Dreaming of a rail journey around Europe but not sure where to start? Not sure of your options or how to book? When you first start planning the PERFECT EUROPEAN RAIL JOURNEY it can all seem a little overwhelming and confusing! With the right resources and information you will soon have your trip sorted.
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There are plenty of benefits of traveling by train around Europe. Train travel in Europe offers breathtaking views of the countryside, mountains, and stunning coastlines that are often missed by road or air travel.
Rail Travel is also one of the most convenient and efficient ways to explore Europe. Trains run frequently, and many destinations are easily accessible by rail.
The advantages of taking a train over flying are many:
Travel Centre To Centre: Airports are usually located a fair distance from the city centre and getting to and from the airport can be expensive. On the other hand, train stations are usually located in the centre of the city and this makes it much more convenient and economical.
More Leg Room: Train travel gives passengers more space on average than most other forms of transport including planes…unless you are one of the fortunate folks who enjoy flying business or first class.
Avoid Airport Security: Nobody enjoys standing in long security lines at the airport. It can be stressful, tiring and that 2 hour pre-flight arrival adds extra time to your travel day. With rail travel there is no need to arrive at the station more than 15-30 minutes before departure. This time can vary depending on the train/route but it sure beats having to be there hours before!
Take Your Own Food: Although many trains do offer a dining cart or menu, if you don’t feel like spending money on board or perhaps you have strict dietary requirements, you are able to bring your own pre-packed food and drinks along.
Free Bonuses: Many rail passes or train tickets have hidden bonuses, discounts or freebies. For example 2-for-1 entry to hundreds of tourist attractions in London or free use of public transport in Switzerland including many boat trips on their stunning lakes.
The View: Let’s face it, when flying you don’t really get to see much of the land you are travelling over. However with rail travel you can sit back and enjoy the stunning scenery like the Swiss Alps or the French Countryside. I know which I would prefer!
Internet: Flying can be a pain when it comes to staying connected as you have to put your phone in flight mode and pay to use their limited internet service. Most trains have mobile phone coverage and almost all of the modern trains have plug sockets at your seat. So if like me you want to catch up on your latest blog post, or connect with family back home on social media, you can do this whilst travelling to your next destination…if you can stop staring at the view that whisks past your window that is!
No Turbulence: As much as I love flying, the one things I hate is turbulence (boy I have some stories to tell) and if you are like me then that is another bonus about rail travel as you can avoid a nervous breakdown associated with a rough flight.
Baggage Issues: When flying you are limited in what you can pack due to weight & security restrictions however with rail you are freer to pack what you want as long as you can carry/drag it and secure it either in the luggage compartment or keep it with you without blocking the aisle or other seats.
So now that you know all the perks of rail travel, which tickets do you need?
There are two different ways to travel by rail around Europe, the first is a point to point ticket and the other is by using a rail pass.
What is the difference between a train ticket and a rail pass?
A rail pass and a train ticket are two completely different types of travel documents.
A train ticket is valid for a single journey between two cities. Many tickets also include a reservation, which mean that they are valid only for a specific train, on a specific date and at a given time.
A rail pass, on the other hand, is good for travel in an entire geographical area (1 country, 2 countries or more). With it you can take as many train trips as you want within that geographical area, for as many travel days as you purchased, within a set period of time (the pass validity period).
What Rail Pass Should I Get?
When planing your perfect European Rail Journey you will need to know which pass you need.
Buying a pass is the easiest way to get around Europe if you are planning to visit several cities. If you are wanting to travel in one particular country then a country specific rail pass would be just what you need.
You can get individual rail passes for: Switzerland, Austria, Benelux, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Turkey.
So for example if you were just travelling to Switzerland you would be best to get the Swiss Travel Pass which would give you the freedom of multi-journey travel in one of Europe’s most beautiful countries.
A SWISS TRAVEL PASS gives you the flexibility to hop on and off trains as you wish. All you need to do is activate your pass, choose your designated travel days and enjoy exploring this beautiful country all on one pass.
Visit the bustling city of Zurich, or the quaint town of Innsbruck. PLUS you can enjoy the stunning Swiss countryside on Scenic trains such as the Bernina Express, a 4 hour journey through the alps with panoramic windows for you to marvel at Switzerland’s natural wonders.
You can also ride the Rigi, a cog railway or cable car that takes you to the summit of the Queen of the Mountains, or perhaps take the Stoosbahn, the steepest funicular railway in the world.
The Swiss Travel Pass also includes FREE boat trips on many of Switzerland’s famous lakes including Lake Geneva and Lake Zurich PLUS unlimited use of public transport in over 90 cities and FREE admission to more than 500 museums.
Oh and did I mention unlike point to point rail tickets, children under the age of 12 often travel FREE on most rail passes?!
The benefits of purchasing a rail pass to travel around rather than flying or driving certainly makes it worth while.
Now, if you are wanting to see more than 1 country then a better option for you might be the Eurail Global Pass.
What Is the Eurail Global Pass?
The Eurail Global Pass is the ultimate pass to discover Europe. You have a choice of 1st or 2nd class rail passes and children under 12 travel FREE with adult. Discounts are available for Youth (under 28) and senior (60+).
The Global pass gives you flexibility, just choose where you want to go and travel across borders quickly and easily. The price will depend on the class of service you select as well as the passenger type and number of trail travel days.
Visit the 33 countries listed below:
The Eurail Global Pass allows you unlimited travel with the freedom to hit the tracks whenever and wherever you want! You can take as many trains as you like and there is no limit on the distance you can travel within a travel day. All of this at a fixed price.
Hop on and off local train services at any time according to your desires and encounters. Just show up at the nearest train station and get ready to go and explore a new destination. For most high speed and International journeys, you will need to reserve a seat in advance.
For a small fee, you will be guaranteed to travel on your selected service with a confirmed coach and seat number. All seats are subject to availability and must be paid for at the time of reserving your seats.
The Eurail Global Pass is packed with bonuses to make your trip even more enjoyable. Hotel discounts, reduced museum fares, free ferry trips and more are included in your pass. It also comes with a Eurail travel pack (Travel map and user guide).
Whether you are the adventurous traveller or the avid planner the Eurail Global Pass is your pass to freedom and the key to an unforgettable trip!
If you are looking for some inspiration when it comes to planning your route, be sure to head over to the Rail Europe website for city guides, suggested itineraries and blogs. If you are ready to book your tickets you can do that HERE. Perhaps you are interested in catching the Eurostar from London to Paris to spend a few days? Be sure to check out my blog TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN PARIS for help planning your time in the city of love.
Let me know if you have enjoyed a rail journey around Europe OR if you are still planning your adventure, be sure to let me now how it goes! I hope that you have the perfect European Rail Journey Vacation!
Happy Travels,
Rebecca Henley
Rebecca was first bitten by the travel bug at the age of 7 when she emigrated to Australia from England with her family. Since then she has been travelling the world, working in the travel industry as a Travel Consultant and creating travel related content in the form of blogs and travel guide videos.
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