Going on a Eurotrip is on every traveler’s wishlist. Vibrant cities are full of European culture, rich history, and many various means of entertainment. Not to mention majestic landscapes! However, if you are specifically interested in visiting the central part of this mainland, why not make it a train trip? Here are five tips you need to know before planning a Central Europe train trip!
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1. Book Tickets in Advance
The Railway system in Central Europe is exceptionally well-developed, and buying tickets is very easy! However, we suggest doing that before your trip, rather than minutes before departure. First of all, now there is an app for everything, including train tickets, and it is very comfortable to have tickets all in one place on your phone, instead of carrying a stash of papers with you. Additionally, booking tickets in advance guarantees a seat; be mindful of sold-outs. Finally, it will save you some money and help you stay on schedule!
2. Find The Correct Stations
All countries in Central Europe have a good number of railway stations scattered around different cities. Our advice is that you map out the stations you need, highlight them, and underline the highlights five times! That being said, trains with international routes tend to leave from the city’s center’s biggest station, so keep that in mind, and you should be fine. But, if possible, leave yourself some time in case you get lost!
Also, see Budapest to Vienna train.
3. Choose Between Regular and Sleeper Trains
Some routes, for example, a train from Vienna to Budapest, only takes a couple of hours to get through, but not all destinations in Central Europe are that short. For longer trips, consider sleeper trains, where you can spend the night without stopping for different accommodations. It is convenient for you to wake up and start exploring a foreign country right away without having to set off with all your luggage, then jumping back on the following day. It is also cheaper than spending a night in a hotel, so consider these things before buying the tickets.
4. Pack Light
Packing for a train trip is a bit trickier than packing for a flight. If you plan to visit all of Central Europe, you will be on the train a lot, which means carrying and securing your luggage multiple times throughout the whole journey. Or, for example, maybe you will arrive in one country in the morning, tour a bit, then set off on a train again in the afternoon and reach another one in the evening. Just imagine how frequently you will have to carry your suitcase on and off. We suggest forgoing any unnecessary items so to make your trip easier! Pack only the essentials.
5. Make an Itinerary
Sure, sometimes simply winging it and not thinking ahead is fun, but we suggest carefully planning this trip. In terms of getting the best seats and convenient timetables, it would be best for you to arrange an itinerary so that everything is clear and scheduled. So, first of all, with the help of the map, decide which route is best for you to take in order to get across Central Europe, write it down, then start checking the timetables of departures. That way you will get everywhere on time and avoid unpleasant surprises!
We hope that now you have a better idea of what to expect on your trip. Of course, a train trip will take you longer than simply flying by plane, but you will get to see so much more, and somehow, spending hours on the train is much more serene. So, follow our advice and all aboard!