The Man in Seat 61
Mark Smith's hobby site on getting almost anywhere by train and ferry: routes, tickets, what the trains are like and practical tips, from someone who's been at it since 2001.
What it is
The Man in Seat 61 is a huge, personal guide to traveling by train, written by Mark Smith and run as his own hobby rather than a business. The footer says "© 2001–2026", so it's been going for a quarter of a century and is still being kept up to date. It covers the UK and Ireland, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas and Australasia, with dedicated pages on famous journeys like the Trans-Siberian, Eurostar and the Orient Express.
Why we picked it
It's a rare site where you can feel one specific person and his obsession behind every page. Instead of dry timetables you get proper explanations: how to book the train you actually want, what the carriages and sleepers are like, where to sit, how to connect from a train to a ferry, and roughly what it'll cost. Smith makes the case for trains over planes, not with slogans but by taking all the hassle out of the trip.
The site has picked up a shelf of awards from British travel media, including the Telegraph and the Guardian. It doesn't sell tickets itself; it's supported by affiliate commissions and is upfront about that.
Where to start
- Open the Europe section and look up a route between two cities on your wish list.
- Read the Trans-Siberian pages, one of the most detailed long-haul guides on the site.
- Browse the great train journeys of the world for inspiration.
- Check the practical pages on tickets, rail passes, luggage and accessibility.
- If your trip involves the sea, look through the ferry section.
Who it's for
People who'd rather not fly or want to travel more slowly, railway fans, families who find trains easier than airports, and anyone planning a trip across Europe or Asia.
Quick answers
Who writes it? Mark Smith, who runs it as a personal project rather than a commercial service.
Can I buy tickets on the site? No. It explains where and how to buy them and earns affiliate commissions along the way.
Is it only about Europe? No. Europe is a big part, but there are sections for Asia, Africa, the Americas and Australasia too.
