What NOT to Do When Taking Trains Through Europe
Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you take trains through Europe. Train travel in Europe is the best way to get around, but there are some things you should NOT do along the way.
Don’t Forget to Check the Signs
When you get to the train station, you’ll see the big electronic boards with the trains and their track numbers. And make sure you continue to check the boards as things change frequently. Once you’re at the right track number, you still want to verify that the train is going in the direction you want to go.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help, but make sure you ask an employee for assistance. If a random person is hanging around the ticket machines or offers unsolicited help, it’s probably a scam.
Once you are on the train, make sure you know which stop comes before your stop so you can start gathering your things and be ready to exit at your stop. Don’t wait until you’re at the stop; you need to start making your way towards the door.
Don’t Expect Sympathy if You Miss Your Connection
It’s bound to happen. There are so many trains and changes and delays that inevitably you will miss a connection at some point. There will be more trains so don’t look for sympathy, just be calm and figure out your next steps.
One of the reasons that wearing good shoes is so important is that you will have to run sometimes. It’s inevitable. We’ve all been there, and it’s much easier to run with good shoes and light luggage.
Don’t Assume the Eurail Pass is the Best Deal
If you want to save money on train tickets, you need to do some research. Eurail is best for long-term budget travelers, like backpackers. But for an average family vacation, it’s often more expensive. Look at the regional train lines and match that up against your travel plans. If you’ve only got a few train trips planned, it’s probably best to go with individual tickets.
Not all trains accept or allow Eurail, so again, you really need to research and plan out your travels. There are also some regional passes that offer a good deal. For example, the Bayern ticket in Germany’s Bavaria region allows unlimited travel for up to five adults in a day. If you’re traveling in a group, this is a great way to save money. (If you’re in a group, you can always ask if there are deals that apply to your group.)
Don’t Forget to Pre-Book Tickets for Peak Times
If you’re traveling on busy days or to busy cities, make sure you book your tickets in advance. When you buy your tickets in advance, splurge for seat reservations. It’s usually only a couple of extra Euros to reserve a seat, and you’ll be glad you did. You don’t want to be stuck standing the entire journey. If you find someone sitting in your seat, don’t be afraid to let them know it’s your reserved seat.
If you are traveling on a Eurail pass, it does not include seat reservations, so you still want to go online and reserve a seat before your trip.
Booking your train tickets in advance can also save you some money. Generally, prices rise the closer you get to your travel date.
Don’t Assume All European Trains are the Same
When traveling between cities, there are often multiple ways to get from Point A to Point B. For example, from Vicenza to Venezia Santa Lucia, there are three options.
- The Freccia is the “fast train”, which is the fastest and the most comfortable, but also the most expensive.
- The 2nd option is a regional train, which makes a lot of stops along the way, and therefore takes much longer, but is more affordable.
- The 3rd choice is a fast regional train, or veloce regional. This is a nice middle option, as it has a few stops, but is almost twice as fast as taking the regional train.
The first train that leaves for your destination may not always be the first one to arrive. As you can see, they all have different timetables and stops along the way.
Likewise, not all train tickets are the same. Just because you buy a ticket to Munich, for example, doesn’t mean you can hop on any train to Munich. As we just learned, the “better” trains are more expensive, so make sure you get on the train that you have reserved.
6 Rules for European Train Travel
If you are traveling between countries by train, you may not be able to purchase those tickets through a kiosk. You might have to go to a ticket window to purchase.
Don’t Bring Stinky Food on the Train
This just comes down to common courtesy, although in Asia some foods like Durian are forbidden from all public transportation due to the smell. This doesn’t mean you can’t bring food, and you should bring something, especially for longer train trips. Grab a few snacks at the station before your train departs, just in case they don’t have anything on the train. Especially if you’re traveling with kids!
Some trains have concessions, while others do not. Generally, the food isn’t going to “wow” you anyways. You can almost always get better food outside of the train.
Don’t Forget to Validate Your Ticket
This won’t apply to all trains, but it is pretty common for local and regional trains. Before you board, there will be a ticket stamp where you validate your ticket. This starts the clock on your ticket, so to speak. So while you may not have to show a ticket to board the train, there are employees who may ask to see your ticket. If you haven’t validated it, you could be fined.
Don’t Pack Too Much
On many trains in Europe, you will need to put your luggage in the overhead compartment. Make sure you are able to lift your suitcase over your head. Yes, this means packing light, but that’s really the only way to travel when you are using trains in Europe. Don’t count on getting someone else to lift your bag for you.
Packing List for Europe: Men’s Edition
Another rule is to never let your luggage out of your sight. If you pack a huge suitcase, you’re going to have to leave it near the door of the train, so that’s just one more reason to pack light.
Lastly, don’t take up seat space with your luggage. This is just rude to other travelers who might want to sit down.
Don’t Think Train Travel is Always Cheap
With planning and research, you can save money by taking trains instead of flying or driving. However, that’s not always the case. Train tickets in Europe are not always super cheap. Sometimes, the budget airlines in Europe are actually cheaper than taking the train.
Don’t Be Loud
Some cultures are quieter than others, so be aware of your surroundings and keep your conversations at the same volume or quieter. Some train lines have designated quiet cars, while other cultures are just quiet in general.
Don’t Forget to Look Out the Window
We’ve just given you a lot of things to look out for, but the most important is to look out the window and enjoy the scenery as it goes flying by.
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Train travel in Europe is easy and cost-effective as long as you do your research and plan ahead. Flights within Europe can also be affordable and much faster, so don’t forget to consider all of your options when traveling through Europe!
Need more travel tips for visiting Europe? Check out these blog posts!