How to travel Europe by train: Basic Guide (P1)

The scenery is beautiful, the train carriages are comfortable, the hustle and bustle of crowded train stations, and the thrill of a new adventure: there are plenty of good reasons to travel around Europe by train!

However, for those of us who grew up in places where train travel is not common, the prospect of traveling by train in Europe can be both daunting and exciting.

Thanks to years of traveling across Europe (including with our dog!) and spending over a year living in Portugal, we have had the opportunity to enjoy countless cross-European train journeys.

From the incredible efficiency of Swiss trains to overnight trains through Eastern Europe (the journey from Sofia to Istanbul is particularly memorable) to simple day trips throughout Italy, we have experienced almost every form of train travel in Europe.

And along the way, we have accumulated a wealth of tips for train travel in Europe!

This train travel guide is the culmination of everything we wish we had known before we started traveling around Europe by train, along with the reasons why we think it's worth trying.

View attachment 144

I found a very good blog post about Traveling by Train in Europe, and I would like to translate it so everyone can read it!

Click to expand...

Who is this train travel guide for?​

If you are planning a grand trip with many destinations and hoping to travel by train across Europe but don't yet feel comfortable with train travel on this continent, then this Europe train travel guide is for you!

We grew up in the suburbs of the United States and until we began international travel in adulthood (over 4 years full-time travel, over a year living in Lisbon, many trips across Europe, and more!), we hardly ever took a train.

While that is certainly not the case for many people around the world, it was true for thousands of readers who grew up in similar environments to ours!

If you are excited to travel Europe by train but are figuring out the whole process from scratch like we once did, then you are exactly the person for whom we wrote this guide.

Although train travel in Europe is not entirely the same everywhere—with over 50 countries and thus more than 50 train systems—there are many location-based quirks, this Europe train travel guide will provide a solid overview to help you start your journey with confidence.

View attachment 145

Does train travel in Europe suit you?​

Airplanes, trains, buses, rental cars, river travel—how do you know if traveling by train is right for you with so many transportation options to get around Europe?

In this section, we will break down the pros and cons of traveling around Europe by train to help you determine if it is the right travel option for you.

View attachment 146

Advantages of traveling in Europe by train​

Train travel across Europe is a bucket list experience.​

For most of us who come from elsewhere, this is the number one reason to book that first train journey in Europe, right?

Traveling by train across Europe tops many bucket lists around the world—and for good reason: it’s an extremely exciting way to explore the continent.

On some routes, the train itself is a tourist destination—and even if that’s not the case, it is still a memorable cultural experience.

View attachment 147

… and can allow for spontaneity.​

For some routes, particularly those with fixed tickets (more on that in another section of this Europe train guide), traveling by train allows you the freedom to come and go from destinations without having to think too far ahead compared to flying.

Depending on your location, it can be incredibly scenic.​

If you have ever dreamed of looking out the train window in Europe while gazing at mountains, streams, the sea, villages, castles, and vineyards passing by, let me tell you… it’s pretty much like that in most cases!

Clearly, not every place on the continent offers beautiful scenery, but if you travel Europe by train, you can experience some truly stunning landscapes along the way.

View attachment 148

Schniyge Platte in Switzerland offers incredibly beautiful scenery!

Most train stations are in the city center.​

In our opinion, this is one of the biggest advantages of traveling by train in Europe!

While most airports (especially those serving budget flights) are located far from the city center, train stations are often right in the heart of the action.

For example, stepping outside the train station in Cologne, you will see the cathedral.

In Florence, you’ll arrive within 10 minutes' walk from the Duomo.

In some places, like Milan, Antwerp, Porto and Gare de Lyon in Paris, the luxurious central train station is practically a tourist attraction in its own right, so you’ll start exploring as soon as you arrive instead of spending hours navigating from the airport into the city center.

View attachment 149

Visiting São Bento Train Station is a must-see when in Porto!

No luggage restrictions!​

No one will weigh your luggage or ensure it’s a certain size on the train, so you can bring whatever you like (especially sports equipment and generally pets included).

Traveling by train in Europe is generally much more comfortable than flying.​

At the end of the day, traveling Europe by train is much more comfortable than flying.

It involves less hassle, more comfortable seating, easier mobility, often better views, and greater control over your environment.

If all other factors (cost, time, etc.) are equal, personally, we would choose to travel across Europe by train over flying any day of the week.

View attachment 150

To be continued...