Beginner’s Guide To Travelling Around Europe By Train

Europe is a huge and varied continent, and it’s well worth taking the time to explore it properly. From mountains, rivers and valleys to some of the most exciting cities in the world, you’ll find treats and surprises round every corner. One of the best ways of exploring the continent is travelling around Europe by train. This is our travel by train in Europe guide, from a youth hostel in North London to the Alps and the Mediterranean.

Our Europe train travel tips cover the passes to purchase, finding your way around the stations and what to pack. If you’ve stayed in our London Backpackers accommodation, then you’ll know that we take great pride in looking after people. That’s why we’re happy to offer advice on travelling Europe by train on a budget.

Buy the Right Pass

Planning a rail trip around Europe now usually involves more digital tools than it did a few years ago. Many first-time travellers use mobile passes, app-based journey planning and digital reservations, so it is worth understanding how these work before you leave London. It also helps to compare the cost of a rail pass against fixed advance tickets, especially if your route and dates are already decided.

Although you can book train travel through Europe one journey at a time, this would be a complicated, time consuming and expensive process. A far better course of action is to purchase a Eurail Pass, which was previously known as a ‘Europass’ or Eurorail Pass’. This is a flexible, one purchase only ticket which covers travel over a specific period between 31 European countries and no fewer than 40,000 separate destinations.

It is designed for travellers who live outside Europe, while European residents typically use an Interrail Pass instead. If you are planning to visit multiple countries with flexibility, the Global Pass is usually the most suitable option.

Most trains don’t require reservations when you use a Eurail Pass, meaning you can travel spontaneously – although without a reservation you have no guarantee of getting your own seat.

When you purchase your pass you have to choose between a continuous pass or a flexi-pass. Since we’re looking at travelling Europe by train on a budget, the lower cost flexi-pass would seem to make much more sense. This is a pass which, for example, allows you to travel for 5 days during the course of a single month. You could travel for a day, for example, spend a week in one country, travel for two days to another country, spend a weekend there and still have two more days of train travel left before the end of the month.

A continuous pass covers travel on any day, but costs much more than a flexi-pass. It should also be noted that different types of Eurail pass cover different parts of Europe. The Global Pass is accepted on rail networks in all 31 of the countries, making it the ideal choice if you want to explore the continent as a whole and travel across borders. The One Country Pass, on the other hand, enables you to take the time to explore a single country by rail in more depth, and variations on it. The One Country Pass include the Eurail Benelux Pass which covers Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, and the Eurail Scandinavia Pass, which covers Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland.

At the time of writing, the standard Eurail Pass covers the following countries:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the U.K.

Eurail Pass or Point-to-Point Tickets?

A Eurail Pass is a single ticket that allows you to travel across multiple European countries within a set period. Instead of booking each journey separately, you can use the pass to board trains on your chosen travel days, depending on the type of pass you purchase.

Point-to-point tickets are individual tickets booked for specific journeys between two destinations. Each ticket is tied to a particular route, date and time, and must be purchased separately for every leg of your trip.

Choosing between the two depends on how you plan to travel around Europe.

Eurail / Interrail Pass vs Point-to-Point Tickets

A Eurail Pass is best suited for travellers who want flexibility. If you are visiting multiple countries or prefer to keep your plans open, a pass allows you to adjust your itinerary more easily without needing to book every journey in advance. It can also make travel simpler by reducing the number of individual bookings you need to manage.

However, it is important to understand that a Eurail Pass does not cover everything. Many high speed, international and night trains require seat reservations, which are usually paid for separately. This can add to the overall cost, especially on popular routes.

Point-to-point tickets are often a better option if your route is fixed and your travel dates are confirmed. Booking tickets in advance can be more affordable, particularly for journeys between major cities. Many train operators release tickets early at lower prices, so planning can help you save money.

The main trade-off is flexibility. With a Eurail Pass, you can often choose your train on the day, subject to availability. With point-to-point tickets, you are usually committed to a specific train and time, and changes may involve additional charges.

For shorter trips or travel within one country, point-to-point tickets can be more cost-effective. For longer journeys across several countries, or if you prefer a more flexible approach, a Eurail Pass may be the better choice.

Know Your Stuff

Once you’ve bought your pass and planned your trip around Europe, take the time to familiarise yourself with the stations you’ll be using. This may seem a bit like doing homework, but it will pay huge dividends in terms of guaranteeing a smooth trip. Many of the main European stations are huge, and, unlike airports, they don’t have a system to funnel you toward the right train, or members of staff to make sure you’re boarding the right vehicle. If you study the layout of the station before you travel, you’ll have a rough idea of where to go as soon as you enter.

As soon as you reach the station make sure you know the number of your train, the platform it will be leaving from and the time it will leave. Multiple trains leave from each platform, so if you get it wrong you could find yourself heading for completely the wrong city or even country.

If you’re really lost you could ask for help at the advice desk which every station will have, and it’s worth learning a few key phrases in the language of the country in question, such as ‘What time is the next rain to…’ or ‘What platform does the train to (X) leave from?’

