One of the unique aspects of life in Europe's major cities is the presence of an excellent transportation system, making the use of a car unessential to life and replacing it with the train. With a commuter train passing every few minutes underground and street trains, or trams running every few minutes above grounds (along with connecting buses and ferries in major coastal cities), there really is no need at all to concern oneself with the time at which a subway or tram will arrive.
If you are within one city, there are regional passes, good for the area you are in. If you wish to travel by larger, traditional trains to other major destinations, that is easily possible. You can purchase your ticket online and show your online bar code (a square box the conductor scans to verify you paid) by just showing it on the screen of your telephone. Alternately, you can visit any number of travel agents who will purchase the tickets and print them for you - for a fee! You'll often see people buying traditional train tickets at automated machines, giving instructions in multiple languages. The trick, in the latter case, is to avoid those pickpockets lurking around the machines. For this reason, many train stations employ security guards to stand near the machines - but they aren't always present and with the presence of several machines, they can't have their eyes everywhere at once.
Let reason be your guide as to which choice you make in the procurement of your ticket. But no matter which way you pay for your fare, be sure to either have the print out with bar code or download the bar code to your phone (particularly important in the event you can't get wifi or data on your phone, as sometimes is the case depending on which station you are at). Ultimately, you can get on a train and pay on-board but do expect to pay handsomely for the privilege of doing so. In general, the longer you wait to pay anyhow, the more you will pay overall.
Be forewarned, friends! The trains not only depart on time but sometimes, they depart early. Departing early is considered a benefit to the passenger - a plus! They would look at you funny if you were upset about that! Of course, to an American, such as myself, that is not seen as a courtesy to the passenger, but a violation of the agreement that the train will at least be there until the posted time of departure but... news flash, fellow American... When in Rome, do as the Romans do!
I find it now a little humorous, though I was initially shocked by trains departing early, that the platform upon which you are to board is not even announced on their massive digital arrival/departure boards until about 10 minutes before said departure time (that may not be honored, with them pulling away a few minutes early and all), and the entire act of avoiding the pickpockets (now I can usually spot them).
If you want to avoid pickpockets, keep your purse zipped up and in front of you with your hand on it, too. Keep a lock on your backpack or travel bag. The pickpockets near underground commuter trains (subways) hang out on the platform or on the stairwells (following you) but rarely get on the train. Their idea is to rob you and walk away as the doors to the subway close or just pass you on the stairs after robbing you.
However, if you are exiting a traditional train platform, the pickpockets are not in the boarding area because of the presence of police. In that case, they will be waiting for you where passengers exit the train station or train platform area. They will walk up to you to "help" you with your luggage. Hang on to your luggage! Keep walking! A small girl will appear needing "help." Keep walking! If that small girl needed so much help, why didn't she approach the large number of police and militia standing near the train station entrance? (Trust me, there are plenty of police figures around to help a little girl in those places.) Know that the little girl scam is a common one. Pickpockets don't travel alone. The robber needs a look out for police. Often, a third or fourth partner in crime participates to provide a distraction to the person being robbed.
Keep yourself aware and don't be too alarmed. Criminals in most of Europe are not violent in nature. They are criminals of convenience. If you're clueless and an easy target, they just want to rob you - not hurt you! So, keep your eyes open and look sharp. Then you can really enjoy your trip without any kind of disruptions.
- L. Galo
** European Union laws require me to give European Union visitors information about cookies used on your blog. In many cases, these laws also require me to obtain consent. Google's use of certain Blogger and Google cookies, including use of Google Analytics and AdSense cookies are mandatory. Your continued reading of this blog equates to your consent.
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| Train Station in Venice, Italy (Li Galo) |
If you are within one city, there are regional passes, good for the area you are in. If you wish to travel by larger, traditional trains to other major destinations, that is easily possible. You can purchase your ticket online and show your online bar code (a square box the conductor scans to verify you paid) by just showing it on the screen of your telephone. Alternately, you can visit any number of travel agents who will purchase the tickets and print them for you - for a fee! You'll often see people buying traditional train tickets at automated machines, giving instructions in multiple languages. The trick, in the latter case, is to avoid those pickpockets lurking around the machines. For this reason, many train stations employ security guards to stand near the machines - but they aren't always present and with the presence of several machines, they can't have their eyes everywhere at once.
Let reason be your guide as to which choice you make in the procurement of your ticket. But no matter which way you pay for your fare, be sure to either have the print out with bar code or download the bar code to your phone (particularly important in the event you can't get wifi or data on your phone, as sometimes is the case depending on which station you are at). Ultimately, you can get on a train and pay on-board but do expect to pay handsomely for the privilege of doing so. In general, the longer you wait to pay anyhow, the more you will pay overall.
 | |||
| Cristiana and me on the train to Switzerland (Li Galo) |
Be forewarned, friends! The trains not only depart on time but sometimes, they depart early. Departing early is considered a benefit to the passenger - a plus! They would look at you funny if you were upset about that! Of course, to an American, such as myself, that is not seen as a courtesy to the passenger, but a violation of the agreement that the train will at least be there until the posted time of departure but... news flash, fellow American... When in Rome, do as the Romans do!
 |
| On overnight trains, consider getting a private berth or cabin. Not only will you be safer in a locked room, you'll be able to rock out, like Solina is here on the top bunk bed, without disturbing others. In this pic, we are on a train departing from Paris. (Li Galo). |
I find it now a little humorous, though I was initially shocked by trains departing early, that the platform upon which you are to board is not even announced on their massive digital arrival/departure boards until about 10 minutes before said departure time (that may not be honored, with them pulling away a few minutes early and all), and the entire act of avoiding the pickpockets (now I can usually spot them).
 |
| Milano Centrale - Train Station in Milan, Italy (Li Galo) |
If you want to avoid pickpockets, keep your purse zipped up and in front of you with your hand on it, too. Keep a lock on your backpack or travel bag. The pickpockets near underground commuter trains (subways) hang out on the platform or on the stairwells (following you) but rarely get on the train. Their idea is to rob you and walk away as the doors to the subway close or just pass you on the stairs after robbing you.
However, if you are exiting a traditional train platform, the pickpockets are not in the boarding area because of the presence of police. In that case, they will be waiting for you where passengers exit the train station or train platform area. They will walk up to you to "help" you with your luggage. Hang on to your luggage! Keep walking! A small girl will appear needing "help." Keep walking! If that small girl needed so much help, why didn't she approach the large number of police and militia standing near the train station entrance? (Trust me, there are plenty of police figures around to help a little girl in those places.) Know that the little girl scam is a common one. Pickpockets don't travel alone. The robber needs a look out for police. Often, a third or fourth partner in crime participates to provide a distraction to the person being robbed.
 |
| Traditional trains often have dining cars where one can enjoy an on-board snack. (Li Galo) |
Keep yourself aware and don't be too alarmed. Criminals in most of Europe are not violent in nature. They are criminals of convenience. If you're clueless and an easy target, they just want to rob you - not hurt you! So, keep your eyes open and look sharp. Then you can really enjoy your trip without any kind of disruptions.
- L. Galo
** European Union laws require me to give European Union visitors information about cookies used on your blog. In many cases, these laws also require me to obtain consent. Google's use of certain Blogger and Google cookies, including use of Google Analytics and AdSense cookies are mandatory. Your continued reading of this blog equates to your consent.
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