sandro plans to travel to work by train

Sandro plans to travel to work by train on 20 days next month. He can buy a monthly ticket costing £260 or 20 separate tickets costing £15.60 each ticket. What percentage of the total cost of 20 separate tickets does Sandro save by buying a monthly ticket? Give your answer correct to 1 decimal place.

Expert verified solution.

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How to Work and Travel at the Same Time

• Pam Kosanke

There’s a right and wrong way to do “bleisure” (business + leisure).

If you’re finding it tough to work remotely while on the road, your best bet is to put some practices into place to keep yourself organized and your performance level on track.

• Define what you want to get out of your travels — and out of your job. What would be my ideal day-to-day work life? How does it feel, and what does it look like? The more well-thought-out your own goals are, the less friction you’re likely to encounter when structuring your days.
• Create a structure that supports the lifestyle you want. The simplest way to avoid burdening yourself or your colleagues is to construct a detailed plan. Know where you’ll be and what you’ll be doing the whole time you’re traveling. How much time do you need between transitioning workspaces? How far apart are these locations? Will there be a place to charge your laptop and headphones?
• Overcommunicate with your manager and colleagues. Be respectful and honest. Communicate your availability and average response times well in advance and in multiple media channels (via Slack, one-on-one texts, live meetings, etc.)
• Hold yourself accountable for meeting expectations. Keep yourself focused by traveling with all the accountability tools you need. These can include business operating system tools and project management solutions, as well as reliable devices. Make sure you’re able to update everything regularly and track your progress.
• Travel with people who understand remote working. Explain your commitments to your traveling pals. For instance, you may want to establish times of the day when you need to hop onto Zoom calls or be available for business.

Where your work meets your life. See more from Ascend here .

By 2025,  more than 40 million Americans  are estimated to be working remotely. As such, they’ll be introduced to one of the most highly attractive benefits of telecommuting: the freedom to travel without taking vacation days.

• PK Pam Kosanke is the chief revenue officer for EOS Worldwide , a former professional athlete and multisport member of Team USA, and a Professional EOS Implementer®. She has broad experience working with organizations ranging from Fortune 500 companies to nonprofits and small businesses, and across a variety of industries including franchising, packaged goods, QSR, professional services, sports marketing, and retail.

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Travel Europe on a Budget

The Savvy Backpacker

City Guides .\33 a132798-3f3b-4585-954d-7e70cf863447{fill:#231f20}

Complete guide to train travel in europe | how to travel europe by train.

Our step-by-step guide to traveling Europe by train.

Transportation

Traveling by train is the quintessential way to tour Europe. It’s romantic. It’s inspiring. It’s super-efficient. It’s comfortable. Some might say it’s almost magical. And to those who don’t live in a country where train travel is prominent, it’s a little mysterious.

In this Complete Guide To Train Travel In Europe,  I’ll cover everything you need to know about traveling Europe by rail—including how to get the best price on train tickets, rail pass tips, understanding train schedules, tips for riding trains, how to navigate train stations, and advice for dealing with other issues you might encounter. By the end of this guide, you’re going to be a European train expert!

Quick Tip: Most train tickets are now electronic so you’ll want fast and reliable mobile data on your phone when traveling via train. Check out my guide on how to use your phone in Europe and our guide to the best SIM Cards and Data Plans for Europe .

The Pros and Cons of Europe Train Travel

Let’s start with a quick overview of the positives and negatives of train travel in Europe.

Advantages Of Train Travel In Europe

Here are all the things I love about riding the train in Europe:

• In contrast, traveling from the airport to the city can take anywhere from 20-60 minutes and costs between $10-$80.
• There are no lengthy check-in procedures or security screening for most train travel. You simply show up a few minutes before the train leaves, buy a ticket if you don’t have one, and hop on the train.
• There are no luggage weight limits or extra fees for multiple pieces of luggage—just make sure that you’re able to lift your bag onto the train.
• Most European trains now accept electronic tickets—you simply show your ticket on your phone. That means no waiting in ticket lines and it makes planning your train travel even easier.
• You can pretty much bring whatever you want on a train—including alcohol. So stop by the local grocery store and pick up some cheap food for the journey.
• Europe’s rail network is extremely vast so it is possible to travel to even small towns by train. Most destinations offer multiple trains a day. The most popular routes usually have multiple trains an hour so getting to where you want to go is rarely difficult.
• If you’re traveling a long distance, consider taking an overnight train. These trains have special sleeper cars with bunks (usually six-bunk rooms or two-bunk rooms). A bunk in a sleeper car will cost about $45-$90 extra (about the same as a night in a hostel) but you won’t lose out on a whole day of travel. Overnight trains also have normal seats if you don’t want to fork over the extra cash for a bunk but it’s kind of uncomfortable.
• Train travel allows you to be spontaneous so you can show up at any train station, buy a ticket, and be on your way.
• Europe has a lot of beautiful countryside so traveling by train is a great way to see some fantastic views.
• Some trains also offer designated quiet cars if you truly want quiet.
• Train seats are larger and more comfortable than plane seats (especially when compared to many discount airlines). You’re also free to move about the train whenever you feel like it. Many trains also have seats that face each other and have a table between the seats—so it’s great for groups.
• European trains run on schedule well over 90% of the time but flights are only on schedule around 65%.
• Historically, train stations were the central hub for commerce and transportation so European cities showed off their status by building grandiose train stations. While it isn’t a huge deal, it is one of those nice little perks.
• Many countries offer sizable discounts for people under 26 years old so don’t forget to look into those discounts.
• The train is the most environmentally friendly form of travel. In fact, even France banned short-haul flights to encourage more train travel within France.
• We’ve always found riding the train to be fun. It’s oddly magical and relaxing.

Disadvantages of Train Travel in Europe

Train travel isn’t perfect so here are a few things to watch out for:

• That said, you can get some really good deals if you’re able to book high-speed trains in advance but you’ll pay a premium if you book last minute.
• There are often discounts for travelers under 26 years old.
• Note: Don’t forget to add in travel time to/from the airport and time to get checked in and through security—which will add around three hours to your journey.
• The train schedules can be a little confusing—especially for beginners. Luckily, there are plenty of apps that help make the process much easier but we still get tripped up every now and then.
• Many cities have more than one train station (Paris has six!). It’s not uncommon to arrive at one station and leave from another.
• It is also possible to change stations during a single journey. For example, when traveling from London to Lyon via the Eurostar, the Eurostar stops at the Paris North station, but then you have to travel to the Paris East station to catch the train from Paris to Lyon because there are no direct trains from London to Lyon. This transfer would require a cheap Métro (subway) ride.
• Striking is a national pastime in Europe. It happens a few times a year (or more if the people aren’t happy) but they announce the strikes well in advance so it shouldn’t be a surprise (just a hassle). You’ll just have to deal with them if they happen.

Pre-Trip Train Journey Planning

There are a number of great websites that will help you plan your train journey.

The first is Rome2Rio — simply plug in your destinations and it will give you all the train routes (as well as plane, bus, and car routes with cost estimates and travel times) for your journey. Rome2Rio is good for comparing different modes of transportation but I find better train ticket prices and more complete train listings on Omio and Trainline .

