Forget flying: train travel is the ultimate way to travel through Europe.
Unlike the United States where cross-country rail infrastructure is limited, getting around Europe is a breeze by comparison. Both short and long haul trips are easily accessible, meaning it’s just as hassle-free to travel around Paris as it is to travel from Barcelona to Berlin and countless places in between.
And with a little help from Trainline’s app, planning to travel Europe by train can feel almost effortless.
Image Credit: Getty Images, © Marco Botigelli. Image Location: Lisbon, Portugal.
How to Travel in Europe by Train
Before your roll into the train station, here are a few frequently asked questions that U.S. travelers tend to ask about Europe train travel.
Do they check your ticket on the train?
Yes, you should expect to see a rail representative walking each train car checking for valid tickets, either paper tickets or e-tickets. If you don’t have a valid ticket, you may be fined and/or asked to exit the train at the next stop.
Can you get from London to Europe by train?
Yes, and you’ll do so in submerged style via “The Chunnel”: an underwater rail tunnel beneath the English Channel connecting England to France. From there, you can easily take other trains to Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and more.
This is an especially great option for travelers flying into Heathrow Airport in London, as there’s an express train that takes you into the city where you can connect to other train lines.
Why are city names spelled differently at train stations?
Reading departure boards while abroad can be tough, especially when they’re written in different languages. The Italian city Florence may be written as Firenze, Vienna may be Wien, and Prague may be Praha. If you use an app like Trainline, it will tell you which platform you need so you don’t need to worry about translation trials and tribulations.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Busà Photography. Image Location: Gare de l'Est, Paris, France
How to Plan Train Travel in Europe
Knowledge is power, but it’s the trip planning that will influence how smoothly your vacation rolls along. Keep these tips in mind as you plan your European train adventure alone, with friends, or with your partner.
How to budget your train transportation costs in Europe
Train travel can be both a cheaper and more convenient alternative to flying and bussing, though it can also be costly if you don’t plan ahead. Prepurchasing tickets can get you the best prices at most convenient departure times.
Keep in mind that you can also purchase railcards like an Interrail Pass (specifically designed for European residents) or Eurail Pass (for all other non-European residents or passport holders) to travel multiple times and places through Europe. For instance, a Eurail pass can be customized to the countries, dates, and budget you need.
Studying abroad in Italy and need a 3 month pass for exploring? Backpacking from Paris to Prague and only need a few short station stopovers? The Eurail pass gives you the freedom and flexibility your schedule (and wallet) desire.
You can also pick up “rail and sail” tickets which combine ferry and train rides, if that floats your boat.
How to pack luggage for train travel in Europe
Whether you’re eating your way through France’s fine dining scene, drinking your way through Germany’s biergartens, or trekking from Budapest all the way to Amsterdam in one visit, you’ll be lugging your luggage around longer than you think.
A rolling suitcase is helpful for when you’re walking to and from each station and platform. While the luggage size and weight limits are much more flexible than on planes, pack as light and efficiently as possible. A small backpack is also helpful so you can stow your larger luggage on the train and retrieve your essentials at whim from your day bag.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Maskot
What to do if your train is delayed, if you miss your train, or if you can’t find your platform
One option is to find a customer service kiosk at the train station. However, between the stress and a potential language barrier, you may find apps like Trainline’s to provide the support you need. Our app lets you purchase last-minute tickets, see live travel updates, and talk to English-speaking customer service agents who will get your plans back on track.
Average Train Travel Times Between European Cities
Berlin to Munich: 5 hours
Rome to Milan: 3.5 hours
Paris to Barcelona: 7 hours
Vienna to Prague: 5 hours
Nice to Monte-Carlo: 20 minutes
Feel like booking tickets?
Trying to explore other ends of Europe where train travel may be limited? Whether you want to take a bus from Bucharest to Belgrade or a ferry from Holyhead to Dublin, we can help. Download the Trainline app and see just how far a European adventure can take you.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, only_fabrizio. Image Location: Antwerp Central Station, Belgium