HOW TO TRAVEL EUROPE BY TRAIN | A Step by Step Guide for Beginners

1st timer confused about how to take trains in Europe? This Europe train travel guide was created with beginners in mind, with a step by step breakdown on how to travel Europe by train. Be sure to read the written guide for the full scoop: happytowander.com/how-to-trav...
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0:00 INTRODUCTION
0:36 DECIDE IF TRAIN TRAVEL IS RIGHT FOR YOU
1:12 BUY TICKETS
5:27 GET SNACKS
5:53 ARRIVE AT THE STATION
7:18 GET TO THE PLATFORM
8:45 FIND YOUR SEAT
9:45 GET COMFY & ENJOY
10:39 DISEMBARK
CHRISTINA'S TRAVEL GEAR
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EUROPE TRAVEL TIPS & MUST-KNOWS:
➡️ Written version of this guide: happytowander.com/how-to-trav...
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Wondering how to take trains in Europe like a pro? This step by step guide to Europe train travel will walk you through general tips that help you understand how the train systems work in European countries, with tips on how to save money on trains in Europe, how to buy train tickets in Europe, how to navigate European train stations, and more. Make sure you don't miss this guide to Europe train travel for beginners!

[@HappytoWander]

Hey everyone! Hope you enjoy this (general) video guide on how to take trains in Europe! Let me know in the comments if you'd like any country-specific guides in the future :) PS: Written version of the guide is here: happytowander.com/how-to-travel-europe-by-train/

[@myalin7]

Hello I’m visiting in the summer 2024. What’s the best way to travel from FCO airport to a hotel in Milan

[@myalin7]

I’m leaving out of FCO that’s why I flew in to FCO

[@aliuddinkhaja5965]

Very informative- to the point - thank you.

[@syh9426]

Very informative. Thanks.

[@beejereeno2]

Wow, thanks for the exhaustive video explaining not only how to get tickets, but also how to find the platform, the car, the seat, and how to ride and disembark! I thought I had already seen all your train/rail videos because the thumbnails & titles seem similar, but this was 100% more helpful than the others.

[@EILEENZ0122]

U should know how to use TrainPal to buy EU tickets, it has super discount🤣

[@code-TRAINPAL-XY777B]

Actually there is a discount that you can apply for buying train tickets now

[@Code_TRIP777B_]

I also found some discount for buying the rail tickets. It's always good to look out for deals that can make travel more affordable.🎉

[@jojoin514]

My husband and I love train travel in Europe. We've travelled all over Europe by train. Definitely better than renting a car in most countries and avoiding airports for many journeys. Although we've travelled pretty much to every country in Europe in spring and autumn, since 2018 we've now been repeating destinations for Christmas market season. Currently planning to spend the entire month of next December in Benelux and part of Germany. All the best to you and safe travels!

[@jessied4210]

There are train cards now on sale! We can purchase together to get discounts!

[@EILEENZ0122]

Sounds great!🎉 and now buy EU rail tickets can get a discount!!

[@code-on-Trip-app]

There is an extra 5% discount recently, I am so happy!

[@code-TRAINPAL-XY777B]

Actually there is a discount that you can apply for buying train tickets now

[@Code_TRIP777B_]

I also found some discount for buying the rail tickets. It's always good to look out for deals that can make travel more affordable.🎉

[@0617kitty]

Thank you for making this video!

[@HappytoWander]

You’re welcome!! Thank you for watching :)

[@isabelg8788]

This was very helpful! Thank you.

[@CodeRT777E-TRAINPAL]

Agreed!I just bought a very affordable train ticket and I am looking forward to the upcoming train journey🤓

[@JayJay-fw2jt]

This is a great video

[@janeynget3059]

Thanks for a detailed explanation 👏👍

[@CodeRT777E-TRAINPAL]

If you're traveling to the UK, there are some great deals available now😊Enjoy your days~

[@borisjc]

Great description 👌

[@CodeRT777E-TRAINPAL]

I also think it's very helpful~Btw there is a great discount on UK train tickets now🤩

[@JamesMcLinTr]

Nice idea! Travel on train!!

