How to plan a European holiday by train
Curated Lifestyle
Planning a European train holiday is one of the most rewarding ways to explore the continent, moving through landscapes at your own pace, discovering places you'd never find from 30,000 feet, and arriving in the heart of each city ready to explore. The logistics, though, can take a bit of working out. A good starting point is deciding how long you want to be away, then shaping your route around any must-dos: a scenic railway, châteaux you want to visit, a particular hike, or a dish you'd like to enjoy. Plot your route around those must-dos, then look for places to break the journey, ideally keeping each travel day to eight hours. Two nights per stop works well, giving you time to recover from the journey, a full day to explore, and some time to relax. Build in longer stays in places you're particularly keen to discover. From there, it's worth thinking about whether a rail pass or point-to-point tickets suit your plans best, booking your transport, and finding somewhere to stay close to the station or in the city centre at each stop.
The main challenge in booking an overland trip is managing different rail platforms and booking systems in various countries, and knowing what to do if things go wrong. If you'd rather leave that side of things to someone else, Byway arranges fully flight-free holidays by land and sea, including all tickets, hotels, a personalised trip guide, and ongoing support, plus free disruption replanning if needed.
Min Felix Xu
Why travel Europe by train instead of flying?
Dramatically lower emissions
Trains in Europe emit around five times less CO₂ per passenger than flying, making them one of the greenest ways to travel across the continent. Opt for rail and you'll meaningfully reduce the footprint of your trip, without compromising on the experience.
From city centre to city centre
Most train stations sit right in the heart of a city, meaning you step off the train and you're already there (unlike an airport). No shuttles, no 40-minute transfers, no time lost getting from the airport to where you actually want to be.
The journey is part of the experience
Train travel gives you time to relax into the journey, to read, play card games or watch the landscapes change. Plus, some of Europe’s most famous rail journeys are so impressive that people ride them just for the experience, and many can be woven into a trip as part of your onward journey. Read about six of the most scenic.
More freedom, fewer restrictions
No excess luggage charges, no weighing suitcases and no decanting toiletries into a plastic bag. Most European trains allow two large bags and one smaller item, so there's plenty of room to bring home a bottle of local wine or olive oil too.
Frank van Hulst
Step 1 – Choose a realistic rail route
The key to a successful Europe-by-train trip is resisting the urge to cram too much in. Build your route around how long you have; a week suits two or three destinations, while ten nights gives you room for four or five.
Here are two tried-and-tested itineraries to get you started, one of our most popular trips and one that's perfect if you're new to travelling by train:
Option 1: Spain’s ancient cities (14 days)
One of our most booked routes, and for good reason. This itinerary takes you through some of Spain's most historic cities, from the Moorish grandeur of Granada and Córdoba to the laid-back beach vibes of Valencia and the foodie buzz of Seville, covering a huge amount of the country in a single trip. The rail network makes it easy too; the high-speed network is excellent, p2p fares on Renfe are well-priced and easy to buy, and Interrail seat reservations within Spain can be picked up at the station for very little, meaning there's less to sort before you travel. Just note that the legs through France will need booking in advance as TGV reservations can sell out.
Day 1: London → Lille → Nîmes (~6.5 hrs), stay 2n Nîmes
Day 3: Nîmes → Barcelona → Valencia (~7.5 hrs), stay 2n Valencia
Day 5: Valencia → Seville (~4.5 hrs), stay 2n Seville
Day 7: Seville → Granada (~2.5 hrs), stay 2n Granada
Day 9: Granada → Córdoba (~2 hrs), stay 2n Córdoba
Day 11: Córdoba → Barcelona → Girona (~5.5 hrs), stay 2n Girona
Day 13: Girona → Paris (~5.5 hrs), stay 1n Paris
Day 14: Paris → London (~2.5 hrs)
Option B: Mountain lakes (11 days)
A wonderful introduction to train travel in Europe. Switzerland is one of the best countries on the continent for Interrail; most local and regional routes require no seat reservation, so you simply turn up and go, even in first class. The journey south from Basel traces the edge of Lake Maggiore into Locarno, then skirts Lake Lugano before crossing into Italy, where the slow train along the eastern shore of Lake Como passes through small fishing villages, terraced gardens and the odd Roman ruin before arriving in Lecco.
