February 8th, 2008
Europe by Train | Tips For Travellers
Europe by Train | Tips For Travellers
By Viola Woolcott
What you need to know about travelling Europe on the train. Plan your trip from buying tickets to getting the most for your travel money.
Where Can I Inform Myself?
Most stations have an Information Desk. Use it to plan your trip. When there are impatient commuters waiting, do not expect the person on the ticket window to answer all of your question. This goes especially for crowded stations such as Venice. Departing train times you will find on the yellow posters at the stations.
What Do I Need To Know Before Buying My Ticket?
First you need to check if you need national or international tickets. When you have all the information like Train times and/or number, first or second class, one-way or round trip, and of course the date you want to travel, you go to the ticket window. In some countries you may even need to reserve a seat. Fast trains are usually more expensive and you may be charged a supplement.
What about Specials and Discounts?
By taking a slightly slower train that left almost at the same time, I was able to reduce the costs by 67% on a recent trip in Austria. So be sure to ask if there are any ‘specials’ when you plan your trip. And defiantly make good use of student and age discounts which will reduce costs as well.
Have You Checked the Facilities?
On long distance trains you often have restaurants or cafes.
On medium distance trains you may have to rely on a cart carrying sandwiches, snacks, drinks and coffee.
On regional trains you will find that they quite often don’t carry food or beverages.
So your best bet is to check out the stores in most large train stations beforehand. Besides, very often you can not only get a great variety of interesting food to take on the train. But it will probably be cheaper too.
What If You Have a Reservation?
At larger stations, each track or maybe on the wall of the station is a “COMPOSITION OF TRAINS” board which indicates where every numbered car will be as the train pulls in. In the event that you are late, you can just get on any car and walk through the train using the internal doors until you found your car.
What If You Don’t have a Reservation?
If you haven’t made a reservation, you can just sit anywhere, BUT check the outside of your compartment to see if anyone else has reserved it before you get comfortable. Newer trains show reservation info on an LCD screen above the seats.
What About Trains To and From Airports?
Most cities have airport service by train which usually takes you to the heart of the city (to the central train station) and that is also where you usually find B&B’s, hotels, Inns etc. You can also get to the airport from any city and there is no need for you to go back to the city the airport is in on your last day in Europe as long as the train into that city stops at the airport.
Do I Have To Validate My Ticket?
To prevent people from using their ticket more than once, many countries have you validate it before you get on the train especially if the ticket is regional and valid for 90 days. The ticket will have an arrow telling you which end to validate. The validation machines are normally yellow-orange in colour.
Ho Do I Know What’s Cheap?
As a general rule, trains in southern parts of Europe are cheaper than trains in the northern parts. Trains that are slower are also much cheaper than those modern, slick and fast once. You must also enquire if there are special passes available in the country you are travelling in.
Is There a Way I Can Save More Money?
Quite often you can save money by taking overnight trains for longer trips. When you purchase your ticket check if you can buy a couchette or bunk on the train from the conductor. Travelling at night will save you a hotel and of course a day of travel.
