Is there food on Eurail?

Food on the train Many European long-distance trains have full-service restaurant cars offering breakfast, lunch and dinner. Other trains offer light meals, snacks and drinks in a buffet car. Check an online timetable to see if a specific train will have a restaurant or buffet car.



Yes, food is widely available on the European rail network, though the quality and type vary by the specific train operator. Most long-distance and high-speed trains (like the ICE in Germany, Railjet in Austria, and Frecciarossa in Italy) feature a Bistro or Restaurant Car serving hot meals, snacks, and alcoholic beverages. In 2026, premium trains like the Glacier Express even offer multi-course meals served directly at your seat, which can be pre-ordered with your reservation. On many international routes, First Class and Business Class passengers receive complimentary snacks or a light meal included in their fare. However, regional and commuter trains generally have no catering facilities at all, or perhaps just a small vending machine. A "pro-tip" for 2026 travelers is that Eurail passengers are always permitted to bring their own food and drinks (including wine or beer) on board, which is often a more budget-friendly and delicious way to enjoy the scenic landscape during a long journey.

Excellent question! The answer is “It depends,” and it’s one of the most common points of confusion for Eurail/Interrail travelers.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of what to expect regarding food on European trains, categorized by train type.

1. High-Speed & Long-Distance Trains (Most likely to have food)

These trains almost always have a dining option, but the style varies. Full Restaurant Car (Bar/Restaurant): Classic, but increasingly rare. You can sit at a table and order a cooked meal. Still found on some routes like certain Swiss, Austrian, and Czech trains. Bar/Bistro Car (Most Common): This is a walk-up counter where you can buy snacks, sandwiches, cold drinks, coffee, beer, and wine. Sometimes there are a few hot items like soup, pizza, or sausages. Examples: Most French TGVs, German ICE, Spanish AVE, Eurostar. At-Seat Trolley Service: On some very busy trains (like the Thalys), a staff member wheels a cart through the carriages with a limited selection of drinks and snacks. Compulsory Reservation with Included Meal: On a few premium services (like the Eurostar Standard Premier or Swiss Panoramic trains), a light meal and drinks are included in your seat reservation fee.

2. Regional & Local Trains (Less likely to have food)

  • Most regional trains (marked as Regional, Regional-Express, R, RE, TER, etc.) do not have any food or drink service.
  • It’s essential to buy your own food and drinks before boarding these trains.

Key Things to Know & Smart Traveler Tips:

  1. Bring Your Own Picnic (Highly Recommended!): This is the

People Also Ask

Eurail passes do not cover local transport like trams or metros, only intercity trains. Rail Europe is another company that offers similar European train passes. But Eurail is the most popular and for the sake of this article, we'll just be focusing on Eurail Passes.

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You can use your Pass to travel on the national railways and some private railways in the countries where your Pass is valid. In some cases, these train networks reach airports as well. Check the full list here. The Pass even includes certain buses and ferries to make sure everything is within reach.

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We ask for your passport or ID number for safety and verification that the Pass you are travelling with is actually yours. You may be asked to show your passport or ID card when your Pass is being checked by ticket inspectors, so the number on your Pass should match the number on the passport or ID you are carrying.

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You can hop on and off most trains as you please with your Eurail Pass, but some trains ask you to buy an additional seat reservation before you can jump aboard.

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First class also has wider seats and aisles, and is more likely to have amenities such as air-conditioning and power outlets (though outlets are still rare on Europe's trains, in any class). While first class is less conducive to conversation, it's more conducive to napping.

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Passengers with an adult ticket can take a maximum of two bags (up to 85cm long) including rucksacks, suitcases or ski equipment and one small item of hand luggage. Child passengers (4-11 year olds) can travel with a maximum of one bag (up to 85cm long) and one piece of hand luggage.

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There are usually compartments with couchettes for 4 or 6 people. Washrooms and toilets are located at the end of each car.

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You can use your Pass to travel on the national railways and some private railways in the countries where your Pass is valid. In some cases, these train networks reach airports as well. Check the full list here. The Pass even includes certain buses and ferries to make sure everything is within reach.

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No. City metros/subways/trams/buses are not part of the pass network.

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Bringing Your Food Aboard You may bring your own food and beverages onboard for consumption at your seat or private Sleeping Car accommodations. However, you can only consume food and beverages purchased in Dining and Lounge Cars in those cars.

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The difference between 1st and 2nd class rail travel is the level of comfort and the facilities provided. A 1st class Eurail Pass is more expensive than a 2nd class Eurail Pass, but it also gives you access to seats with more space and extras that can even include food and beverages.

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You take your bags into the train with you and put them on the rack above your seat, or in the space between the seat backs, or on floor-standing racks at the car ends or in the seating area. On local & regional trains you usually just stick bags on the floor. There's usually no separate baggage car on European trains.

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The perks. Traveling first class usually means spacious, comfortable seats, amenities such as USB-ports, free Wi-Fi and – in some cases – complimentary drinks and meals. Sometimes the perks of traveling first class even start before boarding the train, with access to lounges and priority check-in.

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With Eurail With trains, there's no checking in or waiting around – just turn up 15 minutes or so before your departure time, find your platform and jump on board (unless you're travelling to or from London with Eurostar, who ask you to arrive just 30 minutes before departure).

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Exclusive to First-Class Passengers Once onboard, you'll enjoy complimentary at-seat meal and beverage service provided by our onboard staff of First Class attendants. Selections include freshly prepared chef inspired entrees as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

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Because some trains are more expensive than others, or historically have received less income from Eurail/Interrail to cover the large amount of passholders making use of those trains (Spain and France mainly). Reservations are usually a fraction of the cost of regular 1st class tickets, with some exceptions.

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Many trains offer you a choice of seat types. For day trains, your choice of seating depends on the extra facilities and amount of legroom. For night trains, your choice ranges from a reclining airline-type seat to a private cabin with a comfy bed.

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Interrail passes cover exactly the same countries & trains as Eurail, with the same fees for the same reservations, so an American and a British traveller can easily travel together, one using a Eurail pass, the other an Interrail pass.

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On all trains covered by Interrail/Eurail: No, just as long as you can carry it. Be aware stowing away large suitcases on busy trains can be a bit difficult, but there often are luggage racks. There are some exceptions on “low-cost” trains, that I know: Ouigo (France & Spain) and Avlo (Spain).

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If you're a UK citizen, you can still travel with an Interrail Pass – this won't change as a result of the Brexit. Check the UK Government advice on how Brexit will affect travel to the EU.

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