Day 1: London → Paris → Basel (~6 hrs), stay 2n Basel
Day 3: Basel → Locarno (~4.5 hrs), stay 2n Locarno
Day 5: Locarno → Lugano (~1.5 hr), stay 2n Lugano
Day 7: Lugano → Monza → Lecco (~1.5 hrs), stay 2n Lecco
Day 9: Lecco → Milan → Zürich (~4.5 hrs), stay 2n Zürich
Day 11: Day 9: Zürich → Paris → London (~7.5 hrs)
All journey times are approximate and reflect train time only, they don't include transfers between stations or Eurostar check-in, which requires you to arrive at least 60 to 90 minutes before departure and up to 120 minutes during busy periods. That said, most legs are comfortably manageable in a single day, leaving plenty of time to settle in, find somewhere good for dinner, and start getting a feel for somewhere new.
Polina Kuzovkova
Step 2 – Plan your travel days
How you structure your travel days makes an enormous difference to how the trip feels. Try to keep each travel day to under eight hours where possible, and factor in connection times carefully. Some journeys require a transfer between stations rather than a simple platform change; Paris, for example, requires a transfer between Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon for many onward connections. For same-station connections, allow at least 30 to 45 minutes; for cross-city transfers, allow the transfer time plus 45 minutes on top. For Eurostar, plan to arrive at least 60 to 90 minutes before departure, and up to 120 minutes during busy periods.
For long journeys, sleeper trains can help. You travel overnight, wake up in a new place, and save time and money on hotels. Popular routes include Amsterdam to Vienna, Stuttgart to Venice, Zürich to Budapest, and London to Fort William. Book early; berths sell out fast.
Read about 9 of our favourite sleeper train and ferry journeys, or find out what to expect on a sleeper train.
Oliver Sand
Step 3 – Decide between rail passes and point-to-point tickets
Once your route and travel days are set, the next step is deciding how to buy your tickets. You can choose between a rail pass, which covers multiple train journeys, or point-to-point tickets, which are individual tickets for each leg. The best choice depends on how long you’re travelling and the countries you'll be passing through.
Rail Passes (Interrail)
An Interrail pass is a single ticket that lets you take multiple train journeys across Europe during its validity. You’ll still need seat reservations for certain trains, which you buy separately. With a pass, you don’t need to buy a separate ticket for each journey unless you travel on services not covered by the pass.
One thing worth noting: a four day pass doesn't mean four consecutive days of travel. It means four travel days that you can space out across a month, which gives you a lot more flexibility than people often expect.
Passes often work best for multi-country, longer trips. Here’s how costs break down:
Regional and local trains are often free with a pass or charge a small reservation fee. These are sometimes the most scenic routes on the continent and, with no reservation needed, give you the flexibility to hop on and off as you please.
High-speed and international trains require seat reservations even with a pass. These reservations may cost less compared to buying regular tickets, particularly when booking in advance or when dynamic pricing applies.
Sleeper trains can be discounted with a pass, but still tend to carry a higher reservation cost given the cabin or couchette involved.
Some journeys aren't included within Interrail at all, such as certain overnight ferries and mountain railways, where you'll need to book a separate ticket regardless.
It's worth knowing that you can't use an Interrail pass for holidays within your home country, though you do get a free journey to your departure station on the day you leave (or return to) the country. Depending on the operator, a free seat reservation may be required.
When it comes to the pass itself, you have two options: a mobile pass managed through the Interrail Rail Planner app, which offers flexibility and free replacement if your phone is lost or stolen; or a paper pass that you fill in by hand, which requires no technology but has a fixed start date and no free replacement if lost. For most travellers, the mobile pass is the more practical choice.
Point-to-Point Tickets
Booking individual tickets for each leg can be a better option for shorter trips or routes where advance fares are available. Advance tickets are typically the cheapest way to travel, but they are non-refundable; they can usually be amended for a fee. Flexible tickets cost more but give you the freedom to change plans. Bear in mind that in some countries (such as France or Switzerland), point-to-point fares are significantly more expensive than the equivalent journey on an Interrail pass.
Combining Both
The two approaches aren't mutually exclusive. On some itineraries, for example to Sicily or Corsica, the most cost-effective option is a combination of both; using an Interrail pass for the bulk of the journey where it offers good value, and booking specific legs point-to-point where advance fares are cheaper or where the pass offers less of an advantage.
