Tips for Traveling in Europe by Train

Europeans have made train traveling a daily occurrence in their culture. Rather than driving to the next town, most Europeans hop on the train and enjoy leisurely travel and limit traffic on the roads. When traveling in Europe, your best option for inexpensive and easy travel is the train. Before you purchase train tickets with your airline tickets, consider a few beginner’s tips.

Information
If you are lost or not sure what tickets to purchase, don’t expect the travel desks or ticket window staff members to know or help. They have limited time. Travelers who come in on flights to Europe will have better luck purchasing a map or using an information desk at the station.

How to Buy a Ticket
The trains in Europe have their own way of handling ticket orders. Though you can purchase a pass online while you look for the cheapest airline, it is better to purchase tickets at the station’s ticket window. This is because some stations require international tickets or national tickets for specific locations. Tell the ticket window staff member the train number you need, first or second class, one-way or round trip and if the ticket is for that day or another. Some trains require seating reservations days in advance so keep that in mind when traveling from one area to another.

On-Board Facilities
Trains traveling a long distance accommodate the long ride by offering facilities such as cafes, restrooms and sleeper cars. Trains that only travel regionally, however, do not offer these facilities. Travelers coming in on cheap flights to Europe often make the mistake of assuming all trains have facilities. Therefore, check to see if you are on a regional or national train and pack accordingly.

Ticket Validation
Travelers who purchase train tickets with airline tickets online often assume that their tickets are already validated and attempt to board. This is not always the case. Check your ticket stub to make sure to states that it is already validated. If not, the ticket must first be brought to a ticket booth and receive a validation stamp in order to board the train. If your ticket is not validated by the time the train finishes boarding, you will have to wait for the next, which can be several hours for national lines.