The German Railways Website ( Bahn.de ) shows the schedule of every train in Europe (yes, every train). We find that it’s helpful for piecing together complex train journeys. But it’s also good for seeing which trains require reservations and other important information. Unfortunately, you can only book German train tickets on the site so hop over to Omio and Trainline to book your tickets.

I’ve also written a few country-specific train guides to help you learn the quirks of each country’s rail network.

• Belgium Train Guide
• England Train Guide
• France Train Guide
• Germany Train Guide
• Italy Train Guide
• Netherlands Train Guide
• Portugal Train Guide
• Spain Train Guide
• Switzerland Train Guide

How to Buy European Train Tickets

Buying European train tickets can be a little complicated—especially when you’re looking for the best deals.

That’s because each country runs its own National rail service (many countries also have separate private rail networks as well) and each does things slightly differently.

Luckily, there are plenty of online tools to make the whole process easier and we’ll walk you through the process.

NOTE: I’ve written an in-depth guide on how to buy train tickets in Europe if you want a more detailed look at finding the cheapest train fare.

How To Understand Train Ticket Pricing

Before we get started, I need to explain the two main ways train tickets are priced— fixed price and variable price .

Variable-Price Train Fares

Variable Train Fares are always changing based on demand, the day of the week, the time of year, and the distance to the departure date. Essentially all high-speed trains operate on this pricing model.

• In general, the prices will continue to creep up as the departure date approaches—you’ll pay a fortune if you buy last minute.
• Of course, you lose flexibility when buying tickets in advance because the cheapest tickets are normally non-refundable/unchangeable

Fixed-Price Train Fares

With Fixed Train Fares , the price is solely determined by the distance traveled. This is most common on regional and slower trains. With this type of ticket, it doesn’t matter when you buy tickets because the price never changes.

Where To Buy European Train Tickets

There are two main ways to buy European train tickets—directly from each country’s National Rail Service (via their website or at the train station) or through a third-party train booking search engine like Omio and Trainline —I find these booking services to be much more user-friendly.

Third-Party Train Ticket Booking Sites

There are quite a few advantages to buying your train tickets with third-party booking sites:

• The advantage of booking with a third-party booking site is that it lets you book more complex multi-country/international train routes. Many National Rail Services have trouble booking international routes (i.e. going from France to Italy)—so they can’t always find the best deals or show all available routes.
• Many of Europe’s National Rail websites still have issues processing foreign credit cards so it’s common for credit cards to be declined when booking. These third-party sites won’t have these issues.
• We’ve found that it’s common for Europe’s National Rail websites to be plagued with weird technical problems and overall poor user interfaces. Many times you’ll get kicked from the English version of the page to the local language in the middle of the booking process. These third-party booking websites take care of these issues.
• Third-party booking services have much better smartphone apps than the clunky national rail service apps.

Our Favorite Train Booking Websites

• Omio : Omio is a great train booking engine that lets you book tickets from just about every country’s rail service and they make the booking process very user-friendly.
• Trainline : Trainline is a new European train booking service (very similar to Omio ) that sells train tickets from Austrian, French, German, Spanish, Italian, and German Railways railways (and a few others).

National Booking Sites

Despite their technical issues, sometimes the cheapest tickets can only be found by booking directly with each country’s national rail service. This is because sometimes they offer limited-time deals that third-party booking sites don’t have access to. So it doesn’t hurt to at least take a look.

Links to Some National Railway Websites:

Austrian Railways ¹ – Belgian Railways ¹ – Danish Railways – Finnish Railways – French Railways – German Railways – Irish Railways – Italian Railways – Spanish Railways – Netherlands Railways ¹ – Norwegian Railways – Polish Railways – Swedish Railways – Swiss Railways ¹ – United Kingdom Railways

¹ Domestic tickets (i.e. trips that are wholly within the country) are always the same price — regardless of when they’re purchased and they never require a reservation. Therefore, it is easiest to buy tickets at the station. However, these countries often have a separate international high-speed train system (e.g., Belgium has slower regional trains and high-speed Thalys trains that link major Belgian cities to other international cities — these tickets should be purchased early for cheaper fares).

Quick Note About Eastern Europe Trains

Some Eastern European countries still don’t have online ticket booking so it’s only possible to purchase tickets at the station or through a local travel agent. Ask your hostel or hotel and they’ll tell you where to locate an agent.

Receiving Your Online Tickets

There are multiple ways to collect your tickets after you purchase them:

• Electronic Tickets:  Many times you can have an electronic ticket sent to your phone (either via email or the booking app). Simply show the conductor on the train when he checks tickets and he’ll scan the QR code on the screen. This isn’t available in all countries but most countries have switched to eTickets.
• Print-At-Home Tickets:  Anywhere that offers electronic tickets will usually let you print tickets at home. You can often simply save the PDF to your phone/tablet and the conductor can scan it from there.
• Note: You’re often required to use the SAME credit card use to purchase the tickets to collect the tickets at the station.

Buying Tickets At The Station

You can buy train tickets at any train station—either from the ticket window or from automated ticket machines. We recommend trying the automated ticket machines since the lines at the ticket window are long, slow, and understaffed.

When To Buy Train Tickets To Get The Best Price

Fares are fixed for most  regional and local trains so there is no reason to buy them early.

For high-speed trains , it’s best to buy tickets early to get the cheapest tickets. In most cases, train tickets can be purchased 60-90 days before the departure date but buying a few weeks early is usually fine.

Train Ticket Price Examples (Comparing Last Minute vs Buying Early)

• Purchased Two Days Before Departure: €69.00
• Purchased Three Weeks Before Departure: €55
• Purchased Two Days Before Departure: €135
• Purchased Three Weeks Before Departure: €97
• Purchased Six Weeks Before Departure: €54
• Purchased Two Days Before Departure: €234
• Purchased Three Weeks Before Departure: 124
• Purchased Six Weeks Before Departure: €55

As you can see, booking just a few weeks early can save quite a bit of money.

Quick Point About Buying Train Tickets Early : As stated above, buying tickets in advance is the best way to save money but this also limits your ability to be flexible/spontaneous. This is especially true since many of the truly cheap train tickets are non-refundable. For optimum flexibility, it might be best to buy a rail pass. Here’s my  Guide To Using Rail Passes in Europe and my Eurail Pass Review .

Other Train Ticket Discounts

Most rail services offer various discounts—some are based on rider age but other discounts are based on region, the day of the week, or other schemes.

• The most common discount is a youth discount — which is usually for people under 27 years old.
• Most countries offer a number of potential discounts. For example, Germany has a Schönes-Wochenende-Ticket (Happy Weekend Ticket) where groups of 2-5 people can ride as much as they want on regional trains from Saturday to Sunday for €44. Check each country’s rail service website to see if there are discounts available.

Eurail Passes

Many travelers choose to use rail passes instead of buying individual tickets. That’s because Eurail passes can save you a bit of money (depending on how you use them) but most importantly they give you excellent flexibility by allowing you to travel without needing to plan.

