Flying is, well, pretty fly.
Trading a few hours in the sky to land in an amazing European city is a feeling like no other.
Well, almost no other…
Call us biased, but we think the best way to travel Europe is by train. Yes, jet setting is grand, but there’s a certain wonder in rail travel that makes it all the more enticing.
Zooming past villages in the countryside. Seeing ancient ruins and iconic landmarks from a wide window. Stepping out of Edinburgh Waverley into the heart of the Scottish capital is pure magic.
Walking from an airport terminal to a taxi stand? Meh-gical, at best.
We’ve got way more reasons why rail is the best way to travel in Europe and we have a feeling you’ll agree.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Karl Hendon. Image Location: Canary Wharf, London, England
Is it better to travel Europe by train or plane?
Europe has an awesome network of airports — but its railway system serves exponentially more cities, towns, and middle-of-nowheres. Trains offer more time and destination options for traveling through Europe.
💯 To be fair: No one assumes you’ll have the time to take the train from London to Athens on 5 days of PTO. Flights are necessary for certain types of travel, but many popular Euro trips are doable by train. Budapest-Vienna-Prague? London-Paris-Amsterdam? All comfortable, convenient, and often cost-friendly via train.
Why is rail travel better?
We believe that rail travel’s benefits are more valuable than the advantages of a flight: rail riding can be a more sustainable way of traveling, and also more physically comfortable, logistically practical, and economically beneficial than taking a plane.
💯 To be fair: Rail travel can seem intimidating for first-timers in Europe. From train strikes to reading train boards in different languages, we understand why new travelers may want to embrace the familiarity of an airport. But — and trust us on this — once you navigate the train a few times, you’ll wonder why you never tried it sooner.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Jordan Siemens. Image Location: Italy
What is the fastest way to travel in Europe?
The fastest way to travel in Europe is often the train. When you compare plane versus train, you always need to add in the time beyond the journey. For instance, the train from Paris Gare du Nord to Amsterdam Centraal can take 3.5 hours. The flight time can take 1.5 hours.
Is the plane two hours shorter? No. The train from Paris to CDG takes at least 30 minutes. You should arrive at CDG at least 2 to 3 hours before your flight. The train from Amsterdam Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal takes at least 15 minutes.
Your new *total* flight time: at least 4h 15m or almost an hour longer than taking the train.
💯 To be fair: Even high speed trains are capped at certain speeds, so it’s inevitable that some flights can get you from City A to City B faster. Just remember, though: a flight can get delayed or canceled and totally disrupt your plans. Trains can get delayed or canceled, too — but most instances only disrupt your plans by literal minutes.
What is the cheapest way to travel in Europe?
Taking the train in Europe is often a cheaper option than flying, especially when it comes to ancillary costs. Trains have larger complimentary luggage allowances, the mode of transport used to get to the train station generally costs less than getting to the airport, and the miscellaneous costs of traveling like purchasing food, water, and necessities can generally cost less when choosing rail travel.
💯 To be fair: Some routes are pricey, especially when you wait until the last minute to purchase train tickets. We always recommend buying your train tickets as you’re planning your trip to Europe to get the cheapest price.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Alex Walker. Image Location: Suffolk, United Kingdom
When traveling long distances, why choose train over plane?
First of all, sleeper trains are a dream for American tourists. Sleeping comfortably while traveling across Europe means spending money on a single train ticket instead of a flight and a hotel. Traveling in the daytime is a delight, too. You also have plenty of space to stretch your legs, both in your seat and while walking around.
💯 To be fair: Some routes are long. Like, “why am I spending so much of my vacation on the train”, long. Other routes have multiple connections, which make an overnight train less than dreamy. This is where planning comes in. Research all of your options to see how you can pull off a long distance train journey in as little time and with as little stops as possible.
Which European country has the best trains?
Switzerland’s trains are spectacular. From the speed to the stations to the scenery, SBB is our BFF. Germany and Austria’s train networks are extensive and prompt. Spain, France, and Italy’s high-speed rail lines connect Europe’s most romantic cities.
💯 To be fair: Even the “best” rail networks can be disappointing with late trains, train strikes, and more. But, one thing is for sure: we’d rather be underwhelmed on a train than be overly anxious on a plane that didn’t bring its A-game.
Image Credit: Getty Images, ewg3D. Image Location: Switzerland
What are the benefits of train travel in Europe?
We could go on and on about the benefits of train travel in Europe compared to flying: no turbulence, free Wifi, being able to relax without the person in front of you smashing their seat into your face…
…but we’ll just drop our top ten and be on our way.
- Train stations are usually in the center of a city, while airports are outside of the city — which means more time in your destination of choice.
- You can bring your own food and drink on a plane. Even booze. That’s a better deal than spending $20 on airport bottled water and trail mix.
- The majority of trains don’t require check-ins, security pat-downs, or bare-minimum baggage limitations.
- The food they serve on a train is infinitely better than a plane (some rail carriers have legit Michelin-starred chefs crafting menus).
- Clouds are cool, but the views from the train are cooler. Case in point: the Alps.
- You can plan a spontaneous trip from one European country to another and get on a train within minutes of your decision.
- Planning a train trip means adding stops to your journey so you can see as many awesome places in Europe as possible.
- Not only do you get more legroom on a train, but you can change seats as well.
- Pro tip for parents: train travel with children is actually tolerable; dare we say, enjoyable.
- Pets, bikes, snowboards? Yeah, it can all come with you, usually without an extra fee.
Ready to discover why the rail is the best way to travel in Europe? Search thousands of routes on the Trainline app. Compare dates, times, and prices, then purchase and store e-tickets directly on your phone.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Max Bailen. Image Location: Spain
