The beginner’s guide to train travel in Europe

Train travel in Europe

Throughout Europe, domestic trains within the same country do not require a reservation, so it can be easy to wake up and decide to visit a new city. Just arrive at the station before the train leaves, buy a ticket, and board!

Especially during tourist season, trains can get complete and last-minute tickets can be expensive.

Depending on the country you are departing from, check availability online.

Check train times online and book international train journeys in advance if possible.

Avoid annoying airline hassles.

Although the plane is almost always faster, some pains come with it. Long security lines, cramped seats, baggage fees, and the inability to socialize are all averted annoyances with train travel.

European trains are known for punctuality, on time more than 90% of the time. You can bring what you can carry (and more if you want to), there are no pesky liquid restrictions, you have room to move, sleeper cars for long journeys, and you can be social with your neighbors.

Bring food on board’s also perfectly acceptable, so don’t forget the wine and cheese!

Which train and which track?

The airports are pretty easy to navigate. As soon as you check-in, you know exactly which door to go to, and many signs guide you there. The trains, however, can be a bit more confusing. There are so many trains crossing Europe 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with several trains passing on the same track within minutes of each other.

Please ensure you know precisely which track your train is arriving on and the train number, as a train to Madrid may arrive 10 minutes before your train to Paris, and before you know it, you are in Spain. If you are ever unsure, there is usually always someone at an information desk who can help you.

And don’t be shy! Locals and staff are often friendly and willing to help, too.

Cancelation

The weather usually helps explain why flights are often delayed or even canceled. This is another very annoying and almost all-too-common inconvenience with airplanes. The trains are generally free of this hassle and get you to your destination on time, whatever the weather!

However, European railways are notorious for their strikes. Be sure to pay attention to the news and find out if you hear of a strike about to take place. Unfortunately, you cannot do much if this is the case. If this happens, buses are usually available, but I also suggest Bla Bla Car for shorter journeys.

It is a carpooling program that is very profitable.

Use your train ticket.

Now that you have your train ticket, what should you do with it? Many train tickets need to be validated (stamped with time and date) before boarding the train, as they are open tickets for train travel between two destinations and not for a specific train or time.

Machines at the station (composters) are usually located on the railway track.

You stick your ticket in, and the machine stamps it. You could be fined if that train conductor sees that you neglected to do so, and he will think you are trying to ride for free.