The Eurail has captured people’s attentions and imaginations for as long as it has been around. When it was first brought into use, it was magical, fantastic, a futuristic mode of transportation. Today, it harkens back to simpler times. The Eurail is a great way to get around Europe and see European countryside you would not be exposed to otherwise.
- Eurail passes are not cheap. If you’re going all over Europe, it might be best to buy a Eurail pass because it gives you access to almost every train – and many ferries – across Europe. To be exact, you will have access to 38 railway and ferry companies in 31 countries. If you can’t get there by Eurail, you probably don’t need to go. You can also buy individual tickets. It’s best to decide before buying which option is best for your trip.
- Eurail tickets come with some really great perks. The perks range from discounts on private trains to hotel rooms and even free ferry rides. Planning a trip around discounts isn’t a terrible idea.
- Book seats on the train before you leave for your trip because the ticket is paper and will be mailed to you. You don’t want to be getting on the train but have your ticket in the mailbox.
- Decide if you want to go for scenery or expediency. The scenic is not usually the fastest. They both have merit; it just depends on what you want out of your trip.
- Just like on planes, trains have different levels. You can have a first class or a second class seat. There is a difference in price, but you can decide what works best for your comfort.
- Choose which cities you’re going to. This seems obvious, but it is important. Your train needs will differ considerably depending on the locations and cities you are visiting.
- West or East. Depending on which part of Europe you are headed to, will affect which kind of Eurail ticket you buy. Train tickets are significantly cheaper in Eastern Europe than they are in Western Europe.
- Planning or going with the flow. There is merit to either way of traveling. Planning your train trip can make things cheaper and easier. This is especially true if you will be in Western Europe. Eastern Europe is less of a tourist hot spot, so it is easier to go with the flow and not plan your train trip.
The Eurail is a wonderful way of seeing Europe and getting from place to place. There is so much to consider before booking your ticket, so don’t be afraid to do a little thinking before clicking buy.
