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Taking the Train in Europe
What you need to know about rail travel in Europe.

Is taking the train better than taking a car?

Well, it depends on what you want to see. Here are a few considerations:

Train Travel Plusses Car Travel Plusses
  • Trains allow you to move easily between cities and European capitals. Most train stations are located near the tourist centers and have hotels nearby.
  • No parking worries.
  • With an unrestricted Eurail Pass, you can get on and off when you wish, often without the hassle of dealing with ticketing agents. You can take the train on a rainy day just to see the scenery, without having to worry about the unscheduled expense.
  • You can sleep on the train, saving travel time and some of the cost of a hotel.
  • You can pay full attention to the scenery at hand--or read a book.
  • You can meet with and talk to the locals--or get travel info from other travelers, while you're moving on to your next destination.
  • It's easy to get to small, out-of-the-way towns and hidden romantic getaways.
  • Go where you want, when you want. You don't have to go by someone else's timetable.
  • Visit sites out in the countryside without having to sign up for an expensive tour.
  • When in transit, you can leave your luggage in the car (albeit at some risk!)
  • Many people can travel at the same cost.
Train Travel Minuses Car Travel Minuses
  • If you want to experience an event in the countryside, you'll most likely have to sign on to an expensive tour.
  • Usually, two people travel for double what one person can travel for. A large family traveling on a train is usually quite a bit more expensive than renting a car, especially in northern Europe, where train fares tend to be higher. On the other hand, keeping young children entertained may be easier on the train.
  • In a major city, you'll have to deal with parking and related fees, if you can figure out how to get to your destination in the first place.
  • You'll have to deal with the worries involved with driving in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar rules.
  • Young children may not like long journeys in the car.

If you're traveling with a large group of people, want to visit small towns, and like to drive in Europe, then it's a no-brainer--you'll want to rent or lease a car. But if you're a single traveler or couple who wishes to visit the great capitals of Europe, then train travel might just be the best bet for you.

There are options for people who want both experiences as well. A Rail 'n Drive Pass allows you to use both modes of transport. The EurailDrive (buy direct or get information) Pass, for example, allows you four days first class train travel and two full days of car rental over a two month period.

Rail Passes

If you're intent on seeing many large cities in a limited amount of time it might save you considerable money to purchase a rail pass. Most passes for European tourists require you to buy them ahead of time in your own country.

In the '70s the issue was simple. You bought a Eurail Pass or you didn't. The pass was valid for a solid period. In other words, you bought a month's pass and it was good for unlimited first-class rail travel during that month--all you needed to do once you had your pass was to flash it at the conductor and go. Only if you wanted a sleeping compartment did you need to purchase a supplement.

Lately the options have multiplied enormously. So have the complications in using and understanding them. See Rail Passes - Which Rail Pass is Right for Your Vacation. Rick Steves' How Railpasses Work is an excellent primer on getting to understand railpasses. Another good resource is The Backpackers Ultimate Guide to Rail Travel in Europe.

You can purchase just about any pass you can think of from Rail Europe.

And What if I want to see the countryside as well as the major cities?

European trains go to many small cities and towns, but for the smaller towns not serviced by trains you'll often find a local bus making a round trip between your city and the town you wish to visit--busses scheduled so the locals can shop in the big city and get back before dark. Your best bet is to check out the bus stations in the city in which you're staying. Local bus lines with an Internet presence can be found at Budget Travel's excellent Europe Bus Transportation page.

The other alternative is a tour. Huge, lumbering busses can be seen on all roads in the most remote areas of Europe during the season. Check at the local tourist office or at your hotel check-in desk.

For other transportation ideas, see our Transportation links. For scenic train routes, see Scenic Rail Journeys in Europe. For tips on buying tickets and riding the train, see 10 top train tips.

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