. It also alleviates any planning around outlet type, if in a foreign country, and assures me I’ll have a way to recharge when needed.
Crossbody
During those moments when I need to stretch my legs, head to the restroom, or pop into the food car, it is nice to have my crossbody on hand. I plan the contents ahead of time (gum, hand sanitizer, ibuprofen, liners, wallet, cough drops, chapstick), so there’s no digging through my bag for the little things I know I’ll need. I ensure my little pouch is ready with my basic needs, which comes in clutch for quick and easy movement through the train car.
Travel Game
Having something to play is particularly important to me when I travel with someone else. It helps break up the monotony that can be easy to fall into and gives the mind something new to engage with. On my early train rides, I always brought a deck of cards. Over the years, this has morphed into more elaborate travel games, like the Azul Summer Pavilion my husband and I got for our recent trip.
Sweater
I am cold natured, so I bring layers with me everywhere, but having something warm is particularly crucial for a train ride. Being able to adapt to whatever temps are blasting and beyond your control, will help create an enjoyable experience. And even if your particular train is warm, a sweater can double as a pillow.
Fan
Similarly, I have learned to bring a fan. I’m talking old school, hand fans here (though any portable fan will do.) This habit is one I pick up in Morocco. The long summer rides in shared train cabins were stuffy and at times felt insufferably hot. Having a fan significantly increased my enjoyment of the ride and made me the envy of other passengers.
Water bottle
An advantage of traveling by train is that passengers can bring whatever food and drink they like. I’ve seen families with coolers loaded up with breakfast, lunch, and dinner; I admire the foresight! Pack your meals or your snacks, but most importantly, bring your water bottle. This is especially important on trains that do not offer food and drinks for sale during the ride. It only takes one ride like this without your water bottle to never make that mistake again.
Notebook & pen
Traveling by train inspires me. I have learned to bring a notebook and pen with me on train rides. It is comforting to know I can journal, jot down ideas, or sketch a vista… whatever may strike me in the moment. The output is totally unimportant, for me, it is simply a part of the journey.
Traveling by train is an underrated gem. I hope you find the experience as delightful as I do and this little checklist helps you prepare. And let me know if you discover something important I missed. Each adventure helps me refine my packing list and brings me closer to the perfect journey.
Bon Voyage!
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