Why train travel beats flying in Europe
For journeys under 4 hours, trains are almost always faster city-centre to city-centre than flying once you factor in airport transfer time, security, and boarding. Paris to Brussels by Eurostar is 1h22 — faster than the Eurostar journey from London, and far more comfortable than any flight.
Beyond speed, trains are dramatically more comfortable: you can walk around, bring proper luggage, eat in a dining car, and actually see the country you're crossing. The environmental footprint is also a fraction of an equivalent flight — typically 75–90% less CO₂.
How much does it cost?
Costs vary widely depending on how far in advance you book and which countries you're crossing.
With a Eurail/Interrail Global Pass: A 10-day flexi pass (valid for 2 months) costs around €350–450 for adults under 28, or €500–650 for adults 28+. Add €50–100 for mandatory seat reservations on high-speed trains.
Without a pass (point-to-point tickets): If you're booking 2–3 months ahead, you can often beat pass prices with advance tickets — especially in France (TGV) and Spain (AVE). The pass makes more sense for spontaneous travel or complex multi-country routes.
Budget rule of thumb: Add your pass cost to €30–50/day for hostels, €15–30/day for food, and €5–10/day for city transport and entry fees.
The best train journeys in Europe
Some routes are worth taking for the journey itself, not just the destination:
- 🏔 Glacier Express (Zermatt–St. Moritz, 8h) — through the Swiss Alps, panoramic windows
- 🌊 Bergen Railway (Oslo–Bergen, 7h) — fjords, mountain plateaus, the Flåm Railway connection
- 🌅 Cinque Terre coast (La Spezia–Levanto) — cliffs, sea, and colourful villages
- 🏔 Bernina Express (Chur–Tirano, 4h) — highest transalpine railway in the world
- 🌉 Øresund Bridge (Copenhagen–Malmö) — crossing between Denmark and Sweden over the sea
- 🌄 Douro Valley (Porto–Pocinho) — vineyards along the Douro River in Portugal
Night trains: the secret weapon
Night trains let you cover huge distances while you sleep — arriving in a new city refreshed in the morning, having saved both a travel day and a hotel night.
- The ÖBB Nightjet network is the largest in Europe and is expanding rapidly:
- - Vienna → Brussels (new 2024)
- - Vienna → Rome (via Venice)
- - Vienna → Barcelona (via Zurich)
- - Hamburg → Zurich
- - Amsterdam → Vienna
Book Nightjet couchettes (shared 6-berth compartment) well in advance in summer — they sell out fast and are not always coverable by pass alone (reservation fee of €20–50 required).
What to pack for train travel
The beauty of trains is that there are no baggage limits. That said, a lighter bag makes life easier when you're navigating platforms and luggage racks.
Essentials: Your Interrail/Eurail pass (digital in the app), passport or EU ID, a small daypack for city exploring, a power bank, noise-cancelling headphones, and a reusable water bottle.
Nice to have: A lightweight packable bag for day trips, a padlock for hostel lockers, a neck pillow for overnight journeys.
Leave at home: Towels (most hostels provide them), hairdryers (available everywhere), and anything you haven't used in the last 6 months.
Plan your first European train trip
Tell us where you want to go — EuroTrekker builds a complete day-by-day itinerary with real train connections, travel times, and things to do in each city.