A tailor-made package
Prefer not to worry about ticket choices? With a tailored flight-free holiday, a company like Byway combines all tickets, ferries, and accommodation into one bookable trip, offering support if anything goes wrong. We usually use Interrail passes to bring the overall cost down, handling all the reservations on your behalf, but we'll use point-to-point tickets, or a mix of both, wherever that makes better sense for your itinerary. Either way, we'll choose what works best and offers the best value for your trip, and take care of it all.
For a deeper look at how Interrail works and whether it's right for your trip, read our full guide: What is Interrailing?
Jack Hunter
Step 4 – Book trains, ferries and accommodation
The DIY Route
Booking your own multi-country rail trip is doable but involves juggling several sources. Here’s how to tackle each step:
Interrail passes: Buy directly through the Interrail website, or through Rail Europe or All Aboard.
Train tickets and seat reservations
Individual rail operator websites (such as SNCF, DB, Trenitalia, and Eurostar) provide the most up-to-date information and are the most reliable sources for each country. The downside is that you'll need to visit multiple sites for a multi-country trip, and some operators (Renfe, for example) don't allow you to book Interrail seat reservations online at all.
Eurostar also allows you to book onward connections as part of the same booking on their website, meaning that if your first leg is delayed, you're covered for the connecting journey too. This protection doesn't apply if you've booked each leg separately with different operators.
Booking apps like Rail Europe and Trainline let you search and buy tickets across multiple countries in one place, with all your tickets accessible in a single app. They sometimes offer split-ticket options at a lower price too. The trade-off is that they often charge a booking fee, don't cover every country (Portugal and Poland, for example, aren't always available), and unlike booking through a single operator, they don't provide disruption cover if things go wrong on the day.
Some regional and local trains operate on a turn-up-and-go basis, particularly in Switzerland, Italy and across rural routes in Europe, meaning you can simply buy your ticket at the station on the day.
Sleeper trains are best booked directly with the relevant operator (e.g., ÖBB Nightjet or SNCF) as early as possible, since cabin and couchette berths sell out well in advance.
Coaches should be booked directly with the operator.
Ferries can be booked directly with the ferry company, or you can use an aggregator like Direct Ferries to compare routes and prices. For travel from the UK to Europe and Ireland, some ferry operators offer rail and sail packages that combine your train and ferry ticket into a single booking, which can simplify things and offer some disruption cover. It's worth checking directly with individual operators to see what's available for your specific route, as these packages vary and aren't offered across the board.
Local buses are often pay-on-the-day, or you can download regional operator apps to purchase tickets there.
Accommodation
Platforms like Booking.com or Expedia make it easy to search across lots of options in one go, but you can also book directly with the hotel. You can sometimes get a similar rate, and the hotel avoids paying platform fees, which makes a real difference to them. When it comes to location, staying near the station makes early departures and late arrivals much easier. And while station areas aren't always the most picturesque, most cities have a historic centre within easy reach that's well worth basing yourself in if you can.
The Byway way
If coordinating multiple rail operators, reservation systems, and ferry timetables sounds overwhelming, that’s what we handle every day at Byway. We make every booking, from your first train to your last hotel, so you can focus on looking forward to your trip.
Kateryna Hliznitsova
Step 5 – What to pack and how to prepare
Travel light if you can
A single carry-on or cabin bag makes a huge difference when navigating busy stations, hauling luggage up steps, or squeezing through carriage doors. For trips longer than a week, packing versatile, quick-dry clothes and using launderettes is often easier than expected, so you avoid dragging a large bag across six countries. Read more about packing for train trips.
Tickets
Mobile tickets work in most countries, but download them offline before you travel in case of a weak signal. For Interrail, your pass and any reservations live in the Interrail Rail Planner app, which you'll need to set up and load your journeys into before departure. For point-to-point tickets, most operators will send a PDF or barcode to your email that you can save to your phone or print. In some countries, Spain and Italy in particular, a printed ticket means physically printing it out at home or at a station kiosk before you board, so always check the specific requirements at the point of booking.
Useful apps and offline maps
Download offline maps for each city via Google Maps or Maps.me before you leave home; they're invaluable for navigating an unfamiliar station without Wi-Fi. A few words of the local language go a long way too, merci, grazie, and bitte, and are almost always appreciated. Check out our rundown of the best apps for travelling, from the planning stages and booking activities to language learning and journalling your adventure.
Visas
Entry requirements vary depending on your nationality and where you're travelling. Always check the visa requirements for each country on your itinerary well in advance of travel, as some may require applications weeks or months ahead. You can find out more information on the FCDO website if you're a UK traveller.
