1. When you need information
If a station has an Information desk - use it to plan your trip. Don't expect the person at the ticket window to answer all your questions when there's a line of impatient commuters waiting. This is especially important in crowded stations like Venice. Find Departing Train information by consulting the yellow posters at the stations. In railroad stations, trains are listed chronologically either on a computerized board or on poster timetables, yellow for departure, white for arrival.
Some European cities may have more than one train station. Therefore, inquire beforehand from which station your train is scheduled to leave. If in doubt, ask the control staff (персонал службы контроля) on the platform.
2. Buying That Ticket
Go to the ticket window (checking first whether you need national or international tickets) with the following information: Train time or train number, class (usually first or second), one-way or round trip, and the date you are traveling on. Be aware that some express trains in some countries may require a seat reservation. Fast trains usually are more expensive - you'll be charged a supplement.
3. Discounts and Specials
When planning your trip, be sure to ask if there are any specials. On a recent trip in Germany, we were able to reduce the cost of a ticket from 76 to 22 dollars by taking a slightly slower train that left almost at the same time. Also, take advantage of any student and age discounts that may be in force. Choosing the right rail pass may shave some costs as well.
4. Facilities
Long distance trains often have restaurant or cafe cars. Medium distance trains may rely on a cart carrying sandwiches, snacks, drinks and coffee. Regional trains often carry no food or beverages. Best bet is to check out the stores in most large train stations these days - you can often get a great variety of interesting food to take on the train and it'll probably be cheaper.
5. Finding Your Car if you have a Reservation
At each track in larger stations, or on the wall of the station is a "Composition of Trains" board that shows where each numbered car will be as the train pulls in. (прибывать) Using this service, you can check the sequencing of train carriages in advance, and easily determine which carriage is yours, where 1st class seating is located on the train, or which way to go to get to the dining carriage. If you're late you can jump on any car and make your way through the train by their internal doors. Whether you already have a reservation and need to find a specific carriage or your compartment or an open carriage, you’ll figure out where to go thanks to information on train composition.
6. What if I Don't have a Reservation?
Then just sit anywhere. But be aware that if you don't want to be bumped from your seat, check the outside of your compartment for slips of paper that indicate if someone else has reserved that seat down the line. On newer trains the reservation info is on an LCD screen above the seats.
7. Trains to Airports
Many cities now have airport service by train. Most go to the heart of the city (to the central train station) where you'll usually find hotels. This means that you can also get to the airport from many cities as long as the train stops at the airport.
8. Am I Valid?
Many countries have you validate your ticket before you get on the train. This prevents multiple use of the ticket, especially if the ticket is regional and valid for 90 days. Validation machines are usually yellow-orange in color and your ticket will have an arrow telling you which end to validate.
9. So What's Cheap?
In general, trains in the southern part of Europe are cheaper than trains in the north. Slower trains are also cheaper than those slick, fast ones. Also, ask about special passes that might be available in the country in which you're traveling.
10. Save Money (or at least touring time) on Overnight Trains
Consider taking longer trips on an overnight train. You can often buy a couchette or bunk on a train from the conductor (check when you purchase your ticket). You'll save a hotel and a day of travel.
11.
Train Station
Being at the right train station Some European cities may have more than one train station. Therefore, inquire beforehand from which station your train is scheduled to leave.
Right platform / Right train In railroad stations, trains are listed chronologically either on a omputerized
board or on poster timetables, yellow for departure, white for arrival.
On
computerized boards, indicated next to the departure time, you will
find the rain category, destination and platform/track number from
which the train departs. 
Right car / Right seat As some trains may split at certain junctions, one part going one way and the other another way or stopping, make sure when you board the train that you is seated in the right part.
Furthermore some stations display on the platform in chronological order a diagram of the composition of all long-distance trains using that platform.
This
diagram illustrates the location of each car making the train,
beginning with the locomotive. Often it even refers to a position
letter or number displayed on the platform. If in doubt, ask the
control staff
on the platform. 
