Traveling Europe by train is something that every traveler needs to put on their bucket list. It’s one of the few places on earth where you can hop between some of the world’s most famous cities without touching an airport, renting a car, or cramming onto an overnight bus. Whether you’ve never booked a train ticket in your life or just don’t know where to start, this guide has you covered.
Why Train Travel in Europe Just Makes Sense
When you take a train, you avoid some of the most annoying parts of travel entirely.
Train travel means not getting to the airport two hours early. No figuring out a taxi into the city center after arriving at an airport 25 miles out of town. No waiting in long lines at security or dealing with chugging the rest of your water bottle before getting your bag scanned. No having to jam your carry-on in a baggage sizer or stressing about bag weight for extra fees.
Most train stations in Europe will take you right from city center to city center. The security checks are faster, there aren’t liquid rules, and usually, if you can carry it, you can bring it. On top of all of that, traveling by train can be even faster than flying in Europe.
Taking a flight sometimes means missing out on the best sights. The lavender fields in the French countryside. The Alps from the window of the Bernina Express. A train can get you from one city to the next, but it can also provide some of the best views of your entire trip.
Do You Need a Rail Pass?
Two paths exist for traveling Europe by train. The first is getting the Eurail Pass and the second is buying your tickets individually by journey. The Eurail Pass covers 33 countries, making it one of the best ways to see Europe in one trip while individual tickets can be more convenient for smaller scale trips.
Which path fits your trip? The Eurail Pass makes sense for people visiting multiple countries, and those who want flexibility. If you’re covering long distances, individual tickets can add up quickly.
Another thing worth knowing before you buy is that the Eurail pass doesn’t always cover all routes. High-speed trains and night trains can require a separate seat reservation fee on top of your pass.
If planning ahead is your thing and you already have all your destinations picked, individual tickets are a better move. You can do the math. Are the few trains you have planned going to cost more individually than a Eurail pass? If not, then the individual tickets make sense. They’re also better for shorter trips or if you’re staying within one country.
First you need to figure out where you want to go. Then, you can browse passes at Eurail.com or search individual routes to see what makes more sense for your trip. The process is easier than combing through Google Flights and navigating tight connections.
Planning Your Route and Booking Tips
The biggest mistake travelers make is trying to jam too many things into one vacation. To maximize your time off and really get to sink your teeth into a region, just pick one. A route like Barcelona to Madrid to Seville makes a lot more sense than rushing between five countries in ten days. When each spot gets a little extra time, you’ll feel more connected to each destination.
For booking longer routes, earlier is always better. Unless you’re getting the Eurail Pass, treat train tickets like flights. The further ahead you book, the cheaper they tend to be. Regional trains are usually much easier to book day-of. When you’re ready to search routes and compare prices, Trainline and Omio are two of the most useful tools out there.
Packing for the Train
The number one rule of packing for train travel is remembering that everything you bring, you’ll carry. Packing light is key when you have to haul your bag up and down stairs and through stations. Don’t forget a day bag either. Snacks, water, headphones, and a good book make the ideal combo for any train journey. On the six-hour ride from Paris to Barcelona, you’ll be happy to have packed that extra croissant.
To keep yourself connected, download offline maps before you board. Rural stretches, tunnels, and the occasional dead zone will come up, and you’ll want a map that works without a signal. It’s also worth picking up an eSIM Europe before you leave. Plenty of plans work across multiple countries, meaning you stay connected as you cross borders and don’t need to find a new eSIM every time you enter a new country.
Ready to Book?
Europe by train rewards those who go for it. The best travel moments often happen between destinations. Watching the countryside change outside your window, pulling into a station in a city you’ve never heard of and deciding to explore it. That little town in southern France could end up becoming the highlight of your whole vacation. Train travel makes you quickly realize the journey itself was half the point. A two-hour flight never gave anyone that feeling.
Train travel is more accessible than it looks, and a lot more fun than getting stuck in security at another airport. Just pick your route and book the ticket! You won’t regret it.
