I have spent a decade wandering across the European continent. My goal is simple. I want to see every beautiful city for as little money as possible. I remember my first real backpacking trip. I traveled from Paris to London for a price lower than a small box of chicken nuggets. It was exciting. My mind was blown. At that time, a new version of myself emerged. I became a hunter of deals. Now, I will share my secrets with you. You can see the sights without losing all your savings. This guide will show you the 12 Best Cheap Train Tickets To Travel Europe based on my years of trial and error.
The Super Sparpreis in Germany
First of all, you must understand the German rail system. It is one of the best in the world. The main company is Deutsche Bahn. They offer a ticket type called the Super Sparpreis. This is the absolute cheapest train tickets in europe if you travel through Deutschland. However, these tickets come with a rule. You must catch the exact train you booked. There is no flexibility. Plus, you can find these for as low as €17.90 or €19.90 for long trips.
I always suggest booking these at least 90 days in advance. German rail operators release tickets early to predict demand. Additionally, if you wait until the day of travel, the price might jump to over €100. Therefore, early action is your best friend.
The Super Economy Fares of Italy
Similarly, Italy is a paradise for budget travelers if you know where to look. You will likely use Trenitalia trains. They have a special fare called Super Economy. It is the best-value option for high-speed travel between cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice. Though the price is low, the flexibility is zero. You cannot get a refund or change your time.
On top of that, you should check a private company called Italo. They compete with the national rail. This competition is great for us. It keeps prices low. I once found a ticket from Venice to Rome for only €29.90 by booking two months early. The secret? Early booking.
The Basico and Promo Tickets in Spain
Spain has a fast train network called the AVE. It is run by a company called Renfe. To find the cheapest train tickets in europe here, you must look for the Basico or Promo fares. These are sold in batches. Once the cheap ones are gone, the price goes up.
I found that the Madrid to Barcelona route is very competitive now. New budget companies like Ouigo and Iryo have entered the market. Therefore, you can sometimes find high-speed tickets for as little as €7 or €10 if you are lucky. Use a travel europe by train map to plan these legs carefully.
The OUIGO Service in France
France is often very expensive for rail travel. In fact, a report showed that 95% of cross-border routes in France are more expensive by train than by plane. However, you can beat the system. The national company SNCF has a low-cost brand called OUIGO.
OUIGO trains are like budget airlines. They use city outskirts stations sometimes. They charge for extra bags. But the price? It is unbeatable. You can travel across France for €10 or €15. Just ensure you book on the best website to buy train tickets in europe which is usually the direct SNCF Connect site.
Advance Tickets in the United Kingdom
The UK rail system is a bit of a mess. It has many different companies. This makes things complicated. However, you can save a lot of money with Advance tickets. These are released about 12 weeks before the travel date.
I have saved hundreds of pounds this way. For example, a walk-up return from London to Manchester might cost £350. If you buy two Advance Single tickets instead, the total could be as low as £67. That is a saving of £283. Always check if two singles are cheaper than one return. They usually are.
Split Ticketing (The British Secret)
Additionally, there is a trick called Split Ticketing. You do not change trains. You just buy two tickets for different parts of the same journey. For example, if you go from London to Durham, the train stops in York. Sometimes, a ticket from London to York plus a ticket from York to Durham is cheaper than one ticket for the whole way.
I once saw a first-class trip from Llandudno to London drop from £403 down to £181.20 just by splitting the ticket at Crewe. Tools like TrainPal or Split My Fare can help you find these deals. Do not worry. It is perfectly legal.
The Eurail and Interrail Passes
Gradually, you might realize that buying many single tickets is hard work. This is when a rail pass becomes useful. There are two main types. Interrail is for people living in Europe. Eurail is for people from outside Europe, like the USA or Australia.
These passes provide one price for many rides. They are best if you plan to visit many countries over several weeks. I once used a pass that cost €581 for 10 days of travel. If I had bought the tickets separately, they would have cost thousands of euros. One couple saved €1,700 on their trip by using these passes strategically. Plus, children under 11 travel for free with an adult pass holder.
Night Trains (The Hotel on Wheels)
Finally, you should consider night trains. They are the best way to travel long distances. You sleep in a bed or a bunk while the train moves. This saves you the cost of a hotel room. A solo reclining seat on a night train can cost as little as €25.
I love the route from Bucharest to Chișinău. The ticket is only about €26. Similarly, the night train from Belgrade to Podgorica is roughly €22. It is a fantastic way to see the “Back Door” of Europe that Rick Steves talks about. You wake up in a new country feeling rested and ready.
