Planning an Epic Train Journey Through Europe
Budapest Train Station - Budapest, Hungary
Traveling by train through Europe is one of the most romantic and efficient ways to explore the continent. Whether you’re gliding past snow-capped mountains, zipping through ancient cities, or meandering along picturesque coastlines, train travel offers a uniquely immersive experience. If you’re considering a European train adventure, thoughtful planning is essential to make the most of your journey.
Last winter, we embarked on a 20-day train trip through the eastern block —a region renowned for its dramatic landscapes, historic towns, and vibrant cultures. Our experience taught us valuable lessons about how to plan an intriguing and unforgettable train journey. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you craft your own European rail adventure.
Step 1: Set the Parameters of Your Trip
Before diving into itineraries and train schedules, it’s important to define the scope of your trip. Start with two key questions:
Where do you want to go?
We focused on Eastern Europe, a diverse and less-explored corner of Europe. Picking a specific region helped us to narrow down our options and ensured our trip had a natural flow.
Other popular train travel regions include Western Europe (France, Germany, and Switzerland), Central Europe (Poland, Czechia, and Hungary), or the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal).
How much time do you have to travel?
For our Eastern European trip, we set aside 20 days. This gave us enough time to explore multiple countries without feeling rushed, while also allowing for some unplanned discoveries along the way.
Step 2: Identify Your Must-See Destinations
Once you’ve chosen your region, it’s time to list your “must-dos.” What’s on your bucket list? Why have you chosen this specific area? Research the standout experiences, landmarks, and cities you absolutely don’t want to miss and try to find out what else might be nearby. You don’t want to miss something that you might regret later, and you also want to ensure that you have plenty of time during your stay to see what’s important.
In Eastern Europe, our parameter’s where pretty wide, but included:
New Years Eve in Prague
Christmas Market Experiences
Exploring smaller towns, not just focusing on the major cities
We also needed easy flights from and to Dublin for our connecting flights to Australia.
Mapping out these highlights helped us anchor our itinerary, ensuring we could allocate time to truly enjoy each destination.
Train Station - Cesky Krumlov, Czechia
Step 3: Research European Train Services
Europe has one of the most extensive rail networks in the world, but services vary greatly by region. For example, Western Europe is famous for its high-speed trains, while Eastern Europe relies more on regional and cross-border services.
Some key tools and platforms for researching train routes and schedules include:
Eurail: Offers passes that provide unlimited train travel across multiple countries.
Rail Europe: Great for checking schedules, routes, and prices.
Local railway websites: Many countries have national rail services that provide accurate and up-to-date information. For example, Austria’s ÖBB, Germany’s Deutsche Bahn, and Italy’s Trenitalia are excellent resources.
Planning Tip:
If you’re planning more than six months in advance, you may not find exact schedules yet. Use a closer date (e.g., next month) as a proxy to gauge travel times and connections BUT make sure that if you’re travelling on a set day, Monday, Sunday, etc. be sure to check schedules on those days
Step 4: Build Your Itinerary
Once you have a sense of your destinations and available train routes, start sketching out a day-by-day plan. Here are the factors we considered for our Eastern European trip:
Travel Times:
We compared fast trains versus regional ones and noted whether overnight trains were available. For instance, the Budapest to Sibiu train in Romania offered an overnight option, which would have saved us time and the cost of accommodation.
Border Crossings:
While traveling within the European Union (EU) usually means hassle-free crossings, travelling Eastern Europe required us to factor in passport checks. We chose daytime trains for some borders to avoid unnecessary delays at night.
Private Transfers and Buses:
Not all destinations are easily accessible by train with out backtracking. For example, we opted for a private transfer to reach Vienna, Austria from Cesky Krumlov, as it was faster and more convenient for our needs. depending on the service, travelling season (i.e. winter) or time of day, you might even find you are the only travellers on that service.. We lucked out on the 4:30am transfer mentioned above.. it was just the two of us and our driver.
How Long to Spend in Each Place:
We aimed to spend at least two to three days in major cities like Bratislava or Brasov, while in smaller destinations like Cesky and Egar, Hungary, we only stayed overnight. This was possible due to shorter train journeys and earlier arrival times.
Step 5: Optimise for Comfort and Convenience
Consider First-Class Tickets
While first-class tickets may cost slightly more, they often come with significant perks, such as:
Reserved seats.
Extra legroom.
Access to power outlets and USB charging ports—essential for long journeys.
Quieter and less crowded compartments.
During our trip, upgrading to first-class, our journeys (long-haul and short) were much more comfortable and ensured and in some cases enabled me to do work while on the road. Though on our last train journey from Brasov to Bucharest, our first class carriage heating failed.. but I’ll leave that story for another day!
Pack Strategically
Train travel allows more luggage flexibility than flying, but you’ll still need to navigate platforms and store your bags in overhead racks or designated spaces. Here’s what we found essential:
A backpack or small daypack for snacks, entertainment, and travel documents.
A portable charger to keep devices powered during scenic routes or a longer charging cord to help reach some of those below seat ports
Layers of clothing, especially during winter, as some trains can still be chilly.
Step 6: Embrace the Unexpected
While planning is important, train travel in Europe is also about embracing the unexpected. During our trip, we encountered delays and last-minute changes, but these moments often led to memorable experiences.
On our journey from Szeged, Hungary to Sibiu, Romania, we were unsure if we were on the correct train, almost got left behind in Hungary when they dropped the carriage we were in before we crossed the border (thank goodness they found someone who spoke English to let us know at the last minute that we needed to move to a forward carriage) and then we had about a 45 minute delay as we waited for grain train to pass by the station, due to the single lines that lay ahead.
Flexibility Is Key
Even with the most detailed itinerary, things might not always go according to plan. Build in buffer time for delays and being open to adjusting your schedule as needed. For this reason we booked most of our train travel a day or two out, but we did travel during winter. During peak season I would highly recommend booking popular trips well in advance. On an earlier trip to Spain, we were delayed a day getting out to Segovia as all trains were booked out the day we wanted to go.
Budget Considerations
Train travel in Europe can be affordable, especially when booked in advance. Here are some ways to save money:
Eurail or Interrail Passes: Ideal for travelers visiting multiple countries. Calculate whether a pass or individual tickets is more cost-effective for your itinerary.
Book Early: (if you can) Many rail operators release discounted fares months ahead.
Travel in Groups: For groups of four or more, private transfers may be cheaper than buying individual train ticket.
Check for Concessions: Concession ages are a little bit lower in Europe - Age 55
Why Choose Train Travel?
Scenic Views: See Europe’s landscapes up close—snowy Alps, rolling vineyards, and dramatic coastlines.
City Center Access: Trains often drop you right in the heart of your destination, unlike airports located on the outskirts.
Relaxing Travel: Forget the stresses of driving in a country or areas that you don’t. You can just sit back, relax and enjoy
Final Thoughts
Train travel in Europe is a rewarding experience that combines adventure, comfort, and discovery. By defining your travel parameters, researching routes, and being flexible, you can create an unforgettable journey. Whether you’re crossing borders or staying within a single country, Europe’s rail network is your gateway to exploration.
Our 20-day journey through Eastern Europe was a testament to the magic of train travel—proving that the journey itself can be just as captivating as the destinations. So pack your bags, book your tickets, and get ready to embrace the rhythm of the rails!
Helpful Links to help plan your journey
Omio (affiliate link) - Central location for you to access train timetables for easy booking of train journeys and more.
Booking.com - All your accommodation options in the one location. Search by hotel or by city map to help you navigate your stay easier.
“Train Journey” - Somewhere between Arad and Deva, Romania
