Trains in Europe

Travelling by train in Europe

It’s easy to travel on trains in Europe. The continent’s well-connected rail network means you can travel on high-speed trains as well as regional and sleeper trains.

Whether you’ve got your sights set on Europe’s iconic landmarks, lazy days on the beach or hiking in the mountains, hopping on a train in Europe is a convenient way to explore everything that this fascinating continent has to offer. 

With so many languages, countries and train companies to navigate, we’re here to help make booking your train tickets in Europe as simple as possible, so let’s get started – simply enter your origin and destination in our Journey Planner above or read on to find out more about travelling by train in Europe.

Paris this summer? Book your train today!

It’s all kicking off in Paris this summer! And from London, it’s just a hop, skip and jump away. Ok, not literally, but a 2-hour train ride is pretty close, right?

So we wanted to give you a heads up that Eurostar tickets will go fast. Not quite 200-metre-sprint-world-record fast, but still, fast.

Basically, if you’re going to Paris, you should book ASAP.

Advance European train tickets

In France, Italy and Spain

You can buy your train tickets in advance if you’re travelling on an Intercity or high-speed train in France, Italy and Spain, as well as an international train to or from France. Ticket prices are dynamic like air fares – they’re cheaper when you book in advance than when you buy on the day. The most expensive fares usually allow refunds and changes to travel plans, while the cheapest fares don’t. Also, every ticket includes a reserved seat, so you need to book in advance before all seats are filled up.

In the UK, Germany and Austria

If you’re travelling on an Intercity train in the UK, Germany and Austria, you can choose to buy your train tickets in advance or on the day. You can buy your tickets in advance if you want to save money and are happy to commit to a specific train with limited or no refunds nor changes to travel plans. These advance tickets go by various names in the different countries: Advance train tickets in the UK, Sparpreis in Germany, and Sparschiene in Austria.

In the UK, fares are based on how busy trains are likely to be, with tickets during less popular travel times being cheaper than those for peak travel times. For more information, check our Off-Peak times page.

If you want to travel at any time of day on any train, you can buy a flexible full-price ticket on the day. Flexible full-price tickets are usually more expensive but they allow you to make changes to your booking, as well as request a refund where applicable.  

Whether you buy your ticket in advance or on the day, you won’t get a reserved seat included in the price – you can get on the train and sit anywhere you like, or you can pay an extra fee to reserve your seat.

European train tickets on the day

You can buy tickets on the day for most European local, regional and suburban trains. The ticket price is fixed so there’s no price advantage when you book them in advance. For example, a one-way ticket to travel on the Leonardo Express – the regional train which connects Roma Termini to Rome Fiumicino Airport – always costs €14, so you don’t need to book it in advance, unless you want peace of mind.

On most local, regional and suburban trains in Europe, seat reservation is not necessary and, in most cases, not even available. You just buy a fixed-price ticket and sit anywhere you like.

Mobile Tickets and etickets

It’s easier than ever these days to go paperless with digital tickets. Many train companies across Europe offer the option of using Mobile Tickets or etickets on your journey.

If you book using our app, you’ll receive a Mobile Ticket with a QR code – no more worrying about lost paper tickets. If you buy your ticket from our website, you’ll receive an email with your eticket attached as a PDF, which you can either open from your email or in our app. Find out more about Digital tickets.

Cheapest price

By default, we’ll highlight the cheapest fare option available on that service. In this case, it's the PREM’s fare – one of the cheapest fares offered by SNCF. However, you can opt for a fully flexible fare for an additional cost.

Train number

Underneath the selected journey is the train number for that service. This will be displayed on your ticket. 'TGV INOUI 6607’ means that you'll be taking a high-speed TGV train.

Departure and arrival times and stations

Finally, we will show you the time this train is meant to depart and arrive and the departure and arrival stations. Some cities have more than one station – Paris Gare de Lyon is different from Paris Gare du Nord – so this is important! For an intercity service such as this one, you must catch the specific train you've booked. Don’t just jump on the first one that arrives on the platform!

Book in advance

Train tickets in Europe are usually at their cheapest price when they first go on sale. Advance tickets generally go on sale around three to six months before the date of travel. Advance tickets are usually released in tiers. The cheapest tier of tickets is released first; once these have sold out, the next tier is released, and so on.

Learn more about cheap European train tickets.

Travel Off-Peak

Most train tickets across Europe tend to be more expensive during rush hour (generally between 06:00 and 10:00, and 15:00 and 19:00 on weekdays). If you can, be sure to look for tickets outside of these times to see if you can snap up a lower price.

Benefit from the best train deals in Europe

There’s a wide range of train deals and discounts in Europe that can help you save money on your journey. Deals can vary based on the country and train company, but if you’re travelling with children, in a group or fall into a certain age category, you can benefit from discounted ticket prices.

Find the latest European train deals and discounts.

Look out for slower or connecting trains

Depending on the route you're travelling on, you can sometimes take a slower train or change trains during your journey for a cheaper price. You may arrive at your destination a little later than high-speed or direct services, but for those with a little extra time on their hands it’s a great money-saver.

Interrail Pass

An Interrail Pass offers unlimited train travel across Europe. Choose between a Global Pass for cross-border travel and a One Country Pass for unlimited travel in a nominated country. Interrail Passes can only be used by European citizens and permanent residents of Europe.

Discover the Interrail Pass.

