What night trains are available in Europe?
The night train network in Europe is experiencing a renaissance: ÖBB's Nightjet connects Vienna, Munich, Hamburg, Zurich, Rome, and Amsterdam, offering seating, couchette, and sleeper cars. The European Sleeper runs from Brussels through Amsterdam to Berlin and Dresden. In Scandinavia, the SJ Nattåg operates between Stockholm and the northern ski resorts. Night trains are ideal for saving on hotel stays and arriving rested in the morning — a couchette costs between 30 and 80 euros extra on the saver fare. Book sleeper cars (private compartment with sink) at least 2–3 months in advance, as they are very popular and sell out quickly.
How do I find the cheapest train tickets (saver fare)?
Deutsche Bahn offers saver fares starting at 17.90 euros and super saver fares from 12.99 euros, which can be booked online via bahn.de or the DB Navigator app. The earlier you book, the cheaper it is: saver fares are released 180 days before departure and are cheapest in the first few days. BahnCards (25, 50, or 100) are worthwhile if you take about 4–6 long-distance trips per year — the BahnCard 25 costs only 59.90 euros and saves 25% on all flexible fares. For international connections, also use the websites of the respective railway companies (SNCF, SBB, Trenitalia), as their saver fares are often not visible on DB. Platforms like Trainline and Omio compare prices across multiple providers.
Do I need a seat reservation on the train?
In ICE trains of Deutsche Bahn, a seat reservation is optional (4.50 euros), but strongly recommended on Fridays, Sunday evenings, and during holidays. In France (TGV) and Spain (AVE), reservation is always mandatory and included in the ticket price. The Eurostar (London–Paris–Brussels) and Thalys also require a mandatory reservation. In Switzerland (SBB), Austria (ÖBB), and on most regional trains, no reservation is needed — you simply board and take a seat. For Interrail, reservations must be booked separately and cost between 3 and 30 euros depending on the train — high-speed trains are the most expensive.
What luggage can I take on the train?
Deutsche Bahn allows one piece of hand luggage and one large suitcase or backpack per person for free — there is no weight limit, but you must be able to stow your luggage yourself. Bicycles can be taken with a reservation for a space (9 euros, international up to 12 euros) — folding bikes are considered hand luggage and travel for free. In TGV trains, two pieces of hand luggage and one suitcase are allowed, and bicycles must be transported in a special bag. Strollers and wheelchairs travel for free on all European trains and have reserved spaces. Oversized items such as surfboards, skis, or musical instruments have different regulations depending on the railway company — check in advance.
Which train routes in Europe are particularly scenic?
The Glacier Express route from Zermatt to St. Moritz in Switzerland is considered the slowest express train connection in the world and crosses 291 bridges and goes through 91 tunnels with breathtaking Alpine views. The Bergen Line in Norway from Oslo to Bergen crosses the Hardangervidda plateau and is one of the most beautiful railway lines in Europe. In Scotland, the West Highland Line connects Glasgow with Mallaig and crosses the famous Glenfinnan viaduct from the Harry Potter films. The Cinque Terre route along the Italian Riviera offers spectacular coastal views of the five colorful villages. In Germany, the Rhine Valley Railway between Koblenz and Mainz, with castles, vineyards, and the Lorelei rock, is a classic.
What booking platforms are available for train travel?
The DB Navigator app and bahn.de are the primary resources for domestic and many international connections from Germany. Trainline is the largest independent booking platform in Europe and compares prices from over 270 railway companies — ideal for cross-border routes. Omio (formerly GoEuro) compares trains, buses, and flights and often shows affordable combinations. For France, use sncf-connect.com directly, for Italy trenitalia.com or italotreno.it, and for Switzerland sbb.ch — there you will find saver fares that are not available on third-party platforms. The Rail Planner app from Interrail helps with route planning using the Interrail Pass and indicates which trains require reservations.
Is the train really faster than the plane?
On routes up to 600–800 kilometers, the train is often faster than the plane when considering travel time to the airport, check-in, security checks, and waiting times. From Munich to Vienna (4 hours by train) or from Cologne to Paris (3:14 hours by Thalys), you have a clear advantage by train. Additionally, trains run from city center to city center, while airports are often located on the outskirts and require an additional 30–60 minutes of travel time. The CO2 emissions of a train journey are only about 10% of those of a comparable flight — a strong argument for environmentally conscious travelers. However, for routes over 1,000 kilometers, the plane is usually significantly faster and often cheaper.
How can I travel with children comfortably by train?
In ICE trains, there are compartments for small children and family reservations in the family area that you can select when booking — there, playing children won't disturb anyone. Children up to 14 years travel for free with Deutsche Bahn when accompanied by a parent or grandparent — just enter them on the ticket. Pack plenty of activities: coloring books, audiobooks, card games, and snacks can help pass the time. DB offers onboard services with children's toys and coloring sets on many routes, and family cars often have a small play area. For long journeys, reserve a table seat so that children can comfortably color and play.
How do cross-border train tickets work in Europe?
For most cross-border connections, you can buy a through ticket — for example, on bahn.de from Berlin to Amsterdam or from Munich to Rome. The DB's Europe saver fares start at 18.90 euros for international connections and are often cheaper than separate tickets for each leg of the journey. For the Eurostar (London–Paris/Brussels/Amsterdam), it is best to book directly through eurostar.com, as prices are cheapest there. When traveling through multiple countries, the Interrail Pass can be the simplest and most flexible solution, especially if you want to make spontaneous changes. Be aware of different delay regulations: In the EU, you are entitled to a 25% refund for delays of 60 minutes or more, and 50% for delays of 120 minutes or more.