The Baltic Rail Bargains
On the contrary to Western Europe, the Baltic countries are very cheap. Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have rail systems that are always cheaper than flying. For example, a train from Vilnius to Warsaw can cost only 7.4% of what a flight costs.
Though the trains are slower, they are very social. You meet locals. You see the forests. It is an authentic experience. Later, you will realize that the slow pace is part of the charm. If you want europe train tickets that do not hurt your wallet, head East.
The Polish Intercity Deals
Poland is another champion of cheap train tickets to travel europe. In fact, 89% of their cross-border routes are cheaper by train than by plane. You can get from Kraków to Warsaw or even across to Berlin for very little money.
I suggest using the PKP Intercity website. They offer big discounts for those who book early. Poland is a great hub for travel europe by train packages because it connects so well to Germany, Czechia, and the Baltics. Plus, the food on Polish trains is actually good.
Regional Group Passes (The Bayern Ticket)
Many people forget about regional deals. In Germany, there is something called the Bayern Ticket. It allows up to five people to travel together for one low price. It provides unlimited travel for the day in the region of Bavaria.
It costs about €32 for the first person and then only €10 for each extra person. This is an amazing deal for families or groups of friends. You can see castles and mountains for almost nothing. Similarly, other countries like Austria have group deals if you look closely.
Youth and Senior Discounts
Mature travelers and students have a huge advantage. Most European rail companies offer Senior Railcards for those over 60. These usually provide a 1/3 discount or a flat 10% off passes. For example, the CartaFRECCIA in Italy offers up to 50% off for seniors and youth.
Youth under 27 can also get a Eurail Youth Pass. It is 25% cheaper than the adult price. First of all, always enter your correct age when searching for europe train tickets online. The website will often apply the discount automatically. Plus, many countries like the UK have specific railcards you can buy for a small fee to save all year long.
Where to Buy Your Tickets
I am often asked: ***”where to buy train tickets in europe?”***. It is a big question. There are three main ways to do it. Each has good and bad points.
- Direct from the National Rail Company This is usually the cheapest way. Sites like bahn.de (Germany) or trenitalia.com (Italy) do not charge extra fees. You also have more control over your seat selection. “Always direct from the train operating company” is the advice most experts give on cheap train tickets europe reddit threads.
- Using Aggregators like Trainline or Rail Europe These sites are very popular because they are easy to use. They are in English. They accept many types of credit cards. However, they often charge a booking fee. Trainline might charge up to €2.79 extra per ticket. Though it is a small fee, it adds up. I use them to compare prices, but then I often buy direct.
- Specialist Agencies If you want travel europe by train packages, companies like Railbookers can help. They arrange the tickets, hotels, and transfers for you. It is more expensive. But it is stress-free. Therefore, if you do not like planning, this is for you.
My Top Tips for Extra Savings
I have learned a few extra tricks over the years. These will help you find the absolute cheapest train tickets in europe.
Avoid Peak Times Train travel is like the stock market. Prices go up when everyone wants to travel. This means Friday nights and Monday mornings are expensive. On the contrary, traveling on a Tuesday or Wednesday is much cheaper. Also, try to travel “Off-Peak”. In the UK, this usually means after 10:00 AM.
The 12-Week Rule Most companies release their cheapest seats 12 weeks (about 3 months) before the trip. This is because the tracks must have a set schedule by that time. Set a reminder on your phone. Be ready to buy as soon as the window opens. For Eurostar, you can even book up to 11 months ahead for the core routes.
Choose Slower Trains High-speed trains are like Ferraris. They are cool but expensive. Regional or “slower” trains are often much cheaper. They may take longer. However, the views are often better. You see the real countryside, not just a blur through a tunnel. Plus, regional train prices are usually fixed. You can buy them on the day of travel without paying extra.
Use a Railcard If you spend more than €105 a year on trains, a railcard is worth getting. In the UK, a railcard costs about £30 but saves you 1/3 on every ticket. You can often get back the cost of the card in just one long journey.
Understanding Seat Reservations
This is a point where many people get confused. A train ticket and a seat reservation are two different things.
- The Ticket: This is your right to be on the train.
- The Reservation: This is your right to a specific seat.
On high-speed trains in France, Italy, and Spain, a reservation is usually mandatory and included in the price. In Germany and Austria, it is often optional. It costs about €3 to €6 extra. If you do not pay, you can sit in any empty seat. But if the train is full, you might have to stand in the hallway. I always pay for a seat if the journey is more than three hours.
Is Rail Always Cheaper Than Flying?
I must be honest with you. Rail is not always the cheapest choice. A report by Greenpeace found that air travel is often cheaper on long routes because airlines do not pay the same taxes as trains. For example, a flight from Barcelona to London might cost €15, while the train costs €389.