Travel insurance
Taking out travel insurance at the point of booking is strongly recommended, and essential if your trip involves any activities like hiking or skiing. It safeguards you against unforeseen events like cancellations, delays, lost luggage or medical emergencies abroad. UK travellers should also apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) before departure, which covers necessary medical treatment in most European countries. For wider guidance on travel insurance and entry requirements, the FCDO website is a helpful starting point.
Xavier von Erlach
Example Europe-by-train itineraries (ready-made)
Planning a slow travel trip but not sure which direction to head? These are some of our most popular itineraries, each offering something a little different, and are a good place to start. If any of them catch your eye, we can take care of every train, ferry and hotel so all you have to do is show up.
Places: Geneva, Milan, Lecco, Chur, Bern, Paris
Best for: world-famous rail routes and Alpine landscapes
Europe’s Imperial Cities by rail
Places: Brussels, Berlin, Prague, Budapest, Vienna, Amsterdam
Best for: history, architecture and a big European adventure
Places: Paris, Menton, Nice, Paris
Best for: a shorter break with sunshine, sea and great food
Places: Turin, Pisa, Siena, Florence, Milan, Paris
Best for: art, culture and classic Italian countryside at a leisurely pace
The Bergen Line and Flåm Railway
Places: Cologne, Hamburg, Oslo, Bergen, Oslo, Osnabrück, Amsterdam
Best for: dramatic Scandinavian scenery and one of Europe's most celebrated rail journeys
Browse the full collection on our Europe by train page.
FAQs
Q: How can I book a train holiday in Europe?
The simplest way is to use a specialist flight-free travel company like Byway, which plans and books the entire trip on your behalf. If you'd rather book yourself, use a combination of national rail operator websites (such as Eurostar, SNCF, DB and Renfe), booking apps like Rail Europe or Trainline, and a ferry booking site, then layer in accommodation close to each destination's station or the city centre. Allow plenty of time: popular trains on busy routes sell out weeks in advance.
Q: Do I need an Interrail pass for a European train holiday?
Not necessarily. Passes are great for spontaneous, flexible travel across many countries, but point-to-point advance tickets are often cheaper for a set itinerary. A fully packaged holiday with a company like Byway removes the need to decide at all, as your tickets are sorted as part of the booking. For a detailed comparison, read our guide to Interrail.
Q: How far can I get from the UK without flying?
Remarkably far. Within a day's travel you can reach Paris, Brussels, Zürich, Barcelona, Amsterdam and Cologne by train. Within two days, you're looking at Madrid, Berlin, Florence or Vienna. Add a sleeper train or an overnight ferry and you can reach Rome, Ljubljana, Corsica and beyond. And if you have more time, the overland trail stretches much further; through southern Spain to Morocco, across the Balkans to Turkey, or down through Italy to Tunisia.
Q: How do I book sleeper trains in Europe?
Book directly with the relevant rail operator wherever possible; ÖBB Nightjet covers many Central European routes, SNCF runs French overnight services, and Trenitalia covers the Italian InterCity Notte trains. You can also use multi-operator platforms like Rail Europe to search across routes. The most important thing is to book early. Couchettes and private cabins sell out months ahead on popular routes, particularly in summer. Read about 9 of our favourite sleeper train and ferry journeys, or find out what to expect on a sleeper train.
Q: How far in advance should I book a European train trip?
It depends on your itinerary, but earlier is generally better. Most rail operators release tickets three to six months ahead, and popular routes sell out quickly in summer. Panoramic trains like the Glacier Express or Bernina Express need booking six to nine months in advance; reservations are always required and flexibility is limited. Sleeper trains and busy ferry crossings are worth booking early too. If your route includes somewhere with limited accommodation in high season, such as Varenna on Lake Como or the Isle of Skye, aim to secure hotels six months to a year ahead, then build the rest of your journey around them once train tickets become available.
Q: Can someone plan a flight-free route for me?
Yes, and this is exactly what we do at Byway. Whether you already know where you want to go or you're looking for inspiration, we'll design a fully personalised flight-free itinerary covering every train, ferry and hotel, with a day-by-day trip guide, all your tickets in one place, and a support team on hand if anything changes. Browse our curated trips or build your own adventure using our Maps tool.
Visit our website for more FAQs about train travel and Byway holidays, or check out our Love the Journey Guarantee.
Read about the art of slow travel, why we love to take the local train, and why we don’t believe in flight-shaming.
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