I stood on the platform at Amsterdam Central Station and felt the cold air. I prepared to start a journey that many people only dream about. I wanted to see the mountains, the old cities, and the beautiful countrysides. I did not want to spend a fortune, though. I knew that finding the Cheapest Way to Travel Europe by Train would require some smart planning. I decided to map out my own grand tour of europe by train without the high price tag of luxury tours. You can save a lot of money if you know the secrets of the tracks. This guide shares everything I learned about europe train tickets and how to travel like a pro.
The Big Question: Rail Pass or Single Tickets?
First of all, you must decide how you will pay for your rides. I looked at two main choices. I could buy a Eurail Global Pass or I could buy point-to-point train tickets. A Eurail Pass lets you take many journeys across 33 countries for one price. It costs between €340 and €1,200 depending on how long you travel. This pass is the best route to travel europe by train if you plan to visit more than three countries and take at least five long trips.
However, I found that single tickets are sometimes better. You should choose point-to-point tickets if your plan is fixed and you only visit a few cities. Additionally, these tickets are often cheaper for short trips. I found a discussion on a cheap train tickets europe reddit thread where a user named NerdyyAlien compared costs. They found that a 15-day pass cost €736.8, while full-price single tickets for the same trip cost €1166. Therefore, the pass saved them several hundred euros. Plus, a pass gives you the freedom to change your mind. I like that I can switch tickets with a few clicks if my plans change.
How to Find the Best Deals
I learned that the secret to cheap travel is to book early. Most train prices go up as the day of travel gets closer. You can save an average of 61% if you book Advance tickets about 12 weeks before you go. I always set a Ticket Alert on apps like Trainline so I get an email the moment cheap seats go on sale.
On top of that, I discovered a trick called split ticketing. This is where you buy separate tickets for different parts of one journey. You stay on the same train. You do not even have to move seats. The train just needs to stop at the stations on your tickets. The Trainline app has a feature called SplitSave that does this for you. It can save you around £260 a year if you travel often. Later, I realized that many people do not know about this, but it is a simple way to cut costs.
Discounts for Every Age
I noticed that many mature travelers worry about costs. I found that train travel in europe for over 60s is actually very affordable. There is no official “senior ticket” for everyone, but most countries have discount cards for people aged 60 and over. For example, in Britain, a Senior Railcard costs £30 a year and gives you 1/3 off your travel.
Similarly, you can find deals for young people and families. If you are under 26 or 30, you can get cheaper youth fares. Families can save money too. A family of four can save nearly £100 by taking a sleeper train instead of flying. This is because you save on baggage fees and one night in a hotel. For a family of five or six, the savings can jump to £250. Additionally, children under 15 often travel for free in countries like Germany and Austria if they are with a parent who has a cheap “Sparpreis” or “Sparschiene” fare.
My DIY Orient Express Journey
I wanted to recreate the famous Orient Express route from Amsterdam to Istanbul. The luxury version costs about €20,000 to €25,000. I decided to do a “poor man’s” version for much less. First of all, I took the Nightjet from Amsterdam to Vienna. This leg cost a little over €500 for a sleeper cabin for two people. The staff provided a breakfast where I could pick six items from a list. I had my own bathroom and a shower, though the shower did not have hot water that night.
Later, I boarded the Dacia Express from Vienna to Bucharest. This double sleeper room cost about €228. It was an older train with no food on board, so I brought my own bag of snacks. Finally, I took the Bosporus Express from Bucharest to Istanbul for €280. This trip took 24 hours. I had to get off the train at 1:00 a.m. to have my luggage x-rayed at the Turkish border. Though I was tired, the whole trip was a great adventure and cost far less than the luxury tour.
Using the Right Tools
I often get asked about the difference between Rail Europe and Eurail. Rail Europe is a website that sells individual tickets from many different national operators. It is great if you have fixed dates and want to book early. Eurail is the pass itself. Rail Europe used to be called Loco2. The founders wanted to help people reduce their carbon footprint. I found that traveling by train creates only 13% of the carbon footprint of flying.
Gradually, I learned that you must be careful with booking websites. I read letters from the Office of Rail and Road about fee transparency. They found that Rail Europe did not always show the booking fee in the upfront price. However, the company changed its website in 2024 to show all fees from the first page. I always check for these fees before I pay.
When to Book Your Tickets
I learned a very important lesson about timing. I call it the “Parable of the Milk”. You cannot buy milk for a trip that is six months away because it will go bad. Similarly, many European trains do not open for booking until 2 to 6 months before the trip. If you look too far ahead, you might see “Ticket not available.” This usually just means the booking is not open yet.
