Dear Babcia and YiaYIa-
I get a lot of advice to just take the train from Europeans. I don’t want to be on a train for hours and hours wasting my time. Is the train worth it? I’ve looked at airline tickets but now I’m just not sure which one to choose.
Oh dear listener! Take the train! Europe’s train system is one of the easiest in the world to use and 9 times out of 10 will be cheaper and faster than any airline travel you can book.
While airports are obviously located outside of all the historic city centers that you wish to visit, the great European train stations are usually smack in the middle of the tourist districts. Amsterdam Central and Gare du Nord in Paris are two perfect examples.
Train stations don’t have the massive security lines that airports are saddled with. Usually, a ticket is all you need to go from curb to platform meaning that you just need to arrive 15-20 minutes before your train rather than 2-3 hours at an airport.
When you start doing the math, often a longer train ride is more time efficient than a shorter trip in the air. For example, to fly from London to Paris can take 45 minutes in the air but add in getting to the airport, through security, waiting for potential delays and then getting back in the city once you land can take up to five hours while the chunnel train has you leaving London and perusing in Paris in about three hours.
Trains can connect two key destinations on your itinerary together with an overnight trip. Hopping on an overnight sleeper in Amsterdam for less than $200.00 then pull into Zurich. Spend a morning in Zurich and after lunch, you can continue on to points in all directions including Venice, Milan, Vienna, Munich and more.
Trains often offer better views than one would imagine. Yes, you’ll definitely see a slice of real life as trains leave the pristine city centers and make their way out toward the countryside. And that countryside! With patchwork quilt fields making up local farms, hills, mountains, rivers and lakes. There’s plenty to see as trains make their way from one big city through plenty of sleepy villages to another famous icon.
Our fave trains:
- Thalys Paris to Amsterdam
- TrenItalia: Paris to Milan
- Any train in Switzerland
Our last tips…
- Sometimes luggage storage is limited. This is especially true in the high season when train travel is a bit busier. Be prepared to wedge your bag in where you can or heft it up overhead.
- Pack your own food. Much like airlines, train food is not top notch in general. However, most train stations have some great stores and food counters to solve any meal problem there is. A highlight? Try out the local Paul shop for great to-go eats.
- You may sit with strangers. This is more of an American problem. We tend to like our elbow room and our sense of space. Europeans are not so worried. The best way to know what to expect is by pre-booking directly with the train line you want to use.
- Bathrooms aren’t always 5 stars. High usage and low quality, many bathrooms on board can get messier over time. It’s best to use toward the beginning of your voyage. A bright spot? Switzerland never disappoints!
- Luggage locks are helpful. With every trip we’ve taken on a train, we find that I am most uncomfortable with the way we have to leave our bags at the luggage rack on the end of the car. Our solution, cable locks to ensure our bags aren’t leaving without us.
- Express is best. If you are new to the train game, consider sticking to the long haul express routes that have a minimum of stops and a maximum of scenery.
