Traveling long-distance on trains in Europe is not straight-forward.
Rail travel in Europe is thriving. In August, a direct train connecting Brussels and Amsterdam to Copenhagen and Malmo was announced. The project is still two years away, but it is part of the broader trend of direct, sleeper trains making travel easier for those who want to go places without accumulating air miles.
But traveling long distances by train in Europe is not straightforward. You need a bit of planning and research to avoid these common mistakes that tourists make, including Europeans.
Related: A 32-Year Monopoly Is Ending in Europe — and Travelers May Be the Big Winners
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Thinking It’s One System
The first reminder is that the European train system is complicated. Magali Meijers, from the Netherlands, admits that even for Europeans, it is complex. You do have direct trains between Amsterdam and Austria, and Belgium and Paris (Eurostar), and it’s growing more with demand.
However, there is not one rail network, like Amtrak or the Indian Railway (IRCTC), because it is not one country. There are hundreds of state, local, and private rail companies, including the Deutsche Bahn in Germany and Renfe in Spain. If you want to get from Prague to Berlin, you need to book with the Czech Republic’s network ČD, and if you are traveling from Lisbon to Rome, you may have to use four different train providers, Meijers explains.
There are, however, a few companies that help you book across destinations such as Omio and Trainline. And you can also make use of Interrail or RailEurope to plan a longer, multi-country trip with access to 40 networks in over 30 countries.
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Being Late or Just On Time
You don’t need to be two hours early like at an airport, but give yourself at least 15-20 minutes to find the platform and your compartment and seat. Trains might not leave early, but you might not be allowed to board. This is personal experience—I once missed a Eurostar from Paris to Amsterdam because I arrived just two minutes early. They did not let me board even as I saw the train waiting on the platform. Platforms can also change without notice, and you need time to make it to your connecting trains. Also remember that if you have luggage weighing you down, all of this requires a little more effort, so give yourself extra minutes to catch your breath.
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Trusting German Trains
You know how Germans are known for their punctuality? Their rail network, Deutsche Bahn, has the opposite reputation—it is always late. If your train leaves 20 minutes late, consider yourself lucky. People wait hours for DB, which is constantly delayed or canceled. The company has been facing a huge crisis for years, and it has become so bad that the clock-loving Swiss have cut some DB trains due to their chronic delays. If you travel in Europe, know that you cannot trust German trains to be on time. Try to book trains with fewer connections, make contingency plans, and expect delays—it’s part of the deal now.
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Not Reserving Seats
Traveling in the peak season? Reserve a seat in addition to your travel pass or ticket. There are plenty of seats on trains during off-peak hours and seasons, but in the summer, if you’re planning to do long-distance travel, you would be better off with a seat even if it costs extra. You do not want to be standing for hours on a packed train. Besides, some trains, such as Eurostar, high-speed trains, and sleeper trains, require a seat reservation, so you will be informed when you start the booking process.
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Not Buying Tickets in Advance
On long-distance or high-speed trains, you can save a pretty penny if you book in advance. Train companies use dynamic pricing, and you can find a good deal if you’re not buying last minute. The return fare from London to Paris on Eurostar is €171 in mid-September and €88 in mid-November. You can generally book two months to six months in advance, depending on the operator. Some countries also offer summer passes (Belgium) or discounts (Netherlands) on regional trains, but every operator may have its own deals so you will have to individually check when booking.
One additional tip: trains can be cheaper if you book through an aggregator or a different rail network on the cross-border route. If you’re taking a train from Germany to the Netherlands, for example, check tickets on both their rail websites.
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Not Buying a Ticket for Bikes
Traveling with your wheels? You may need to make a reservation or pay extra. First, check if you’re allowed to bring your bike, or if it’s cheaper to rent one locally. Next, confirm if you need to buy an extra ticket for the two-wheeler, what kinds are allowed, what hours, and in which compartment.
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Not Validating Tickets
Most long-distance trains don’t have a validating system, i.e., sticking a paper into a machine or clicking a button on the app. However, in some cases, you might need to do these additional steps, especially if you have a flexible ticket or pass without specific dates or train routes. Local trains might require this extra step, too. Tourists often get fined for not validating tickets as required. Thankfully, few countries have this system, but pay attention if you see people doing it.
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Ignoring Silent Zones
Train compartments have specific zones for silent commuters who might get annoyed if you listen to music too loudly on your headset or type too vigorously. Talking will definitely get you dirty looks. Spot the sign of “finger on lips” and you’ll know you’re not allowed to talk.
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Boarding the Wrong Compartment
Simran Ahuja, who has been living in Germany for two years, advises tourists to double-check that they are in the right compartment. Some trains detach and go in different directions. “When you get on the train, don’t just look at the destination but also check that the compartment you’re entering is for the destination.” It happened to her when she was traveling from Munich city center to the airport and had to take the commuter train. She accidentally boarded the wrong compartment, but realized in time that her compartment wouldn’t take her to the airport.