[@user-xx3qg4dr7i]

That’s an absolute guide .. after that we must do it with eyes closed 🎉

[@EILEENZ0122]

Detailed and clear expression🙏 Thx for ur devotion😘 I tried the app mentioned by comments section, amazingly it is 💥super save🤩

[@AlexD5241]

YESSSSSS!!!! I'm doing a month of eurobackacking this summer, this is just what i needed

[@jessied4210]

Let's buy the train cards ogether to save more! Just found it

[@EILEENZ0122]

Wish your joy through journey's end! BTW why not try TrainPal which has a discount code for EU railways😂😂😂

[@chandellemarie4882]

♥ Your videos.

[@Code_TRIP777B_]

Thanks for the video! I even found some discount for buying the rail tickets. It's always good to look out for deals that can make travel more affordable😂

[@Lisa-kz7vw]

I really wanna do a train trip through Switzerland and Austria the views look amazing.

[@EILEENZ0122]

U should! The most beautiful route I have ever taken 🥹 do u heard about TrainPal? I just saw it has discount for European rail tickets😮😮😮

[@Phuong.Nguyen-]

Good image ❤😊

[@Westoakian]

Love the Ch. and your videos. Still a little confused on Eurail vs Omio. If I get a Gloabl pass can I book trains on Omio or do I have to use the Eurail pass? We are visiting 4 countries. Thx for ANY guidance. 😊

[@code-on-trainpal]

helps me a lot!! My friends told me a way to get bigger discounts for train tickets.

[@CodeRT777E-TRAINPAL]

The train is my favorite way to travel.Btw there is a great discount on UK train tickets now.❤

[@RVarrun]

Fantastic. Love to travel by train

[@Code_TRIP777B_]

I also found some discount for buying the rail tickets. It's always good to look out for deals that can make travel more affordable.🎉

[@Judy-zs4gz]

This video helps me a lot!! Last time, my friends told me a way to get bigger discounts for rail trips. so i plan to have a rail trip

[@code-TRAINPAL-XY777B]

I found a discount too

[@code-on-trainpal]

omg I also know there is a way to save money with ➎% discounts

[@Westoakian]

Hi Christina, great ch and great advice. I am more than a little confused with train travel. If I buy a Eurail pass, (global) can I use Omio for seat reservations or do I ONLY use the Eurail app? SO CONFUSED 🤷‍♀️ Going to Paris, then Switzerland, eventually Amsterdam, Brussels and back home from Paris. Thx for any advice. Been through MOST of your videos!

[@eprohoda]

this is unusual ~ farewell! amigo-😮

[@ThomasTuttle]

Your guide is very informative. I know the world prefers digital/cell phone apps for ticketing needs. I have tried to create accounts on the Swiss national rail network, the Austrian one and the German one (SBB/OEBB/DB). However, they all have their own issues with recognizing me and my account. As a result, I have opted yet again for a paper Eurail pass, since we shall be in Germany, Switzerland and Austria for a duration of 15 days with daily treks on trains. For most of our trains seat reservations are not even optional, but the occasional EC/ICE/IC trains suggest seat reservations. Since I can't get the phone app to register my needs correctly, I shall need the paper version. Waiting in the long ticket lines manned by rail personnel waste too much of our holiday time, so we're left with using the kiosks/ticket automats in the stations. Can you advise or better yet, do a step by step demo on how to purchase seat reservations without purchasing an actual ticket. You can cancel your demo ticket, once we have the button sequences viewed. Each time we try the online versions of the SBB/OEBB/DE, the reservation only cost is nearly as high as the regular ticket. Reservations should cost no more than 10 Euros for most trains, if one has a Eurail pass. The online versions are showing like 30-90 Euros; that cannot be correct. Once I know how to buy one seat reservation on the kiosk, all I need to do is repeat the steps and exchange the new train info into the fields. Thank you in advance.

[@csbstar53]

Do you have a video for train travel from Frankfort, Germany to Koblenz? Also from Merzig, Germany to Frankfort, Germany?

[@terridowda357]

can you do Italy. Rome to Pompeii in particular.

[@chardmahanlud1734]

Hello. I loved the video! The one that I am looking for. Trip by train. I’m planning a solo trip to Europe this year. Hope you can help me to guide steps by steps. Is there a possibility that I can travel by train the whole Europe?

[@deniselimovic7530]

Thanks for the video😊. Its very informative? I got two kids, 6year and 3.5year and planning a trip from Ljubljana to Munich, visiting our friends in january. Is there any more advice ? Is it a smart idea, we never traveled by train?😂

[@user-cd9rd7jb2z]

Hello! Is there any site that displays the visual map of train connections between countries in Europe?

