Getting around Europe by train, bus or flight, and how to book without mistakes

Trains suit cities that are fairly close, because stations are usually in the centre, while buses and flights suit routes with no direct train or a sea crossing. Compare real door-to-door time, luggage rules and seat booking, not only the time printed on the ticket.

Should I take the train, bus or plane between European cities?

No single answer fits every route. Use the table below as a checklist before you decide, then confirm details for your route with the operator.

How do I book a European train, step by step?

You can book European trains through the app or website of each country's rail company, or through a multi-country booking platform. The order of steps is much the same everywhere.

1. 1Pick the route and dateCheck whether the route is direct or involves changes, and match the station name to your lodging, since some cities have several stations.
2. 2Check the ticket conditionsRead whether the ticket can be exchanged or changed, and whether a seat reservation is already included.
3. 3Pay and store the ticketSave the ticket or booking code on your phone and keep a screenshot as a backup.
4. 4Reach the station earlyRead the platform from the departure board and leave spare time at large stations.

Do I need a rail pass, and does it include seat reservations?

A pass is optional and does not suit every route. Interrail offers a Global Pass and One Country Passes, and says the Global Pass covers 33 countries. The comparison of Eurail and Interrail sits in the separate Eurail guide.

• Interrail says reservations are not included in the pass and are required for most high-speed trains and all night trains.
• A reservation is mandatory on Eurostar.
• The pass must be activated within 11 months of buying it, and activation needs an internet connection.
• The Rail Planner app shows timetables, and you add each journey to the mobile pass before boarding; tickets show offline.

What station tips help when boarding trains and buses in Europe?

The usual slips are going to the wrong station, boarding at the wrong platform or missing the train with too little buffer. Run through this list before you leave your lodging on every travel day.

• Match the station name on the ticket to the map, since some cities have several stations and buses may stop away from the rail station.
• Save the destination station and your lodging address on your phone before departing.
• Allow spare time for changes, especially when two trains are on separate tickets, because a late first train can make you miss the next.
• Think about luggage: with a large bag, look for lifts or stairs at the station and plan the walk from the station to your lodging.

What should I carry when crossing borders by train or bus in Europe?

Always keep your passport on you. Your Europe says that once you pass the external Schengen border check there are generally no further checks between Schengen countries, but countries may bring temporary internal checks back.

• The European Commission lists several countries with notified temporary controls, such as Denmark, France, Germany and Italy, and the list changes often.
• Interrail says ticket inspectors may ask to see your passport.
• The UK is outside Schengen and has its own entry rules. See “London to Paris by Eurostar: Visa, Border Checks and Timing”.

If you fly within Schengen instead, still check the airline's conditions and baggage rules, and keep your travel documents ready.

How does internet access matter when you travel around Europe by train?

Almost every step of city-to-city travel runs through your phone, from booking and platform checks to showing the ticket to an inspector, so have a connection before you reach the station.

• Activating an Interrail pass needs internet, and you cannot board before activating.
• Use the operator's app for timetable and platform changes.
• Save offline maps for tunnels and rural stretches where signal drops.

How to prepare data for several countries is covered in “Preparing for a Multi-Country Europe Trip: Which Internet to Use, SIM or eSIM”.

See data plans for Europe

Common questions about getting around Europe