Rick Steves' Simple Train Advice Will Save You Time And Money While Exploring Europe

Europe's train network is extensive, efficient, and one of the best ways to get around the continent. Long-distance rail trips in Europe are comfortable, charming, and surprisingly rapid, whisking travelers from city to city with a minimum of fuss. Taking the train avoids the hassle and fuss of getting to and from out-of-town airports. It means you don't have to worry about luggage restrictions and annoying security checks, and, to top it all off, it's one of the most sustainable ways to travel! Train travel can be functional and practical, but it can also be a glamorous, luxury way to explore Europe, and it almost always offers beautiful views of the countryside from your window.

However, train travel in Europe can be pricey. In fact, traveling in Europe in general can be an expensive affair, as accommodation tends to be expensive as well. European travel expert Rick Steves is always a reliable source of money-saving tips and tricks, and he has some brilliant advice about how traveling by train can help you save both time and money when exploring Europe. Rather than thinking about a train as just a mode of transport, Rick Steves advises canny passengers to "take an overnight train to avoid the cost of a hotel and save a day in your itinerary."

Overnight or sleeper trains were once a huge part of the European rail network. Many people will have heard of the romantic elegance of the Paris-Istanbul route, known as the Orient Express, which epitomized sophisticated Old World style. And while low-cost, accessible flights led to a lack of popularity, in the last decade, train operators have started to bring back a variety of sleeper routes, and passengers are thrilled!

Rick Steves loves a sleeper train for its economy and practicality. He says that "for every night you spend on the train, you gain a day for sightseeing and avoid the cost of a hotel", which is a very good deal when you think about it. And while you might miss out on the views of the countryside, the extra time you gain at your next destination makes it all worthwhile.

Taking an overnight train doesn't have to mean sacrificing comfort. There are several options you can choose, depending on your desire for luxury or tolerance of mild discomfort. According to Steves, "you have three sleeping options: a free airplane-style seat; a couchette — a bed in a six-person compartment for about $30; or a sleeper — a bed in a compartment with a double bunk for about $80." Private compartments are obviously the most comfortable and luxurious, similar to a cabin on an overnight ferry, and offer the best option for a good night's sleep. But the 6-person couchettes are also a great choice, with bunk beds, clean linen, and blankets. Some routes offer wifi and even breakfast, and sharing a compartment with like-minded travelers can be a delightful sociable affair!

Dedicated shoestring travelers might be tempted to forgo beds entirely and make do with their seat, or, as Rick Steves describes, try "draping their tired bodies over as many unoccupied seats as possible." But Steves does not recommend this as an option. He says, "One night of endless head-bobbing, very swollen toes, glaring overhead lighting, a screaming tailbone, sitting up straight in an eternity of steel wheels crashing along rails, trying doggedly — yet hopelessly — to get comfortable, will teach you the importance of finding a spot to stretch out for the night."

Night trains are one of the best ways to city-hop across Europe and help you save time and money while exploring, but there are a few things to keep in mind when booking your trip. Rick Steves suggests making a reservation in advance, as "popular routes such as Nightjets connecting Austria and Germany to some neighboring countries, reservations can sell out ... making it worthwhile to commit before you even leave for Europe."

It is also worth considering where you will be sleeping. If you book couchettes, you can choose whether you want the top, the middle, or the bottom bunk. Personal preference is key here, but Rick Steves advises that "while the top bunk gives you more privacy and luggage space, it can be hotter and stuffier than lower bunks and a couple of inches shorter."

As always, when traveling, particularly if you are going to be sleeping in a semi-public space, it is important to stay safe. Trains in Europe tend to be secure and crime-free, but being prepared and taking sensible precautions is always a wise course of action. Steves mentions that "some train travelers are ripped off while they sleep [but] they're usually the ones who haven't safely stashed their money and valuables in a money belt."