Trains have had appeal for children of all ages. They’re a more relaxed mode of travel than planes, require less time before and after departure and arrival, and offer stunning scenic views of mountains, valleys, countrysides, and small towns. High-speed trains like Eurostar can be more efficient and convenient than flying for short distances and can be more affordable. There isn’t the burden or additional costs for luggage that discount airlines charge, either. Additionally, trains provide flexible schedules, numerous departure times, and a sense of nostalgia and romance that enhances the overall travel experience. My grandfather worked for the railway and my birth mother has shared endearing stories of her mother packing sandwiches for their travels to other parts of the country.

We’ve been fortunate to travel by train through several countries, including France, Italy, Poland, Austria, and Switzerland. We’ve even been on a train from Naples to Palermo where the train even had to back up onto a ferry, and disconnect carriages!

Eurostar versus Eurail

Traveling to Europe? Here’s what you need to know.

Europe will be requiring visitors to apply for a visa in order to visit any European country. The details are still being hashed out, so sign up now for an ETIAS application so that you get a notification to apply for your visa.

Eurostar is a high-speed train operator that connects London with Paris and Brussels through the Chunnel. There are other routes, but they are limited (France, UK, Germany, Netherlands and Belgium). Their discount program is primarily beneficial for people who commute regularly between the countries in which Eurostar operates. Tickets for Eurostar trains should be booked in advance for the best prices, as those routes tend to be popular.

Eurail is a rail pass system, not a train operator. The company sells its Eurail Pass for travelers wishing to explore multiple countries in Europe by train or extensively in one country. The Eurail Pass operates in 33 countries within Europe.

What is an Eurail Pass?

Mistake #4 involves some of our European train travel

The Eurail Pass is a discount pass for extensive travel throughout Europe on various national rail services, including high-speed, regional, and local trains. There are discounts for youths and seniors 60 years and over of any nationality.

What is an Interrail Pass?

An Interrail Pass is a discount pass only for Europeans. It works in the same way as a Eurail Pass.

Is a Eurail Pass worthwhile?

When deciding whether a Eurail Pass is cost effective, it’s important to understand how you are traveling. If you will be making several day trips in one day, have flexible or loose plans and will be traveling more on a whim than with a tight itinerary, a Eurail Pass could be a good deal. You also have to fit the narrow circumstances of a Eurail Pass that we’ll discuss momentarily. But if you know your plans well in advance and are able to buy train tickets in advance, you might be able to take advantage of operator deals. And regional passes through a few different countries might end up being cheaper than the pass. Taking several high-speed trains that require seat reservations, may also eat up some of the cost savings of a Eurail Pass, and seat reservations for pass holders are limited.

So what are the different types Eurail Passes? We discuss them below:

One Country Pass

These offer discounted train travel exclusively within one country using regional and high-speed trains. But if you are traveling to or within multiple passes, then you want to explore one of two global passes.

Flexi Pass

Ideal for people who are on a few trains spread over a period of time (e.g., 4, 5, or 7 days in a month, and 10 or 15 days in two months.

Unlimited Travel Passes

These may serve you best if you plan to travel extensively over the course of a specific number of days. For instance, you could find savings if you are traveling on multiple trains over the course of 15 or 22 days in a row, or 1, 2, or 3 months in a row.

You might need to do a draft itinerary of your travel and compare whether point-to-point tickets will serve you better. If your schedule is too up in the air to be able to pull together pricing, then a Eurail Pass could be a good fit.

Do I need seat reservations if I have Eurail?

Regardless of whether you have a Eurail Pass, there are situations where you will need a seat reservation in addition to a train ticket. The pass gets you on the train and the seat assignment indicates where you’ll sit. If you are on a high-speed train, you may need to have a seat reservation and they are always required on overnight trains. Regional trains, which are a bit slower, don’t typically require a seat reservation. Eurostar are high-speed trains and always require a seat reservation. There are some routes that are only served by Eurostar. Additionally, there are certain French trains that require advance reservations. Some of them even have a limited number of Eurail seat reservation slots available, so book those as soon as possible, which is up to two months in advance of your date of travel.

