My family and I traveled by train through Europe, it was an adventure for sure! We learned a lot of tips and made our fair share of mistakes along the way. Here is what I learned to help you avoid the same mistakes!
1. Not Understanding the Eurail Pass App
Once you board the train the conductor will come around and check your Eurail Passes to validate them. We were some trains that the conductor didn’t validate the passes at all. The conductor will also ask you who all is in your party. Try to nab seats close together or better yet, reserve your seats. Click show ticket and have your trip planned and saved in the App.
Tip: We purchased the Eurail Global Pass, Flexi Pass is 10 days within 2 months. Choose only the days you will need train travel on the trip planner, find the trains you are taking and save to your trip. (do this for each person traveling)
2. Overpacking
European trains can have limited luggage space, especially during peak travel times. Lugging around heavy bags, throwing them up onto the luggage racks, getting around the train terminal is no fun! And the luggage may not fit in the overhead compartments or luggage areas. We learned this the hard way. There are overhead compartments, but they are usually small. There are luggage racks on the front or rear of train, but they can be far away from your seat and anyone could walk off with your luggage before you can stop them. There are small openings between seats on some trains, but they will only fit smaller luggage.
Tip: Pack light and use luggage with wheels. Consider bringing a foldable bag for any souvenirs you might collect along the way. Also, be aware of your final stop, grab your luggage and be at the exit, especially if you have a short connection time.
3. Not Reserving a Seat
This is a big one! Especially when traveling with family, reserving your seat is the best way to go. We didn’t do this at first, but the stress of not knowing if we would have a seat for the whole journey was getting to us! We started booking our seats when we could so we could sit together and not worry if we’d need to move at the next stop. This does add to the cost, but it was really worth it. Yes, you can sit anywhere you like if you do not have seat reservations. If the seat is reserved, there may be a small reserved sign on the seats that have been reserved.
Here is an example. When you first board a train, you can choose any open seat. The seat may have a small digital sign saying reserved, though some don’t have signs. You are probably tired. You may have several stops before your final destination and you just want to relax or take a nap. But at the next stop, you may have to move seats if it someone comes to claim it. We found this to be too stressful for our family.
Tip: Your train may require a seat reservation. Booking a seat will also help you avoid standing.
4. Missing Your Stop Due to Language Barriers
One thing we quickly learned on our train travels was that not all destinations are announced in English. For instance, if you're in France, the train might only announce stops in French. This can be a bit tricky if you're not familiar with the language! So, here’s a little tip: keep an eye out for station signs as you pass by or check the onboard display to make sure you don't miss your stop. It’s a simple trick, but it saved us from a few potential detours!
Tip: I recommend direct trains whenever possible!
5. Assuming All Trains Are the Same
Each country in Europe has its own train system with unique rules, schedules, and quirks. Assuming all trains operate the same way can lead to confusion and missed connections. Some trains are very basic and do not let you reserve seating. These basic trains can also be very hot with no air circulation.
Tip: Research the train systems of the countries you’re visiting. Apps like Rail Planner and websites like Trainline can help you navigate schedules and ticketing.
6. Having Short Connection Times
Yes, you can do a 7-minute connection time, but I recommend 15-25 minutes. Any shorter than 7 is a no go for me! First, it can be difficult to find your next train, it could be on another level on the opposite side of the train station. We had an older gentleman notice we were concerned about making our next train. He said, “Follow me!” and took off running to help us make our connection.
Tip: If you are unsure of when to get off or where your next train may be in the terminal, ask any passenger on the train for help. We met some very kind people this way! I would just say, “Excuse me, do you speak English? Where is this terminal?” and show them our ticket. Once we arrived at the train station, we would find the closest person associated with the train service and asked for directions. Most, if not all, train station workers speak English.
7. Planning to Eat on the Trains
Make sure you plan your train travel around meals. We mistakenly had train travel during mealtimes. Sometimes it was too difficult to eat before or after our trip and the kids would get hangry. Train food is EXPENSIVE and not very good.
Tip: If you are going to eat on the train, order your food right after you get on the train. It can take a long time to get your food. My husband ordered food about 20 minutes before our next stop and we didn’t get the food until right when we pulled into the station. We then had to run to our next train, dropped the food in the terminal and almost missed our connection.
Conclusion
More Pro Tips: Trains in the Netherlands are notoriously late. The train in Belgium was uncomfortable and cheap, but you do not need reservations. Our Eurail Pass was never checked in Switzerland and the scenery was amazing. Download each train companies’ app for platforms and delays.
We had an amazing time travelling Europe by train. Do not let it scare you off! If we could do it with a family with children, so can you!!!
About Me
Hi! I am Amber Johnson, a travel advisor based in Ottawa, Kansas, specializing in European getaways, family vacations, domestic travel, and all-inclusive packages. What began as planning trips for my own family and friends has grown into a career I love, helping clients design stress-free, memorable adventures all over the world.