Note: We’ve written a lot about Eurail Passes. Check out our  Guide To Using Rail Passes in Europe and our Eurail Pass Review for more in-depth information.

Quick Rundown On Rail Passes

A rail pass (aka Eurail Pass) is a single ticket/pass that allows you to ride any train in Europe—simply hop on, show the conductor your pass, and you’re good to go. Actually, it’s not quite that easy these days as there are a few stipulations, but the general idea is that you can ride any train without booking individual tickets.

Types Of Rail Passes

• Continuous:  Unlimited travel to any Eurail participant country for between 15 days and 3 months.
• Flexi:  10 or 15 individual travel days (doesn’t have to be consecutive days) to any Eurail participant country within a two-month period.
• For example, one pass could be 10 days of train travel between France, Switzerland, and Italy. You have a two-month window to use of your 8 travel days. Each day you travel by train counts as one travel day but you can take unlimited train rides within each day.
• Eight travel days in a single country which must be used within a month.

Advantages of Rail Passes

• Flexibility: The number one benefit of rail passes is the flexibility they offer. You simply have to walk onto the train and go.  That’s why this is a great option for people who don’t want to plan and who would rather wander across Europe.
• Long-Distance Trains: It’s also a good deal if you plan on taking a lot of long-distance trips because those tickets tend to be expensive so a rail pass is a good way to save some money. On the other hand, if you’re taking a bunch of short train rides then you’ll probably be better off buying single tickets.
• Low Stress:  Piecing together a bunch of train journeys and then pre-purchasing individual tickets is stressful and takes a lot of time and planning. For a lot of people, paying a little extra for a rail pass is worth the hours saved having to preplan your entire trip.

Disadvantages of Rail Passes

• More Expensive: It’s usually cheaper if you purchase your train tickets online a few weeks in advance. That said, most of these cheap pre-purchased tickets are non-refundable so you’ll lose most of your flexibility. However, if you’re purchasing your train tickets a few days before departure then it’s much cheaper to use a rail pass.
• Reservations: A few countries require rail pass holders to pay extra for a seat reservation on high-speed trains. The fee can range from anywhere from €5-€35 and they have to be made in advance — they can sometimes be made online or directly at the train station. Here’s a detailed guide to rail pass reservation requirements from eurail.com. You can also enter your journey into  Bahn.de  and it will tell you if that specific journey requires a reservation.

Navigating The Train Station

Ok, now we know how to buy train tickets and rail passes… so let’s learn about what to expect when you get to the train station.

The train station is the central transportation hub of most European cities so things can be a little chaotic and confusing—especially if you’re not used to traveling by train.

In this section, I’ll give you some tips to help you find your train.

First, make sure you have the correct train station because many cities have multiple stations. For example, Paris has six stations. Even some small towns have two different stations.

Once you arrive at the station, you’ll see signage in English so you shouldn’t have much trouble finding your way. Some stations are huge so you may have to walk quite a bit and navigate stairs and escalators.

Depending on the size of the station, you’ll also find fast food, cafes, shopping, lounges, and restrooms (although you sometimes have to pay to use them). Also, most train stations have luggage lockers that you can rent if you need them.

Pickpockets and Scams at the Train Stations

Train stations can get very busy, hectic, and full of confused tourists so they’re a common target for pickpockets and other scammers. Pay attention to your stuff and be wary of “helpful” strangers willing to help you with the ticket machines. Check out our Guide To Avoiding Pickpockets and Tourist Scams in Europe .

Train Ticket Machines

If you need to buy your train tickets or print your pre-purchased tickets you’ll want to first head to the automated ticket machines. Everything is in English and the machines are easy to use.

Alternatively, you can still go to the ticket window or customer service desk but the lines are usually long.

Reading The Train Station’s Departure Board

Once you arrive at the station you’ll want to look for the departure board. There are usually multiple boards throughout the station and one giant main board. This board tells you where to find your train, when it leaves, and where it’s going.

The three most important things to note are the train number , departure time , and the platform .

Your train ticket will show the scheduled departure time and the train number but it usually won’t show which platform the train leaves from.

So head to the departure board and find your train number to see at which platform your train is located. It’s very common for the departure board to not display the platform until 10-15 minutes before departure so pay attention to the board.

Find Your Train’s Platform

Once know what platform your train is departing from you’ll want to find that platform at the station. Sometimes the platforms are a bit hard to find so you might have to seek them out.

Don’t worry if there isn’t a train there at the moment because trains often pull in, load up, and leave.

There are usually a few staff members milling about on each platform so don’t be afraid to ask train station staff as most can speak English.

Validate Your Ticket 

Many physical train tickets need to be validated (stamped with time/date) before entering the train so look for small validation boxes near the entrance of the platforms. Simply place your ticket inside the machine and it will stamp it.

You can receive a large fine if the ticket checker sees that your ticket isn’t validated (they’ll assume you were trying to ride for free). If you forgot, quickly seek out the conductor, explain that you forgot to validate and everything should be fine. Or you can just play the “I’m a dumb tourist and these scary trains confuse me” card and hope they let it slide.

Note: Electronic tickets don’t need to be validated because they’re usually only good for the specific time stated on your ticket. Some paper tickets also don’t need to be validated but we usually try doing it anyway to be safe.

Finding Your Train Car

On some trains (usually high-speed trains) you have assigned seats so look at your ticket to see which train car your seat is in. The car number will be displayed on the side of each train car.

You can board the train in any car but it’s much easier if you enter your car (walking through multiple train cars is a pain).

Most regional and slower trains don’t have assigned seats so you can simply board anywhere you like.

That said, you’ll want to get on fairly quickly because trains are usually only at the station for a few minutes before they leave.

On The Train

You’ve made it on the train. Congratulations! In this section, we’ll talk about settling in and a few things you might experience on your ride.

Find Your Seat & Store Luggage

Find your assigned seat (if you have one) or take any free seat if it’s open seating. The seat numbers are displayed above the seats.

Take the opportunity to store your luggage. Smaller luggage like backpacks and some suitcases can be stored above your seat on luggage racks. There are usually larger spaces for bigger luggage at the end of each train car.

Wait For The Conductor To Check Your Tickets

A ticket checker will come by and check your ticket after the journey starts—typically within 10-20 minutes after departure.

While not extremely common in Western Europe, border patrol might board the train to check passports. They might ask you some questions but we usually only encountered this in Eastern Europe.

Enjoy The Ride

One of the great things about train travel is the comfort of the ride. Feel free to walk about, check out the bar car, enjoy a picnic (alcohol is allowed), or sleep. Some trains offer free wifi but we’ve never had much luck getting it to actually work.

Departing The Train

One of the most confusing parts of the ride is knowing exactly when to leave the train. That’s because train stations are sometimes named very similarly.

For example, many trains coming into Brussels first stop at the Brussels Nord station (which is located on the outskirts of town) before stopping at the main  Brussels Centrale station (which is located in the center of town).

More Europe Travel Tips From The Savvy Backpacker

I have a lot more tips and tricks for traveling through Europe on a budget. Here are a few helpful articles I think you’ll enjoy.