[@A-level.helper]

I will be coming to budapest and want to travell to debrecen which train should i choose and which website should i use to book my ticket

[@taniacruz5080]

Can I start my train trip from Budapest to Munich but get off at Salzburg for a quick stop and resume my trip to Munich with the same ticket? Thanks!

[@user-pb2pn4qp6v]

Places where you need to validate tickets do they also give you an option to buy online so you can skip the validation process

[@pilartellez1302]

Hello, I bought my tickets on Omio to get around Belgium. but I have two doubts; Do the tickets have to be printed? And the platform doesn't come but there is a legend that says Intercity and a number, would that be the # of the train? Hope you can answer, thanks!

[@myalin7]

I need help !! Which trains and passes do I need ? Going to different places

[@evertonblue14]

Will there be helpers who may no English there? This just raised my anxiety I never been to Europe and I’m coming solo soon

[@code-TRAINPAL-XY777B]

Thank you for sharing. Actually there is a discount that you can apply for buying train tickets now

[@code-on-trainpal]

I also know that Info. I got 5% discount on TrainPal.

[@Magic_beans_]

5:53 (Arriving at the station) - Trains don’t have nearly the boarding & baggage ritual that planes do, so you don’t need to be at the station as early as you would for a flight. Getting to the station 45-60 minutes before departure is good if you’re concerned about finding your way around or if you need assistance from the staff. Otherwise 30 minutes should be fine. (That’s not a hard limit, it’s just more of a gamble as you cut it closer.) That could be a factor in your choice between train or plane travel. For a shorter trip like Munich-Berlin, your door-to-door travel time may be about the same either way. The train itself isn’t as fast obviously, but flying may mean you have to get out to an airport on the edge of town and then sit around for an hour.

[@jessied4210]

Yes, definitely agree! Join me for the train card discounts I just found! Let's save more for getting trains.😆

[@kwfown]

For someone that’s been traveling by train for 8 decades @ 0:12, you sure look YOUNG!

[@soniiabaybee]

For “a decade”. Not 8. Lol.

[@merrillundgren1790]

I’ve seen eurorail bundles of train fare plus hotel. Like from Paris to London or Amsterdam to London. Any thoughts on this?

[@galanfamily]

Hopefully someone replies. I'm planning on doing paris, Brussels to Amsterdam in the fall

[@Susanneshares]

Is there a size limit to the luggage lockers or do they come in multiple sizes?

[@sedivcovanika]

In most cases, there are different sizes of the lockers, plus - most major train stations have "luggage room" with personel to look after your luggage if you have many suitecases, you don't want to use the lockers or they are full.

[@iShootWild]

Thanks for putting this together! I learned a lot. One question: Do trains have luggage limits like the planes, specially those budget planes like Ryanair, EasyJet etc? In another word, can I have a decent size backback and a suitcase without paying additional fees?

[@LoveQuimper]

Nope! You can bring as much as you can carry. I've seen people carry art projects, pets, musical instruments etc on trains. It's all fine. However, big luggage can be annoying for other passengers, especially at busy times or if your luggage is blocking seats. I often take the IC in the direction of Schiphol airport to get to my university and it's honestly quite frustrating when I'm just trying to get to school or work and people are blocking seats or hallways with their gigantic luggage, rubbing their vacation joy all in my face while I have to stand because there are no seats left available 😂

[@iShootWild]

@@LoveQuimper Thank you and I am sorry, the travellers are creating not so fun experience for you. I am not planning on bringing too much. One under 30L bag (like the size of a normal college/school bag and a 20-22 inch suitcase that most of the US airlines allow as carry on. I would like to take trains to most of my destinations.

[@code-on-Trip-app]

Then you must take advantage of the recent European Railway offers!

[@WilDayne]

Planes, Trains AND flights?

[@wigglytuff20031]

Can you do a video on transferring trains? We are planning on going to Europe in September and I don't know if that is a peak season or a more slower season. We're looking into taking the train from Amsterdam to ravensburg Germany and there isn't any direct flights to ravensburg from Amsterdam but there is a line that goes to ravensburg... The issue that I am worried about is that there is 3 to 4 stops on some of the trips depending on the times that we book and in those stops it says that there is about 5 to 7 minutes to transfer in between. This part stresses me a little cause to me it seems like there isn't much time to transfer trains in 5 minutes... But am I to assume that the station is smaller and that the trains would be near each other? Also how do I know if the train that I am arriving in is the same train that I should stay on and the 5 minute "transfer time" is just to fuel up or change out conductors?

