Europe has an extensive network of railways for trains, so we would recommend this as a convenient and predictable form of transport for trips.

To us, travelling by train in Europe has been a fun experience, despite it being less flexible compared to travelling by car.

It does have its own set of advantages when compared to driving:

(1) Adequate time to rest and catch a wink when on board the train

(2) Train stations are usually located near the city centre so more convenient to travel to popular places

(3) Less unpredictable traffic condition, thus more likely to arrive at our destinations on time

(4) Admiring the beautiful scenery doesn’t involve taking risks (i.e. distraction when driving)

(5) Safer and less risks of accidents (won’t violate traffic laws too!)

(6) Could be cheaper (dependent on the itinerary though) and saves the hassles of finding parking lots

Here are some of our tips and experiences on train travel in Europe:

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1) Plan Your Route Ahead of Time

Once you have decided on your dates and destinations, start researching on the train routes and schedules as soon as possible. Some train companies offer discounts for early birds and some routes get snapped up very fast, especially the overnight trains.

Check out the respective train company websites (DB Bahn for Germany, OBB for Austria and SBB for Switzerland) for timetables and prices. Sometimes, they may provide several alternatives for the routes so it’s important to take note which is the most suitable route for you in terms of costs and time.

Do read up on the various rail passes too so that you are aware of all your options. This may save you a substantial amount of money for your rides. For example, we used the Bayern Länder-Tickets when travelling in Germany, which allows us unlimited rides on public transport (regional trains included) within the Bayern region (which covers places like Munich, Fussen for getting to Neuschwanstein Castle and even Salzburg of Austria). When we were in Switzerland, we also bought passes which fully covered some of our train rides and offered discounts for some others.

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2) It’s Based on Trust (so please don’t break it!)

The train systems in many European countries are based on trust, which means there’s no physical barrier preventing you from getting onto the platform and train even if you do not own a ticket. However, we hope that this will not be taken for granted by riding for free. Besides doing our part to keep the trust system as it is, there is also a heavy penalty when caught (public humiliation included).

At some stations (especially the subways and metros), there are validation machines just before you reach the escalators or platforms. Remember to validate your tickets using the machine by inserting into it, which will mark the date and time which you start using the ticket. This is applicable for both time-based (e.g. unlimited rides for 24 hours) and single-trip tickets. A ticket which is not validated is considered void and you will be taken as trying to take a free ride.

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3) Taking the Right Seats

Seats and carriages are usually categorised into Classes 1 and 2, so remember to check that you are sitting in the correct class (Class 2 tickets are the ‘normal’ tickets which are cheaper than Class 1’s). Do note that seats for different classes may be located within the same carriage sometimes.

If you are at the platform early, try to find out which part of the platform will the Class 2 carriages be stopping at, so that you can wait at those areas before the train arrives. We had one occasion where we had to run (as the train was departing) for quite a distance upon arriving at the platform before we could reach the first Class 2 carriage. It surely wasn’t a pleasant experience with all the luggage we were carrying!

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4) Have Your Food/Drinks Ready Before Boarding

Except for subways and metros, food and drinks are usually allowed on the trains. We would recommend you to buy/prepare them prior to boarding the train (e.g. you can buy them from the convenience stores at the larger stations). We seldom come across staff selling them on board and even so, the choices are limited. For high-speed trains, there may be a restaurant carriage but prices are expected to be higher.

Litter bins are usually located below the tables in front of the seats, so help to keep the train clean by disposing the litter after consuming the food/drinks.

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5) Arrive Slightly Earlier at the Platform

Train arrivals and departures are usually punctual (not as punctual as the Japanese train system though) so do try to arrive at the platform at least 5 minutes before departure. For terminal stations, the train are already at the platform earlier so you can board it first while there are still more vacancies.

Train marshals are usually present at the platforms (especially at larger stations), who will help prevent the train from departing if they spot passengers rushing towards the platform and wanting to board the train. So make sure they see you so that you still can make it in time for the train.

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6) About Transferring

Transfer times are usually quite short (15 minutes or less), so advanced planning would help to ensure you are able to transfer smoothly onto the next train.

Firstly, do try to find out the number of the platform that you will be arriving at and the one your outgoing train will be at. This will give you an idea of where and how far you will have to travel during the transfer. So far, most of our transfers involved different platforms and usually require crossing to another platform altogether.

You may be able to get this information when buying the ticket, through the train websites or via their smartphone apps (though they require internet connection to work).

If possible, avoid transfers that are too rush as we have encountered a few cases where our train arrived late at the transfer station and we ended up either missing or barely making it onto the connecting train (read our experiences after leaving Hallstatt).

If you are carrying large amount of luggage, consider using a trolley found at the stations (usually require coins as deposit) during the transfers. This can help save you time and energy — Pushing and pulling them up and down the slopes are not an easy feat! (worse when there are only stairs and no slopes nearby)

Tips on Self-Drive Tour in Europe, Read this: Self-Drive Tour Experiences in Europe

Summary of our Travel Experiences in Europe (2013): Summing-up 7 weeks in Europe