- Eurostar tickets can be booked up to 11 months in advance.
- German Railways domestic routes open up to 12 months ahead.
- Italian and French trains usually open around 4 months before the date.
- Spanish trains are very irregular and sometimes only open 20 to 30 days before travel.
Therefore, you should not panic if you do not see your train yet. Just wait! I often book my hotels first on websites that allow free cancellation. This way, I have a place to stay even if I have to wait a few more weeks to buy my train tickets.
Smart Tips for the Tracks
I have a few more tips to share for your grand tour of europe by train. On top of that, these will save you money and stress.
- Avoid Foreign Fees: I use a Curve card to avoid extra bank charges when I buy tickets in different currencies.
- Pack Snacks: Not every train has a dining car. I always bring a “bag of plenty” with bread, cheese, and water.
- Check Ticket Delivery: Some sites like Trenitalia require you to pick up paper tickets from a machine in Italy. I prefer sites like oebb.at that let me print my own tickets at home.
- Seat Selection: Most trains will sit your family together automatically. You only need to pay extra for a seat reservation if the train is very busy or if you are on a high-speed line.
- Stopovers: If you use the German Railways website, you can sometimes add a stopover for free or for a very low price on a single ticket.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a 7 day Eurail pass?
I found that a Eurail Global Pass generally costs between €340 and €1,200. The price depends on how many days you want to travel and how long your whole trip lasts. You should check the current price for a 7-day option on the official site before you buy.
What is the cheapest way to travel around Europe?
You should buy Advance tickets about 12 weeks before your trip to save an average of 61%. Additionally, you can use split ticketing to lower the cost of a single journey. Point-to-point tickets are often the best deal for short, fixed trips.
Can I travel Ireland by train?
Yes, you certainly can. There are many train routes in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. I saw that you can even buy combined train and ferry tickets to reach Dublin from places like London.
Is Eurail or Interrail cheaper?
These passes are for different people. Eurail is for travelers who live outside of Europe. Interrail is for people who live in Europe. You must buy the one that matches where you live.
Is there an unlimited train pass in Europe?
The Eurail Global Pass is the best choice for this. It gives you unlimited travel across 33 different countries. You use travel days to take as many trains as you want on that specific day.
How to get 50% off on a train ticket?
You can save more than half the price by being early. Most people save 61% by booking Advance fares at least 12 weeks out. Additionally, a Railcard can give you another 1/3 off the price of your ticket.
Is 1000 euros enough for 2 weeks in Europe?
It is a tight budget. A 15-day Eurail pass can cost around €736.8 on its own. Therefore, you would have very little money left for food and a place to sleep. You might need to book cheaper point-to-point tickets to make your money last.
What is the best train pass for Europe?
The Eurail Global Pass is the top choice if you want to see three or more countries. However, a country-specific pass is better if you only plan to stay in one place, like Germany or Italy.
What is the 3 month rule in Europe?
Most train companies do not sell tickets very far in advance. You should wait until the booking window opens, which is often 3 to 4 months before you leave. Some Spanish and Italian trains open even later than that.
Is $100 a day enough in Europe?
It depends on your style. I paid over €500 for just one leg of my trip in a sleeper cabin. If you use budget seats and stay in hostels, you might make it work. However, train travel can be expensive if you do not plan ahead.
Is it worth getting a train pass in Europe?
A pass is worth the cost if you want flexibility or plan to go long distances. It is not worth it for short trips or if your dates never change. Simple math.
Which part of Europe is the cheapest to visit?
I found that Eastern Europe offers some of the best prices. My trip from Bucharest to Istanbul cost only €280. At that time, I realized how much cheaper it was than the fancy trains in the West.
Which is the most beautiful train ride?
The Glacier Express and the Bernina Express in Switzerland are very famous. They offer some of the most scenic views of the mountains. Truly a visual treat.
What countries can you visit by train from Ireland?
You can take a train and a ferry to visit the United Kingdom. From there, you can catch the Eurostar to reach France, Belgium, or the Netherlands.
Is it cheaper to fly or train from London to Ireland?
You can get a train and ferry ticket to Dublin for about £53.40. This is often cheaper than flying when you add the cost of bags and travel to the airport. Plus, children under a certain age might even go for free.
Concluding words
I have learned that the Cheapest Way to Travel Europe by Train is all about being smart. You must choose between a Eurail pass and single tickets based on your own plan. You should always book Advance tickets to save up to 61% on your fare. Use tools like split ticketing and railcards to keep your costs low. Train travel is a beautiful and green way to see the world without spending too much.
