Know Before You Go: Traveling by Train in Europe

The well-connected nature of Europe means you can have a pain au chocolat in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris for breakfast, dig into Belgian beer and chocolates for lunch, pop over to Germany for dinner, and then catch a night train through the Swiss Alps and wake up with a cappuccino in Italy the following morning.

As well as the countless opportunities for discovering new places and exploring different cultures, European train travel also has a few other perks. It’s usually smoother and significantly more scenic than traveling by bus or plane (think: countryside views rather than endless highways or clouds) and is far better for your carbon footprint than flying. It can also offer more spacious or more comfortable seating, especially when it comes to getting some sleep.

Did you know?: The entire European train network is easy to navigate and doesn’t require much planning in advance, which makes spontaneity easy.

You can travel as far north as Kiruna in Sweden, as far east as Ankara in Turkey, as far south as Malaga in Spain, and as far west as Westport in Ireland. With the Eurail Pass (or individual trains across the network) you can enter 33 countries with more than 40,000 stops in total.

You'll find that there are certain popular starting or transiting points throughout Europe, including Gare Du Nord in Paris, Hamburg Hbf in Germany, and Rome Termini in Italy.

Many less popular routes may require changing at one of the above stations, but if you're there for a while, you'll find restaurants, stores, coffee shops, and charging points to keep you entertained. The bigger stations also have luggage storage, so if you're not pressed for time, you can even spend a day exploring the places above without dragging your big bag around with you.

Related: 7 of the Top European Train Travel Itineraries

There are a few different ways to buy tickets for your European train travel, depending on your level of organization. If you're traveling around with no fixed route, the best way to book your ticket is through the Eurail Pass.

If you'd prefer to plan a little more in advance, websites such as Trainline, Rail Ninja, and Omio are great for showing you different ticket prices and routes in English.

Travelers on a budget should know it's usually cheaper to book directly on each individual rail company's website. A hack for doing this without having to navigate multiple websites in a range of languages is to plan your route through a website such as Trainline, then search for it directly on each individual company's site.

Trains in Europe vary in price depending on the route and the country. If you're traveling Europe with a Eurail Pass or similar, you can select one based on the number of journeys or days. This is the most flexible option, but it does cost a little more.

Norway, Austria, France, and the Netherlands are the most expensive countries for train travel, according to a Euronews study.

Countries including Poland, Latvia, Hungary, and Slovakia are some of the cheapest, with single rail tickets usually costing less than $5 to travel across the country. Mid-range countries such as Italy and Spain cost around $20 for a single regional journey.

Most European countries offer discounts on train travel for students, seniors, young adults, and children. Enter your age when you book, and you may get a discount.

Other ways to save money when traveling via train in Europe include booking night trains, traveling on a slower train, opting for off-peak tickets, and buying your tickets in advance.

Insider tip: Roundtrip journeys are often cheaper (on a per-train basis) than one-way tickets.

Traveling by train in Europe is generally very safe for all kinds of travelers. But to ensure your safety, consider the following tips:

• Keep valuables close: When storing your big bag on the luggage rack, make sure you take out any valuables and keep those close by during your journey. If you’re taking a night train, keep a tiny bag with your passport and other important documents under your pillow.

• Invest in brightly-colored luggage or tags: This way, no one picks up your bag by accident instead of their own. For extra precautions, buy a few Airtags or similar and keep one in each bag.

• Stick to daytime connections: Aim to book trains that don’t have long layovers overnight. If you do have hours to wait between trains, research the station beforehand to see what’s open overnight (coffee shops, nearby hotels, sleeping pods).

• Stay vigilant in train stations: Sometimes, train stations are the diciest part of train travel, where pickpockets may take advantage of travelers that are confused, lost, or struggling with baggage. Be alert and keep an eye on your belongings, and try to look like you’re a savvy traveler (even if you’re not!).

European train travel is suitable for all kinds of travelers, from families with young children to solo women and elderly travelers. Most trains have space for strollers and wheelchairs, although it’s worth double-checking with each individual train to be on the safe side. When booking, make sure to check the age requirements, as some trains have discounts based on age.

Some stations have larger gaps between the platform and the train, so if you’re a wheelchair user or have other mobility requirements, do some extra research to ensure you’ll be comfortable.

Insider tip: Many stations offer assistance for those traveling with children, anyone that has mobility requirements, or the elderly, so if you need extra help, contact your train provider.

You’ll need to carry your passport and, ideally, another form of ID when traveling via train in Europe. If you’re traveling outside of the Schengen zone (which is most EU countries), you may also need to apply for an individual visa, depending on the country. For example, US citizens may need an e-visa to enter Turkey.

If you’re just sticking within the Schengen zone, you don’t need to worry about individual visas, but be mindful of your 90-day limit.

Insider tip: Apps like Schengen Calculator are ideal for keeping track of your 90-day Schengen zone limit.

Traveling by train in Europe is more physically active than you may imagine, so you should wear clothes that are easy to move around in. You’ll be loading bags on and off trains (and into the luggage storage areas, which are often overhead), walking at a steady clip through sprawling stations to make your connections, and sitting for long stretches on board. Opt for flat shoes, loose or stretchable clothing, and a backpack or cross-body bag that leaves your hands free for your valuables and documents. Train cars can vary wildly in temperature, from comfortable to overheated or overcooled. Dress in layers so you add on or take off separates as you travel.

• What's the Eurail pass and should I get one? The Eurail pass is a handy multi-destination ticket that lets you travel through up to 33 countries in Europe. You must choose how many days (including how many active travel days) you want to use when purchasing; you can also opt for single-destination passes, if you're not planning on traveling across all 33 eligible countries. Eurail is available for European and non-European citizens.
• Is Interrail the same as Eurail? Interrail operates in much the same way as Eurail, and costs the same. The difference is that only EU citizens, and citizens of some other countries on the European continent, including the UK, can access Interrail passes.
• How much luggage can I take on trains in Europe? Generally, you're limited to taking two large items on most European trains, including Eurostar. Keep in mind that you'll be lugging around whatever you take though, so you might want to pack light.
• Are there bathrooms on European trains? Yes, most trains have bathrooms. The cleanliness of the bathrooms is another issue! Pack hand wipes and tissue paper to avoid any inconveniences.
• Can I travel with my pet on European trains? Maybe. Small animals that fit into carrying crates can be taken on most European trains. Certified guide dogs (seeing-eye dogs) should be allowed on all public transport in Europe.
• Do children travel for free on European trains? Children can often travel for free when accompanied by a full-fare paying adult on European trains. Children are also eligible for cut-rate fares on many services. Check with the individual train provider to confirm before booking.