Taking the train to discover the country for free

The train isn't just for the home-to-school run. Since it's free in second class inside the country, it becomes a great tool for exploring. A free weekend is enough to head off and discover another town or a region you don't know.

Improvising a day trip

Open the route app, pick a station that intrigues you, and see what's around. Many towns and villages have a station a few minutes from the centre. You can travel light, walk around, then head back in the evening.

The train also lets you reach the start of walks or trails. Combine train and hiking for a day in nature without spending a cent on transport, which leaves more budget for everything else.

Just check the return schedules, especially on small lines where trains run less often. A well-planned round trip means a successful day.