How early to book Europe train tickets?

We advise you to start making reservations at least 2 months in advance. Many high-speed and night trains can already be reserved from 3 months in advance, and will get fully booked in that period. Check our train pages for more information on specific trains.



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On-sale dates vary by country, route, and time of year, with most starting two to four months in advance of travel, and six months ahead for Germany and the Eurostar Chunnel train. In some areas (such as Switzerland and most eastern countries), advance-purchase deals either don't exist or aren't worth the hassle.

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The earlier you book your tickets, the more likely you are to get the lowest fare available for the dates you want on the routes along your journey. You may book your travel up to 11 months in advance.

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Purchasing your Eurail Pass You can purchase your Pass up to 11 months in advance – just make sure you leave enough time for it to get to you before your trip. Your Pass needs to be activated within 11 calendar months, but we can activate it for you when you order.

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Rail fares vary widely across Europe. As of November 2022, train fares had increased by 3 per cent in the EU over the last five years. Inflation hit some European countries harder, such as the UK and Sweden.

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The earlier you book your tickets, the more likely you are to get the lowest fare available for the dates you want on the routes along your journey. You may book your travel up to 11 months in advance.

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Advance purchase tickets are cheaper rail fares which are sold prior to the day of travel, and, in some cases on the day of departure.

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If you're traveling on a budget, remember that most slower national and regional trains don't require seat reservations, so if you're willing to take the scenic route you can often avoid the extra cost.

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Here's how the 7pm rule works If your overnight train is leaving after 7pm then you can put in the following day's date on your rail pass and use one rather than two days of travel for the overnight trip.

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“In my opinion, the best days of the week to buy train tickets are Tuesdays and Wednesdays,” said Miller. “These days tend to have lower demand for train travel compared to weekends or Mondays. Therefore, purchasing tickets on weekdays, such as Tuesday or Wednesday, can often result in better deals.

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In Italy, regional trains can be booked 2 months ahead, while national and international trains may be available 6 months in advance.

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In most places, tickets for slower regional or medium-speed trains cost the same whether they're bought two months or two minutes before the train leaves. Round-trip tickets can be cheaper than two one-way tickets in some countries (Britain, Ireland, and Spain; sometimes in combination with advance purchase).

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Book train tickets in advance While many of us plan and book flights well before our trip, train travel is often left until the last minute. Like planes, train tickets are released in price sections—the cheapest fares are first, and the most expensive ones can be purchased up to an hour before the train time.

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But if you're planning a longer journey with multiple stopovers and changes, the flexibility and convenience of a Eurail Pass is unrivalled – and for many popular routes it works out cheaper than point-to-point tickets, especially if you're traveling as a group or with children and you can take advantage of Eurail ...

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Here's how the 7pm rule works If your overnight train is leaving after 7pm then you can put in the following day's date on your rail pass and use one rather than two days of travel for the overnight trip. Simple!

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Rail Europe is an official reseller of the tickets and passes that Eurail creates. Interrail is the same pass but for Europeans only; Eurail/Rail Europe is for non-Europeans. While Eurail also sells the same pass as Rail Europe, Rail Europe often sells these passes at a discounted price.

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Higher fares usually apply when purchasing tickets onboard the train. To secure the best available fare, passengers should purchase tickets prior to boarding the train.

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Trainline rely entirely on making sales to people who fall for their adverts. On the contrary, whether you are buying in advance or on the day (which may be more expensive), it is always cheaper to use the actual operators' websites or book at a station.

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