Full-body radiation scan or invasive pat down by a total stranger? This is not really a choice anyone ever wants to make, but one we all nevertheless have to face every time we go through airport security. The only thing more unsettling than standing barefoot on an airport floor is knowing that the TSA officer is probably going to rub his clammy hands all over your back pockets any second now. There has to be a better way to travel. The answer to the query? There is … by train.
I know what you’re thinking; my great-grandmother travelled by train. Why would I do that now? I, too, used to instantly associate trains with noir films and murder mysteries (I admit, I may have read a little too much Agatha Christie). But, that quickly changed when I boarded an international train. Let me be clear: the only reason I was onboard was because my sister was afraid to fly. I wasn’t looking forward to it but was surprised how pleasant it was (I even got to keep my belt on!). Plus, I could comfortably fit all 6 feet of myself into a seat, an impossible feat in a plane’s cramped quarters. Being able to get up and walk around was a real treat, too, and the choices in the dining car had really ramped up (for me personally it was all about the hot chocolate).
But perhaps the biggest advantage to train travel today is the price. Not only is the base price for tickets significantly lower than airfare, but trains also don’t have all those pesky hidden fees for which airlines are notorious. You can also bring food, drinks, and even spirits onto the train with you, which means you can feast on some homemade fare and champagne instead of expensive airport food and drink.
Train travel has now entered the 21st century and reservations are as easy to book as airfare. Rail Europe, which is comparable to sites like Fare Buzz or Kayak for trains, compares rates from over 50 European rail companies all in one place. Their website also features quotes for high-speed trains, which can get you from London to Paris in less than two and a half hours. These speed machines ain’t your grandmother’s trains.
While even a coach seat boasts generous legroom, those who like to travel in style can spring for a premier ticket, which includes even more room and meal service right to your seat. These tickets also get you into exclusive lounges at the stations, where you can sip cognac and share tales of your international adventures with the other premier passengers.
However, whether you’re in a premier seat or in coach, you’ll still get the same full view out the large windows while you kick back and relax. There is something inherently zen about watching scenery dashing past. While today’s trains are faster and more modernized, that part of riding the rails has not changed from the Agatha Christie days. Plus, you can even leave your shoes on.
