this post was submitted on 12 Feb 2024
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Seems the lowest cost trains are double the cost of the lowest airfares (at least that I checked), but I bet the train is still more comfortable. I've only ridden trains in other countries though, so I can't say for certain.
It's not. In business class, you're immediately behind the engine -- you get to hear it blast the horn multiple times at every crossing.
And no matter which class you're in, the freight trains have beat the piss out of almost every set of tracks, so that when you're at speed, it just about knocks your fillings out -- nevermind the idea of actually getting any work done on paper or laptop because of the constant motion.
Your best bet is to get high/drunk before you get on the train and sleep through it.
Yikes, that's disappointing. If the tracks are beat up by freight trains though, doesn't that also affect the luxury riders / tourists? I guess there must be soundproofing for them?
Trains I was on in other countries (crowded or not, higher price tiers and lower) were always smooth and quiet rides at the least. Also, I only saw crowded trains a few times, so in most cases they were quite comfy as well.
There are no dedicated tracks for passengers trains outside major cities. If you travel between Quebec City and Windsor on Via Rail, you're almost exclusively on freight tracks. Between Montreal and Kingston is like being shaken left and right non-stop for nearly two hours. Impossible to read a book / tablet / phone, type on a laptop -- eating and drinking is difficult.
Meanwhile, the TGV/ICE trains move at over 300km/h, and the speed & motion are imperceptable, even on curves.
From the handful of times I rode the train, it's only more comfortable if you plan to sleep. At full speed, it's pretty rough. That being said, you won't be at speed for long--you'll get stuck behind freight and go at a snail's pace for an hour or two at a time, most of the way. If someone is picking you up, tell them not to bother until a few hours after you're scheduled to arrive.