Food on long train journey etiquette?

[iwishi]

Next week I have to go from one end of the country to the other via train. I'm wondering what the etiquette is behind food- can you take food with you or do you need to buy it from the shop on the train itself? I remember the last time I went, people were having bottles of wine (shared) and whole picnics when they were on the table. That was about 5 years ago now so I was wondering what you can and can't take?

You can take what you like.

If you want to be considerate, avoid smellier foods and tidy up after yourself.

If this is the UK then you can take what you like.

It's absolutely fine to bring your own food (the shop on the train is grossly overpriced and not great quality usually), but it would be good manners to choose food with consideration for your fellow passengers, i.e. nothing smelly, don't take over a whole table to yourself, don't eat in an overloud lip smacking/rustling-y/loud chewing way!

You can take what you like but some people find hot food can smell.quite strong and is unpleasant for other travellers. Just make sure you clear up afterwards and put your rubbish in the bin.

Of course, I do like smelly cheese etc but will refrain

U.K., yes

Take food with you. It can be ages before the trolley arrives and sometimes the food is awful. I like to eat my lunch sandwich within 30 minutes of getting on the train so I have time to eat chocolate x

I like your style @Disfordarkchocolate

Take what you like - sandwiches from home, food bought on the way to the station, at the station.... but I'd avoid the restaurant car on the train as they're always dull and overpriced - there for emergencies only!

Just don't take hot smelly food; things like a thermos of coffee, sandwiches, sushi and salads are perfect. Just make sure you put your rubbish in one of the provided bins (it mystifies me that some people don't do this?)

I've taken everything from bikes to a dog and a hamster (not at the same time!) on the train without anyone batting an eyelid (actually, most people just want to say hello to the dog), so food isn't an issue. Just don't do what I did once - put multiple bottles of wine in a suitcase, have the suitcase fall over and then find wine pouring from your suitcase and running down the aisle...... not a good day.

Bring your own food, and if it's a long journey then bring plenty! The on-board shop has limited choice and can often run out of things.

Also I've been on a train or two where there was an announcement that the cafe car was closed that day due to unforeseen circumstances.

Also, bring nice food! It can often be the only interesting thing on a long journey, and I've sometimes ended up feeling envious of other people's food . It's not the time to be buying a crap sandwich from a crap shop. M&S or Waitrose if possible

I tend to bring my food in a paper bag (even if that is in another general bag of bits and pieces or luggage). I include a couple of paper napkins, in case of spills or greasy fingers. And I then use the paper bag for rubbish to gather it all together easily and be able to dispose when I get up for the loo or whatever, or to carry off the train with me to a bin in the station.

If you’re particular about coffee and tea, take your own, either from the station, or from home in a thermos. I also take a reusable cup, as I find it’s easier to drink from that a thermos cup.

I like to have a small bag for rubbish. Someone opposite me went to leave her rubbish when she stood to leave the train; I pushed it towards her and she took it with her. Possibly rude of me, but I think train cleaners have enough to do without lazy travellers making it worse.

Make up a platter of the following:
Camenbert (leave open half eaten).
Smoked mackerel
Stilton
Gherkins/Pickles
Take a loaf of crusty bread that needs cutting up, leaving crumbs everywhere. Make your own sandwiches.
Enjoy having the table to yourself the whole way.

Do whatever you want! But the tidier and more neutral smelling the better just for everyone else's sake!

If you’re on a long journey someone will come round with a rubbish bag at some point.

We always used to take a huge picnic on the 9-hour train journey to see my grandmother. It was pretty much the best bit of the holiday.

I was on a train the other week and witnessed a man approach a random woman to ask her to refrain from eating her tuna panini because the smell was making him feel sick.

So avoid hot tuna

You just take whatever you want. The buffet trolleys don't usually sell much, unless you want some crisps. I commute a long way and I pack breakfast and then dinner for the way home with me to eat on the train.