Avoid This Embarrassing Mishap When Traveling By Train In Some European Countries

One of the absolute best places to travel by train is Europe. Imagine sitting back with a coffee on board, as you're whisked around while gazing out a large window at lush green valleys dotted with cute little villages, making your way around towering mountainous landscapes, and not having to worry about dreaded traffic jams. Sounds relaxing, right? While European rail travel is typically stress free, there is an embarrassing mishap travelers should avoid, and that's going in the wrong direction when, and if, a train splits.

Yes, you read that right. In some European countries, train cars split at certain stations and have separate final destinations. Among the mistakes that people make while traveling by train (like forgetting their ID), not researching the train's route is certainly one of them. Planning a sleeper train trip in Europe? Just as choosing the best seat should be a top priority for your comfort, knowing if the train will separate is also key to ensure you have a restful sleep and don't wake up in an entirely different city than you had planned. If the concept still sounds confusing, don't worry. We'll explain the process behind it all and how to avoid ending up in the wrong city at the end of your journey.

There's something romantic about taking the train in Europe. What's not romantic is boarding the train, grabbing a seat, and not knowing that in an hour, your train will split in half en route to different destinations. Trains splitting in Europe, although common, does not happen on all routes. Many countries and rail routes tend to split trains, as it is more efficient for a larger number of passengers to board a train at one departure station, then change sections depending on their final destination. For example, it is common that some overnight trains split and go to various cities in completely different countries. High-speed trains and regional routes are also known to split up to increase network coverage, as well as ease congestion on busy routes.

To avoid any train travel blunders, the best thing to do is research your route thoroughly. Check the route, the stops being made, and the train number(s) on the ticket. There are some ICE (Intercity Express) trains in Germany that split and may show as different train numbers, such as ICE 940 and ICE 950, for example. The train may be going in the same direction and departing on the same track; however, your final stop will determine where you should be boarding. Train platforms in Germany tend to be labeled in sections A through F (sometimes more), so knowing what section of the platform to board your train is crucial.

Even experienced travelers can make mistakes and wind up on a split train going in the wrong direction. Shandos from Travelnuity tells The Royal Tour about her epic train fail during her travels throughout Germany. "I'd already been in Germany for a few weeks, catching trains nearly every day, and had not been aware that trains in Germany also split in half." Having what she calls "a funny feeling," she quickly realized the mistake. "Looking at Google Maps on my phone, I realized we were heading in the opposite direction, and used my limited German to confirm that indeed our train had split and I was on the wrong half!"

If you're ever unsure, talk to the staff. Generally, a staff member will come around and check your ticket and destination. If they notice that you are in the wrong section of the train, they will most definitely let you know. If that happens, when the train stops at the next station, be prepared with your items, jump off the train, and quickly make your way to the correct section, as you may not be able to make your way through the train due to the connected locomotives.

Understanding splitting routes on European trains can be confusing at first, but making sure you pay close attention to the announcements during your journey and checking your ticket carefully can help ease your mind. Knowing your split point is another way to make sure you reach your destination without a hitch, so you can confidently sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.