Trains that require reservations normally save you time and have lots of extra features, like wifi and power sockets or sleeping facilities. Although prices all are different and not all of these trains require seat reservations, when the operator requires them, here is the average fee for each:

Seat Reservation Costs By Type Of Train

Domestic trains: €10 per seat (average)
International trains: €15 per seat (average)
Night trains always require a seat reservation: €20 per seat (average)

Which Is Better: First Class and Second Class Eurail Passes Explained

When you purchase your Eurail Pass, you need to decide if you want to pay for first-class or second-class service. You can’t have a second-class pass and decide there’s one particular route you want to upgrade to first class. If you have a first-class pass, you can use it for either first- or second-class carriages. There are some trains, including some regional trains, that don’t have first-class carriages, so there may be times when you aren’t necessarily getting the perk you paid for.

What’s the difference between first class and second class when both are offered? We break down the typical things to expect below, but every country, every operator, and every route may be different. Additionally, this does not encompass night trains, which have their own classes beyond first and second.

Individual Train Tickets

If there’s not a cost savings for you because of the number of destinations you are exploring during your trip, then you will just buy individual train tickets. Some regional trains offer flexible pricing, so last-minute tickets may be fine, but for high-speed and long-distance trains, prices rise as you get closer to the travel date. Since you are traveling during the summer, you probably want to book as early as possible. If you are planning to travel to Italy, just remember that it’s a Jubilee year (which only happens once every 25 years), so popular destinations like Rome, Florence, Venice, and Milan may be swamped. If you’re happy with a few short train rides or your dates to be in each place are fixed, point-to-point tickets might be cheaper for you, especially if you’re able to book early.

Should I Book Through the Train Operator Or A Third Party?

This isn’t as simplistic as you might think. There are pros and cons for each. We like the convenience of using Trainline and having all our train travel in one place. We had an occasion where we booked a train directly through an operator and then realized that we couldn’t remember which operator we booked! Trainline and Omio also provide comprehensive information, which is convenient when you’re unfamiliar with specific train operators.

There are a LOT of train operators throughout Europe. With so many to compare against, it can be convenient to use Trainline and Omio. Let’s go through a pros and cons list so you’re aware of the benefits and drawbacks of using each.

Benefits of a Third-Party Aggregator Like Trainline or Omio

Most third parties have a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate on either their website or mobile app, making it easy to find and book train tickets, often at competitive prices.
They offer live departure and arrival times to keep travelers informed about the status of their train.
Mobile tickets can be stored electronically, eliminating the need to print tickets.
Third parties are train aggregators, which means that they can provide information across multiple countries, making it a convenient option for travelers visiting different parts of Europe, especially if you’re unfamiliar with specific train operators.
They make it easy to compare fares and schedules and identify the best options for your specific needs.

Drawbacks of Using a Third Party

Sometimes there are hidden service fees for using a third-party service, which makes the ticket prices more expensive compared to booking direct.
Third-party aggregators like Trainline and Omio may have stricter cancellation or change policies.
It can be difficult to get the customer support you need if an issue arrives during your travel. There are occasions when the operator will require you to deal directly with the third party, even though that may not be as convenient or as efficient.

How Are Trainline and Omio Different?

Trainline’s primary focus is on trains, but they’re dipping their toes into bus information. Trainline’s primary strength lies in its extensive database of train operators across Europe. Omio also has bus and flight aggregation in addition to train information, so you may prefer them if your itinerary requires a combination of travel means.

Best Of Both Worlds?

Book direct on Eurostar, SNCF, and Deutsche Bahn, but if you need or want to compare various routes and prices quickly, do that with a Trainline or Omio and then book direct.

The Glacier Express: Luxury Train Through Switzerland

If you love train travel, aren’t in a huge hurry, want to experience stunning panoramic views of the Swiss Alps, valleys, and villages, you should consider exploring the Glacier Express. Often referred to as the slowest express train in the world," the Glacier Express runs through Switzerland between Zermatt and St. Moritz. Operational since 1930, this train route covers 91 tunnels and over 291 bridges over the course of eight hours with limited stops. You don’t need to travel it from end to end, but we did it and shared our experience in the video below.

The Glacier Express is often referred to as the slowest express train in the world

An Introduction to European Train Travel