Ready to shop for rail tickets or check schedules? Here are some Europe rail ticketing tips…
*European train reservations do not operate in the same way as airline tickets. Some European trains do not require reservations, while others do. You can’t always buy your ticket at the train station! The best way to check if a train requires reservations is to search the European rail online reservation system.
*It is best to purchase your tickets well in advance, as supplies can be limited, so don’t delay!
*Private cabins on trains include 1-2 berths in 1st class and 2-3 berths in 2nd class.
*Sleeper train prices are generally lower in Italy, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. Prices are higher on high-end trains such as Hotel trains between France and Spain.
*Couchettes are community cabins and include 6 berths in 2nd class and 4 berths in 1st class if available (mostly in France). These are a good option unless you need total privacy.
*Some cities cannot be traveled between by just one train. In some cases, you will need to break your trip down into two (or more) segments. For example, if you want to go from Amsterdam to Munich, you would first have to travel to Düsseldorf and then pick up a second train to get to Munich.