October 16th 2024.
Living on a train may seem like an unconventional and perhaps uncomfortable lifestyle for most of us, but for 17-year-old Lasse Stolley, it's become a way of life. The self-employed coder from Germany has been travelling 600 miles a day on Deutsche Bahn trains for the past year and a half, documenting his experiences on his blog, Life on the Train.
While many of us dread the thought of a long train journey, Lasse has found a way to make it not only bearable but enjoyable. He travels first class, sleeps on night trains, and takes advantage of his unlimited annual railcard to explore the whole of Germany. And he does it all with a surprising amount of comfort, using public swimming pools and leisure centers for showers and Deutsche Bahn lounges for breakfast.
Lasse's love for train travel started at the age of 16, when he decided to give in to his wanderlust and embark on a big adventure. He left his parents' house and has been exploring different parts of Germany ever since. He has no fixed abode and his home is the train, where he works as a programmer while surrounded by fellow passengers and commuters.
Of course, there are challenges that come with living on a train, such as constantly having to plan ahead and make sure he catches the right connections. But for Lasse, the freedom to decide where he wants to go each day far outweighs any inconveniences. And with an estimated cost of €10,000 a year, it's a relatively affordable way to live.
Lasse's parents were initially hesitant about his decision to live on a train, but after some convincing and checking the legalities, they fully support him. They helped him sell off most of his possessions, as luggage space is limited on the train. Lasse's minimalist approach to packing means he only brings along the essentials, such as his laptop and noise-cancelling headphones.
Despite the constant movement and lack of a permanent home, Lasse finds ways to relax and switch off. He enjoys looking out the window and watching the scenery pass by, particularly on his favorite route through the Middle Rhine Valley. But after 18 months of living on the train, Lasse is starting to think about what comes next.
His unlimited railcard is valid for another five months, and while he's not quite ready to give up his nomadic lifestyle, he's starting to consider what lies ahead. For now, he's content with waking up in a different place every day, exploring new destinations and experiencing the beauty of train travel. And with over 500,000 kilometers traveled so far, there's still so much more to see.
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