I took a luxurious sightseeing train in Japan for just $12. The stunning views weren't even the best part.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
On the left, a purple train covered in floral decals at a train station in Japan. On the right, large green curved seats facing the windows on a train. The carpet is patterned and a maroon color.
For $12, I took a trip on a luxury Japanese train from Nara to Kyoto.

Anna Staropoli

I booked the cheapest accommodation on an overnight train in Europe. I'll never do it again.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
Insider's reporter got no sleep in a couchette on an overnight train through Europe.
Business Insider's reporter took an overnight train through Europe.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I took a 30-hour train from New York to Miami, and the motion sickness and terrible sleep were too much for me

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
The author is seen relaxing in a chair on the left and a bed on the right — both photos are in the romette of an Amtrak car
A Business Insider reporter took an overnight Amtrak train from New York City to Miami.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I paid $1 to see Zurich from a train that's been around for 130 years. It was unlike any railway I've taken.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
Left: A red elevated railway car, Polybahn, stopped at a station with trees in the background. Right: A view of a railway leading to a building with blue skies
The Polybahn in Zurich is a train that runs on a steep incline. It's also known as a funicular.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I'm a high school senior who commutes an hour by train to school every day. It's helped prepare me for the real world.

Tech Insider
selfie of teddy almond on the train next to a nj transit train
The author, left, takes the train to high school every day.

Courtesy of Teddy Almond & Drew Angerer/Getty Images

What to pack to help you sleep on overnight trains, from someone who has spent 120 hours on them

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel
Left: A navy blue sleeper train parked ar a platform with an opened door at night. Right: The author lies in bed wearing a tan sleep mask over her eyes.
Business Insider's reporter has a lot of experience sleeping on overnight trains.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

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