Getting there
Getting there and back
Small towns are usually reached not by every road at once but by one or two threads: a railway line, a bus route or a highway. There are fewer services, timetables change more often, and missing the last bus turns a pleasant trip into a hunt for a bed for the night. Here is how to choose your mode of travel and avoid getting caught out.
On a trip to a small town, the return ticket is not a formality but half the plan.
How to get there
| Mode | Advantages | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Train | A relaxed journey, views from the window, the station is usually close to the centre | Trains to small towns run infrequently; check where the train stops and how to walk to the centre |
| Intercity bus | Reaches places without a railway and often stops right in the centre | Timetables change more often than for trains; the last service may leave early; buy a ticket in advance if possible |
| Car | Freedom to choose your route, you can visit the surroundings and neighbouring villages | Road conditions, fuel stations along the way, parking in an old centre with narrow streets |
| Local transport and taxis | Helpful when the surroundings are too far to walk | Small towns have few cars available and booking takes time; save the numbers of local services in advance |
Timetables: how to check them
- Look at the timetable on the official website of the operator or the station, not on third-party summaries
- Check it again the day before you leave: in small towns services are cancelled and rescheduled
- Pay attention to the days of the week: there are often fewer services at weekends and on public holidays
- Find out exactly where the bus stops: at the bus station or by the roadside on the outskirts
- Write down the times of the last two return services, not just one
- Save the contact details of the ticket office or dispatcher in case of changes
If you are driving
- Check in advance whether there are fuel stations on the last stretch of the route
- Download offline maps, as the signal may drop out along the way
- In the old centre, leave the car in a permitted parking area and explore on foot
- Do not drive into courtyards or private driveways for the sake of a good shot
- Head back before dark if the road is unfamiliar and poorly lit
Read next
- Planning
Trip preparation step by step: interest, information, travel, a place to stay, a fallback and a checklist.
- Routes
Sample routes without place names: the old centre in a day, a riverside town and two days with the surroundings.
- FAQ
Short answers about trips to small towns and the journal's catalogue of articles.
Sources
- Official websites of transport operators and cultural institutions (check before you travel)
- The journal's editorial materials
Information reflects the situation on the date of preparation. Timetables, opening hours and visiting rules in small towns change without much notice, so check them with the transport operators and the venues themselves shortly before you travel.