Can you train everywhere in Europe?

While train travel in Europe isn't exactly the same everywhere–with over 50 countries and therefore over 50 train systems, there are plenty of quirks based on location–this guide to train travel in Europe will give a solid overview that will help you start your travels with confidence.



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There's no need to fly within Europe. It's surprisingly easy, quick and comfortable to travel by train from London to almost anywhere: Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Greece, Prague, Helsinki, wherever... The difficult bit is finding out how to do it and where to buy tickets. That's where Seat 61 comes in.

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The train from Amsterdam to Switzerland takes around 12 hrs 30 mins and traverses the Netherlands along the way. This European cross-border route through Belgium, Luxembourg, France and then into Switzerland gives the traveller a chance to experience a range of different places and cultures.

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Benefits of Having a Eurail Pass in Europe For one affordable price, you can board trains across the continent and hop between destinations with ease, freeing you from the logistical nightmare of planning and arranging tickets for each individual leg of your journey.

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Flying may be bad for the environment, but taking the train in Europe is bad for your bank account, a new study found. Rail travel within the Continent remains 71 percent more expensive than flying, according to research by Greenpeace.

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Flying may be bad for the environment, but taking the train in Europe is bad for your bank account, a new study found. Rail travel within the Continent remains 71 percent more expensive than flying, according to research by Greenpeace.

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Train travel in Europe is generally far more comfortable than flying. At the end of the day, traveling Europe by train is immensely more comfortable than flying. There's less hassle, more comfortable seats, more ease of moving around, often better views, and more control over your environment.

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The train will stop at the last station before a border and/or the first station after a border. Border control staff will then board and pass through the train, before it leaves the station.

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Trains in Europe work really well and they usually link all the most beautiful cities, even in different countries. You can even travel by bus if you like it more. Buses travel all around Europe and they link lots of cities, and they are very cheap.

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Train travel can be expensive—especially on high-speed trains. Furthermore, there are a lot of super-cheap flights throughout Europe so flying can often be cheaper. That said, you can get some really good deals if you're able to book high-speed trains in advance. But you'll pay a premium if you book super last minute.

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In 2023, the cost of a Eurail Global Pass purchased directly through Eurail starts at $276 for second-class fares and $351 for first-class seats for the four-days-in-one-month pass for adults. A 15-day unlimited pass for adults currently ranges from $498 to $631.

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The fastest trains from London to Zurich take around 7 hours and 25 minutes, covering a distance of approximately 777 kilometres. On weekdays, the first train leaving London is scheduled to depart at around 05:40. The last departure is usually at around 20:01.

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There are no strict luggage limits on trains in mainland Europe. Eurostar allows each adult two pieces of luggage each, each measuring up to 85cm, so large suitcases are no problem. You'll also be able to take a piece of hand luggage each, as well as pushchairs and prams at no additional charge.

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In addition, the tracks, signals, rail cars and software made in the U.S. are costlier than imports, largely because the government has not funded rail the way European and Asian countries have, experts say.

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Traveling by train is the quintessential way to tour Europe. It's romantic. It's inspiring. It's super-efficient.

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As a whole, Europe is one of the more expensive continents to travel around. South America or Asia would be much cheaper. But it is possible to explore Europe on a budget. And it is important to note that every traveler is different, so the average cost of a trip to Europe could vary greatly from person to person.

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“When traveling by train, the security and boarding are much faster and simpler, the luggage limitations go away, and there's easily twice as much leg room on a train even in the lowest class. You don't have to worry about the size of your liquids or whether your bag fits a certain dimension to carry it on.”

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2021 is the European Year of Rail . So basically, the Connecting Europe Express is a press train. It's a one time train that crosses Europe within 36 days and covers 20.000km!

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In short, airlines charge more for one-way flights on the routes when they can get away with doing so. If only one airline is operating a particular route, it might increase the price of one-way flights to generate more revenue from business travelers and others that are willing to pay more for the nonstop flight.

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Key Takeaways
  • The late fall and winter months—from mid to late October through mid-to-late March—are often the cheapest time to fly to Europe (though fares can spike in December).
  • It's often cheaper to fly to Europe mid-week, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, in particular.


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From the US, regular prices for a flight to Europe range from $700–$1,000+ in low season and $900–$1,500 in high season.

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