Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Research the train network for your country as some countries have limited options, for ex-
ample South America. However China has many great options. A great site to use for times
there is: www.china-diy-travel.com. This site also shows you whether a train is selling out.
It's pricey to book through the site so it's probably best to book at the train station itself. In
China you always need to book in advance.
The Man in Seat 61 is possibly the most incredibly comprehensive train and ship travel
website ever. It literally covers the world from India to Latin America, Africa and south-
east Asia. It's not only about times, costs and booking, it goes into some detail about the
kinds of conditions you can expect.
It's written by Mark Smith, an ex-British Rail employee and former stationmaster at Char-
ing Cross. He has travelled the world by train and ship and it's a personal site run as a
hobby, so he pledges it will always remain freely available:
Buses and coaches
Getting on a bus or coach in a foreign country, especially if you don't speak the language,
can be a voyage of discovery in itself. UK bus timetables can be indecipherable, but try one
in Patagonia!
Get help from a local you trust, hotel/hostel staff, or the local police station if all else fails.
In developing countries, locals think nothing of transporting their livestock by public trans-
port, so be prepared to sit next to a chicken! That said, some buses and coaches can be
positively luxurious and they do tend to be cheaper than trains.
Be aware of the seasons when travelling; for example in South America, in low season (it's
their winter) you can turn up a day before or on the day to buy bus tickets. There are lots of
companies, so compare prices between each, and pick one. Most of the bus companies offer
more or less the same, although there are luxury ones as well if you fancy being pampered.
Night buses are a favourite as they save you money on a nights accommodation. Look after
your things when on buses - lock your bag up and tie it to your seat so you can sleep in
peace. (Same advice for trains! Unfortunately sleeping travellers are a target for planned
and opportunist theft.)
For buses that could be oversubscribed, book in advance either at the bus station (this gives
you a good opportunity to familiarise yourself with the station), or through an agent/hostel
in town. Usually there is an additional price for this.
The 'Old Grey Dog'
Greyhound buses have air conditioning, tinted windows and a loo on board, as well as a
strict no smoking policy. Greyhound offers Hostelling International members a discount on
