If you've been dreaming of traveling to Europe this summer and eating gelato in Italy or visiting the Sagrada Familia Basilica in Spain, we have now excellent news: According to Hopper's 2024 Summer Travel Outlook, airfares are down 8% in comparison with the identical period last yr.
And when you're in Europe, you might give you the option to lower your expenses by traveling by train. Rail travel in Europe is convenient and sustainable. Plus, some trains, just like the Glacier Express in Switzerland, are designed to travel through scenic destinations, so you’ll be able to absorb the sights whilst you calm down.
If you might be considering rail travel in your Itinerary through EuropeHere you will discover out every little thing it’s good to find out about getting around and the way you’ll be able to lower your expenses when buying tickets.
Railway system in Europe
There are several train corporations in Europe. Some only offer regional trains, while others offer trains between countries. When planning your trip, discover in regards to the train corporations that serve your destination so you’ll be able to determine whether a train journey is smart for you.
Here are some railway corporations that serve different countries in Europe:
- Eurostar Trains run between the UK, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. (Although the UK shouldn’t be a part of Europe, it’s a well-liked destination and is commonly combined with a European itinerary.)
- NS is the leading railway company within the Netherlands.
- Renfe is the national railway company of Spain.
- Deutsche Bahn (DB) offers long-distance and regional trains in Germany.
- SNCF Connect offers high-speed train travel in France.
- Trenitalia is the state railway company of Italy.
- The Glacier Express offers panoramic trains inside Switzerland.
Some of those railway corporations cooperate to supply convenient connections. For example, DB-SNCF is a three way partnership between DB and SNCF that permits travel between Germany and France.
Book rail travel in Europe
Buying train tickets in Europe is pretty straightforward. You should purchase your tickets here:
- An online travel agency (OTA): Several OTAs that sell train tickets in Europe include Trainline, Rail Europe, Eurail and Omio.
- The railway company: If which train company serves your destinations, it is best to book directly on the train company’s website in case of changes, as booking a visit through a OTA adds a further layer of complexity.
- At the train station: If you don't know (or plan) your schedule prematurely, you can even buy a ticket on the station. Keep in mind that if you buy on the station, you run the chance that the train you would like is sold out or costlier, because it is a last-minute purchase.
3 ways to make your train journey through Europe cheaper
Depending on when and where you purchase your tickets, there are several ways to lower your expenses on train travel inside Europe.
1. Price comparison
If the train company and an OTA offer tickets, compare prices to see where those seats are cheaper. We searched the Eurostar website and Trainline for a train from Paris to Amsterdam in August 2024 to see which option is cheaper.
If you pay in euros, tickets on Eurostar and Trainline cost the identical (60 euros). However, in the event you pay in US dollars, the fare on Trainline is barely cheaper ($68.30 versus $70). If you don't have a bank card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, it is best to book the ticket on Trainline in US dollars.
However, in the event you're traveling to Europe or anywhere outside the U.S., it is best to generally think about using a bank card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, as these pesky fees typically range from 1% to three% and may add up quickly.
2. Use discounts
There are sometimes discounts for college students, seniors and families.
For example:
- The Spanish railway operator Renfe offers as much as 30% discount on tickets for 14 to 25 yr olds.
- Eurail offers a family discount, 10% senior discount and as much as 25% discount for travelers aged 27 or under.
- Eurostar offers reduced fares for people under 26 and over 60.
There could also be other discounts or special offers available, so compare prices. Booking early can even get you a bargain. For comparison purposes, we looked for a ticket from Rome to Milan on Trenitalia one week and three months prematurely. Most available tickets for one week prematurely cost $108, while tickets for 3 months prematurely cost around $48.
3. Consider travel insurance
According to NerdWallet Annual Summer Travel SurveyAn impressive 84% of Americans plan to take a vacation in 2024, with 45% of Americans taking a summer trip (June-August). Summer travelers plan to spend a mean of $3,594 on their flights and hotel stays.
If you might be planning an expensive vacation, Travel insurance may be an excellent option, especially in case your travel plans are non-refundable and you would like international medical health insurance. Even if you might have a Credit card with free travel insuranceMost medical health insurance plans within the United States don’t protect you against medical care abroad.
In addition to travel medical health insurance, comprehensive travel insurance includes advantages equivalent to trip cancellation, trip interruption, delayed baggage and lost baggage. If you don’t want travel medical health insurance and the coverage provided by your travel bank card is sufficient, you might not have to purchase separate travel insurance.
Train travel in Europe summarized
Travelling around Europe by train may be a fantastic approach to explore a number of countries while avoiding the effort of airports or renting a automobile. There are some ways to seek out train tickets, but generally you’ll be able to lower your expenses by buying your tickets prematurely and directly from the train company.
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