I love trains and find them both relaxing and adventurous-it’s an attitude thing! While they are wonderful anywhere, in Europe they seem to embody something uniquely European. Here are a few ideas to help make them as economical as they are convenient and enjoyable!
- Book early. The cheapest prices drop first, so book ahead of time
- Book overnight trains when possible. Save on the cost of lodging by traveling while you sleep. You could even spend a bit extra on a better seat or bed. Some overnight trains may have a dining cart or shower. No, it’s not the ritz but it’s not bad!
- Book European Rail Passes. Consider the Eurail pass as it provides discounts to senior citizens and those under 28. Children under 12 are free
- Use travel apps when possible. Here are a few to look at:
-Omio compares prices across different types of transport in Europe. Omio.com
-Trainline is a download for travel in the UK and more www.trainline.com
-France sncf-connect.com
-Italy trenitalia.com
-Germany bahn.de/en
- Consider using a third party retailer. Although they will add a small fee they can be quite useful because they connect to the French, Spanish, German, Italian, Austrian and Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg) and you can buy tickets within and between countries.
- raileurope.com
- thetrainline.com
- Flexibility pays off. You can reap rewards in the form of cheaper tickets and better availability – especially with longer, cross-country trips. Trainline will provide offers across 3 days for you to consider
- Handling these tickets upfront will allow more time to do what you are there to do–have a fabulous time!
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