If you have a reservation, you are ensured that you are seated in the right
car. You must match the number shown on your reservation ticket with
car and seat number.
Each car also shows whether it's 1st or 2nd class by number displayed on its side.
Use the following information for your dialogue.
You can save money and time by buying tickets online:
- You avoid the need to queue (this saves you time and may stop you from missing your train). - You can see the prices of all of the available tickets.
- Tickets which are bought in advance can be much cheaper than tickets bought on the day of travel.
The train fare system in the UK is complicated, so you need to be careful to avoid paying more than necessary. Note the following:
- If you travel by train several times a year, you can save money by purchasing a railcard before you travel.
- Tickets which are bought in advance can be much cheaper than tickets bought on the day of travel.
- Tickets for trains leaving after the morning rush-hour has finished (eg 09:30 or 10:00) are usually cheaper.
- Day return tickets are cheaper than tickets which allow you to return on a different day. - Day return tickets sometimes restrict the times of the train used for the return journey (to avoid the evening rush-hour on weekdays)
- Discounts are sometimes available for people travelling as a group during off-peak times. For example, Group Save 4 tickets allow 4 people to travel together for the price of 2 people.
- There are sometimes long queues at the ticket offices of busy stations, especially in London. It may be quicker if you use the ticket machines.
- Usually you have to buy a ticket before you get on a train. If you get on a train without a ticket you may have to pay a fine or to buy a more expensive ticket.
3. You can also find out train information by telephoning National Railway enquiries on 08457 484950 (24 hours a day; local rate phone charges apply). You cannot buy tickets from this number.
4. Note that engineering works sometimes affect journeys, especially at weekends and during holiday periods (for example at Easter, or between Christmas and New Year). On weekdays trains are less likely to be delayed if you travel at non-peak times. To check information about travel delays, look at the website of the train company or see: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_bulletins.([eɪʧ] double [tiː] [piː] colon ['kəulɔn] double slash three ['dʌb(ə)ljuː] full stop nationalrail full stop co full stop uk slash service bulletins ['bulɪtɪn])
To plan a journey by public transport between two places in the UK, see: http://www.transportdirect.info. To plan a journey by public transport between two places in London, see:http://www.tfl.gov.uk/journeyplanner.3. Render the stories into English.
a) Приближаются каникулы, и пора начать думать о том, как их провести. В этом году я мечтаю провести отпуск у моря, поплавать и позагорать. После года тяжёлой учёбы необходимо хорошо отдохнуть. Правда, поездка к морю стоит довольно дорого, но я надеюсь, что смогу позволить себе эти расходы. Студенты нашего факультета проходят практику в городе Сочи на строительстве Олимпийских объектов. Я смогу заработать немного денег, чтобы после практики задержаться в Сочи на пару недель, а родители обещали мне оплатить студенческий маршрут через бюро путешествий. Я буду жить на турбазе, и ездить на экскурсии вдоль побережья Чёрного моря. Вы не хотели бы присоединиться ко мне?
б) В прошлом году мои родители провели отпуск дома. Мы не имели никаких хлопот с гостиницами и ресторанами. Я поздно вставал, гулял бесцельно по городу, целый день проводил на открытом воздухе, иногда мы с отцом ездили на рыбалку. Я не против того, чтобы иногда проводить каникулы дома с родителями. Кроме того, можно сделать много полезных дел. Мы с отцом отремонтировали машину, родители привели в порядок дачный участок, я встречался со школьными друзьями. Домашний отдых позволил нам сэкономить деньги, и мы планируем в следующем году отправиться в морской круиз.
в) А я ещё не решил, как и где проведу свои зимние каникулы. У меня ещё нет определённых планов на этот год. Мои родители не возражают взять отпуск зимой. Возможно, мы купим путёвки на базу отдыха (recreation center), будем ездить за город, кататься на лыжах и на коньках. Вечерами мы будем читать книги, так как мои родители терпеть не могут смотреть мыльные оперы по телевизору.