Do you already have a travel destination in your mind for this fall? Maybe it is a bit too early for you to think about it. But if you are planning to explore Europe by train, it is a good idea to do some research. Because it’s better to book your train tickets on time, to prevent high prices. Nowadays, it is becoming easier to travel by train through Europe. There are more and more possibilities. Traveling by train is convenient and also eco-friendly. So, what are you waiting for?
Explore Europe by train. There are many possibilities. You can travel for a day, make a city trip or travel for a few weeks. You can leave early morning and arrive in the evening, but you can also take a night train, depending on your destination. It is up to you.
Explore Europe by train
Traveling by train in Europe offers many benefits, like:
- You can travel in a comfortable and convenience way. A train offers more spacious seating and legroom if you compare it to airplanes.
- If you take a day train, you can work, read or listen to music when you travel. Don’t forget to look outside the window to enjoy the changing views.
- You don’t have any issues with your luggage. You can just bring the things you need, without checking the size and weight of your suitcase.
- European train stations are mostly located in the centre of a city, so you can easily reach your destination.
- It is eco-friendly, comparing to traveling by airplane or by car.
Tips and tricks
If you are convinced now that it is a good option to travel by train, you have to know some tips and tricks to prepare yourself. Important:
- Plan your route by using Google Maps or a rail planner app like NS International.
- Book your train tickets on time. It depends on the country when you can buy tickets in advance, but mostly it is three months before your departure date. This is mostly for high-speed trains and popular routes.
- If you can avoid peak seasons, you can get cheaper train tickets.
- Bring your books, music, series and games. Some journeys will take long, so you don’t want to get bored.
- Bring your own food and drinks. As you can’t buy food in every train and mostly it is also expensive. The choice is also limited, especially when you are eating vegan or vegetarian.
Destinations
There are different destinations to choose from. Hereby are some examples when you travel from The Netherlands.
# 1 Belgium
Belgium is a small country. Do you want to explore the most beautiful cities of Belgium? Take the train to the famous cities Antwerp, Brussel or Gent. Do you prefer to travel to smaller places? Mechelen, Leuven and Dinant are other possibilities.
# 2 Germany
Germany is a big country, so there are also many options. Choose Cologne for art and architecture, Berlin for the vegan hotspots or Bremen for the historical centre. Do you prefer to visit nature instead of culture? Sauerland and the Black Forest are the best options.
# 3 France
Also France has many options. You can choose to travel to Paris or Disneyland. Or explore the architecture in Lille or visit the beautiful city Lyon.
# 4 Spain
First, take the train to Barcelona. Use this city as your starting point to see other parts of Spain. You can visit Toledo for example. Stroll around through this ‘city of three cultures’. Or visit the capital city Madrid. You can also travel to the beautiful city Sevilla and make a roundtrip through Andalusia.
# 5 Austria
Travel by night train to Austria. Visit the beautiful Vienna, the city of the Sound of Music Salzburg or Innsbruck.
What is your favorite destination?
Jane Regina Sauer 