For some people, including me, traveling with train is romantic. I like the relaxing, steady, and comfy with scenery through the way. Train travel is become the experience itself, not only visiting the tourism objects. Moreover, train nowadays is come with complete facilities. Therefore, I prefer to choose train if available. Here are some reasons why I like to choose train.

• It is more comfortable 

With more space for legs and back, the journey is more comfortable than plane travel, especially for the economic class. You do not have to count how many baggage you bring. As well you do not have to queue for departure or arrival. No need to come earlier for check in. The system at train station is simpler than airport.  

• Me time

Because of the long journey, you might do whatever you like. If you like talking, you can have a conversation with your seatmate. Sometimes I find lesson of life from others perspectives. However, if you want to be alone, daydreaming, or sleeping, you have plenty of time.

I like to bring my favorite book to read while on the train. Do not forget to bring some snacks or meals during the trip. Sometimes I share food with other passengers. Therefore, you can have a friendship during the way.

• Better meal and Wi-Fi

Do you forget to bring food and snacks? Do not worry. Food and beverages are available in train. While on board, the taste of the food is not changed. Hence, food is better than at plane. You also still connected while on the land. Some train also have the free wi-fi.  

• Enjoying the scenery 

This is the best part of train travel. Scenery all the way along. Some train even highlight their scenery as their best experience. For example, mountain-hugging Machu Picchu Rail, the Rocky Mountaineer’s glass-roofed train cars through the Rocky Mountains or the Glacier Express as it crosses the Swiss. In Indonesia you can try Yogyakarta to Bandung with panoramic train.  

• Reducing carbon footprint

Air travel is now one of the fastest growing contributors to climate change. The aviation industry is said to contribute between 4 and 9% of the total climate change impact of humans. This means that choosing not to fly is a powerful pro-environmental action that helps you shrink your carbon footprint.

Traveling by train releases between 6 and 42 times less CO2 than flying per person per kilometer traveled. That makes it the mass transport option with the lowest CO2 emissions, so shifting to trains instead of planes is one of the easiest and most impactful travel changes you can make.

• It can be faster than by plane

Nowadays, traveling by train could be faster than plane. Thanks to super-fast train like Shinkansen in Japan, TGV in France, Shanghai Maglev at China, or Vande Bharat Express at India. Even France is banned a short distance plane travel. I think it makes sense due to environmental issue and the existence of super-fast train.

• Traveling by train save your money

At some country, traveling by train is cheaper than plane travel with the same distance. Overnight sleeper or non-sleeper trains mean you can avoid expensive hotel fees, check-in luggage charges, and the cost of getting to and from an airport. Train stations are usually much closer to city centers than airports, making getting to your train usually much easier than getting to the airport.

Loads of train tickets include hidden freebies and discounts in major towns and cities, for instance:

2-for-1 entry to hundreds of tourist attractions such as London Zoo, Madame Tussauds, The London Eye and many ore around the UK.

2-for-1 tickets for the best museums in Paris, Brussels, Lille, Lyon and Marseille with your Eurostar ticket.

25% discount for Venice museum pass for ticket holders for any of Italy's high-speed Frecce trains

• It is more fun to bring children or pet

Children always love to take a train. They can free move around or sleep at their needs. They might get less stress traveling by train than with plane. Some train also allows pet and bike. You just need to check the term and conditions.

Tips for traveling by train: mitigate the negatives and temper your expectations

Meanwhile, I also aware that train travel could not always smooth. There might be delays, cancelation for any reasons, crowded, higher price, bad scenery and many other problems to you. I think it might be the risk of any transportation. Sometimes plane transportation is better than train for long journeys or some context.

You just need more information, research, and planning about train that you choose. I like to think that everything I have been through in my journey, would be my new experiences. Therefore, lower your expectation and enjoy every moment you get on your trip.

https://www.raileurope.com/en/blog/travel-trains-vs-planes

https://matadornetwork.com/read/traveling-by-train/