• Get moving with our picks for the  Best Travel Backpacks .
• Get packing with our  Europe Packing List .
• Get traveling with our  Europe City Travel Guides .
• Get planning with our step-by-step Guide To Traveling Europe On A Budget .
• Get a High-Speed eSIM Data Plan for Europe and learn more about how to use your phone in Europe .
• Recent Posts
• New York Pass Review | Is It A Good Value or Waste of Money? - May 20, 2024
• Paris Pass Review — A Good Value or Waste of Money? - May 13, 2024
• The Best Travel Backpacks | In-Depth Buyer’s Guide & Backpack Reviews - April 28, 2024

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Questions? Learn more about our Strict Advertising Policy and How To Support Us .

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How to Travel More While Working Full Time: A Step by Step Guide

What’s the secret to being able to travel more while working full time ?

Planning and creativity.

While you might feel constrained with a full-time job, there’s also a silver lining that makes it easier to travel more while working 9-5 in some ways: a predictable schedule.

With set work hours and holidays, all it takes is a good travel plan made for the year and a bit of creativity to get the most mileage (figuratively and literally) out of your work schedule.

As a full-time English teacher in Japan for two years, I was able to visit most of the main Japanese tourist destinations as well as several other neighboring Asian countries and still fit in a trip to Hawaii and a visit back to California to see my family— all by strategically planning out my year according to my work’s holiday schedule.

In this step by step guide, I’ll show you how I was able to travel more while working full time and how you can, too!

Step 1. Define Your Goals

What does “traveling more” mean to you? 

Is it going on more local hikes or exploring the immediate area around you? Is it road-trips across the country? Is it international adventures?

Not everyone’s idea of traveling is the same.

Pinpointing what exactly it is that you want to do will make the following steps all the easier.

For me, it was getting to see as many countries as possible and traveling to all seven continents before the age of 30.

Related: How I Got Paid to Travel to All 7 Continents

Step 2. Make a List of Where You Want to Go

Divide your desired locations into the following categories based on how much time you think you’ll need to visit each destination, taking into account the transportation time required to and from where you’re currently located:

• Half-day trips
• Weekend trips
• Half-week trips
• Weeklong trips
• Weeklong+ trips

Overestimating is better than underestimating

If you’re unsure which category the destination falls in, it’s always better to budget extra time rather than the other way around.

More often than not, the time it takes to simply get to a location usually takes longer than I planned or anticipated, especially if you get lost or accidentally take the wrong bus .

This is especially the case in places where you’re unfamiliar and/or don’t speak the language!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Michelle Endo (@wandereatwrite)

Step 3. Mark a Calendar with Work Holidays

This includes any random Mondays or Fridays off (the best!), government holidays, or other official non-working days.

As a visual person, I find that being able to physically see where I have extra days off or how far away a date is helps me organize and plan better.

Step 4. Put the Puzzle Together

Now that you can visualize the time you have available, start filling in the blocks of weekends or vacation periods with trips from your list.

For example, if you have a Monday off, you could write in:

• 1-2 day trips between Saturday- Monday
• 1 weekend trip
• 1 weekend trip + 1 day trip

However you put your puzzle together, be sure to actually write the trips into your calendar! 

Not only will it help you see the trip coming up and give you something to look forward to, but it also gives you time to plan, which significantly decreases the chances that you’ll back out of the trip at the last minute.

Step 5. Consider Taking Half-Days or Extra Full-Days Off For Long Weekends

Of course, this depends on your job, but if you’re able to take an additional half or full-day off from an already 3 day weekend, you’ve got yourself a nice half-week vacation.

And even if you only decide to fill your 3.5 or 4 days with a couple of day trips or a weekend trip, you’ll have some extra time to either rest before returning to work (adulting is difficult, guys) or you can stay at your destination a bit longer than you planned for a slower-paced trip.

A half-day off can also be enough time to reach your destination, get a good night’s rest, and begin your adventures first thing in the morning.

Tip: Red-eye flights are often cheaper than others and can save you a good portion of travel time, allowing you to hit the ground running once you land! If you’re worried about adjusting to any time differences, look up some tips for treating jet lag .

Step 6. Actually Take Your Vacation Days & PTO

I know in some cultures this is frowned upon; this was especially the case when I was living in Japan. 

I had friends who ended up leaving the country with nearly 5-7 days saved that they could’ve taken off from work but didn’t due to cultural expectations and the risk of losing face with their managers. 

Americans are notorious for leaving behind vacation time as well.

But in the end, those holidays are yours and you should be able to take them.

The way I looked at it, if I didn’t use up my extra days off, my company was getting free labor from me— not just a few hours here and there, but weeks’ worth of unpaid work .

No, thanks.

Step 7. Request for Time Off as Early as Possible

You can’t expect to take a few days off from work if you haven’t given your boss enough notice.

By putting in your requests early, your employer will have the time they need to put them into consideration, and your planning is more likely to result in a favorable outcome. 

Also, this may not win you any points with your co-workers, but if you’re in a situation like I was where only one person could have any given day off outside of official holidays, usually the person who asks first wins.

Step 8. Extend Business or Company-Paid Trips

If your job sends you to another city or country, see if you can add on an extra day or two off either before or after the business trip for an extended time in the destination where transportation and accommodations are already provided for.

Flights are usually the most expensive costs when it comes to traveling, not to mention the fact that they eat up a lot of precious time, so if your work will be covering it, it’s worth taking advantage of.

Step 9. Start Making Plans– Even if that Means Going Alone

Now that you can see what days, weeks, and weekends you have reserved and approved for you to be off, start making plans to actually travel to those places.

Whether that’s starting your research or even purchasing bus, train, or flight tickets, the sooner you get started the more likely you’ll actually go.

Too often people end up not taking their trips or going where they said they were simply because they feel overwhelmed and haven’t begun to put the pieces of their getaway together until the last minute.

Some hobbies and activities don’t require a lot of prep, and not all travel does; but if your goal is to max out your year with as much travel as possible, the key is proper planning , friend.

If you’ve never traveled alone before, I know how scared you might be feeling. Especially if you’re a woman.

Trust me, I’ve been there.

But in the end, if your goal is to travel more, you’ll have to come to terms with the fact that it can be very difficult to find someone in your social circle who will be able to get the same dates off from work or leave behind their responsibilities to accompany you.

The truth is, if you keep waiting for others, you’ll never get where you want to go.

If I kept waiting for friends, I’d never had been able to get my butt across every continent.

But once you take your first step, it gets easier.

If you do your research about your destination and use common sense while out, you’ll be ok.

And if you are really worried about venturing out alone, look into finding other travelers who will be in the same place as you through hostels, meetups, or Reddit travel partners .

Step 10. Save, Save, Save

Another roadblock you might run into is not having enough funds saved for your 10-day excursion to Japan or even a few days in Mexico .

If you have plans to go somewhere, start saving today.

Cut back on takeout or Starbucks.

Cancel any subscription services you don’t really need.

Automatically transfer a portion of your paycheck to your travel fund.

