I've spent 117 hours traveling 4,700 miles by train. Here are my essential packing items for a smooth ride.

I've spent the last two years traveling by train around the world — from 30-hour overnight rides to quick three-hour journeys. 

I've taken trains along the East Coast of the US, into the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Québec, and between the European countries of Germany, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland.

After spending 117 hours traveling 4,700 miles on 11 trains, I know exactly what to pack to make these journeys as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. 

From snacks to entertainment, here's what you should bring on your next train trip.

From rocking chairs to train rides, motion makes me sick. 

According to the National Library of Medicine, one in three people experience this, and let me tell you, it can be brutal. So motion sickness medicine is the most crucial thing to keep me feeling well enough to travel.

That's why I always pack a skinny bottle of Dramamine that's about two inches tall. Although you should talk to a healthcare professional before taking, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends Dramamine as well as Benadryl for motion sickness, though both are also known for causing drowsiness. 

A side effect like drowsiness tends to work out just fine when I'm taking an overnight train. But if the ride is short or during the day, I pack the non-drowsy version of Dramamine.

Many of my long-haul train trips have included meals in the price of the ticket, while others have had cafe cars where travelers can purchase food and drinks. 

In both cases, I prefer to have my own snacks. Snacking helps me stay full in between meals, and when my rides don't include meals, I'd rather bring my own food than purchase it on the train. 

My snacks of choice are trail mix and granola bars because they make me feel healthy and give me energy without taking up too much space in my bag. 

I always keep a disinfecting spray with me to make sure the surfaces I use are clean. This gives me peace of mind and helps me relax while on public transportation.

When I'm stuck in one space for several hours, I find that 12-hour rides can easily feel like 20-hour rides and 30-hour rides feel nearly twice as long. 

Since time seems to go by slower when I'm in transit, I always have fun activities with me to pass the time.

When I'm traveling solo, I download music, podcasts, and TV shows on my devices, since I've found that provided Wi-Fi onboard a train and cell service can be spotty. And I always have my laptop with me to edit photos from my trips. 

When I'm traveling with a buddy, I prefer to bring playing cards to minimize my screen time.

Music, podcasts, and other forms of entertainment with an audio component are useless in a public space without earbuds. 

I imagine that having your phone die on a train is a drag. It would limit your entertainment options and give you a problem to solve once you arrive at your destination. 

Luckily, I've never experienced this because I always pack a couple of small external battery chargers in case my train doesn't have an outlet at my seat. 

One of my favorite parts of traveling by train is seeing unparalleled views of the world.

To me, the passing rail-side scenery is worth looking up at. I've seen a wide variety of panoramas from rural mountain towns to exciting city skylines. And when I do, I'm grateful that I packed my camera with me. 

I've forgotten to pack sunglasses on train rides, and I've always regretted it.

In my experience, trains tend to have large windows. This is ideal for catching those rail-side views. But without sunglasses, I've found myself squinting for hours as sun rays beam through the glass. 

If you ever catch me on a train, you'll see me in my signature travel-day look: sweats and pajamas. 

For me, soft, loose-fitting clothing makes it easier to get comfortable in a tight space, especially when sitting on a small train seat or resting on an unfamiliar bunk. These clothes help me relax and get more sleep on overnight rides.

I find that wearing comfortable clothing makes me feel more at home for these types of travels, too. So I don't mind what they look like. And I bet once you get on the train, you'll be happy you're comfortable.