[Sophi86]

Packing for a 2-night train weekend and I can’t decide if I should bring my tiny radio fm or just rely on my phone. I like the idea of tuning into local stations without data but I’m worried about carrying another gadget and batteries. Has anyone actually used a radio fm on short trips or am I overthinking a thing I won’t touch?

[Luis_A91]

Maybe bring the tiny FM if it’s light, I think packing a spare set of batteries is a small practical thing to remember.

[JSmith]

Maybe check whether your phone actually has an FM chip first. I think a surprising number do, so that could save you from lugging anything extra, but not totally sure which phones.

[AnnaK]

I think you can skip the radio for a 2-night train trip, phone will handle most listening needs. Bringing spare batteries for a tiny gadget feels like more hassle than it’s worth. Maybe take it if it’s already charged and really tiny, but otherwise leave it.

[SarahM]

Only bring it if it’s tiny and runs on common batteries you already carry; otherwise it’s extra clutter you’ll probably forget about. Local stations can be fun to stumble on, but for a short trip I’d skip packing spares.

[Khan]

I get the charm of an FM radio, but for a 2-night train I’d skip it and just use my phone. Phone covers music, podcasts, and local stations via apps if you want, and it means one less thing to carry. If you really love the idea of tuning in without data bring the tiny one, but I probably wouldn’t bother.

[DonnaD]

I’d bring the tiny FM radio, it’s a small, pleasant thing to have on a weekend train. Maybe you won’t touch it and batteries are a tiny hassle, but I liked catching local stations without messing with data. Phone works fine too though, so either way is reasonable I guess.

[pixelnomad]

I think bring it; it’s small and lets you pick up local stations without burning data, though not totally sure you’ll actually use it. If the extra gadget or batteries bother you then skip it and just use your phone.

[Paul Graves]

I’d bring it for the vibe, tuning a tiny radio feels more relaxed than scrolling on a phone. If you really want to travel light or hate carrying batteries then skip it, but for a weekend the little charm might be worth the extra bit of weight.

[northshore]

Bring it; my tiny FM radio saves phone battery and its AAs last ages, so the little extra weight is worth not having to hunt for chargers.

[Daniele Rossi]

I usually chuck a tiny FM radio in my bag. It’s nice to stumble on a local station, even if half the time I never end up turning it on…

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