Preparing for an overnight train or a long day overlanding past runway? These 25 train essentials volition ensure you have a comfortable, prophylactic and enjoyable journey.

Trains are my favourite way to travel – bar none.

And I might exist in the minority here, but I love long, drawn-out rails journeys the all-time.

I've done an 18-hour trip by rusty train through corn fields in Northern Myanmar, and rode the Amtrak from Austin to New Orleans. I've taken the Reunification Express from Hanoi to Saigon, the Marrakesh Express from Tangier, and the scenic route across Republic of austria from Vienna to Ljubljana.

I've been in a railroad train on a ferry to cantankerous from mainland Italy to Sicily, and I was at that place for the k re-opening of Cambodia's Royal Railways from Phnom Penh to Kampot.

Some of my favourite rail journeys of all time are in the Caucasus, particularly the overnight trains between Tbilisi and Yerevan (Armenia) and Tbilisi and Baku (Azerbaijan).

All this to say that I've done my fair share of train travel and picked up a lot of handy tips along the style. This list of 25 railroad train essentials includes all the things I pack for a comfortable and condom train journey.

Don't forget to check out my travel resources page for a listing of websites and services I utilise to book train tickets around the globe.

What to pack for a long rails journey: 25 train essentials

The basics

1. Travel documents

You're not going to get very far without the correct travel documents.

If you pre-purchased your train tickets online or through an agent, brand certain the document you're property is a valid ticket for boarding and non an east-voucher that yous have to substitution at the station (I got defenseless out with this in one case in Budapest!).

If you're travelling across an international border, make certain you lot have your visas and identification in order. Keep your documents somewhere handy – you never know when a ticket inspector might announced.

2. A small handbag for valuables

Split to my main luggage and carry on, I always travel with a third 'small pocketbook' that I proceed on me at all times. It's big plenty to concur my passport, my phone, my wallet, and one of my external hard drives – i.e. my nigh precious possessions.

A pocket-size bag is particularly handy on a railroad train, when y'all might desire to walk to the dining cart or the bathroom without lugging your backpack around.

Some people might use a money chugalug or a fanny pack, but I personally prefer a simple sling handbag like this one (as a bonus, information technology's also anti-theft).

3. Luggage locks

If you're on a long train trip, chances are you're going to be in and out of your carriage or seat throughout the journey.

Information technology's just not applied to carry all your luggage all the time, so I recommend investing in some good-quality baggage locks to go along your gear prophylactic.

I like these these locks because they take a long, flexible mechanism that I tin can loop through multiple zippers.

Food & drink items

4. Insulated h2o bottle

A good-quality refillable water bottle is absolutely essential these days. All the better if it'south insulated and will continue your drinking water chilled throughout the journey.

I personally use a South'Well water bottle when I travel and at home. After I left my 17oz version at the airdrome in Bangkok (devastating!), I upgraded to the 25oz volume, which I actually prefer. The insulation is peak-notch, and the exterior coating prevents it from sweating in warm conditions.

Not all trains take drinkable water fountains, so that'south something you need to check in advance. In the absence of a refill station, yous'll need to bring enough water to last you the journey (or else buy bottled water on the railroad train).

5. Snacks

If there'southward ane thing I've learned later on all my years of train travel, it's non to skimp on the snacks. Fifty-fifty if your train has a dining cart and y'all're able to eat a hot meal, I even so recommend bringing plenty of good for you things to crumb on throughout the journey.

To go along things fresh and tidy, you're going to desire to pack a few sealer clips and reusable silicone bags. Again, these items are really helpful for cut down on single-use plastics and food waste product.

6. Something to share

I of the quickest ways to make friends on a long train journey (aside from #21, which we'll become to soon) is by bringing a few food items you tin easily share around.

Information technology'southward quite typical for people to share food on trains in Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia, specially with tourists. Information technology'southward squeamish to have something to give back in return.

While I usually recommend basics or dried fruit, those things can be difficult to share. Biscuits or chocolates might be more advisable in this case. In the Caucasus, it'south a great idea to bring a few pre-sliced churchkhela. A bottle of vino or brandy also works!

Train essentials for keeping organised & tidy

7. Packing cubes

If you don't already travel with them, packing cubes really come into their own on a long train journey. This is especially true on an overnighter when you lot need quick access to a alter of clothes or your toiletries.

When you're packing for the train, exist sure to keep the things you're going to demand in the height of your handbag or in your day pack. Information technology'southward never fun having to comb around for something or turn your backpack upside downward in a bars infinite such as a train berth.

8. Travel clothesline

A portable travel clothesline that doesn't require pegs (similar this one) can come up in very handy on an overnight train. String it up between bunks to air out a wet face towel, or use it to jury-rig a makeshift privacy curtain if you lot're on the lesser bunk.

9. Rubbish bag

Non all trains accept trash bins inside the compartments. Some have tiny bins that are quick to overflow. Bring your ain bag for trash – either a paper bag or a reused plastic bag – to proceed your seat surface area or compartment tidy.

Railroad train essentials for staying clean & fresh

10. Hand sanitiser

If yous've ever been on an overnight train in Southeast Asia, yous'll know full well that the bathrooms ofttimes aren't very glamorous.

These days, you can discover mitt soap and even paper towels on most trains – simply I don't know if that'south always going to be enough to go the germs off. I always carry hand sanitiser on the train – and remember to keep it somewhere handy and so yous don't have to rummage through your things to find it.

xi. Biodegradable wet wipes

Biodegradable wet wipes are keen for cleaning downwardly train tables, cleansing sticky fingers, and for using in the place of toilet newspaper when none is provided (not unusual on a train).

