When I travel, I carry only one suitcase—a carry-on. For both train and plane travel. Packing light with only one carry-on suitcase ensures a stress-free journey by eliminating baggage fees, skipping long baggage claim lines, reducing the risk of lost luggage, and making navigating trains and cobblestone streets much easier.
Mastering Rail Travel
Your carry-on should weigh less than 10 kg (22 lbs) for international flights, and, in some cases, under 7 kg (15 lbs) for smaller European airlines like Transavia, Vueling (basic fares), and Condor (8kg). Important tip: Train travel requires you to be entirely independent with your luggage. When packing, ensure you can lift your suitcase completely over your head; you’ll need that strength for overhead racks and narrow train aisles. Be prepared to navigate steep, high steps and wide gaps between the platform and train doors. Don't rely on help—even with a partner, everyone is busy fighting the crowds to make their connection.
So, why do I prefer traveling by train? Once your luggage is sorted, the journey itself is far more comfortable than flying. You get larger seats, spacious aisles, scenic windows, and accessible bathrooms. You can watch the landscape go by, bring your own food (and wine!) on board, and skip the stress of security checks. It’s easy to walk around and stretch, play a game of cards, or plug into a nearby power source and catch up on some reading or content.
Traveling by train eliminates the stress of driving, including fuel stops, parking, restricted traffic zones in Italian cities, London's congestion charges, and emission zones in cities like Berlin and Paris. Trains offer a low-emission, frequently scheduled, and reliable alternative to car rentals and insurance. Most European cities are connected by rail, with bus services filling any gaps.