I’ll start with this: there’s no one right way to travel in Europe—well, aside from not buying tickets from unsolicited websites. But if you insist, here are some tips for train travel in Europe. Maximum fun is NOT guaranteed.
Book your ticket from a legitimate website and keep a record of it
When I was booking tickets for my European train trip, my biggest pet peeve was the sheer number of websites to choose from—many of which looked sketchy, and I couldn’t understand the non-English ones. I spent hours typing, “Is Rome2Rio legit?” (it’s). I went down a rabbit hole, finding mixed reviews—some said yes, others were disappointed.
My suggestion: book through official websites, like Deutschebahn for Germany and NS International for the Netherlands. I’ve booked through RegioJet without issues, but don’t come at me if you do—book at your own discretion; I am not your booking portal.
Mini tip: File all your bookings in a dedicated folder in your email for easy access. Alternatively, download the app for your tickets. If you want to go the extra mile, print them out as I did in 2011… and again in 2024 because I am me.
Book in advance
Skip this tip if you’re not a planner.
But as a through-and-through Virgo, I must insist.
I remember the look of disappointment on my friend Summer’s face when I told her I had yet to book our European train tickets—with only a month to go. If you, like Summer and me, have a somewhat fixed itinerary, I highly recommend booking your tickets in advance. This allows you to plan your departure and arrival times better, secure a seat, and—most importantly—get cheaper fares.
This brings me to the next point, copied from Summer:
Take the first-class
If you can afford it, travel first class.
One of my past travel mantras was: “I’d rather stand like a sardine on a flight if it means saving money.” But I stopped saying that after experiencing first-class trains in Europe—all solely because Fafa insisted on it. The man refused to ride economy for six hours, and I respect that.
My train journeys have been exceptional—fewer people, fewer kids, fewer distractions. The fellow passengers even seemed calmer, nicer, prettier.
It reminded me of Steve Harvey’s saying: “Once you sit in one class one time, the next time you get on a plane, it’s very difficult to walk past those 1st class seats again“
(Side note: I just checked first-class flights to Indonesia—they’re triple the price. Maybe I’ll keep my semi-sardine-like economy seat for now.)
Arrive early at the station
Train stations, especially grand interstate ones, are fun to explore. They’re full of souvenir shops and bad coffee. Arriving early lets you: 1) Discover the station, 2) Buy some last-minute souvenirs, 3) Grab breakfast and or 4) Get in line early for non-reserved seating (thanks for this tip, Fafa!).
Anticipate delays and allow buffer time
Our train from Amsterdam to Berlin stopped unexpectedly. The announcement was in German, and suddenly, everyone got off. We were clueless—until a tech guy explained that our train had an issue and another would arrive in 35 minutes.
I nearly lost it. I had dinner plans that evening and no internet to reschedule. Lesson learned: leave buffer time between your train rides and book cancelable reservations.
Set an alarm for your stop
European trains keep going, and no one will remind you when to get off—except maybe the passenger whose seat you took.
If you’re solo travelling or prone to spacing out, set the alarm before you board, especially if you plan to sleep. You don’t want to wake up in Krakow when your destination is Switzerland. (This may or may not have happened to someone I know.)
Or, if you have unlimited internet (like Fafa), check your route periodically. I prefer this method because I enjoy discovering funny town names.
Bring a few props and make a game out of it
Sure, raw dogging your trip might seem very Midnight in Paris, but the odds of meeting your Ethan Hawke-esque soulmate are slim. Even if you already have your Ethan Hawke (Hi, Fafa!), bring something to entertain yourself: a camera, a journal, or a game. If you have kids, bring something for them, too.
Try taking photos of unusual trees, weird clouds, or yellow houses. Document your trip hour by hour—it’s fun to look back on later.
Bonus: Spot the street art often found in train stations.
Book your seat
Always book a seat when possible. Some trains require reservations, while others don’t. If you’re travelling first class, don’t neglect this—book the window seat.
Or talk to fellow passengers
Exchange stories. One time, a tech guy in Germany told us when the next train was arriving—no one else did!
Choose a window seat
This can be achieved by booking early and having a kind travel partner. Enough said.
Or just binge-watch
If your partner insists on hogging the window seat for photos and writing (like me), load up your iPad with movies (like Fafa) or bring a book.
Bring snacks
Some ideas for your train snacks: 1) Bring your favourite snacks. Comfort snacks (like Fafa’s sour candy) help if the train ride isn’t your thing. 2) Do local grocery shopping before your trip. Buy interesting snacks you don’t understand and try them on the train. Works especially well in Japan with ekiben. Or 3) Order a hot meal on the train. If you’re in first class, this is the time to do it. I have never regretted eating a hot meal on a train—10/10 recommend.
Bring a water bottle
European train rides can be long. Stay hydrated. A water bottle will save you from constant trips to the drinking counter—assuming they even have one. Don’t count on the waitstaff to bring you water promptly, and definitely don’t pay for it.
Pack light
Bring luggage you can lift onto the overhead compartment yourself. I know this sounds ironic coming from someone who has never had to do it (shoutout to Fafa, my luggage lifter), but trust me.
I once had to stand for three hours on a train to Brussels because: 1) I didn’t book our tickets early, 2) I didn’t bring small luggage, and 3) we didn’t arrive early at the station.
Bring a portable battery
I don’t need to explain this. A five-hour journey and unreliable charging ports, UGH!!—just bring one.
Sleep if you want—but why?
Train rides are an experience. Stay awake if you can.
Move while moving
The first class is comfortable. And it can get too comfortable. So stretch, walk around, and don’t forget to move.
I accept tips in the form of train tickets—or first-class flight tickets. 🚆✈️
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Very useful and informative post P! And might need the post that I’m the most mentioned in, the OCD traveller that I am 😉