Cheaper Train Travel in Europe

Posted by Henk Bekker Jul 6, 2008

Europe’s high-speed trains such as the French TGV and German ICE trains can compete with planes over shorter distances. However, ticket prices on these trains are often far from cheap – especially if one-way trips are taken. Fortunately, for leisure travelers, special discounts are available to those willing to work through the myriad of restrictions and limitations that accompany the best discounts. Savings are generally big enough to make it more than worth the effort of finding the best deals.

The best savings are generally offered on national railways only. Railteam, which increased the cooperation between high-speed train operators in Western Europe, has promised a website by 2009 that will make international bookings with discounts possible on-line but this will still only be for the expensive high-speed trains.

All European countries have their individual savings options but the basic ones usually involve buying an annual rail card that gives discounts of 25 or 50 percent on all long-distance train travel. These rail cards are very good deals for local residents as well as foreigners frequently traveling to the respective countries. Some rail cards extend the savings to neighboring countries too. Further savings are available for return journeys, children, youths, students, families, and groups.

Both Germany and Austria gives excellent discounts to small groups traveling together on slower, local trains only. Discount passes are also available for travel in specific regions.

Savings and discount fares are often not available on one-way tickets. For long-distance, one-way travel, a rail pass generally offers the best value. Internationally, the Eurail Pass is the best known but also fairly expensive. Cheaper alternative options are the InterRail pass and country-specific passes such as the German Rail and Swiss Pass.