[@wigglytuff20031]

@lingLuo-ol5nz thank you for the reply but your answer did not answer my question. It is okay though cause we went in 2023 and knowing what we know now. If you were to go on German trains and if you are on a train with short transfers (5-8 min transfer time to get to your next train) you can guarantee that you will not make your transfer trains. If the train was the last train coming out of that station through no fault of your own and it is deutsche bahn fault they will give you a new ticket for the next train out and will give you a voucher for a hotel near the station for a room up to $250 usd but you will have to pay for the room up front and get reimbursed at a later time. French trains are constantly being delayed. One train we were on was stuck on the tracks for an hour with the smell of gasoline in the air. Trains in Spain are treated like an airport and you have to be there 2 hrs ahead of time to go through security and their trains are always on time with very few to minimal delays/cancellations.

[@ericcoleman7633]

MAN PHOQUE

[@code-on-Trip-app]

Are there any tips for saving money when traveling in Europe, other than the 5% rail discount?

[@code-on-trainpal]

I just know there is a way to save money with 5%↓

[@harlynjm]

Happy wanderer question we recently booked 4 trains connecting our destinations. My visa bill lists 3 Trainline charges which are much higher than the price on my tickets. What to do?? How can I fix this? Credit Card company states this is the amount presented to us. Something is not right here. Have you as a train traveler had this happen?

[@code-on-Trip-app]

If it really doesn't work, consider transferring it to someone else. The more you can save, the better. Also pay attention to daily discounts, such as the recent promotions on European railways.

[@shakeedahlee160]

Do you need to travel with your passport when traveling in the EU via train or bus?

[@LoveQuimper]

Within the Schengen zone there are no border checks. But as I'm assuming you're not in possession of an EU passport, you will ofc need it to enter the EU from your home country. So you'll already have it on you anyway.

[@jewel7168]

i'm going to freakin cry if I'm traveling alone in a foreign country and the station is that huge with all these specifications. I mean yeah they're pretty easy to follow but nerve-wracking when it's your first time, I am shit in directions, I just wanna be with someone who knows what to do while I float around and not use my head 😭 But i also wanna travel alone and feel independent with all these buying tickets and getting on my trips alone💃 does that makes sense? idk either sdhajgf

[@loverollcake]

i feel u im going to japan with 2 other friends who have been before but i want to solo travel europe by train but im scared im gonna get lost

[@hedark1135]

jesus christ tell me about it. trying to plan my honeymoon and i want to blow my brains out. Edit: I just got backed from my Honeymoon, it is now Mid-October. it was really easy. basically everyone in europe speaks english, so if you can't figure something out just ask someone. train travel is easy as pie, the worst part is sometimes track number isnt specified until about 30 minutes before the train leaves. if your seat number isnt specified then there are no assigned seats... overall pretty easy. if you can navigate an airport youll be just fine at a train station. navigating public transportation in europe wasnt as scary as i thought it would be. however, one caveat... it is neither clean, nor fast, nor cheap... glad we travel primarily by car in the USA.

[@yhenbelmonte123]

me too i want to travel solo but m scared 😮😅i been to germany n france wit my frnds

[@jessied4210]

Omggg I just found a train card that will help everyone save !! Let me know if you guys are interested:))))

[@shawnmendrek3544]

aggression level now 2/10. ty

[@warrenr.johnson7990]

You talk too fast and we lose tne end of sentences.

[@EMVelez]

You sound like I’m watching at 1.25x speed. Slow down. This is hard to follow.

[@NzePriddie]

Ma’am why are you ending the majority,of your sentences , using vocal fry ?. It is very very annoying and a turn off. Unprofessional. It appears that you have great information, however it’s a struggle, to listen.

[@mikea6240]

Get a life

[@EMVelez]

Because she’s American. Lol.

[@NzePriddie]

@@EMVelez tried again and finally made through too the end.

[@NzePriddie]

@@EMVelez do you know why do Americans speak with vocal fry ?