European Train Travel Tips

European countries are so easily accessible by train that it is almost a sin to take any other kind of transportation to traverse the closely connected continent. Not only are rail schedules flexible and frequent, but the fares are also reasonable with multiple packaged deals available to travelers who plan to visit more than one country.

First, research rail passes. Depending on your travel plans and how many countries you want to include in your European itinerary, a rail pass may be your best option. For example, Eurail offers various options that include pre-planned itineraries either within one country (e.g., Madrid to Barcelona) or among neighboring countries (e.g., Paris to Amsterdam). RailEurope also advertises popular routes like Prague to Vienna, or Copenhagen to Stockholm. Travelers can build their own itinerary, as well, by entering a starting point and adding stops one by one. Although convenience is unbeatable with a rail pass, compare single-trip tickets with the pass as some routes may be cheaper to traverse with single tickets.

Check for discounts. Travelers under the age of 25 are eligible for youth rates, so be sure to note this on your reservation request, and pairs or groups who are traveling together can also save up to 15 percent on rail passes.

Before purchasing your rail pass, check to see whether you must pick it up at the rail station or have it mailed to you. If the latter, allow plenty of time for the rail pass to reach your mailbox, and make copies of it once you have it since you will need the information throughout your journey.

Traveling by rail in Europe can be tricky and not all trains are included with your ticket, so read the terms and conditions carefully. For example, high-speed trains are usually not included in rail pass packages.