An Insider’s Guide to Barcelona Sants Train Station—from a Local Who’s Lived next to it for 15 Years
A complete guide to Barcelona Sants Station for taking long-distance and local trains, including ticket purchasing, security, restrooms, and more.
Train station guides
We’re rapidly expanding our guides to navigating Europe’s train stations and what travelers can expect in each one, including where to stay nearby, the toilet situation, station maps, and the food options.
The Complete Porto São Bento Train Station Guide—What to Know in Advance
Everything you need to know for train travel to the center of Porto and its São Bento Train Station
The Complete Porto São Bento Train Station Guide—What to Know in Advance Read More »
Porto Campanhã Train Station Guide: Get Around, Connect Quickly, and Stay Nearby
A guide to Porto Campanhã Train Station and its services as well as how to transfer to Porto São Bento (more central) for free
Porto Campanhã Train Station Guide: Get Around, Connect Quickly, and Stay Nearby Read More »
Aveiro Train Station Guide: Getting Around and Staying Nearby
Key details about travelling to and from Aveiro by train and where to stay near the train station
Aveiro Train Station Guide: Getting Around and Staying Nearby Read More »
Braga Train Station Guide: Staying and Traveling in the Braga Area
What to expect in Braga Train Station, as well as food and hotel recommendations nearby
Braga Train Station Guide: Staying and Traveling in the Braga Area Read More »
Madrid Atocha Train Station—Our Complete Guide to Navigating and Staying Nearby
Everything you need to know to navigate the Atocha train complex—the busiest train hub in Spain—and where to stay nearby
Madrid Atocha Train Station—Our Complete Guide to Navigating and Staying Nearby Read More »
Our Reviewers’ Picks of Underrated, Useful Travel Gear
Can You Plug All Your Devices into a Single Foreign Socket?
Want enough juice for a USB-C laptop without its charging brick? Want to charge a phone and tablet too? Plus plug in any other electrical device? And use all the weirdly shaped electro-holes in any wall in the world or under a train seat? A universal charger is the answer; we've tried tons and this is our favorite. It can fast-charge phones and laptops with 3 USB-C and 2 USB-A charging ports and it comes with a spare fuse.
Do You Shake, Bump, and Jiggle Everywhere You Roam?
We use our favorite road speaker to animate small parties, indoors or outdoors, anywhere in the world. At just the size of a tall beer can, the Ultimate Ears Boom 4 sounds impressive and has solid bass, especially when placed on a hard surface in the center of the room. We have smaller, even more portable picks (though not as loud) in our review.
Shouldn't You Be Able to Squish Your Water Bottle into a Pocket-Sized Disc?
Having a water bottle that I can fold up flat makes me more motivated to actually use it everywhere I go and to stay hydrated. Hydaway makes the only durable, food-grade silicone (non-BPA, non-plastic) ones we've found.
Can You Roll Your Backpack?
Rolling luggage is great except when you hit trails, metro stairs, or cobblestone streets. Backpacks are fine but who wants to carry them for long? We currently recommend this Osprey model that's a bit pricey but extremely sturdy, full-featured, and has been at my side for years on the road.
Don't Take Up Table Space! Don't Dump Your Stuff on the Floor!
Hang a bag at any café table. Don't take up your hosts' shelf space in the bathroom. Keep your pack off of the floor in a busy hostel. If you have a Heroclip on the strap of a pack, suitcase, carry-on, or purse, you'll use it all the freaking time for all sorts of things.
A Discrete, Portable, Not-at-All-Messy Way to Have Good Lube on Hand?
Good lube can be essential for safer sex, but unfortunately most lube packaging is not road-worthy. One of our sexpert's favorite silicone-based and ultra-body-safe lubes comes in an excellent travel version. In our guide we also detail a few other travel and daily-carry water-based options, as well as how to discuss lube across cultures.
