I've spent 140 hours on overnight trains and made 7 mistakes, from booking the wrong room to sleeping in the wrong bunk

Business Insider's reporter has traveled on overnight trains in the US and Europe.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

• Long-distance train travel can be the journey of a lifetime — so long as you avoid common mistakes.
• After spending 140 hours traveling nearly 4,000 miles by overnight trains, I've had some regrets.
• I've forgotten to check for WiFi access, slept in the wrong bunk, and overlooked lounge access.

I've spent 140 hours traveling nearly 4,000 miles on overnight trains in the US and Europe.