Europe Train Vacation Packages | European Rail Tours (2024)

FAQs

How much does a train trip in Europe cost? ›

The cost of train travel varies from 30 to 200 dollars depending on your chosen destination. On Rail Ninja, you can find prices in your local currency of the most popular train routes in Europe. If you are looking to save money while traveling in Europe, consider exploring Balkan countries or Poland.

The Eurail Pass

With a single Eurail rail Pass, you can travel in up to 33 countries, hopping off along the way to experience Europe's most fascinating cities, monuments, and breathtaking scenery. Travel at your own pace and know that there is the perfect Eurail Pass for every European vacation!

Traveling around Europe by train can be a great way to explore one or several countries, all while avoiding the hassle of the airport or renting a car. There are many options for finding train tickets, but generally, purchasing tickets in advance and directly from the train company can save money.

It's no secret that air travel in Europe is usually much cheaper than traveling by land. In some cases, a train ticket costs almost twice as much as an airplane ticket. However, TheLocal.dk has shared a list of popular European routes where train travel will be much more affordable than flying.

Eurail is the name of the consortium that works with all the national rail companies to create the Eurail train pass. Rail Europe is an official reseller of the tickets and passes that Eurail creates. Interrail is the same pass but for Europeans only; Eurail/Rail Europe is for non-Europeans.

Even if you're traveling by train in just two countries, the Global Pass is likely your best option, as it generally makes little sense to cobble together several single-country passes.

Interrail. You can travel across 33 countries in Europe with an Interrail Global Pass, or explore 1 country to your heart's content with an Interrail One Country Pass.

The Best Way to Travel Europe

Trains are a favorite way to travel for tourists and locals alike because of their convenience, affordability and accessibility. You can book scenic train tours with luxury accommodations, or hop on a last-minute train ride between cities (sometimes, with complimentary views).

Save precious travel time by moving from one destination to the next while you sleep. Most European night trains are included in the Eurail passes. You'll just need to reserve and pay for your preferred sleeping accommodation type in addition to your pass. Don't forget about your seat reservations!

Is an Eurail Pass worth it for seniors? ›

A senior pass is meant for those aged 60+. Unfortunately, the discount is not as good as the youth pass, with savings clocking in at about 10% but it's still better than paying full price! So, if you want to consider getting a Eurail pass, know that the deal is a lot sweeter if you're 27 years old and under or 60+.

For see-it-all train travelers out to experience as much of Europe as possible, the Eurail Global Pass is the best option. Covering 33 countries, the Global Pass allows you to travel freely through most of Europe, from Portugal to Finland to Turkey.

It's often cheaper to fly to Europe mid-week, particularly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. It can be most economical to fly from the U.S. to London, the busiest hub, and take a cheap flight from there to any Continental city.

The cheapest way to travel Europe is usually by bus.

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So, how much money do you really need for 3 weeks in Europe? While it varies depending on your travel style and destination, a budget of around $2,000 - $5,000 USD should cover your expenses. Of course, this is just a rough estimate - the more you can save, the better!

These are some 2024 starting prices of a Eurail Global Pass for adults purchased directly through Eurail: Four days in one month pass : $311 for second-class and $395 for first-class. 7 days within one month pass: $419 or $532. 15 days within two months pass: $608 or $772.

Driving may be cheaper if you're traveling in a big group

Usually trains that cross borders or that have many connections tend to be more expensive. If you're only traveling a couple of hours within the same country in Europe, you may still save money by taking the train.

Some exceptions: touristic railways in Switzerland (Towards the Jungfraujoch). City traffic, like metro's, buses, trams and the Parisian RER and Transilien (suburban train) are not included.