The Travelers Guide to Train Travel Around Europe

There is nothing quite like a train journey. No other means of transportation offers you the same ability to sit back, relax, and watch the world go by. In the United States, travel by rail is more complicated than in Europe. The network that operates across the US is patchy, services are spotty outside of big cities and urban areas. Europe, on the other hand, is well served by rail, in fact, you can take a train around the entire continent!

Coming from a country where rail travel is less common, the train is the perfect way to experience everything that Europe has to offer. The service is dependable and comfortable, European countries often invest in their public services in a way that makes many Americans jealous.

Arrive Right Where the Action is

Train stations throughout Europe are located in the hearts of the towns and cities that they serve. This means that when you step off a train, you will already be in the town center, you don’t need to spend any more time or money traveling on to your destination; you are already there!

No Long Check-In Lines

Flying is the fastest way of covering long distances, but the whole experience of flying is often much more stressful than other transportation methods. The train is one of the most relaxing ways of traveling and is well suited for those who would like to take in the sights around them as they travel from point to point. One of the key differences between air and rail travel is the extra security measures at an airport. This increased security creates long check-in and arrivals lines, which add time and stress to your journey.

No Luggage Charges

When traveling by rail, you can bring as much luggage as you can carry without having to pay any extra charges. For those who are traveling light, this can make using rail services a much more straightforward and desirable experience than trying to navigate the various rules and restrictions that airlines place on luggage.

A Vast Network

The European rail network is vast, connecting every single country on the continent via one huge rail network. You can travel between the biggest cities to the most rural towns with ease. Not only are there a huge number of potential destinations which are easily reached by train, but there are also nearly always multiple trains running throughout the day to take you wherever you want to go. Check out tourist2traveler.com for some recommendations for destinations to visit around Europe.

Be Spontaneous

Perhaps the greatest attraction of traveling by rail is how easy it is to do spontaneously. You can book your tickets in advance (in many cases you will save money by doing so), but you don’t have to book ahead. You can just as easily hop on the next available train, whenever that may be. For travelers who like to plan their time as they go, the rail network offers the most freedom.

The rail network is perhaps the best way to experience Europe. It is a convenient and affordable method of transportation that can get you wherever you want to go.