Solo travelling – a guide for solo trip by train with PolishTrains

Solo travelling – a guide for people travelling alone by train

Are you wondering how to travel alone? The first step is simply to break the barrier, as it is not difficult. No one will surely look at you strangely, as solo travel is very popular. Think about it, you can spend time exactly as you like to do it, eat what you want, and you don’t have to adapt to other people’s plans. Plus, you can save a lot if you choose to travel by train. It is much more economical compared to driving, for example by car.

The best railway connections, not only in Poland, can be found through the PolishTrains  portal, which is friendly to all tourists. Timetables, possible transfers, discounts and promotions – everything is in one place. Finally, you can also buy a ticket online, even in the middle of the night. Just take your phone and ID with you. That’s all you need to set off on a journey.

It may turn out that you don’t have to travel to the other end of Poland or beyond its borders. For the first trip, go to a neighbouring city. It can even be a day trip. You will check whether this form of spending free time suits you at all.

Solo travel – plan where and when you want to go

The railway network in Poland and among our country’s closest neighbours is really well developed. This means that many places are accessible by direct train or a convenient transfer. Travel by train is as comfortable as never before and it gives a lot of opportunities to visit interesting places.

This refers not only to large cities, which usually have a large tourist base, or popular mountain or seaside resorts, but also to smaller towns that have a lot to offer. Travelling by train is a chance to see places that are not necessarily the first choice and learn about interesting, less touristic attractions.

Especially, if you plan your trip for a time outside the peak season, not, for example, during the holiday season or winter break, you can count on attractive prices. Not only are the prices for accommodation or entrance tickets to interesting places lower, but there are also promotions on train tickets. Therefore, if you can afford it, set off out of season.

Then there will also be fewer travellers on the train, so the journey itself will be more comfortable. You may feel safer if you choose solo travel. How to start travelling independently? Plan in advance. For example, PKP Intercity has favourable promotions if you purchase your ticket 30 days before departure. International ticket promotions are also interesting, provided you agree to travel at a certain time. It is worth browsing such offers and if you are flexible in terms of time, you can find an interesting trip proposal inexpensively. You can’t afford an expensive plane trip? With PKP you can get to places such as Berlin, Czech Prague or Lithuania. This is an introduction to a great idea for a weekend getaway at a fraction of the cost of an expensive organised tour.

How to travel alone? – Be open to meeting new people

The hours spent on a train in one compartment are an opportunity for conversation and getting to know new people. This is undoubtedly a plus of solo travelling: in this way, you can meet new people. Of course, if you are open to such experiences. 

Even if you are not very brave, an extroverted person, the topics with which you will start a conversation with someone you do not know are really numerous. You don’t just have to talk about the journey. An interesting thread could be its purpose, asking about recommended attractions or restaurants. However, don’t close yourself off to anyone, don’t just look for contacts among your peers. Even if the new acquaintance doesn’t continue past the train, it will definitely make the journey pass much quicker.

Many people on trains are willing to get to know their fellow passengers. Basic safety rules are enough to also feel safe while travelling alone, not exposing yourself to unnecessary risk.

How to start travelling alone? – Make sure you’ve packed properly

Good packing is the basis of a comfortable train journey. Due to the limited space, try not to take unnecessary things. Sometimes a well-fitted tourist backpack might turn out to be a better choice than a large, hard suitcase which is difficult to place on the overhead shelf. Remember, while you can usually count on the help of fellow passengers, you are responsible for your luggage and must be able to carry it yourself.

Also prepare for the journey itself. Take care of appropriate clothes – loose and comfortable, it’s best to dress in layers so that you can easily remove an extra layer or cover yourself with something if needed. Due to the air conditioning functioning in new wagons, it can sometimes even be quite cool in them, also in summer.

Remember about small snacks and water, as not all trains have a dining car available. Activities during the sometimes several hours long ride are also important. Apart from headphones with music or a book, take, for example, crosswords to solve or handcrafts. Any activities that will make your time more pleasant are valuable. For many people, a train ride also has a soporific effect, so it’s worth taking a small pillow for your head or at least having a rolled-up scarf.

Solo travelling – take care of your safety

Solo travels nowadays are much safer than they were even a dozen or so years ago. For example, thefts do occur, but they are rather exceptional events. Certainly, fear of them should not limit you.

The basic safety rules concern not taking valuable items with you. Leave expensive jewellery or electronic equipment at home, if possible, as they may tempt thieves.

A good choice for people travelling alone is to choose an open-plan carriage. They are increasingly being introduced also for longer routes. There, you will feel safe, even if you fall asleep for a moment during the ride.

Solo travelling at night is also possible. However, if you are afraid of travelling in a traditional compartment carriage, you can choose a couchette or sleeping car. They are locked by the conductor, so no suspicious people are wandering between compartments. The cost of such a journey is higher, but you get a peaceful, comfortable sleep. This is the best choice for night routes – in the morning you will wake up rested and immediately start sightseeing.

It’s worth pursuing your dreams and developing your passions. Travelling alone can definitely be just that. The train is the perfect choice – you won’t get tired from a long journey as a driver, you will get right to the centre of the chosen city, tickets are not expensive, and the network of connections is really broad. So as soon as possible select your trip destination on PolishTrains, buy a ticket online, pack your backpack and go. Lack of company should not be an obstacle for you.