Whatever you need to do to fund or save for your travels, whether it’s picking up a side gig or putting money away in a physical piggy bank, your future self will thank you!

Additional Tips for Traveling More While Working Full Time

Relocate if you work remotely.

As a native Californian, I know first hand just how difficult it is to travel to anywhere internationally. 

If you have the luxury of working remotely with a flexible work schedule regardless of time zones (or you don’t mind switching your sleep schedule), take advantage of your situation by relocating to a city or country you want to explore more.

Not only will you be able to get a more local, long-term experience, but you’ll also be in closer proximity to other cities or neighboring countries that you can visit more easily than if you were planning a trip from where you’re currently located.

Get a Job that Pays You to Travel the World

While we can all dream of quitting our jobs and becoming a self-sufficient digital nomad/ travel influencer hybrid, the reality is that most of us need a consistent paycheck to survive.

If you’re willing to do whatever it takes to travel, there are so many job opportunities out there that will pay for your transportation costs, room and board, and food— not to mention provide you with a reliable income and take you to places you’ve only dreamed of.

That’s how I was able to get paid to travel to over 60 countries, all seven continents, and even through the Seven Seas all before the age of 30.

How exactly?

I was an English teacher in Japan , an English teacher on a global voyage , a kids counselor working on cruise ships , and a dishwasher, or steward, in Antarctica .

If you are able to change careers and find a job that allows you to work and travel at the same time, it’ll help you achieve your goal of seeing more of the world in a financially responsible way.

If you have any questions or you have some tips of your own, feel free to let me know in the comments below!

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Michelle is a freelance writer who has traveled to all seven continents and 60+ countries through various forms of employment. Over the last ten years, she’s worked as an ESL teacher in Japan, a youth counselor aboard cruise ships, and a hospitality manager in Antarctica.

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These tips are amazing! Such a useful guide, thank you!

Great tips! I used to do some of this when I worked a traditional 9 to 5 and changed for all the reasons here. Thank you for sharing.

Such great tips! Making a list and putting how many days you’ll need for each place is such a good idea. My problem is there are so many places I want to see, that this list would be immense. Though I might start doing it so that I have some focus.

I felt the same! But gotta start somewhere, right? ;)

I admire your organisational skills here! And really well done for not getting sucked into the Japanese culture of never using all the annual leave – I have friends there who find it so difficult. I’m always aware when I look at Japan how very lucky I am to be in the UK, with 33.5 days of annual leave plus national bank holidays and time off in lieu – and we’re 100% expect to take it.

33.5 days off per year sounds amazing! I had no idea that was the case in the UK. It’s definitely a challenge in some cultures and I also completely understand those who don’t want to risk going against the grain. It was an easier decision for me since I knew I’d only be there for a couple of years and I had no plans of staying with my company in the long-term.

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How a freight train strike could throw your plans to travel by train off track

Frank Morris

A BNSF freight train. Frank Morris hide caption

A BNSF freight train.

CHICAGO — The United States may be hurtling toward a freight rail strike, one that could spill over into passenger service in much of the country. Railroads are cutting shipments; Amtrak has stopped some passenger routes. The sticking point isn't pay. It's the tough lifestyle that railroading imposes on people who drive trains — long shifts, lots of nights away, and the need to be on-call, able to get to work in two hours or less, for weeks on end.

On a normal day, about 7,000 freight trains crisscross the U.S, according to the Association of American Railroads, hauling most of the stuff that makes the economy work. But this whole system could shut down later this week because the people who drive these trains for a living are so angry, according to Dennis Pierce, who's president of the engineers union, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.

"I have never seen this level of anger," Pierce says. "Animosity. Acrimony. You pick the word," he says. "That means they're pissed off, 'cause they are." He says even though freight train engineers and conductors haven't had a raise in three years, that's not the issue. "They do not have days off. They do not have a schedule." They're on call, Pierce says, for weeks on end.

Engineers and conductors want more predictable, and flexible, schedules

Railroad engineers and conductors are paid well, typically about $100,000 a year. Even so, former engineer Millie Hood — who drove trains 38 years for Burlington Northern Santa Fe — says the occupation is brutal. "Yeah, it sucks the life right out of you," Hood says. "You're constantly thinking about the job. When I got off work, I'd go home and go to sleep and I immediately know when I get up that they could call me to go to work."

Engineers and conductors want more predictable, and flexible, schedules. Two unions representing engineers and conductors have been bargaining with the railroads, along with 10 other unions representing other railroad workers, for close to three years.

The upshot of all that talking is a compromise hammered out this summer by a Presidential Emergency Board appointed by President Biden. It would offer rail workers the biggest pay hike in decades, boosting railroad wages 24% by 2024. But it doesn't get at the work schedule issues, and Pierce says the railroads can do better.

"Union Pacific reported its best year ever last year," Pierce says. "And that's like 160 years' worth of best years, billions of dollars in profits. They can afford everything their employees are asking for. ... Like hiring enough employees to cover for employees' absences when engineers or conductors need time off on short notice."

Still, all the other railroad unions have tentatively signed off on the proposal currently on the table. The engineers and conductors are holding out and they could trigger a strike Friday morning.

A BNSF engine pulls Metra commuter train cars at the Metra/BNSF railroad yard outside downtown Chicago on Tuesday. Scott Olson/Getty Images hide caption

A BNSF engine pulls Metra commuter train cars at the Metra/BNSF railroad yard outside downtown Chicago on Tuesday.

A railroad strike could mean "people are not going to be able to make it home"

That would cause immediate problems for manufacturers, says Lee Sanders with the American Bakers Association. This is nationwide. And a broad range of manufacturers who get parts, packaging and raw material delivered by rail would be affected.

"If we don't get the ingredients that we need to our plants, we won't be able to make the products that we need to get our wholesome products to the consumers," Sanders says.

So, empty shelves are a possibility. And farmers are worried about shipping grain. Dangerous chemicals have already stopped moving. Especially valuable goods are next, and passengers are getting stranded, too.

Amtrak is already shutting down some of its long-distance routes, like the Southwest Chief, from Chicago to Los Angeles, the Silver Star, from New York to Miami, and the Empire Builder, from Chicago to Portland and Seattle. That's because, outside of the Northeast, most Amtrak trains use tracks that are owned and operated by the big freight railroads. So, if there's a strike, those trains can't run.

At Union Station in Kansas City, Tia Henderson and her baby daughter waited Tuesday for their regular train to St. Louis.

"People need to travel back and forth. People that don't have as much finances, that don't have a car," Henderson says. "So I feel like them stopping that'll be a horrible thing to do because people are not going to be able to make it home."

A railroad strike could cost billions of dollars and derail lots of travel plans. It's a political nightmare for the party in power. The Biden administration is leaning on the railroads and holdout unions to come to an agreement.

If they don't, and there's a strike or a lockout, Congress will likely move to force the two sides to accept a deal and go back to work.

Train Travel in Italy: The Ultimate Guide

Train travel in Italy is relatively easy, but may pose some challenges if you have never been to the country or if you are not used to this mode of transportation. This is why we have created this ultimate guide to traveling by train in Italy, which you can also print out and carry with you during your trip as a reference. 

