Travel Europe By Train

Your Essential Guide To Travel Europe By Train

Although air travel can be the most convenient for the modern world, there’s still a hint of romance in traveling by train. It’s often
more comfortable, and sometimes it can save you a lot of money. If you aren’t experienced with it, however, the idea might seem a little daunting. If you’re searching for how to travel Europe by train, we’ve got some tips for you.

How to Use Train Travel in Europe

Traveling Europe by train has a lot of benefits, including:

• Seeing the countryside close-up
• Being able to get up and walk around or dine if you want to
• Getting to smaller towns without airports
• Ease of booking

Keep in mind that the cost isn’t always cheaper than airfare, especially if you are booking a high-demand line. There are trains with sleeper cars along many major lines, but you should compare their rates to staying in a local hotel as you travel. Since there are dozens of European countries, it’s important to research the local guidelines for travel. You may need a valid passport or a visa.

Where to Go in Europe by Train

The best part of a plan to travel Europe by train is the ability to customize. If you want to book short trips from a central location, you have plenty of options. You can also stretch it out into days, or even weeks, of travel. Remember that the most popular trips fill up early, so you may need to book ahead. If you’re planning on a short schedule, consider looking for journeys heading in an uncommon direction. Here are a few trip ideas to help you get started.

London to Venice

If you’re going to travel, you might as well do so in style. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express offers a luxury train service that starts in London and progresses to Venice. It’s an opportunity to enjoy a bit of rail history, with historic rail cars. The trip takes a full day of travel. While you sit and watch the hills roll by, you’ll enjoy luscious surroundings, fine dining and excellent service.

Amsterdam to Vienna

Sometimes, the best part of train travel is the ability to wake up in a new city, and Nightjet has the lock. Traveling from Amsterdam to Vienna takes a little over 12 hours, which is plenty of time for a meal and a full night of rest. The best part is that you arrive in the middle of the city, without having to spend hours waiting to go through customs or finding your way from the airport. There’s a growing market for effective, comfortable nighttime travel in Europe, so you may be able to customize your trip according to your travel plans.

Paris to Barcelona

Although much of European train travel emphasizes high-speed rail these days, there is something to be said for taking the slow path. At a slower speed, you can take your time to truly enjoy the scenery as it changes. The trip from Paris to Barcelona takes about 10 hours or more, but the trip is yours to customize. Feel free to book extra stops along the way to check more items off your bucket list. 

Take a look at our growing library of European travel tips.

• It takes some planning to make your European vacation success.
• The U.S. sometimes brings a little Europe home.
• You may not even have to leave home  to get that European feeling.

Imagine flying into a major European city and seeing the whole continent without having to visit another airport. The Parking Spot makes it easy to book off-site parking near many U.S. airports, without adding to the stress of travel. You can count on us for expert service and the latest travel tips.