If you’re staying overnight before catching your train, try to book a room that’s close to the station in central London. Making your way through the streets of a foreign city from your digital nomad accommodation could be tricky, and the last thing you want is to be racing against the clock once you reach the station itself.

How to Travel Around Europe By Train: Step-by-Step

• Draft Your Route: Pinpoint your must-visit cities and group them geographically to avoid backtracking.
• Calculate the Costs: Compare the total cost of individual advance tickets against the price of a Eurail Flexi-Pass.
• Secure Seat Reservations: Identify which legs are on high-speed or overnight trains and book seats online weeks in advance, especially in summer.
• Organise Your Documents: Ensure your mobile pass is activated on your phone, or print your individual tickets. Keep your passport handy for border checks.

Train Travel Across Europe: Top Tips and Tricks

• Validate Your Tickets: In countries like Italy or France, you must stamp physical tickets at platform machines before boarding to avoid fines.
• Utilize Night Trains: Save money on a night’s accommodation by booking sleeper trains (e.g., Paris to Vienna or Berlin to Zurich).
• Pack Train Picnic Supplies: Unlike airlines, trains allow your own food. Buying local cheese and bread before boarding is a great budget trick.
• Download the Rail Planner App: It works offline, allowing you to check timetables and filter for “no reservation” trains to save money.

Speed or Scenery?

Many European countries have an ultra-modern high speed rail network such as the TGV in France, the Thello in Italy and ICE in Germany. These are the ideal choice if you want to cross borders and journey from one capital to another in just a few hours.

If, on the other hand, your idea of train travel through Europe is more leisurely and includes soaking up the scenery as it rolls past, then you may prefer to travel with one of the slower, regional train companies. Famously beautiful train journeys around Europe include Norway’s Flam Railway and the Centovalli line which runs through the Swiss and Italian Alps.

Travel Light

Unlike plane travel – which means checking a heavy case into the hold of the plane – travelling by train involves carrying your luggage with you everywhere.

• Storage Space: On the train itself, you’ll only have a small overhead rack to store your bags.
• Navigation: You will spend a lot of time carrying your luggage around stations, often up and down escalators and along lengthy platforms.
• Pack the Minimum: Pack only what you can manage comfortably. Ensure you have room for entertainment on long journeys, such as books, e-books, and music.

Top Beginner Routes & Itineraries

The “Imperial Cities” Triangle (10 Days)

This is the ultimate beginner route. These cities are close, share an imperial history, and are connected by frequent, high-quality trains.

Days 1–3: Prague, Czech Republic: Explore Prague Castle and the Charles Bridge. Expert Tip: Stay in the Vinohrady district for a local feel and walk the city to experience its metro system—one of the best for navigation.

Days 4–6: Vienna, Austria: A 4-hour direct train from Prague Hlavní Nádraží to Wien Hauptbahnhof. Tour Schönbrunn Palace and attend a concert at the State Opera. Option: Take a 1-hour train to Bratislava, Slovakia, for a quick look at its medieval Old Town.

Days 7–10: Budapest, Hungary: A 2.5-hour train from Vienna. Relax in the Széchenyi Thermal Baths and see the Parliament Building illuminated at night. Beginner Tip: Buda is hilly and historic; Pest is flat and vibrant.

Tailoring the Journey to Your Persona

The Solo Explorer & Female Traveler Focus on the “Eastward Zigzag” (Berlin → Prague → Krakow → Budapest). Stay in social hostels that organize walking tours. For safety, many operators offer female-only couchette compartments on night trains like the ÖBB Nightjet.

The Budget Student & Backpacker

• Youth Savings: 25% discount for travelers aged 27 or younger.
• DiscoverEU: 18-year-old EU residents can apply for free rail passes in Spring and Autumn.
• Night Trains: Use them as a “moving hostel” to save on accommodation costs.

The Group Traveler (Friends & Clubs)

• Group Perks: Companies like Rail Europe offer group discounts. In Austria, Westbahn offers 50% discounts for youth groups (under 20).
• Hub Stays: Base the group in a central hub like Berlin or Vienna and take 1-hour day trips to avoid moving everyone’s luggage.

The Digital Nomad / Workation Student

• Quiet Zones: Most ICE and TGV trains have designated “business” areas with tables and power.
• Strategy: Use a One Country Pass to explore one region deeply while working remotely.

The Nature, Luxury & Family Adventurers

• Nature Lovers: Take the Oslo to Bergen line or the Glacier Express in Switzerland for panoramic windows.
• Family Adventurers: Swiss SBB double-decker trains feature dedicated family coaches with play areas.
• Luxury Seekers: The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express offers Grand Suites and Art Deco styling for a five-star destination on wheels

Best Seasons for Rail Travel in Europe

Make the Most of Your Journey

Travelling and getting around Europe by train is not only convenient but also one of the best ways to experience the journey itself. It allows you to feel more connected and less rushed. From city centres to scenic routes, each journey becomes part of the experience, making it a memorable way to explore different countries at your own pace.