Let’s look at the main points to consider. 

What is the Best Way to Get Around Italy?

Buying an italian train ticket, arriving at the train station in italy, safety at the train station.

• Types of Italian Trains
• Should I Book a First Class Ticket or a Second Class Ticket?  
• What To Do If Your Train is Canceled or Delayed

How to Pack for Train Travel in Italy 

• Train Travel Times for the Most Common Italian Routes  

The Most Important Train Stations in Italy

The train is one of the easiest and most convenient ways to travel around Italy, however this does not mean you have to do it all by train. Whether you use the train for all or part of your Italian trip depends on the itinerary that you are planning. If you do the classic Rome-Florence-Venice tour, then you can do it all easily by train, and it is the recommended option because the train stations in these cities are conveniently located in the city centers and you do not need a car to tour them. If you plan to visit the countryside or the mountains, you should consider renting a car as it gives you more freedom and flexibility. You can also combine different modes of transport: train between major art cities, a rental car for an on the road and to reach smaller towns and hilltop towns that may not be as well connected, plane if you need to go from the north to the south of Italy or vice versa. 

Most train stations in Italy are located in or very close to the city center (hence why many have ‘centrale’ in their name), so they’re very easy to reach, sometimes even on foot from your centrally located hotel. 

Where Italian trains are the best or only choice:

• Rome, Florence, Venice, Naples, Milan, Cinque Terre

Where Italian trains are better avoided:

• Amalfi Coast, Sicily, Sardinia, remote countryside

Where a car is a good option, but you can also get by with trains and buses:

• Tuscany, Umbria, the Dolomites 

You have two options to buy train tickets for your Italian trip:

• Buy your ticket online in advance via the train company’s website (Trenitalia and Italo), an intermediary like Italian train travel specialists ItaliaRail , or through your travel agent;
• Directly at the train station in Italy, either at the ticketing window or using the self-serve ticket machines (instructions are available in English and the machines accept credit cards).

We recommend buying your tickets in advance whenever possible so that you do not have to wait in line, deal with a machine if you’re in a hurry, you have more seat options, plus having your trip mapped out beforehand can save you precious time while in Italy.

As a general rule of thumb, the sooner you book, the cheaper the fare. Seniors and children (or family packages) generally have reduced fares on Trenitalia’s Frecce and Italo. 

*For more information about buying train tickets in Italy, see our dedicated feature .

First of all, always arrive early (at least 20 minutes before your train’s departure time). Train stations in major cities like Rome, Milan and Bologna are very big and you may have to walk five to ten minutes to reach your track ( binario in Italian). 

The first thing you want to do when you get to the train station in Italy is to find the electronic board with the trains departure information. There are several throughout the stations, with the bigger one in the main hall and ticketing area, and smaller ones on each platform, in underground passages and waiting areas.

The board has the following information:

• Type of train and train number ( treno )
• Train’s final destination ( destinazione )
• Departure time ( orario )
• Delay ( ritardo ) - expect a 5-10 minute delay as standard in Italy
• Information ( informazioni ) - this usually displays the intermediate stops of the train with arrival times and where the different classes are located scrolling by
• Platform number ( binario )

To identify your train, look for the train number on your ticket, as the destination shown on the board is the final one, but your destination may be an intermediate stop (which you will see in the part of the display that scrolls by). 

If your train does not have a specific train number, date and time printed on it, you must validate it before boarding . Look for a green, white or yellow electronic box and insert your ticket into it to get it timestamped (ie validated) before getting on your train (the validation lasts for six hours). This mostly applies to regional trains. You do not need to validate your ticket if you are taking a Freccia high-speed train or Italo train (see below for specifics). 

When at the platform, double-check that the train you are about to board is the right one by looking at one of the several boards positioned overhead along the track, it specifies train number and destination.

Also, make sure to board the correct carriage; the number is visible on the side of the train, on an electronic sign on the door, and before boarding, on a screen overhead. This way you will avoid creating more confusion and blocking aisles as you walk through carriages to reach your seat.  

Generally speaking, traveling by train in Italy is safe, but be vigilant of pickpockets and other petty criminals that may target disoriented travelers intent on finding their way through the station. Always carry your bag in the front, and consider investing in a money belt to place your passport, credit card, money and important documents. 

If your luggage on the train is not close to you (ie if it’s big you’re going to have to place it in the luggage area at the front or end of the carriage), take a look at it when the train stops at intermediate stations.

Do not accept help from strangers who may offer to carry your luggage or help you get a ticket at the ticketing machine. They may insist on getting a ‘tip’ from you once their ‘service’ is done and not leave until you do. Just send them away as soon as they approach you. 

Types of Italian Trains 

Two companies run trains in Italy: Trenitalia and Italo. For a long time, Trenitalia has been the only railway company in Italy and to this day it has the widest network and routes. Italo began operating in 2012, and offers high-speed service between major Italian cities. 

When traveling on Trenitalia, you have three different types of train to choose from which differ based on speed and price. 

Le Frecce - they are Trenitalia’s most modern, comfortable and fastest trains, which also means they cost more. They require advance reservation, have seat assignment, and provide most of the high-speed service on the main lines between Turin, Milan, Venice, Bologna, Florence, Rome, Naples, and Bari. 

There are three types of Frecce: 

Frecciarossa : the fastest and most expensive trains, traveling up to 300 km/h. They connect Italy’s biggest cities (Turin, Milan, Bologna, Florence, Rome, and Naples), but not Venice. Frecciargento : these trains use both the high-speed and traditional lines; they are not as fast as the Frecciarossa and take you to main cities such as Florence, Bologna, Rome, and Naples, but not to Milan or Turin. They go to Venice and southern regions like Apulia and Calabria.

Frecciabianca : the slowest among the Frecce, they run on traditional lines and connect large and medium-sized cities in 14 of the 20 Italian regions (Valle d’Aosta, Trentino Alto Adige, Umbria, Basilicata, Sicily and Sardinia are not covered).

Intercity - these trains are less expensive than the Frecce ; they operate outside of the high speed line, therefore your trip will take longer. They connect medium to large cities across Italy, making few intermediate stops. It is not always possible to reserve your seat in advance. These trains are usually quite old and don’t have amenities like wi-fi and restaurant service, available on the Frecce .

Regional trains   - the cheapest option, these trains are used by locals to get to and from work and school, connecting minor towns and villages. You cannot reserve a seat in advance, therefore if you need to take a regional train, try to avoid rush hours. Coaches are mostly second class, with only one or two reserved for first (which in this case you may want to get). These are the trains you would take for example if you were going to the Cinque Terre or to Assisi.

General tip : use the Frecce to reach the biggest cities, then use regionali to move around the region to smaller centers (when possible - sometimes you will need to take a bus instead; sometimes renting a car will be the easiest option). 

Should I Book a First Class Ticket or a Second Class Ticket? 

