Many travelers default to booking flights to get from place to place, especially for longer trips. However, in some cases, it makes more sense to take a train, especially when debating between a night train and a red-eye flight.
Although I was reluctant to swap a jet for a night train in the past, once I made the switch, I never looked back. I find that traveling by train is usually easier, less expensive, and more enjoyable than flying. Now, I almost choose train travel over flights when facing an overnight journey.
Here’s why I prefer taking night trains over red eye flights.
In this article
Night Trains Are Usually Less Expensive
Overnight trains are often less expensive than flights, but it’s important to look beyond the ticket price to see the true savings. When I travel on a tight budget, I appreciate that an overnight train includes transportation and lodging for one price, which saves me money on hotels. Moreover, on trains,I don’t need to worry about sneaky charges for things like overweight baggage. I can also bring my own water and food, which helps the savings add up.
Additionally, taking an Uber to and from the airport can be expensive. Train stations tend to be in the heart of the city and are usually less expensive, and easier, to reach.
Night Trains Are More Comfortable
Unless you are shelling out big bucks for a first-class ticket, chances are you will find yourself in a cramped airplane seat for many hours during a long-haul, redeye flight. Flying economy will get you where you need to go, but it isn’t always a pleasant experience.
I almost always have a better trip when I take the train instead of flying. Even the cheap seats on trains tend to be bigger and more comfortable than economy seats on airplanes. And when I’ve taken night trains with sleeper cars and real beds, I’ve had more space to relax, work, or simply spread out. That’s helpful whether I want to work or get a good night’s sleep.
Night Trains Avoid the Hassle of Airports and Flight Delays
Airports can be stressful. For most flights, you need to arrive at the airport two or three hours early, stand in line, check your luggage, and wait to go through security. I find train stations easier and faster to navigate, which results in a calmer, better travel experience. I also appreciate that I can get to the train station less than an hour before departure time without worrying about missing my train.
“A short flight sounds faster on paper. But once you add the transfer to the airport, check-in, security, wait two or more hours, and the ride into the city at the other end, the real gap shrinks considerably,” explains Bryce Collins, a travel expert at Intro Travel.
Additionally, trains are less likely to be delayed than flights, making them a more reliable choice.
Night Trains Can Be a Cultural Experience
In some countries, taking a night train is a cultural experience. Outside of the United States, night trains are very common. For example, I’ve taken night trains in China where vendors walked up and down the aisles selling everything from chicken feet to local drinks, which is something I wouldn’t have been able to experience on a plane.
In Europe, taking a night train can be immersive, and a great way to meet locals and discover insider tips between getting some shuteye.
“As an American, a night train really provides me with that sense of travel and adventure that I’m seeking in Europe. I can easily travel by plane in the U.S., but as an American, long-distance trains feel like something rare and foreign,” says travel blogger Leah Marie Young.
With the Right Timing, Night Trains May Offer Better Sleep
Taking a night train instead of a redeye flight can help ensure you get a solid night’s sleep—if the timing is right. The journey should be long enough to account for the time it takes to board, get settled, and pack up to disembark in the morning.
In my experience, if an overnight train is fewer than eight hours, the journey isn’t long enough to get a good night’s sleep, and I arrive at my destination tired. “The quality of sleep on trains can be quite good because of the ample space and the gentle rocking of the train car. You wake up refreshed on the other end instead of cramped and sore like you end up after sleeping on a plane,” explains Tim Leffel, author of "The World’s Cheapest Destinations."
The Shortcut
Night trains can be cheaper than flying when you consider accommodations and baggage fees.
The length of the train ride matters when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep.
Trains are usually more comfortable than flights.
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