Sunday Special: The (Unofficial but Totally Necessary) Rules of Train Travel

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Good morning, rail riders and Sunday loungers! 🚂☕

Welcome to your Sunday Special Edition, where we trade traffic jams for train tracks and serve up a side of etiquette with your coffee. Whether you're planning a scenic ride or just trying not to commit public transportation crimes before noon, we've decoded the unofficial rules of train travel with a wink and a nudge. Buckle up, and let’s roll.

🧳 At the Station: Don’t Be That Guy

• Show up early — not Olympic sprint early but give yourself time. You don’t want to be the person yeeting themselves onto the train last-second like it’s a heist film.

• Triple-check you’re boarding the right train. Because realizing you're halfway to Delaware when you meant to go to Boston is... awkward.

• Pick up your crumbs and your pride. Don’t leave snack carnage behind like you just hosted a toddler’s birthday party.

• Limbs in, people. Luggage wheels, legs, and rogue elbows shouldn’t be tripping hazards.

• Using Red Cap service? Tip like a decent human. They’re carrying your heavy bag and your dignity.

🚪 Boarding: It’s a Train, Not a Rugby Scrum

• Queue up calmly. This is transportation, not a Black Friday sale.

• Let people off before charging in. It’s not a mosh pit. Chill.

• Help your fellow travelers. That suitcase ain’t lifting itself — be a hero, not a bystander.

• Backpacks go on the front. Unless your dream is to smack people in the face.

• Four-seaters are for squads. Solo-dwellers, pick a seat that doesn’t scream “I hate your knees.”

🎧 Aboard the Train: Where Common Sense Goes to Nap

• Your bag didn’t buy a ticket. Don’t give it a seat.

• Keep your ticket handy. The conductor isn’t your scavenger hunt partner.

• If it’s assigned seating, sit in your seat. It’s not musical chairs.

• Use headphones. We shouldn’t all have to attend your accidental TED Talk.

• Quiet car = silent retreat. No calls. No chatter. Just you and your thoughts.

• Share outlets. Don’t be a plug hog. You’re not charging a Tesla.

• Don’t change seats post-ticket-check. It messes with The System™.

• Traveling with tiny humans? Bring activities. The window view only entertains for so long.

• Pets? Contain your chaos. No laps, no leash wanderings, and definitely no “emotional support ferrets.”

• Feet go on the floor, not furniture.

• Bathroom etiquette 101: Knock first. Lock the door. Clean up after yourself. It’s not a frat party.

• In sleeper cabins: don’t undress in front of strangers. Take a stroll. Let modesty live.

• Dining car = eat, don’t sprawl. It’s a table, not your WeWork desk.

• Leave the Michelin meal at home. No one needs a curry bomb at 8 a.m.

• Sleep with dignity. Drooling on strangers = train travel sin.

🏃‍♂️ Getting Off: Channel Your Inner Efficiency Expert

• Don’t pack like you’re moving houses. Get your things ready before the train stops.

• Let the sprinters exit first. If you need more time (or luggage assistance), wait a beat.

🚇 Subway Edition: Because City Transit is a Jungle

• Learn how to pay before the turnstile. Nobody wants to play tourist traffic cone.

• Offer your seat if you’re able. Be a subway saint, not a seat goblin.

• Hold on like you mean it. Gravity will humble you.

• Fill in the train! Don’t guard the doors like a troll.

• Locals: be kind to newbies. They’re lost, not evil.

• Street performers? Duck and cover. Applaud at your own risk.

So next time you hop on a train, bring your sense of humor, your headphones, and a little common courtesy. Because train travel can be a dream — if we all agree not to make it a nightmare.

Related: The 35 definitive rules of train travel (The Washington Post)

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See you Tuesday, same track, same time 🚉

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Disclosure: Travel details like policies, fees, and perks can change after publication. We recommend verifying entry requirements, pricing, and benefits with official sources before making travel plans or commitments. This content was created with the help of ChatGPT and other AI writing tools and is intended for informational purposes only—not as professional advice. Always double-check the latest updates.