All trains generally offer first class and second class, or, in the most modern trains, ‘standard’, ‘premium’, ‘business’, ‘executive’ (the most expensive, the less seats available and the less people around you). What corresponds to second class (or standard) on the Frecce and Italo is absolutely decent, but obviously more crowded, so if you wish for tranquility and silence, go for an upper class of service. You may want to step up to first class on the Intercity and regional trains.  

What To Do If Your Train is Canceled or Delayed 

When you travel by train in Italy, you should be aware that things don’t always go as smoothly as you may expect in countries such as, say, Switzerland or Germany. Try to remain patient as your train may be canceled or delayed because of a strike, an accident or repairs on the line. 

As reported on the Trenitalia website:

- if your Freccia train is delayed by 30 to 59 minutes, Trenitalia will issue a bonus equal to 25% of the ticket price that you can use for future purchases.  

- If your Freccia train is over an hour late when you get to your destination, you are entitled to a compensation equal to: 25%   of the ticket price for a delay ranging from 60 to 119 minutes; 50%   of the ticket price for a delay of more than 120 minutes. The compensation may be issued in the form of a bonus for a new ticket to be purchased within 12 months; cash if the ticket was paid cash or refund on the card that you used for payment.

You can request your bonus after 24 hours from the date of travel and up to 12 months, at the ticket office of any train station, online on the Trenitalia website, at the travel agency that issued the ticket, or by calling the Call Center. 

Use this page for reference .

Pack light! You don’t want to have to carry around a huge suitcase that is hard to lift and lower when you get on and off the train. Remember, there are a few steep steps up (and down) the train, there may be stairs to the platforms, especially in the older stations where you won’t find the automatic ones, and you may have to walk the distance in large train stations like Rome Termini or Bologna Centrale. 

Go for a light carry-on or even a backpack, this will be helpful in general as you may decide to also walk between your hotel and the train station. 

We have a great feature with general tips on how to pack for travel to Italy by Sarah Murdoch, a Rick Steves tour guide and Italy expert. 

Train Travel Times for the Most Common Italian Routes  

Rome – Florence 

1 hour 31 minutes (Frecciarossa – Trenitalia)  

1 hour 23 minutes (Italo)

Rome – Venice 

3 hours 45 minutes (Frecciargento – Trenitalia)

3 hours 45 minutes (Italo)

Rome – Milan 

2 hours 55 minutes / 3 hours 20 minutes (Frecciarossa – Trenitalia) 

3 hours 14 minutes (Italo)

Rome – Naples  

1 hour 10 minutes (Frecciarossa – Trenitalia) 

1 hour 20 minutes (Italo)

Florence – Milan 

1 hour 40 minutes (Frecciarossa – Trenitalia) 

1 hour 50 minutes (Italo)

Florence – Venice 

2 hours 5 minutes (Frecciargento – Trenitalia) 

2 hours 5 minutes (Italo)

Milan – Venice 

2 hours 23 minutes / 2 hours 35 minutes (Frecciabianca – Trenitalia) 

Milan – Naples 

4 hours 40 minutes (Frecciarossa – Trenitalia)

4 hours 31 minutes (Italo)

• Rome: Roma Termini
• Florence: Firenze Santa Maria Novella
• Venice: Venezia Santa Lucia
• Milan: Milano Centrale
• Naples: Napoli Centrale
• Turin: Torino Porta Nuova
• Bologna: Bologna Centrale 

Now that you know everything you need to know about train travel in Italy, enjoy the ride as you watch Italy’s beautiful scenery roll by!

For more Italian train travel, check our dedicated section , Italy by Train. 

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12 Things You Need To Know About Riding Trenitalia

Trenitalia is the primary rail company of Italy, offering both high speed and regional routes. If you plan to travel by train in Italy, you will certainly find yourself on a Trenitalia train. Here we have compiled 12 things you need to know about Trenitalia.

• 1 Is Trenitalia Pass Worth It?
• 2 Is Trenitalia The Same As Italiarail?
• 3 Is Trenitalia Safe?
• 4 Is Italo Or Trenitalia Better?
• 5 Does Trenitalia Have An App?
• 6 Should I Buy Trenitalia Tickets In Advance?
• 7 Is Trenitalia Good?
• 8 Does Trenitalia Have Wifi?
• 9 Does Trenitalia Have Food?
• 10 Are Trenitalia Tickets Refundable?
• 11 Can You Cancel Trenitalia Tickets?
• 12 How Fast Is Trenitalia?

Is Trenitalia Pass Worth It?

In general, the answer to “Is Trenitalia Pass worth it?” is no. It is typically more economical to pay for each leg of your train trip as you go. If you are taking a longer trip by train or you have destinations outside of Italy, this may not be the case. However, most of the time, the pass is not worth it.

One thing you need to know about Trenitalia is that a seat reservation is required for traveling. This reservation is usually included in the cost of a train ticket from place to place. It is not included in the Trenitalia Pass, so you will have that extra cost. If you are determined to get the best deal, I recommend adding up the cost of separate tickets and comparing that to the cost of the pass plus seat reservations.

Is Trenitalia The Same As Italiarail?

Trenitalia is the train company, operating the trains. Italiarail is a separate agency that sells tickets for Trenitalia, along with various other train companies. You can purchase tickets and do anything you need to do simply by dealing with Trenitalia, either on the website or at a train station. Most people find Italiarail to be a much more user friendly. If you don’t speak Italian, we recommend booking your Italy train tickets on Italiarail .

Is Trenitalia Safe?

Something you need to know about Trenitalia is that it is quite safe. Waiting areas are well-lit and typically filled with people. While it is wise to use a general amount of caution as you would anywhere in public, you do not need to worry about traveling alone on Trenitalia. Some travelers worry about luggage, as it is unattended in the luggage storage area. It is quite rare for a problem to arise with luggage. If you are concerned about it, you could go watch your suitcases at each stop to ensure no one takes them.

Is Italo Or Trenitalia Better?

Your experience on the train will be nearly identical, whether you choose Italo or Trenitalia. Trenitalia is owned by the Italian government, and Italo is privately-owned. Both offer high speed trains from city to city. Trenitalia offers more regional, slower routes. In general, Trenitalia has more options and is more flexible, especially in the case of a problem with the trains. Neither Italo nor Trenitalia is better than the other. They are simply different.

Does Trenitalia Have An App?

Trenitalia does have an app, making your travel even easier to keep track of. Everything you need to do with Trenitalia can be done through the app. Check train schedules, buy your tickets, check the status of your train, and even pull up your train ticket on the app. If you have an Apple Watch, you can access your ticket with your watch as well.

The Trenitalia app offers easy access to your points and bonuses, so it is easy to keep track of ways to get discounted tickets. I personally appreciate the ability to quickly purchase a favorite route by making it a “favorite” on the app. Do you need to make an appointment with the ticket office? Book it on the app and skip the line when you arrive. Lastly, you can check yourself in once you are settled on the train, making a ticket check with the conductor unnecessary.

Should I Buy Trenitalia Tickets In Advance?

In most cases, you should buy Trenitalia tickets in advance. On holidays or busy seasons, some trains will fill up. Even if you are not concerned about that, prices will do up as the trip draws near. You can purchase tickets online, using either the website or the Trenitalia app. You can also purchase tickets in advance at any train station. For more details, see our post on How To Buy Train Tickets In Italy .

