The Truth About Eurailing

If you think that the only way you can travel from one place to another while you’re backpacking through Europe is either by foot or by car (thanks to helpful drivers who give you a ride) then you’re mistaken. Backpackers are allowed to take other means of transportation such as boats and ferries, buses and, the most common and efficient mode of all, by train.

The train system in Europe, though quite complex, is widely used not just by the locals but by foreigners as well. Because most countries in Europe are land locked, the European train network, also called the Eurail, can cover several different countries thus making travelling much more convenient.

To be able to take the train all throughout Europe, you have to purchase a special ticket. There are different kinds of tickets available and, since these passes are not cheap, you have to buy the right one based on your itinerary; else you would have wasted your money.

The first kind of ticket is the Eurail pass and this covers 17 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Ireland, Spain, Switzerland and Sweden). These tickets are quite expensive and can be purchased for consecutive of scattered days of travel. The cheaper alternative is the Europass. Unlike the Eurail pass, this ticket only covers five countries (Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Switzerland). You can, however, add up to two other countries from a specified list (Austria/Hungary, Belgium, Netherlands Luxembourg, Greece, and Portugal), but you will have to pay extra. Eurorail passes must be used within six months of the date of your purchase and make sure you get your Eurorail time table booklet when you buy your ticket.

Now that you know what ticket to purchase, here are some tips to make the most out of you Eurail travel:

Fill in all the Blanks
Mark your travel dates on the space provided on your ticket before boarding the train. Some conductors, during inspection, may ask for these details and if these are incomplete, they could give you a fine and may even confiscate your ticket. Don’t take the chance; fill up the information needed on the ticket. It doesn’t take much time anyway.

Travel at Night
If you’re next stop is 8 hours away, take a train that leaves past 7:00 pm and you can sleep en route to your next destination. This practice saves you some money and you will have more time to go around the cities. If you’re taking a night trip, remember to mark the following day on your Eurail pass.

If you’re not keen on sleeping while seated, you can buy ride in a couchette. A couchette, however, will not give you much room as these are usually very small and quite cramped. You may have to remain lying down the entire duration of your trip.

Make Reservations
Although your ticket guarantees that you can board a train, it doesn’t mean that you will have a good seat or a seat at all. If you want to make sure that your trip is comfortable, reserve a seat beforehand. Having a reservation is not a necessity, but for some countries, such as Spain and Italy, a reservation is compulsory. You may be required to pay a reservation fee but this amount is quite minimal. While you’re reserving your seat, you may take the opportunity to specify if you want to stay in the smoking or non-smoking section.

If you don’t have a reservation, try to get to the platform 45 minutes before the train leaves so you would have your choice pick. Take note of the little pieces of paper stuck on the windows of compartments though. These papers signify that the compartments have been reserved.

Reservations should be done at least 2 days ahead for long trips, and a day in advance for shorter journeys.

Update Yourself Regularly
Always check the timetables and schedules at every train stop. Loading platforms may have changed, schedules may have differed, other stops may have been included and seat reservation may be required. These are some of the information that you may glean from these boards.

Plan
If you’re the spontaneous type who prefers an unstructured schedule, then buying a Eurail pass may not be for you. You might as well buy passes that are good for two to three days and just go with the flow. But if you’re a stickler for details, then do get a Eurail pass. But make sure that the train you’re on doesn’t pass countries that are not indicated in your ticket. If this happens, you may have to pay extra.

Now that you know the secrets of travelling via Eurail, you’re all set to go on your trip. If you do get lost in the train station, or need help for anything, do not hesitate to approach the staff at the information desks or the ticket offices. They would be glad to help and make your stay in their country truly memorable.