If you’ve never travelled by train in Europe, there are some tips you’ll need to know before you start planning your trip.
Here’s our list of what to do and what not to do.
Do purchase a Rail Pass
If you are going to visit several European countries on your trip, a rail pass will save you a great deal of money, compared to constantly purchasing point-to-point tickets. Having a rail pass also makes it easier to be impulsive about your travel decisions because train travel is unlimited with the rail pass.
Do download a train map
Not everywhere the trains go have good internet coverage and listening to the conductor announce stations in a foreign language can be difficult. If you download a map of all the train’s stops, for the times that you don’t have access to the internet, you can avoid all of these problems and keep track of which station you’re at, and how many more stops you have until you arrive at your destination.
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Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Train stations can be large and confusing, especially if you are in a foreign country. If you are having trouble finding your train or platform, don’t be afraid to reach out for help. People generally enjoy helping tourists and you may even pick up some useful travel advice on the way to your destination.
Don’t use train station bathrooms
A lot of the toilets in European train stations cost money to use, and while it isn’t much, it can prove to be an unnecessary hassle, especially if you are able to hold on and use the free of charge facilities on board your train.
Don’t fall asleep
The worst thing that can happen on a train is missing your stop, but the comfort and motion of the trip can make falling asleep feel very compelling. If you are worried that you may nod off on your journey, particularly if it is a long one, make sure you set an alarm on your phone and leave yourself enough time to pack up your bags and things.
Have you travelled in Europe by train? What advice do you have for rail journeys? Why not share your experience in the comments section below?
Also read: Canada’s top five road trips
Whilst rail cards can be useful if you’re not sure where you are going, we found booking early for individual journeys worked out a lot cheaper. A bit of planning up front can save you lots.