For European train times you can check Bahn. For each country carrier and tickets click on the country flag below.
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| Austria | Belgium | Bulgaria | Croatia | Czech |
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| Denmark | Finland | France | Germany | Ireland |
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| Italy | Lux/bourg | Netherlands | Norway | Portugal |
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| Russia | Spain | Sweden | Switzerland | UK |
General
Bookings for most European trains open 90 days in advance, for Eurostar it’s 120 days. It’s best to book as early as possible to get the cheapest fares. Make sure you pick the right station! Not to be overlooked in non-English speaking countries. Make sure you understand any time differences within Europe.
Leave enough time between connections. Check out any passport/visa requirements before you travel. There is no weight limit for luggage on European trains (except Eurostar). Check for booking fees like credit card fees. Left luggage locker services vary from station to station.
European consumer protection entitles you to travel by the next available train if you miss a connection because of a delay, even if your ticket is train-specific and non-changeable. EU Health card entitles you to free or reduced rate health care if you become ill or get injured in many European countries.
It might be worth considering buying a global SIM card.
Always check the ticket delivery options before you book.
Dogs and small pets are allowed on most European trains once you’re across the Channel. But only guide dogs can travel on Eurostar. For special needs, you should check local rules and ring in advance. All major European Train Operators have a high standard of wheel chair access facilities.
Check the train takes plastic. Check the currency. Booking in advance is generally cheaper, but do check the small print for refund/exchanges. Compare Direct Tickets to Rail Europe and Rail Passes
Fare rules
Infants go free on trains & ferries but they don’t get their own seat. On Eurostar, all children under 12 years must be accompanied by an adult. Unaccompanied children aged 12 to 16 require a consent form signed by their parent or guardian.
If you book a few weeks in advance, you’ll probably find one of the cheap advance-purchase fares costing even less than the Senior/Youth fare.
In Europe you can buy either a first or second class ticket (first class ticket holders can also travel in second class if their travel companions hold a second class ticket).
Hi-speed trains
Travelling in excess of 145 km/h is common in many European countries. The day train types in Europe are
Alaris (Spain), Altaria (Spain), Alvia (Spain), Artesia de Jour (Italy, France), AVE (Spain), Euromed (Spain), Eurostar (France, Belgium, Great Britain),Eurostar Italia (Italy),ICE (Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, The Netherlands, Switzerland),Railjet (Austria, Hungary, Germany),SuperCity (Czech Republic, Austria),TGV (France, Switzerland, Belgium),Thalys (Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands), X2000 (Sweden).
Some are particular types of high-speed trains, e.g. ICE; and some are just brand names for a particularly fast or high-quality service. Others indicate a train service run by a special consortium of national rail operators and many have their own fare structure.
Overnight/Sleeper Trains
Comfort depends on the type of sleeping accommodation you pay for (ordinary seat, couchette, or sleeping-car); the more you pay, the more you get. Sleepers come in 1, 2, 3 and (in a few cases) 4-berth varieties depending on the route, whether you have a 1st or 2nd class ticket, and the price you want to pay. Sleeper compartments have a security lock which cannot be opened from outside, even with a staff key. Couchettes are economical and consist of an ordinary seating compartment for six people by day, with fold-out padded bunks for six people by night. On most routes you can pay a higher supplement to travel in a less crowded 4-berth couchette compartment. Travelling overnight in an ordinary seat may not be as comfortable or secure but it all depends on your budget.
Night trains commonly operate in Europe. Most of the night trains provide sleeping accommodation for guests as well as a dining area, where they can take their meals. The following trains are night trains; the Elipsos trains, D-Nacht, EuroNight, CityNightLine and NachtZug.
