Travelling by train is a unique experience. Be it for the thrill of high speed, the comfort, the scenery or the attractive fares, there are hundreds of reasons for choosing to travel by train in Europe. Here are the 10 reasons most commonly quoted by our customers (backpackers, families, couples, older travellers, businessmen and women, and more).
Avoid the endless queues at crowded airports, or the stress of driving in a different country, with its own rules of the road and lots of traffic jams. If you travel by train, you’ll go from city centre to city centre, smoothly and efficiently. On top of which, all major European stations and trains provide information in English, as well as in the local language. So just sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride!
Europe by rail means freedom. Choose the pass most suited to your needs from wide range of passes, starting with single country passes to regional passes and even the Eurail Global Pass, which covers 33 countries. Tickets are also available for a large choice of routes.
Whether you opt for a ticket or a pass, you can always benefit from attractive prices. Tickets can be very cheap when booked in advance, and passes not only offer various discounts (children, youth, senior, parties of two adults or more) but also come with a range of “bonuses” (free or discounted local transport, attractions and services).
Planning some holiday travel? Think about making that trip a little greener by travelling by train. The well-established high-speed rail systems in use today are more environmentally friendly than air or road travel. When you travel by train, you’re making a responsible, environmentally friendly choice.
Board the train early in the morning, have a look around the city, stop for lunch, do some shopping and come back late afternoon. From Brussels, for example, it’s a piece of cake to go to London, Paris, Cologne or Amsterdam for the day. And there’s no luggage to carry or hotels to book.
Comfort is always welcome, whatever the length of the journey. Treat yourself and upgrade to First Class, you’ll have more room to stretch your legs, larger seats, and a higher level of service to make your trip memorable. Check the prices, you’ll be surprised to see how small the difference between First and Second Class can be.
Optimise your time and budget by taking the night train: you’ll save on hotel costs, get a safe, comfortable night’s sleep, and wake up the next morning at your destination, refreshed and ready to explore.
With 240,000 kilometres of track, rail reaches into virtually every corner of Europe through forests, fields, and mountains that just aren’t accessible by road.
High-speed trains are by far the easiest, most comfortable way to discover Europe’s main cities. Wide seats, on-board catering and other dedicated facilities, depending on the route, combine to make it a truly enjoyable experience.
Save considerable time by taking the train and getting off in city centres. Avoid the hassle of spending hours waiting at the airport or the fatigue of driving for hours.
Train tickets for all trains can be booked from two to six months in advance. E-tickets are available in two formats, Print at Home and Print at Station. Rail pass holders can get discounted rates when reserving their seats for high-speed trains. Note that reservation before travel, on board high-speed, scenic and night trains, is compulsory for rail pass holders.
A wide variety of trains are available for travel throughout Europe. Whether you’re travelling a short distance on a local train, whizzing through beautiful countryside at 320km/h, enjoying Alpine vistas on a scenic train or taking an overnight hotel-on-wheels, train travel in Europe boasts not only efficiency and comfort, but also a relaxing environment where you can just sit back and enjoy the ride.
There’s a wide range of schedules, destinations and service options on offer. Many Inter-City and Express trains, as well as most high-speed and scenic trains, require advance reservation.
Perfect for long-distance travel, high-speed trains connect all the main cities of Europe. They generally run at a speed of 300km/h.
They cover long distances at an average speed of 170km/h. Intercity trains or Intercités are the way to enjoy the countryside and admire wonderful landscapes. They stop at every little town or village, offering you the possibility to discover the heart of a region.
These trains travel shorter distances and make frequent stops, connecting smaller cities and towns.
To take in some of Europe’s most exceptional vistas, there’s no better way than to board a scenic train and enjoy the ride. From Norway’s Bergen Flam and Rauma Railways to Switzerland’s Bernina Express, Glacier Express and GoldenPass Line, the experience is worth every penny.
Night trains cover long distances, allowing travellers to save time and money on hotels. You’ll arrive in the city centre the next day, rested and ready for sightseeing. Night trains require reservation prior to boarding. Accommodations vary by route, but most include:
France is hailed the world over for its eclectic heritage, both natural and cultural. From the Alps to the Ardèche, from Paris to the Provence…
World-renowned for its unparalleled natural beauty, the linguistic and cultural diversity of Switzerland still holds some surprises. Thanks to its stunning scenery, punctual rail service and smart timetabling, exploring the country by train is nothing short of exquisite….
Train travel in Germany is affordable and fun. Visit the big cities, such as Berlin and Munich, while making time for smaller communities and rural regions, all of them very accessible by train. Highlights include the hills of Saxony and Thuringia…
