Train essentials: Six things to pack for a long journey

Planning a long train journey? Whether you are travelling for work, going on holiday or visiting a loved one, you will find that a long train journey can get boring and there is only so much staring out the window that you can do.

In this article we will look at a few of the essential items that you need for a long train journey to improve your experience.

1) Travel documents

First, you want to make sure that you have all of your travel documents and have these grouped together somewhere. If you pre-purchased your train tickets online, make sure that the document that you have is valid for boarding and keep your tickets easily accessible at all times

2) Food and drink

On a long train journey, you do not want to go hungry or thirsty so you should make sure that you have food and drink for the journey. There might be a trolley, but the items on these are usually hugely expensive. Instead, bring your own food and drink – just avoid bringing anything that smells too much as this could upset the other passengers!

3) Books or an e-reader

A long train journey is the perfect opportunity to read and get stuck into a good book whether you have a hard copy or a book downloaded onto an e-reader. This can be a good use of your time and it is never too hard to find a book that takes your interest and will help the journey to fly by. 

4) Travel pillow

For those long journeys, you might want to catch some sleep and this can certainly help to pass the time. It is not always easy to drift off on a train, but a travel pillow should make this much easier and provide protection for your neck so that you do not arrive at your destination in pain. You could also bring a sleeping bag as these will help to keep you warm and cosy throughout the journey.

5) Games and activities

You should also have some games and activities to have some fun on the train. If you are travelling solo, a laptop or tablet will be ideal and provide endless entertainment options. If travelling with others, a deck of cards can provide many hours’ worth of entertainment and there are dozens of great games that you could play.

6) Disposable rain coat

Whatever the season, it is always good to be prepared when you travel. Disposable raincoats are lightweight and can be easily packed into pockets or into your backpack or travel case, without taking up much room.

If you are travelling for one or two months, you might want to bring one or two packs of disposable rainwear products. Travellers can buy raincoats at this store to prepare for long journeys.

Make sure you have everything you need

Travelling by train is often the best way to reach a destination, but long journeys can be boring after a while and you will want to make sure that you have everything that you need for a smooth, comfortable and enjoyable journey.