Trains

For most people budgeting their way around Europe, there is a simple answer to the transport question: buy a train pass in some form, or just some train tickets, and hit the tracks. There are good reasons for this: European trains are generally fast, convenient, reliable, and they seem to go everywhere. During the summer, they are full of travelers from dozens of countries, and you can meet some very fun people. They’re a great way to travel.

If you only want to see two or three cities, then you should probably buy individual train tickets between those cities, rather than a pass. If you want to go to more than four or five cities, especially if they are in different countries, then consider a train pass. The most popular kind of pass, at least for visitors from outside Europe, is the “Eurail” pass, which comes in a number of forms and covers from three to seventeen countries. These allow either unlimited travel over a period of time, or travel on a certain number of days within a given time period (say, five days within a month). You’ll find more information than you thought possible on train passes and their various validities and restrictions in Basics #2 - there’s too much to put in here. Take some time with it, even though the material is a bit dry. Remember also that any good rail agent can quote you individual point-to-point ticket prices, to help you decide whether or not you need a rail pass at all.Citizens or subjects of EU countries are ineligible for Eurail passes, but get an even better deal with InterRail passes, also discussed in Basics #2.

Finally, even if the train is your transportation choice, don’t skip the rest of the information in this chapter. You may find a situation where some other way of getting around will work for a side trip, or when your pass runs out.