In my opinion it can safely be said that Europe is the most scenic and beautiful continent. From the Tuscan vineyards, to the banks of river Rhine and Sottish Highlands, there are certainly more breathtakingly spectacular routes than meets the eye. So how can you make the most of it, especially during the limited time of your vacation? Well, that’s where train travelling opens up the opportunity of exploration, certainly as Europe’s rail network is so expansive that it is possible to travel to even small remote towns by train.
Knowing your way around the European train system as well as tricks and hacks as to save money can make your journey even more enjoyable. The first thing you have to do is pick your preferred destination and then proceed with buying your ticket. As easy as that sounds, it actually involves a little more planning if you want to make the most of your money. Trust me, who doesn’t want a good bargain! Figuring out any preferred routes and buying train tickets ahead can be a holy grail for travellers.
The most obvious way to save money is by purchasing the Eurail Pass (for non-Europeans residents) or the Interrail Pass (European residents), which permit unlimited travel through 31 European countries on nearly all railroads and even includes several shipping lines. Although, the Interrail cannot be used in your country of residence, it means you are bound to go on a great adventure to emerge in cultures unfamiliar to you. However, depending on the length of your journey and the amount of days you tend to spend travelling, there are different types of Eurail Pass that come with different price tags. The Global Pass, provides unlimited travel within 31 countries, whereas, the One Country Pass provides unlimited travel within only one country. But worry not! Finding out which one suits you couldn’t be easier. Simply log into the Eurail website and enter your preferred routes and length of travel to find out which one fits your schedule and budget.
However, whilst purchasing an unlimited travel pass has undeniable perks, if you are planning to travel by train for a few days or you are day tripping from a central location, buying your ticket on location is the best option. In this case, depending on the country you are departing from, make sure you check for availability online and proceed with the purchase as early as possible to get the best bargain. Most rail companies will advertise their tickets 60-90 days in advance. One of the best resources for checking train schedules for nearly every train in Europe is Bahn.de . If you are travelling within Germany you can use the same site to book your ticket, but for any other European country make sure to visit the national rail website. Do note, nonetheless, that some Eastern European countries do not have online ticket booking available, so it will only be possible for you to purchase tickets at the station or through a local travel agent.
Once you have your ticket in hand there is another step to be completed before you start riding the rails. Many train tickets need to be validated -stamped with time/date- and failing to do so may end up with you getting a fine. But fear not, as nowadays you will find an array of easily accessible machines at the train station (normally on the train track) that stamp your ticket with no extra hassle.
Travelling by train is certainly the most fun and easy way to travel within Europe. With most train stations being located in the heart of the city centre, your holiday exploration can start instantly and without the unnecessary stress of finding your way back to the railway station. But if things do get a bit difficult and you can’t find your way around or even in the unlikely event of a railway strike, just ask someone at the information desk or any of the railway personnel and they will be more than happy to help!
By Maro Polykarpou
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