Image this: you’re researching your subsequent abroad journey. You wish to go someplace you’ve by no means been earlier than, meet new folks and style new meals. All the important thing components of journey, proper?
By way of a Google search, previous journey experiences or a advice from a buddy, you end up at Intrepid’s web site. And there, you discover your good journey. Properly carried out. You flip via the picture gallery, learn via the highlights, and discover a date that works for you. You begin studying the day-to-day itinerary – it’s all trying so good.
However then, one thing stops you in your tracks. Your good journey entails an evening (or extra) on an in a single day practice. ‘Nope’, you assume, shutting your laptop computer in a huff. Your journey’s ruined.
For a lot of travellers – Intrepid travellers included – an evening on an in a single day practice is usually a deal breaker. But it surely shouldn’t be. An in a single day practice journey is a enjoyable and immersive native expertise. Actually, it often finally ends up being a journey spotlight on virtually all of our journeys.
Full disclosure: After I travelled to Northern Thailand, I virtually selected a unique journey solely as a result of it included a 13-hour in a single day practice journey between Chiang Mai and Bangkok. However I’m so glad I didn’t. The practice was clear, snug and protected, and it was a superb time to talk with my fellow passengers and our chief, Katie.
So, right here’s what to anticipate on an in a single day practice in several nations.
Get impressed
1. Thailand
Between Chiang Mai and Bangkok, Intrepid teams journey on a 2nd class sleeper practice in multishare compartments. Face-to-face seating – good for chatting with new pals or gazing idly out the window – converts into beds, whereas overhead bunks are lowered from above (practice attendants can be found to assist with this).
Passengers are given clear sheets and pillows (supplied in sealed luggage), and there’s a curtain you possibly can pull throughout your mattress for further privateness. Inside your private cabin, there’s an influence outlet, studying mild and small pocket in opposition to the wall for storing private gadgets.

The air-con on the practice can get a bit of chilly, so pack a jumper or cardigan in case you get chilly. The loos (which have a Western-style rest room and basin) are stored in fairly good situation, however the flooring can get moist, so it’s essential to put on sneakers if you go. Deliver your personal roll of bathroom paper and a few hand sanitiser too.
Learn extra: Right here’s why Thailand is the right vacation spot for first time travellers


Relying on whether or not you’re on an outdated or a brand new practice, you will have a few choices for meals. The older trains have an on-board kitchen, the place you possibly can pre-order meals and have them delivered to your seat. Total, the meals isn’t too dangerous, nevertheless it’s nothing to jot down house about. The newer trains have a eating cart, however no on-board kitchen, so all the things is pre-prepared – reheated frozen meals, sandwiches, chips, and many others. Each trains have carts that wheel up and down the carriages, promoting water, delicate drinks and snacks.
2. Vietnam
On journeys between Hue and Hanoi, we keep in air-conditioned, 4-person shared cabins (two single bunks) – with a small desk within the center. I travelled on Intrepid’s Vietnam Specific Northbound just a few years in the past, and our cabin was adorned with a vase of pretend flowers and a lacy curtain, which felt fairly quaint, actually. You’ll virtually all the time stick with different travellers in your group, however in some instances chances are you’ll share with strangers.


The cabins are geared up with an influence outlet (often in a really handy place, like above the door, which is NOT handy in any respect), studying lights above the beds, and sliding doorways (maintain these locked if you’re inside).
Learn extra: What to anticipate on an in a single day practice in Vietnam
There are two loos in every carriage – one with a Western-style rest room and the opposite with a squat rest room. They’re cleaned all through the journey however can get a bit on the smelly aspect. Once more: put on sneakers, carry rest room paper, and ensure your hand sanitiser provides are absolutely stocked.


There’s a meal trolley on the practice, however we advocate bringing your personal dinner and snacks (a number of the meals generally is a tad questionable, and it’s one occasion the place we advise in opposition to making an attempt the native delicacies). Your group chief will order dinner earlier than you set off, and there are many retailers promoting all types of scrumptious, strange snacks in Hue and Hanoi. You should buy water, beer and delicate drinks on the practice.
3. India
In a single day trains in India have an identical format to trains in Thailand: face-to-face seats alongside the home windows that convert into bunks (two in First Class, three in Second Class) at bedtime, with an aisle down the center. Nonetheless, in contrast to Thai trains, there may be little or no privateness – no sliding door, no curtain, nothing. In case you’re accustomed to sleeping au naturel, now’s an excellent time to spend money on a pair of pyjamas.