Biodegradable wet wipes are better for the environment. These ones are multi-purpose, and these ones are created especially for bath use.

12. Re-hydrating face mist

One of the easiest ways to freshen upward without having to set foot in the railroad train bathroom is past using a re-hydrating confront mist.

I conduct this non-irritant aloe and cucumber one whenever I travel and use it all the time on railroad train, bus and airplane journeys.

Train essentials for getting a good dark'south slumber

13. Sleeping bag liner

If your train journey is overnight, yous'll be given clean linens to make upwards your bed (this is typical throughout Southeast Asia, the Caucasus, and in Europe). However, if you're at all fussy almost the quality of your bedclothes, it can be a good idea to bring your own.

Silk sleeping purse liners are lightweight, meaty, and perfect for this purpose. I've been on overnight trains in Vietnam where the sheets were, uh, sub-par – I just hopped into the safety of my silky handbag and forgot all about those suspect mattress stains.

If the train pillow looks dodgy, you can also apply it as a pillow case. For wintertime travel, you might prefer to use a fleece version.

14. Roll-up travel pillow

I endure from migraines that are often triggered by sleeping in a bad position, so I always travel with my own pillow. This roll-up travel pillow has been past my side since 2013 (don't worry, it's car-washable and I clean it regularly).

I swear by it – it's and so much ameliorate than a neck support pillow while even so being compact and lightweight. I apply mine on trains, buses, and as my regular sleeping pillow.

fifteen. Silicone ear plugs

Even if you lot have a private berth, trains tin be noisy at night – especially with the clunking and crunching of machinery. Reusable silicone ear plugs similar these ones are absolutely essential if you're a calorie-free sleeper and a skillful thought even if you lot're not.

16. Weighted eye mask

1 of my worst overnight train trips was from Bangkok to Butterworth in the third-class open up-bunk carriage. I was on the top bunk, and they left the fluorescent ceiling lights on all night. Fifty-fifty with a curtain fatigued around my mattress, the light still came in through the top and kept me awake.

I simply wish I had idea to pack an eye mask (duh). I at present travel with a weighted heart mask which does wonders for my migraines, as well.

What to wear on the train

17. Plastic slippers or thongs

If yous're on a long train trip, you're going to need a pair of shoes you can hands sideslip on to wear in common areas and to the bathroom. These lightweight slippers are machine-washable and great for travel.

Only remember to bring a bag to put them in when yous're prepare to pack up – you don't want those tainted soles touching the residue of your baggage, trust me.

xviii. Light cardigan or cotton wool scarf (summer)

Depending where you are, train air conditioning systems tin can be notoriously overzealous. Nighttime trains in particular can get very chilly very fast when the central air is left on.

Remember to pack a light cardigan or oversized scarf that y'all can apply to go along your shoulders warm.

19. Warm socks and a comfy sweater yous tin sleep in (winter)

If you're travelling in winter, yous're obviously going to need to take proper gear on the train. In the Caucasus and Eastern Europe, trains all have primal heating.

Gadgets to bring on the train

20. Powerbank

Don't but presume that your railroad train seat or berth is going to have like shooting fish in a barrel access to ability. On some trains in the Caucasus and in Vietnam, the only outlets are communal ones located in the corridors.

If you programme on using your phone throughout the train journeying, you'll certainly need to behave a powerbank.

21. Portable WIFI hotspot

Not all trains have WIFI, either – especially older locomotives. A portable WIFI hotspot is worth the investment if you demand to stay connected throughout the journey.

And like I mentioned before, sharing a hotspot is a surefire way to make new travel buddies – it's probably fifty-fifty better than sharing a bottle of wine.

22. Headphone splitter

If y'all're travelling with a partner or friend and y'all want to pass the time by watching a picture or listening to a podcast, etc., this little device is indispensable for sharing audio.

Information technology's ane of my travel essentials!

23. Due east-reader

Some other travel gadget I couldn't live without is my Kindle. I can't read on buses or in cars because I become motion sick. Long train journeys are one of the rare times I can settle down with a book and not experience guilty that I should be working.

When information technology comes to books that are ideal for reading on trains, Astonishing Railroad train Journeys and Monisha Rajesh'south Around the World in 80 Trains are both concerning.

24. Reading light or headlamp

Most trains are fitted with reading lights merely at that place's no guarantee they volition be working. A reading lamp like this 1 or even a headlamp is ever expert to accept and so you don't disturb other people. It can also come in handy for making your way around the train in the night.

Of course yous could just employ the torch on your telephone, but that's going to wear your battery down pretty fast.

25. Your photographic camera

I of the best things most travelling by train is of course the scenery. A lot of people go so caught up in the logistics of the journey or finding ways to pass the time that they forget to look outside.

Make sure your camera is easily accessible so you don't miss out on whatever photo opportunities. Frequently, trains pass through landscapes other travellers miss out on when they're moving effectually by plane or car – so here'southward your take chances to see something truly unique.

I recently upgraded to the Olympus OM-D E-M5. Information technology's super lightweight and when paired with a prime lens, perfect for snapping fast-moving scenes from railroad train windows.

More packing tips

Pack lite. The less you behave, the more freedom you lot have. As well, who wants to have to worry near squeezing their stuff into train luggage racks. Here are 10 fantabulous tips for travelling light.

Choose a minimalist haversack. It will help you continue your pack under control and peradventure make y'all less of a target for pick-pockets. Here are my favourite minimalist backpacks and day packs.

If you're travelling to the Caucasus, check out my detailed packing listing for Georgia, which includes tips on what to wear – and a few handy gadgets you probably hadn't idea to bring with you lot.

I'm curious – what are your railroad train essentials, the things yous can't get without on a long journey? Let me know in the comments!