Three kinds of train
It helps to know which sort of train you are looking at, because the booking rules differ.
| Type | Examples | Booking |
|---|---|---|
| Local and regional | Commuter lines, slower stopping trains, scenic branch lines | Usually a fixed fare; buy on the day from a machine, counter or app. Seats are not reserved. |
| Long-distance and high-speed | Intercity and high-speed services between major cities | Often priced like flights, rising as the train fills. Many require a reserved seat. |
| Night trains | Overnight services with seats, couchettes and sleeper cabins | Always book ahead. Berths are limited and popular dates sell out. |
Rail pass or point-to-point tickets?
A rail pass lets you travel on a set number of days within a period. In Europe the main multi-country passes are Interrail, for European residents, and Eurail, for visitors who live outside Europe. Single-country passes also exist.
For a typical city break of one or two cities, point-to-point tickets are almost always the better deal, especially if you book early. A pass starts to make sense when you:
- take several long journeys within a short period,
- want the freedom to change plans and decide on the day, or
- are travelling at short notice when advance fares have gone.
Passes don't cover everything. Many high-speed and night trains require a separate reservation even with a pass, and some charge a supplement. Add these to your sums before deciding.
When bookings open
There is no single Europe-wide booking window. Each operator sets its own, and they change. As a rough guide:
- Many national operators open long-distance sales somewhere between about two and six months ahead.
- The cheapest advance fares on high-speed routes go first, so booking as soon as your dates are firm is usually worthwhile.
- Timetables in much of Europe change in mid-December, and journeys after that date may not be bookable until the new timetable is loaded.
- Regional trains rarely need advance tickets and are often the same price on the day.
Check the operator's own website or app for the current booking horizon on your route. Buying from the operator that runs the train makes refunds and disruption easier to sort out.
Seat reservations
Rules vary by country and by train. As a general pattern:
| Where | Typical rule |
|---|---|
| Spain, Portugal (fast trains), France (high-speed), Italy (high-speed) | A reserved seat is part of the ticket and compulsory |
| Germany, Austria, Switzerland, much of central Europe | Reservations are usually optional; useful on busy days |
| Poland and Slovenia | Compulsory on some long-distance trains, not on regional ones |
| Night trains everywhere | Compulsory for couchettes and sleepers |
If your ticket shows a coach and seat number, that seat is yours. Without one, look for seats with no reservation label above them.
Night trains
A night train turns a long journey into a free night's travel and puts you in a new city by breakfast. The network has grown again in recent years, but routes come and go, so check the current timetable rather than relying on an old map.
- Seat: the cheapest option and the least restful.
- Couchette: a shared compartment of four or six simple bunks with bedding.
- Sleeper: a private or shared cabin with one to three proper beds, sometimes with a washbasin or shower.
Bring earplugs, a small bag you can keep on your bunk, and something to lock or clip valuables to. Arrival times can be early, so know where you can leave your bag in the morning.
On the day
- Save your ticket offline. A screenshot or a downloaded PDF beats searching for signal on the platform.
- Allow time at big stations. Some high-speed stations, especially in Spain, have security scanning and close the gate a few minutes before departure.
- Find your coach. Platform boards often show where each coach stops. Long trains may split, so make sure you are in the right portion.
- Validate if asked. Some regional paper tickets must be stamped in a machine before boarding.