Clear sheets and blankets are supplied, however we advocate packing a pillowcase and maybe a light-weight silk sleep sheet. If you end up on the highest of a triple bunk, getting up and down the ladder generally is a little precarious. Additionally, you’ll be fairly near the ceiling (and a reasonably blowy ceiling fan), so keep away from sitting up too rapidly. Baggage is saved below the underside bunks.
There’s no eating automotive on the practice, however you will get masala chai, bottled water and snacks on board. We advocate stocking up on just a few snacks earlier than you get on the practice.
Learn extra: What it’s like visiting India with Intrepid
There’s one Western-style rest room on each carriage; at first look, it seems that they’re all squat bogs, however the again left rest room is all the time European. Vacationers are typically the one individuals who use them too.
There are LOTS of practice attendants on in a single day trains in India, so bogs and carriages are stored comparatively clear all through your journey (however because the saying goes, bear in mind to pack a roll of bathroom paper and a few hand sanitiser!).
4. The Trans-Siberian Railway
That is the large one. Three nights on the practice between Irkutsk and Moscow in Russia (or 4 if you happen to do the journey in reverse) on one of the vital well-known railways on the earth.


4 passengers journey in every cabin, made up of two bunk beds, and also you’ll be given clear sheets and blankets if you get on the practice in Irkutsk. Your baggage travels within the cabin with you. There are energy shops outdoors the cabins within the hallways, however we advise in opposition to utilizing these (they’re very often damaged and may injury your electronics); it’s higher to spend money on a conveyable charger and use that as an alternative – simply be certain that it’s absolutely charged at a dependable electrical energy supply earlier than you allow.
Learn extra: Anton and the Trans-Siberian Specific, a traveller’s story
The temperature will get fairly sizzling and stuffy, so it’s a good suggestion to pack just a few T-shirts and a pair of shorts or leggings (sure, even when it’s snowing outdoors).
The loos are fairly clear. There’s one on the finish of every carriage, with a bathroom (both a drop rest room or a suction rest room, much like these on planes) and a sink (no bathe). Bogs are locked if you’re approaching a station and stay closed till the practice begins shifting once more.
The practice makes fairly just a few stops alongside the best way – some brief, some lengthy – and you will get off the practice for a little bit of contemporary air and to stretch your legs. Nonetheless, all the time stick along with your chief and take your passport with you – if you’re passing via so many alternative time zones, it may be fairly straightforward to lose monitor of time, and if the practice leaves with out you, you wish to ensure you’ve acquired your most essential journey doc in hand.
Every carriage has a devoted attendant – do all the things you possibly can to befriend your attendant as quickly as you get on the practice. They’ll let you recognize when the subsequent cease is, when the bogs are closing (and after they’re open once more), they usually additionally promote snacks.
Learn extra: Life on the sting of the Siberian wilderness
The on-board eating automotive doesn’t promote superb meals, however they do promote chilly beer, delicate drinks and snacks. It’s a pleasant spot to take a seat within the evenings, play playing cards, and follow your Russian language abilities with the locals. Top off on snacks earlier than you allow, and purchase extra substantial meals from the babushkas on the practice stations – they often have scrumptious do-it-yourself pastries and sandwiches. Search for the babushka with the longest queue, as they’ll have the very best meals.


Three nights on the practice would possibly seem to be a very long time, however the journey passes fairly rapidly. You’ll journey via three completely different time zones, and see forests, snow, tiny villages and big industrial cities. In case you’re not swept up watching the altering surroundings go by, it’s an ideal alternative for studying, listening to podcasts, and attending to know your journey mates. Win win!
Packing suggestions for in a single day practice journeys
- Pack a roll of bathroom paper and a few hand sanitiser
- An eye fixed masks, for some shut-eye when the lights are nonetheless on, or naps throughout the day
- Think about investing in a light-weight silk sleep sheet. Supplied bedding will all the time be clear, however having your personal sheet is sweet for peace of thoughts
- A small towel or face washer, to clean up within the toilet (you possibly can grasp it as much as dry in your cabin)
- Flip flops/thongs/jandals are nice for slipping on if you go to the toilet. Additionally, by no means go to the toilet in naked toes. By no means.
- Feeling artistic? Pack a whiteboard marker, so you possibly can go away notes on your cabin mates on the window, or simply play noughts and crosses
- BYO mug and a collection of teas, sizzling chocolate sachets, or cup noodles. Most trains could have a sizzling water faucet for cups of tea
- Top off on wholesome snacks like fruit, nuts and sandwiches earlier than you set off.
Don’t let an evening or two on an in a single day practice put you off your travels. Simply consider them as busy, shifting motels.
Staying on an in a single day practice is all a part of the journey! Take a look at Intrepid’s vary of rail adventures.
Characteristic picture by Lucy Piper.