There is nothing better than being on a train in Europe, looking out at the beautiful countryside (or reading a book!) while getting to your destination as quickly as possible. When we traveled in Europe for the first time, we had quite a few mishaps. Here is what we learned:
Book early.
Book train tickets at least three weeks in advance, especially if you are using a Eurail pass. If you are going to a popular destination like Prague or Paris, book as soon as you can. We had friends who tried to book a night train from Cologne to Prague five days in advance, and they found out every night train was booked for the next two weeks. We always tried to book as soon as we decided on our destination.
Check platforms often.
I will never forget the name Herzogenrath-August-Schmidt-Platz. Never heard of it? Neither had I. Trains can change platforms at the last minute. When we were traveling to Berlin with a big group, the regional train in Aachen arrived before our train to Berlin. We thought it was our train because it was at the correct platform and time, so we took the train and ended up in Herzogenrath-August-Schmidt-Platz. We didn’t make it to Berlin until 2 a.m. (Want the whole story of our Herzogenrath mishap? Read three European travel stories I will never forget.)
Also, be aware that some trains will split off in the middle of the trip and head in different directions. Make sure to listen to announcements that tell you if you are in the right compartment, especially if you are in the food compartment at the time of the change.
Write down the number of the train leaving after yours.
Trains are sometimes late, so you should look up and record the number of the next train to take in the case of a late train. For example, when our train from Frankfurt to Brussels ran 20 minutes late we missed our train from Brussels to Liege. However, we had written down the next train we could take, so we were able to get to the platform in time to hop on the next train to Liege.
Have you ever traveled in Europe by train? What was your favorite destination?
LOL, sometimes the mishap stories are the best. You do really have to pay attention on the platforms.
ReplyDeleteWe traveled through Europe by train on our honeymoon. My favorite trip was the longest one from Prague to Berlin. It was such gorgeous scenery!
ReplyDeleteWe totally had a mishap where we got off at the wrong stop and wound up fighting - I think we wound up in the Amsterdam airport instead of the stop before it!
Oooh, train travel sounds complicated! I just told K that I wanted to take him to Switzerland in 2018, but we're going to hit up some other countries, too, so we'll travel by train if we actually go! Great tips!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips. I didn't travel by train when I was in Europe but it sounds like an adventure!
ReplyDeleteThese are some great tips! I would love to travel to Europe one day.
ReplyDeletexo, Lily
Beauty With Lily
These are great tips! I took the Eurostar from London to Paris and it would have been awesome had it not snowed. haha we got stuck on it for hours, it was quite the adventure.
ReplyDeleteWe traveled by train when we were in Europe, and the train stations were always insane! Thankfully we didn't have any issues finding our train, but we did have to run to catch our train to Prague. I guess that means we've done it all!
ReplyDeleteSuch great tips!! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! We travel by train while in Europe as much as we can because it's so inexpensive and convenient!
ReplyDeleteWe definitely almost got on one of the high speed trains in Holland by accident because it was late arriving and showed up right when our train was supposed to. Being in a different country with a different language definitely makes navigating tricky when you're not familiar with it!
ReplyDeleteThese are all things I probably would have never thought of! I'm sure you weren't laughing at 2am when you arrived in Berlin, but I giggled a bit just thinking of that mishap! Boo!
ReplyDeleteI would so love to go to Europe. One day. Great tips!
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping 2017 is going to be my year of finally making it over to Europe so these tips will truly help with the planning!
ReplyDeleteOoh saving this for later! Any time I look at Europe.. the transportation aspect is a little daunting! These are great tips! :) XO - Alexandra
ReplyDeleteSimply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
i always laugh at your Herzogenrath/Berlin train trip, though I know it wouldn't have been funny at the time. I've never taken the train in Europe (unless you count like the metro in a city) and honestly it really does sound super overwhelming! especially listening to the announcements. I bet we'd end up somewhere crazy, and i don't do well with mishaps haha.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! Im going to Europe for Christmas and am definitely bookmarking this!
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