This convenience may come with a fee, but if the agency is easier for you to get to than the train station, buying tickets there can save lots of time and hassle and travel agents may have more time and English-language skills than the people behind the train-station counter. European train fares are based primarily on the distance traveled. Each country has its own "euros per kilometer" formula, though the type of train also affects the price logically, slower trains are usually cheaper than faster ones.
For faster classes of trains, however, many European rail companies have moved to a dynamic pricing system — similar to how airfares work — in which a fare can vary depending on demand, restrictions, and how early you purchase.
The quickest way to get a rough idea of what you'd pay for any given train trip in Europe is to check my cost-estimate maps. If you're buying point-to-point tickets, be aware of the ways you can qualify for a discount whether buying through a national-railway website or in person. For details, check this site's country-specific rail pages for any countries you're planning to visit. Advance purchase a week to several months in advance can save you significant money in many countries most notably Austria , Britain , Finland , France , Germany , Italy , Spain , and Sweden , especially for faster or longer rides.
On-sale dates vary by country, route, and time of year, with most starting two to four months in advance of travel, and six months ahead for Germany and the Eurostar Chunnel train.
In some areas such as Switzerland and most eastern countries , advance-purchase deals either don't exist or aren't worth the hassle. In most places, tickets for slower regional or medium-speed trains cost the same whether they're bought two months or two minutes before the train leaves.
Round-trip tickets can be cheaper than two one-way tickets in some countries Britain , Ireland , and Spain ; sometimes in combination with advance purchase. In Britain, a "day return" round-trip in a single day can be only a little bit more expensive than a single one-way ticket. Children get ticket discounts in most of Europe typically about 50 percent off for ages 4—11, sometimes free with an adult.
Whether you're traveling with tickets or a rail pass, kids under 4 always travel free on your lap though if there's an empty seat, feel free to use it. Adult first-class options, for example, ensure that the other people in your train car will be similarly grown up. That said, Eurail still offers dramatic discounts on standard-class tickets for people under age Eurail is continually broadening its coverage area, recently welcoming two more companies to its long roster of train lines.
But passes aren't always the answer. If you're travelling in Europe for less than 10 days consecutively and not crossing many borders, you're unlikely to get the most value out of a Eurail pass. InterRail is like Eurail for Europeans, and it works much the same way.
Reservations are only required for international and long-distance trains, though these can often be booked a few hours prior to departure. Top sites for booking European rail tickets. But, provided your itinerary is fixed, this will rarely beat the value of booking point-to-point tickets in advance online. The same goes for Single Country Interrail passes. Countries often have their own passes, such as the Swiss Travel Pass.
Some rail routes are actually less hassle by night, such as Madrid to Lisbon with Renfe. The same route by day involves two changes, at Badajoz and Elvas. W Which? Editorial team. Find the cheapest Eurostar tickets For the best deals, book one to four months ahead, avoiding Fridays and Sundays. Is a rail pass really cheaper? Prices gathered in January More on this Best city breaks in Europe How to spot scams on Airbnb and other letting sites How to save on last-minute holidays Best cards to use overseas.
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