Business Insider’s reporter has a lot of experience sleeping on overnight trains. Joey Hadden/Business Insider
- I’ve spent 120 hours on six overnight train rides in the US and Europe.
- Sleeping on trains can be challenging, but I’ve found that packing earplugs helps with the noise.
- I also pack a weighted sleep mask to block light and feel more at home.
Over the last two years, I’ve spent 120 hours on six sleeper trains, from Amtrak rides along the East Coast to overnight trains in Europe.
On every ride — whether I’m in a shared or private accommodation — the hardest part is falling asleep.
There’s the sound of the train speeding over the railroad, the footsteps of other passengers, and the slivers of light that occasionally poke through the curtain of my cabin. And, of course, there’s the shakiness of the train.
If you’re new to overnight trains, it can be tough to get used to, but I’ve found that a couple of packing essentials can help me fall — and stay — asleep.
The author travels from Italy to Austria in a private cabin on an overnight train. Joey Hadden/Business Insider
Always bring earplugs
It might sound obvious but a pair of earplugs is a necessity, as I realized after hardly sleeping on my first overnight train ride.
I couldn’t get used to the constant hum and vibration of the moving train. And I could hear every footstep of passersby in my cabin.
A pair of earplugs is provided by the overnight train inside the author’s cabin. Joey Hadden/Business Insider
Now, I pack earplugs every time I travel by train, although some companies like Nightjet provide earplugs for overnight routes, along with an array of items for guests in private cabins, such as slippers, snacks, and washcloths.
Since the earplugs tune out most sounds, creating a more relaxing environment for sleep, I set my alarm on my phone to vibrate rapidly. This always wakes me up in time for my stop.
I’m not particular when it comes to the type of earplugs I pack, and have used both provided ones and my own that I pick up from the drugstore for a few dollars.
Don’t forget a sleep mask
On my most recent train journey, I packed a sleep mask for the first time because although cabin windows have curtains, I’ve found that light often comes through them when the train stops at or passes by platforms with street lamps.
I didn’t just pack any sleep mask; I packed my NodPod weighted sleep mask.
The $34 mask is filled with beads, and, similar to a weighted blanket, it calms me. I use the NodPod every night at home to block out light, so wearing it during my travels almost made me feel like I was in my own bed.
The author uses her NodPod sleep mask on an overnight train in Europe. Joey Hadden/Business Insider
The NodPod paired with earplugs helped me get the best sleep I’ve ever had on an overnight train. It didn’t hurt that I was traveling on a luxury train with comfortable bedding, but I’ll still never ride the rails without them again.
And I’d recommend these not only for trains, but for your other travels as well — especially if you’re like me and have a hard time sleeping on planes and cruises.
News Related
-
Brianna Ghey died after she was found with fatal stab wounds in a park Two teenagers accused of murdering Brianna Ghey showed a “preoccupation” with “violence, torture and death”, a court has heard. The body of Brianna, 16, who was transgender, was discovered by dog walkers in a park in ...
See Details:
Murder-accused teens 'had preoccupation with torture'
-
ISLAMIC REVOLUTIONARY Guard Corps Commander-in-Cheif Major General Hossein Salami speaks at an anti-Israel protest in Tehran on Saturday. The IRGC trained Hezbollah to use human shields, say the writers. The conflict in Gaza has raised a deeply troubling issue: Reports suggest that Hamas is deliberately using civilians as shields, a ...
See Details:
A plea for Islamic voices against using human shields - opinion
-
Photo for illustration purposes only. – BERNAMA FILE PIX SHAH ALAM – The government needs to strengthen the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme, especially with the exemption of visas for Chinese and Indian citizens visiting the country starting Dec 1. Universiti Tun Abdul Razak economic expert Emeritus Professor Dr ...
See Details:
Strengthen MM2H programme, promote multiple entry visa
-
GEG element removed from anti-smoking Bill KUALA LUMPUR: The generational end-game (GEG) element has been removed from the revised Control of Smoking Products for Public Health 2023 Bill tabled for the first reading in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Nov 28). This is as the Health Ministry tries for the ...
See Details:
GEG element removed from anti-smoking Bill
-
-
-
KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 28): National carrier Malaysia Airlines Bhd has launched its year-end sale with ticket prices starting from RM79 to domestic destinations and from RM229 to international destinations, for travellers who book flights between Nov 28 and Dec 11 this year. In a statement, Malaysia Airlines said all-in one-way Economy Class ...
See Details:
Malaysia Airlines launches year-end sale
-
Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad says opposition MPs who have declared their support for the government are receiving allocations typically reserved for government MPs. PETALING JAYA: Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has accused the unity government of committing bribery in the form of constituency allocations. In a posting ...
See Details:
Dr M accuses govt of bribery over allocations
-
Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad says opposition MPs who have declared their support for the government are receiving allocations typically reserved for government MPs. PETALING JAYA: Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has accused the unity government of committing bribery in the form of constituency allocations. In a posting ...
See Details:
Malaysia to check if the Netherlands still keen to send flood experts
-
Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad says opposition MPs who have declared their support for the government are receiving allocations typically reserved for government MPs. PETALING JAYA: Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has accused the unity government of committing bribery in the form of constituency allocations. In a posting ...
See Details:
Appeals court to rule in Isa’s graft case on Jan 31
-
Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad says opposition MPs who have declared their support for the government are receiving allocations typically reserved for government MPs. PETALING JAYA: Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has accused the unity government of committing bribery in the form of constituency allocations. In a posting ...
See Details:
Elephants Trample On Axia With Family Of Three Inside
-
Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad says opposition MPs who have declared their support for the government are receiving allocations typically reserved for government MPs. PETALING JAYA: Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has accused the unity government of committing bribery in the form of constituency allocations. In a posting ...
See Details:
Sirul fitted with monitoring device
-
Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad says opposition MPs who have declared their support for the government are receiving allocations typically reserved for government MPs. PETALING JAYA: Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has accused the unity government of committing bribery in the form of constituency allocations. In a posting ...
See Details:
Nigerian airliner lands at wrong airport
-
Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad says opposition MPs who have declared their support for the government are receiving allocations typically reserved for government MPs. PETALING JAYA: Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has accused the unity government of committing bribery in the form of constituency allocations. In a posting ...
See Details:
Big market marred by poor upkeep
OTHER NEWS
Olive Grove is the first-ever gated-and-guarded development in Bercham, Ipoh with 24-hour security. IPOH: YTL Land and Development Bhd announced that Phase 1 of Olive Grove is fully sold while ...
Read more »
Screenshots of a video showing a teenager pointing a knife at an elderly e-hailing driver. PETALING JAYA: Police have arrested a 13-year-old boy for holding an elderly e-hailing driver at ...
Read more »
Sprint Highway’s Semantan To KL Slip Road Fully Closed Until Dec 31 If you’re a regular user of the Sprint expressway, you’ll need to do some planning for your trips ...
Read more »
Genshin Impact Version 4.3 Leak Showcases Update to Domains New leaks reveals a quality-of-life update to Domains in Genshin Impact, making it easier for players to repeat and farm resources. ...
Read more »
CG Computers will host the Urban Republic (UR) Warehouse Clearance from 30 November to 3 December at the Atria Shopping Gallery in Petaling Jaya. During the event, visitor can get ...
Read more »
Photo for illustrative purposes only – 123RF KUALA LUMPUR – Hyperinflation has never happened in Malaysia and the government hopes it will never happen, according to the Economy Ministry. It ...
Read more »
Malaysians May Have To Rethink Their Investment Strategy In 2024 Schroders, a British multinational asset management company, has recently released a new report that paints a concerning picture of the ...
Read more »