Travel by train: your guide to rail journeys

​Travelling by train is one of the most relaxing and enjoyable ways to start your holiday. Instead of navigating busy airports, long security queues, and baggage reclaim, you can simply arrive at the station, board your train, and settle into a comfortable seat. With the freedom to move around, scenic views along the way, and no worries about luggage allowances, the journey becomes part of the adventure rather than just a means of getting there.

Many trains also offer Wi-Fi, power sockets and onboard cafes, making it easy to work, unwind or simply watch Europe roll by. Better still, rail travel is one of the most environmentally friendly ways to explore the continent, helping you reduce your carbon footprint while arriving refreshed and ready to enjoy your holiday.

The other thing I love is that the journey itself can become part of the holiday. Instead of just getting from A to B as fast as possible, why not stop somewhere for lunch, take the scenic route, or spend a night somewhere you've never been? On a recent trip to Italy, I picked a route through the Swiss mountains and spent a few hours travelling through snowy, mountain scenery – it was definitely a highlight, not a detour! 

Yes, significantly. The carbon emissions are typically around 90% lower than for the same journey by plane. Part of that is simply because trains can carry many people at once, which spreads the footprint more widely. But a major factor in Europe is that many trains run on electricity from renewable energy grids, which keeps emissions remarkably low. It's one of the most meaningful switches you can make if you're trying to travel more lightly. 

Travelling by train isn’t as cheap as you'd think (hope!) and often it's not cheaper at all. Flights can look deceptively cheap, however, because aviation fuel isn't taxed the same way other fuels are. Once you factor in getting to and from the airport, and extras like baggage fees and seat reservations, the gap closes pretty quickly.

There are also some great ways to keep train costs down. Booking early is always worth it, and Eurostar, in particular, runs sales worth keeping an eye on. If you're planning a trip with several stops, an Interrail pass can be brilliant value and gives you a lot of flexibility too. Interrail passes are valid for 11 months after you buy them – I’ll often buy a pass when they are on sale (sometimes up to 25% off) and then work out what I’m going to use it for later!

It's worth knowing your connections in advance – where you're changing, how long you have, which platform to head for. It takes the stress out of it completely. The Man in Seat 61 website is an absolute goldmine for this kind of thing, with station guides, tips for every route and all the reassurance you need if you've never done a big train journey before. 

Pack snacks – a good train picnic is a thing of great joy. Grab some bread, cheese, and maybe a little bottle of wine and relax as the scenery just rolls by. You don’t even need to plan too much for this – I still regularly think about the absolutely DELICIOUS pistachio and gianduja croissant I picked up at a little cafe in Milan Centrale last year.  

Beyond that, a good book or podcast is essential for the quieter stretches. But here's my biggest tip: before you travel, look up what you'll be passing through and roughly when. Because the last thing you want is to be absorbed in your book as you roll through the Swiss mountains. The landscapes you get by train are something you don’t get when flying, so it's worth looking up from your screen for them. 

Lots of people worry about switching from Gare du Nord, where the Eurostar arrives, to the other stations across Paris. Don’t worry, it’s much easier than you imagine, and if you plan in advance, it’s even easier. I’d suggest doing these three things:

• Work out which metro line you need – they are all colour-coded and labelled with letters. It’s worth knowing what station is at the end of the line so you know you’re going in the right direction! But there are plenty of maps on the platforms for you to check.  

• Get your ticket in advance as the machines can be busy – you can buy a Navigo ticket on your phone, plus the ticket gates now accept Apple Pay.

• Travel light – everything is easier when you have less to carry. But don’t stress if your bags are heavier because every station has escalators and many have ramps as well as steps, so you can just wheel your cases along easily.   

One of the biggest advantages of travelling by train is the luggage allowance. Unlike most airlines, you won't usually need to weigh your bags or pay extra for standard luggage. 

You can relax knowing that you can take your bags straight onto the train. There are even handy luggage racks to store your suitcases, and a space above your seat for smaller bags. This means you can travel with skis, walking gear, or larger suitcases much more easily than when flying (although some oversized items may have specific requirements depending on the train operator). 

Not always; it, of course, depends on the journey. While the time spent on the train may be longer than the flight itself, rail journeys remove the time spent in security queues, boarding queues, passport lines, and baggage collection.

Most major European train stations are located in city centres, so you'll usually arrive much closer to your final destination. You can also spend your journey reading, working, enjoying the scenery, or simply relaxing, making the travel time feel like part of your holiday rather than time lost.

If you have the time and would like to add to the adventure, why not spend a night or two in a European city if you are changing trains there? It may then take longer than flying, but what an opportunity to visit an extra place, try some exciting new food, and see a place you may not otherwise have seen! 

European rail networks are designed to make connecting between services very straightforward. Stations are generally well signposted, with clear departure boards, regular announcements, and helpful staff on hand. 

Many journeys involve just one or two changes, and we'll provide all the information you need before you travel. If you're new to train travel, don't worry, millions of people make connections across Europe every day! It's also often much easier than navigating a busy airport.