Eurail Pass

Just like an Interrail Pass, a Eurail Pass allows unlimited train travel across Europe, the only difference being that it’s only available for non-European citizens or residents.

Learn more about the Eurail Pass.

BritRail Pass

A BritRail Pass allows unlimited train travel across the UK and is suitable for non-UK citizens who haven't lived in the UK for the last 6 months or more. Choose between a Consecutive Pass for travelling around Britain for a set number of days in a row and a Flexi Pass for travelling around Britain for a set number of days over a period of 1 calendar month.

Find out more about the BritRail Pass.

Swiss Rail Passes

With a Swiss Rail Pass, you'll get to enjoy unlimited travel on Swiss trains, buses, boats, cable cars and public transport in more than 90 cities.

Discover the different types of Swiss Rail Passes available.

Taking the train in Europe is often quicker (and greener) than catching a flight from one destination to another. Major cities across the continent can be reached by high-speed services in no time. For example, you can get from London to Paris in just 2h 16m on the fastest Eurostar services – you’ll travel from one city centre to another so you won’t even have to worry about airport transfers or parking, making train travel a breeze.

Ready to start planning your trip around Europe by train? Check out our interactive European train map.

International trains

Often a quicker and more convenient alternative to flying, international or cross-border trains make it easy to travel around Europe. Travel from the UK to France, from France to Germany and Spain, and from Germany to Italy, Austria and Switzerland in no time at all.

High-speed trains

High-speed trains are usually the quickest way to get around Europe by train, with most countries offering a high-speed train service. Travelling at speeds of up to 248 mph (400 km/h), you’ll reach your destination before you even know it! Here’s an overview of the main high-speed trains in Europe:

Night trains

Ideal for those who want to spend their days exploring rather than travelling, night trains in Europe will take you to your destination well-rested and ready for the day. European sleeper trains often connect major cities in Europe and are a practical solution for those who want to save on accommodation costs.

Regional trains

Regional trains are an excellent way to discover Europe. These trains may not always have the luxury or speed of high-speed trains, but they're still a very comfortable way to get around. With the exception of the UK, most European countries have one or two main train companies that run regional, short-distance and commuter trains.

Scenic trains

There’s so much to see out of your window when travelling Europe by train – but some views are extra special. Scenic trains in Europe can get you up close and personal with rugged coastlines, breath-taking mountains, and beautiful viaducts. Why not check out some of our favourite scenic train rides for some inspiration?

Travel in First Class and enjoy plenty of amenities on board European trains, from comfy seats with extra space to tasty complimentary nibbles and drinks. For example, if you want to travel around Italy in First Class, why not choose Frecciarossa Executive – you’ll get to enjoy extra-wide leather reclining armchairs, plenty of legroom and space between seats, free WiFi, dedicated at-seat catering service and free access to the First Class lounges FrecciaClub and FrecciaLounge at main train stations.

Sometimes First Class tickets can be even cheaper than Second Class fares so you’ll get to save money without having to give up comfort. Need more information about First Class trains in Europe? Tap one of our guides below or, if you’ve already made up your mind, simply use our Journey Planner and we’ll automatically show you if there are any cheap First Class tickets available.

First and Second Class on European trains

TGV First Class

Trenitalia First Class

EuroCity First Class

Bernina Express First Class

Glacier Express First Class

Renfe AVE First Class

TGV Lyria First Class

SNCF First Class

Renfe-SNCF First Class

ÖBB First Class

Eurostar Business Premier (First Class)

DB Bahn First Class

Frecciarossa Executive (First Class)

Italo Club Executive (First Class)

First Class train tickets in the UK

In the UK

You can take your bike on all British trains free of charge, although the types of bikes allowed can vary. Fully folding bicycles are allowed on all trains without reservations or restrictions. Reservations are sometimes required for full-size bicycles on certain services, and there are also restrictions on Peak-time travel. Find out more about bikes on trains in the UK.

In mainland Europe

In Europe, you can travel with your bike on most trains free of charge, provided it’s semi-dismantled and kept in a special bag or case. On some trains, you’ll need to place your bike in a special bike compartment for which you’ll need to pay for a small fee.

Student/budget travellers

• Youth Discount with Interrail: Get 25% off the price of an adult Global Pass if you’re under 27 years old. Available for First and Second Class passes
• 16-25 Railcard: Save up to 1/3 off the price of eligible train tickets in the UK. Great for Teenagers, students, graduates, and young professionals
• Super Sparpreis: Book in advance and get cheap train tickets for long-distance Deutsche Bahn services within Germany from €17.50 (fare excludes booking fee).

Family travellers

• Trenitalia Bimbi Gratis: Get free train travel for children under 15, if they travel with a group of 2 to 5 adults with a valid Base ticket in First and Second class on most Trenitalia services
• Renfe - Niño: Get 40% off train tickets for children aged 4-13. Get free travel for children under 4 if they’re travelling on an adult’s lap
• Kids for a Quid: Some UK train operators allow up to 4 children aged 5-15 to travel for just £1 on a single or return journey when accompanied by an adult during Off-Peak times.

Senior travellers

• Senior Discount with Interrail: Get 10% off the price of an adult Global Pass if you’re over 60 years old. Available for First and Second Class passes
• Senior Discount with BritRail: Get 15% off the price of an adult BritRail Pass if you’re over 60 years old
• Senior Railcard: Save up to 1/3 off the price of eligible train tickets in the UK if you’re aged 60+.