Train Travel Checklist: Essentials you Need to Carry

By: Swarn Rajhans | onMay 17, 2025

Train travel in India is an adventure of its own. Taking a break from the same monotonous routine to venture out into something interesting. Travelling by train is an experience bonanza of scenic views, hearty conversation and delicious food.

However, isn’t it a mood spoiler when you find that you missed your charger at home. Or you forgot to bring your tooth paste on the train. A Train travel checklist comes in handy in such situations.

In this blog, we are going to discuss the importance of a train travel checklist, essential items you should always carry on the train and some final tips and tricks for a smooth train experience.

Why Smart Packing Matters for Train Travel

Whether you are packing light or going heavy, smart packing on trains matters a lot. Smart packing isn’t just using the space judiciously. It is about assessing the train journey smartly and preparing for the situations that the journey might throw at you.

Travelling on trains in India is subject to uncertainty. Whether it be train timings, cleanliness levels or options for food on train, you need to prepare everything in advance to ensure a smooth journey.

Some reasons why smart packing is important for every train travel:

Ensures a comfortable train experience as you have all the necessary items you need.
No last minute hurry to get the essentials you left at home.
Makes you prepared for changes in train schedule, cleanliness level or food options.
Saves you the money you would otherwise spend on securing essentials at the last moment.
Reduces stress caused due to improper planning.

Smart train travel helps in making your journey comfortable, enjoyable and well prepared to tackle any last minute issues.

Train Travel Essentials: What You Should Always Pack

After discussing the importance of a train travel checklist, let’s dive into the essentials we need to carry with us. For the convenience of the passenger we have divided the items into different categories.

Personal Identification & Documents:

Personal identification documents are necessary for boarding the trains as they are demanded by the Ticket checking executive. Documents that you need to carry are:

An Identification document such as the Aadhar, PAN Card, Driving License, Voter Card, etc. These documents are required to verify the traveller with the person on whose name the ticket has been booked.
Train Ticket or IRCTC e-ticket
Medical Documents if you have some medical condition.
Emergency Contacts:
PNR Number, although it is not a separate document, is still relevant for booking food in trains or accessing other services like checking booking status.

Personal Care:

The hygiene situation on Indian Railways isn’t as consistent as you wish for. It is thus better to be prepared for beforehand and carry with yourself the essentials such as:

Hand Wash, Paper Soap or Hand Sanitizer. Don’t rely on hand wash provided with the Indian Railway as they can often get empty which leaves you in a very uncomfortable situation.
Tooth Brush, Toothpaste and Tongue Cleaner: If you are going for a long train journey or have to stay on the train for a night, it is better to keep these items handy.
Face Wash or Travel Soap: There are no bathrooms on Indian trains but you might want to wash your face or hands. Keep a face wash and travel shop with you.
Deodorant: Since there is no way to take a bath, keep a deodorant with you if you are on a long journey.
Toilet Paper: If you are adapted to using a Toilet Paper, then keep them with you as the Railway might not provide you with the same.
Plastic Bag: Keep an alternative storage bag such as a plastic bag to store frequently used items like Hand Wash and ToothBrush. You could also use it to store dirty clothes.

Clothing:

When it comes to a comfortable travel experience, clothes just cannot be escaped. Here are some of the clothing items you should pack for train travel:

A Shawl or Jacket: If you are in an air-conditioned coach it is important to keep a shawl or jacket with you as the temperature goes down and you won’t be able to adjust the coldness level.
Wear loose clothes: Wear clothes that are comfortable and breathable for you.
Sleepwear: Since, you might have to spend your night on board, keep your sleepwears with you for train travel.
Flip flops or any other footwear: You can’t go to the washroom with your shoes on. Keep other footwear such as Flip flops or Slip ons ready with you.
Spare undergarments: You might need to change them if on a long train journey. Hence keep spares with you.

Food Items:

RailMitra provides hot, delicious and hygiene train food delivery. You can always choose this platform with your food delivered right on your seat without paying any delivery charges.

However, we can plan this segment as well for the best experience. Here are food related stuff we should carry:

Non-perishable items: Items like Nuts, Dry Fruits, Biscuits, Cookies, Namkeen and Bhujia can be brought on the train.
Bring enough water: Although packaged water is safe, try to bring water from your own place.
Bring your own cutlery: Although most of the restaurants provide you with cutlery. It is better to bring your own cutlery.

Entertainment and Accessories:

For people travelling in groups, the conversations take up most of the time on their journey. However, people travelling solo or the introverted ones in a group need some options for entertainment. Here are things you should not miss for on train travel:

Phone, Tablets or Laptops with downloaded movies, tv series on songs: Carry your favorite movies, tv series or songs with you on the train in a downloaded form as the internet connectivity during the journey might be unsteady. Do not forget to bring the chargers.
Chargers and Power Bank: One must bring the chargers of the devices they are carrying along with an appropriate Power Bank. While most of the Indian Trains have sockets for charging your device, a Power Bank ensures chargeability and is essential.
Headphones or Earphones: Isn’t it irritating when someone on the train starts playing a song or video loudly. Well, don’t be like that person and carry your hearing device be it earphones, headphone or Earbuds.
Books, Magazines or Cartoons: If you aren’t into visual entertainment and are inclined towards books. You can always pick a Book instead of a tablet or PC.

Money and Security:

Money and our Luggages need a separate planning scheme of their own. Adhere to the following tips to remain safe:

Carry the minimum cash possible: During a train travel carry the minimum possible required for the train journey.
Opt for online payments: Whenever possible look for online payment methods.
Fasten your luggage with your train seat: There is ample space below our seats to keep the baggage. Secure your baggage with the train seat with a strong iron chain and a lock.
Write your credential on your luggage: It is a good technique to write your name on your baggage. In case it gets lost, the person can find the bag’s owner using this information provided.

Train Travel Packing Tips for a Stress-Free Trip

Here are some short tips and tricks that can simplify your journey further and provide a comfortable experience:

Keep your bag and luggages light: Avoid travelling with heavy baggage. We should not carry a luggage which we can’t hold for more than 10 minutes
Keep another small bag for miscellaneous items: Carry another bag to keep Hand Wash, Toothbrush , Toothpaste, etc.
Plan for delays: Delays can be detected early with live train running status feature. However, you can plan well for delays by securing some snacks, chargers, etc.
Differential Cube Packing: You can fold your clothes in the shape of small little cubes which can then be put into a bag. This method of packaging is best for saving space and organizing your itinerary properly.
Train Food delivery from RailMitra: RailMitra is one of the leading providers of fresh and hygienic food on train. Enjoy Restaurant food delivered right on to your train seat with this platform.

Conclusion

Train Travel in India can be tricky but by following the right plan and Checklist we can conquer this. By making sure we have all the essentials with us as well as preparing for any unwanted situations can truly change the trip for us, by making it more comfortable, pleasant and enjoyable.

RailMitra provides you a hassle-free way to check essential railway services such as PNR Status check or Live Train Running Status. Besides using these vital services you can also order tasty food on the train from this platform.