Cheap Train Travel – How to find the right rail pass for you.

Train Travel in Europe

Traveling by train is a great option in Europe because much of the continent is tightly bound together by rail. All you need is a Eurail Pass for the continent or Britrail Pass for Britain. Having a Eurail Pass does not entitle the user to travel in Britain or vice versa.

Before you consider purchasing any rail passes, carefully review your travel itinerary and travel route. Determine which, if any, of your destinations are not accessible by rail and adjust your transportation plans accordingly.

Match the length of your stay as closely as possible to the different ticket options available to you.

Sometimes the length of your vacation does not fit with the different rail pass options. At first this may seem awkward but a number of possible solutions are available:

• Spend two or more days in one location (Rome, London or Paris etc.) where using the train is not required.

• Combine the rail pass with point-to-point tickets, using the former for the longest trips (usually the most expensive) and the latter for shortest trips.

• Combine the train and other modes of transportation (bus, rental car, plane).

• Consider point-to-point tickets only (sometimes this can be the cheapest option).

• Change your travel itinerary, travel route or even the length of your vacation to fit a rail pass option.

• Buy two rail passes for yourself if you absolutely must.


You can determine your best rail pass option with a straightforward calculation.


Purchase your rail passes online through the following websites or through your travel agent.

Review the Terms of Use for your pass; remember that having a rail pass does not guarantee a train ride. Some train service may require reservations (especially for overnight travel) and possibly paying an additional fee on top of your pass.



Train Travel in Other Parts of the World

Travel by train in other parts of the world is also an option. Go to the International Rail website above and determine if train tickets are a viable option for you.

Using the Subway

The subway, often called “the metro” in various parts of the world, is urban train travel. Subway travel is cheap, efficient transportation that should be utilized whenever possible.

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