Rick Steves Loves One Of The Tackiest Tourist Activities You'll Find All Over Europe

There is still something wonderfully romantic about train travel, even if the reality often differs from the idealized image. We might think of the historic Orient Express, conjuring up luxurious fantasies of white tablecloth dining cars and wood-paneled sleeper berths, even if we must make do with a chiller cabinet sandwich and nodding off on the shoulder of another passenger in real life. Yet city-hopping across Europe by train is still one of the best ways to tour the continent and actually see some of the landscape along the way. Rick Steves is certainly no stranger to rail journeys during his time traveling around Europe, and he is also an unexpected fan of a far tackier mode of locomotive-like transport: Trackless trains.

You've probably seen or ridden in one before, perhaps somewhere like Walt Disney World when navigating the huge parking lots. Also known as trams in the United States, they are motorized road-going vehicles with regular old rubber tires and a steering wheel pulling a couple of carriages full of tourists. They are found all over Europe, and many are mocked up to look like vintage steam engines. Some are merely a means of transporting visitors from A to B, while others are geared up to providing a full sightseeing tour. They are convenient and save your legs, even if trundling along in one is a surefire way to mark yourself as a tourist. So why does Rick Steves like these tacky trains so much?

Rick Steves often encourages people to get off the beaten track on their travels and see how locals live. On the flip side, he also recommends splurging for certain things on a trip to Europe, which sometimes means taking part in activities that you might otherwise consider very touristy. Steves loves to learn about the history and culture of the countries he visits, and tour guides are simply one of the easiest ways to get the inside scoop. Some trackless trains fall into this category. In May 2018, Steves posted a video on his website admitting that while the mode of transport is tacky and touristy, the trains have benefits. He suggested using trackless trains as an easy way to reach farther-flung sights that you might not hike to otherwise. In this case, he was heading to a castle near Coillioure in France, and the "choo-choo" he was riding also had an audio guide with some local insight.

Not all trackless trains have such a feature. Some are purely open-sided carriages with a little chain to stop you from falling out. More high-end versions might have the added luxury of audio commentaries in a range of languages. If you want to listen along, Steves offers a handy tip: Bring your own earphones and plug them into the jack rather than using the cheap disposable ones that are often provided. It will be more comfortable, and a longer cable will give you a bit more slack for looking around.

Trackless trains have become fairly ubiquitous across Europe, from zoos and theme parks to sightseeing hotspots like castles and museums. One of the most useful and informative is the EkoExpres in Prague, which departs every 30 minutes during the tourist season and takes visitors across the river from Old Town Square to Prague Castle and back again. The route is relatively walkable, but the hill up to the castle is a bit of a slog. This trip allows you to relax, take in the sights, and enjoy the audio guide. The old part of the city is packed with history and architectural wonders, and the commentary is great for filling you in on the details.

In Lucerne, Switzerland, the cute blue-and-white City Train is a great way to enjoy the picturesque center and lakeside views while learning about the city's eventful history. Tours last about 40 minutes, and the upscale carts have windows and heating to make the journey comfortable in less favorable weather. Further south in Italy, many tourist hotspots have trackless trains to help visitors enjoy the sights without working up too much of a sweat during the hot summer months — one popular option is the Dotto trackless train that zooms around the Villa Borghese Gardens. So, if you're traveling around Europe and spot one of these tacky vehicles, don't be a snob. Take Rick Steves' advice and jump on board for a pleasant ride and some fascinating insight.