Budget-Friendly Tips for Planning Your European Rail Trip

Got Europe on your mind? Excited to explore its charming cities and stunning landscapes without emptying your wallet? Strap in, because here’s the scoop on planning an awesome rail trip through Europe—all while sticking to your budget.

Europe is a train enthusiast’s dream, with a massive network of routes that offer breathtaking views at every turn. It’s not only more eco-friendly than flying, but it can also be kind to your wallet. So, how do you plan a budget-friendly rail adventure?

Whether you’re looking for a quick one-week getaway or dreaming of an epic InterRailing journey, I’ve got you covered. Here are some top tips for navigating European train travel—from choosing the best routes to scoring cheap tickets and deciding if rail passes are worth it.

1. Plan your route wisely:

European train travel is simple, especially when you stick to exploring one region at a time. If you’re in Munich you could be in Zurich, Prague, Vienna or Verona within five hours. To save time and money—think Eastern Europe or the Iberian Peninsula.

Another thing with a trip to Europe is that you wouldn’t be able to cover it even if you had all your life to do so. So, don’t go with a mindset to cover everything that you can within your limited time and most importantly, budget. You’ll just end up spending most of your trip on the train.

If you go slower, you’ll be able to enjoy each destination more, as is the rule, plus it keeps your wallet happy since you won’t be shelling out for a train ticket every single day. Plus, many places offer sweet discounts for longer stays.

2. Go Offbeat:

When planning a European rail trip, people often flock to big cities like Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Rome, and Berlin. But Europe’s regional train network lets you explore countless hidden gems beyond those busy, pricey spots.

You could unwind in ski resorts like St. Anton or Zermatt, visit the stunning cliffside town of Levano, Cinque Terre, ride the Flamsbana to the Norwegian fjords, or step out not far from charming villages in the Scottish Highlands.

By basing yourself in a smaller, cheaper location, you can take day trips to pricier destinations. For example, in the South of France, you could stay in Nice and easily visit glamorous spots like St. Tropez and Monte Carlo.

3. Take the scenic rail route:

The most scenic route in all of Europe stretches between Chur, Switzerland and Tirano, Italy. The Bernina Express, also a cheap option, takes this route, giving you a close-up view of the Swiss Alps. Taking the scenic routes might take a bit longer, but the views of the mountains and the charming, traditional villages makes the extra time worth it.

Europe has plenty of scenic train lines to choose from – like Norway’s Flamsbana, Scotland’s West Highland Line, or Portugal’s Douro Line.

4. Choose cheap:

• Sleeper trains: Just imagine going to sleep in London and waking up in Scotland (Scotland’s Caledonian Sleeper). That’s how Sleeper trains work; you can save on travel time, and money on a night’s accommodation. There are lots of night trains across Europe – the Seat 61 website is a good place to find out about the sleeper options on different routes. 
• Rail Passes: To make the travel even easier, get rail passes. And although passes might not save you dollars every time, they mean you don’t have to spend time and patience at the train station and you can choose your train route as you go, instead of having to book in advance. You might even get a discount while buying the pass.

• You can save by booking local services; some countries or regions give reduced cost rail travel. Like the BahnCard in Germany which offers discounts for frequent travelers, reducing ticket prices significantly. Or the Swiss Travel Pass, which allows unlimited travel on trains, buses, and boats for a set period.

5. Book in advance:

No matter what you end up buying, a ticket or a pass, it’s highly advisable to do it in advance. The rule is first come, first serve, with the prices getting more expensive the nearer you are to when you want to travel. In addition to your seat on the train being guaranteed, you can also save on time and the long lines at the train station. Most rail companies release their tickets six months to 2 months in advance, and snagging those early bird deals can save you a lot.

6. Use Budget Apps and Websites

There are loads of budget travel apps and websites that can help you score the best deals on train tickets. They’re user-friendly and can save you a ton of time and cash. But you should also know which is the best one to choose. Third-party companies like Omio or Trainline let you book across multiple countries and you can use international credit cards, but they charge a booking fee along with the ticket cost. Instead you could book with a national train operator, since each country has one. And although the process can get complex, they’ll help you find the cheapest tickets and special deals and don’t normally charge a booking fee.