However, you must consider the “Hidden Costs” of flying.
- Airport Transfers: Trains take you to the city center. Planes take you to an airport far away. You must pay for a bus or taxi to get to your hotel.
- Baggage Fees: Trains have no baggage fees. Airlines will charge you for every kilogram.
- Time: You must arrive at the airport two hours early. For a train, you can arrive 15 minutes before departure.
- Comfort: Trains have more legroom. You can walk around. You can see the scenery.
Therefore, even if the train ticket looks a bit more expensive, the total trip cost is often lower. Plus, it is much better for the planet.
Practical Planning Tools
To make your life easier, use these apps and sites.
- Google Maps: It is great for finding train routes and seeing who the operator is.
- The Man in Seat 61: This is the best website to buy train tickets in europe guide. It tells you exactly how to book any route.
- Omio: This app is excellent for comparing trains, buses, and flights at the same time.
- DB Navigator: The official app of German Rail. It is very reliable for planning trips across all of Europe.
Case Studies: Real Savings
Let us look at some real numbers from my notes and the sources.
The Spontaneous Matt Example Matt wanted to go from Paris to Amsterdam to Munich with only three days of planning.
- Point-to-point tickets: €298.
- Eurail Pass (4 days): €345 with reservations. In this case, single tickets were €47 cheaper. If you are spontaneous and only take a few rides, buy tickets separately.
The Alex’s Odyssey Example Alex planned a three-week trip from Stockholm to Rome with many stops.
- Point-to-point tickets: €769.
- Eurail Pass (10 days): €751. The pass was €18 cheaper and gave him much more flexibility to change his plans. If your trip is long and complex, the pass is usually the winner.
The “Back Door” Philosophy
I want to leave you with a thought from Rick Steves. He talks about traveling through the “back door”. This means seeing the real Europe, not just the tourist traps. Cheap train tickets are the key to this. They let you stop in small towns like Gimmelwald in Switzerland or Civita di Bagnoregio in Italy.
Do not just rush between big capitals. Use the rail network to find the hidden gems. Be curious. Be open-minded. Sometimes, a missed train leads to a great conversation with a local. That is the joy of travel.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the cheapest way to ride a train in Europe?
- The most effective way to find low fares is by booking 3-6 months in advance, when rail companies release their cheapest advance tickets. You should also prioritize non-flexible fares, such as the “Super Sparpreis” in Germany or “Super Economy” in Italy, and consider riding slower regional trains instead of high-speed lines to save money.
- What is the best train pass for Europe?
- The Eurail Global Pass is highlighted as the most popular choice for travelers seeking to maximize their budget across multiple countries.
- Is there an unlimited train pass in Europe?
- Yes, the Eurail Global Pass provides unlimited travel across 33 different countries during a set number of travel days.
- How much does it cost to sleeper in a train?
- Supplements for sleepers or couchettes generally range from €10 to several hundred euros. For a more budget-friendly night journey, a solo reclining seat can cost as little as €25.
- Is it cheaper to fly or take Eurail?
- Flying is often cheaper for single routes because airlines are exempt from kerosene taxes and VAT. However, a Eurail pass typically offers better value for complex itineraries involving more than five train rides.
- What is the cheapest way to travel throughout Europe?
- Buses, particularly FlixBus, are often the most affordable option, with one-way fares starting at €5. Budget airlines and hitchhiking are also identified as low-cost alternatives.
- Which countries are included in the Eurail Pass?
- The Eurail Global Pass includes a network of 33 countries.
- What are the disadvantages of using a rail pass?
- Rail passes do not include mandatory seat reservation fees, which can add $10-$15 per journey on high-speed or night trains. Additionally, passes may be less cost-effective than individual advance-purchase tickets for short, simple trips.
- What is the most beautiful train journey in Europe?
- The Glacier Express in Switzerland is recognized as one of the most famous and scenic rail routes on the continent.
- What is the best way to purchase train tickets in Europe?
- It is best to book directly through the official website of the national railway company to avoid aggregator booking fees and to have better control over seat selection.
- Who is eligible for a Euro train pass?
- Non-European citizens are eligible for the Eurail pass, while residents and citizens of Europe must use the Interrail pass.
Concluding words
Traveling through Europe on a budget is highly achievable by utilizing advance booking windows, which typically open 3 to 6 months before departure. To find the best deals, travelers should choose non-flexible fares, utilize regional railcards, and consider split ticketing to lower costs on long-distance routes. While budget airlines and buses often provide the lowest initial prices, Eurail passes offer competitive value and flexibility for extensive, multi-country itineraries.