Is Trenitalia Good?

When it comes to the things you need to know about Trenitalia, at the top of that list should be the fact that Trenitalia is, indeed, good. As the major rail company of Italy, Trenitalia has built a reputation of being dependable and good. Ticket agents and other employees are quite helpful. Trains are generally on time. Trains are clean and comfortable.

Does Trenitalia Have Wifi?

Trenitalia’s high speed trains all have free wifi. To access it, sign on to the wifi, then launch an internet browser on your laptop or device. Enter a web address, and a home page will come up, allowing you to sign on to the free wifi. In addition to completing any tasks you have to do online, you can take advantage of the online portal on board the train. This includes news, shows, movies and even some travel information. Most of the smaller regional Trenitalia trains do not have wifi available.

Does Trenitalia Have Food?

Longer Trenitalia routes offer meals for passengers, some in a restaurant car and others on a cart that comes to each seat. Most shorter routes provide complimentary water or coffee and a small snack. On many trains, first class passengers can enjoy a welcome drink. I suggest having some snacks in your bag, just in case you find yourself needing a little something more on the journey.

Are Trenitalia Tickets Refundable?

Most Trenitalia tickets are not fully-refundable. However, it is possible to find some exceptions to this on the Trenitalia website. Depending on the train you are riding and the type of ticket you purchased, you may receive a partial refund or a voucher for future travel. Any questions about refunds are easily answered by contacting a Trenitalia agent.

Can You Cancel Trenitalia Tickets?

Typically, you are not able to cancel a Trenitalia ticket with a full refund. There are some situations in which this is possible, and you can contact Trenitalia for that information. Most of the time, you will receive a voucher for future travel or a partial refund when you need to cancel a train trip.

How Fast Is Trenitalia?

The high speed Trenitalia trains, running between the larger cities, generally top out at about 300 km/h (190 mph). They do not, however, always go quite that fast. The fastest train in Italy, the Frecciarossa 1000, can reach speeds of 400 km/h (248 mph). Trenitalia has both high speed and slower regional routes.

Jennifer Wood

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I'm a seasoned Amtrak rider who spent 6 hours in business class on a Canadian train for the first time. It was better than any train I've taken in the US.

• I booked a business-class ticket on a Via Rail Canada train from Toronto to Montreal in 2022.
• For $200, I sat in a business-class seat with two tables and complimentary meal and drink service.
• I thought it was nicer than most US trains I've been on, worth the price, and I'd gladly ride again.

In the last three years, I've spent over 150 hours traveling 5,000 miles on trains, from 30-hour overnight rides to quick, three-hour journeys. 

I've taken trains along the East Coast of the US, into the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Québec, and between the European countries of Austria, France, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland. Along the way, I've tried out a wide range of seating options, from business and first classes to shared bunks and private rooms. 

In August of 2022, I spent six hours traveling in business class from Toronto to Montreal on Via Rail , Canada's main railroad system. It was my first time using Via Rail, and I was surprised by all the business class offerings, from comfy seats to snacks and meals. It was better than my business-class Amtrak experiences in the US — and totally worth the $200 ticket.

Similar to Amtrak, Via Rail is one of the most accessible and popular ways to travel by train in Canada.

ViaRail serves more than 400 stations in eight provinces across Canada with economy seating, business class, and sleeper accommodation, according to the train line's website.

My journey began at Toronto's Union Station.

I arrived at 7 a.m. for my 8:30 a.m. train to Montreal.

I arrived early because my business-class ticket included access to an exclusive lounge at the station with plenty of seating and free refreshments.

According to its website, Via Rail's lounges are available to passengers traveling in business class, sleeper plus, prestige, and VIA Rail Premier members traveling in economy.

Amtrak has lounges at select stations too, but they're only free to access for first-class passengers .

The lounge was mostly empty on a Friday morning.

I thought it was a quiet and peaceful place to enjoy a coffee and get some work done.

Around 8 a.m., I made my way to the track where my train was boarding.

My business-class ticket came with priority boarding , so I was able to skip a long line of passengers.

When I got to my assigned single seat, I was surprised to find that I had a side table in addition to a tray table that pulled out in front of me.

No train I've ever been on in the US has offered two tables per passenger.

Throughout the trip, I used the side table to hold my coffee while working and to store my laptop while taking work breaks. Beneath the side table, a conveniently placed outlet charged my devices.

Right away, I thought that my Via Rail seat was one of the most comfortable I've ever experienced on a train.

The Toronto Star reported that Via Rail business-class seats are 18.5 inches wide with a 39-inch seat pitch. 

An Amtrak representative told BI that their business-class seats are about an inch wider than Via Rail's with an additional three inches of legroom, but I don't think they're nearly as comfortable.

Unlike Amtrak seats I've sat in, the top of my Via Rail seat was curved, so I was able to rest my head in a comfortable position for lounging.

The seats reclined, too, just like in the US. This made them even more comfortable.

I also noticed that, unlike on my rides with Amtrak, Via Rail's seat back compartments held a safety pamphlet with directions for what to do in an emergency situation.

I found this comforting.

The train started moving right on time at 8:32 a.m.

Shortly after leaving, a train attendant came around with a complimentary drink service. I ordered a coffee.

Then it was time for breakfast. Unlike Amtrak's business-class fares, Via Rail's ticket comes with complimentary meals brought to my seat.

The train served a warm bagel with cream cheese. It was no New York bagel , I thought, but it was decent and filled me up.

An hour later, an attendant came back around with savory snack packs filled with nuts, pretzels, and crackers.

Then, train attendants came around again with warm hand wipes before lunch service, which I thought was a nice touch.

Lunch was another business-class perk. The menu was announced over the loudspeaker. The entree choices were trout, chicken, or pasta.

I went with the pasta. It was a rigatoni dish with sides of corn salad, bread, and carrot bread for dessert. The meal was better than I expected with an al dente cook on the pasta. I also thought it was much better than the pasta I've tried on Amtrak trains.

After lunch, I went to the bathroom and was impressed by how clean it was compared to most train bathrooms I've used.

I often find overflowing trash cans in train bathrooms, but VIA Rail's looked like it was cleaned recently.

Due to some delays at stops along the way, the train arrived in Montreal about an hour later than scheduled at 2:30 p.m.

While I thought this was frustrating, at least I was comfortable.

This 6-hour business-class ride cost $200, while a recent 10-hour Amtrak business-class ride cost $163. Although it was more expensive, I think the Via Rail ride was worth the additional cost since I found it to be so comfortable.

Even though we were late, I found business-class train travel to be more comfortable and pleasant in Canada than I typically do in the US. Now I want to explore more of Canada by train.

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Ride the Train to Work

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner offers commuters a stress-free ride between Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. Avoid traffic on the 101, get work done and enjoy refreshments in the café car when you ride the train to work.

Learn more about riding the train, including schedules, station locations, shuttle service to Santa Barbara County employment centers, bike lockers and more. Visit trafficsolutions.org/train

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