Everything you need to know about train travel in Europe

Taking a trip around Europe is one of those things that everyone should do at least once.
And whether you dream of soaking up the sun on a Mediterranean beach, hitting the ski slopes in the Alps, or city-hopping across the continent, the best way to see Europe is by train.
The continent is extremely well-connected by rail, and there are a ton of options to choose from. One of the most popular – and for good reason – is the Eurail Pass.
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The Eurail Global Pass allows you to get unlimited train travel across much of the continent. You can board most of the trains by showing the pass, however, there are a few exceptions where a reservation is needed before you board.
One pass will get you access to 35 railway carriers across 33,000 stations in 33 countries in Europe. These trains take you to well-known landmarks and off-the-beaten-track destinations, so it’s easy to build out an itinerary tailored to your trip.
The pass also gets you access to some buses and ferries across the continent, in countries like Greece, Denmark, Ireland, Poland, and Sweden.
“Travel by rail across the European continent is booming in popularity right now, as travellers seek more sustainable, comfortable and convenient means of transport,” Hugo Van Vondelen, Product Specialist at Eurail tells 9Travel.
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If travelling on faster trains, it is not uncommon to cross two or three countries in one day or even several hours. When travelling slowly, with regional trains, there are countless small towns for adventurous travellers to explore.
Eurail is also an easy jumping-off point for solo travellers or first-timers to Europe who aren’t sure where to start.
Here are the most important things to know about Eurailing. 
The best thing about travelling by train is that it’s a relaxing and low-key way to see a country – no need to worry about airline bookings and security lines.
“Travelling by train affords you the luxury to experience Europe at your own pace and allows you to truly witness the landscape change as your train rolls through each destination,” says Hugo. “The slower you travel, the more connected you are to your surroundings.”
Slow travel also means making your itinerary up on the fly – flexibility that comes with a Eurail pass, but not so much with pre-booked flights.
“If a small town is better than you expected or you befriend some fellow travellers, you can take a later train without worrying about a fixed seat booking,” says Hugo
With a Eurail pass, you can access local trains which visit smaller towns, and international trains that go between big cities. 
“Local trains allow you to experience the culture in a more authentic way, whereas fast (international) trains are better for long-distance travel.”
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If you’re just getting used to travelling on your own, Eurail is a great way to ease into it.
The benefit of travelling with a Eurail Pass is having access to the Eurail Rail Planner app, which makes planning journeys easy – travellers can check train times, explore alternative journey options (regional trains can often be cheaper and more scenic), and map out off-the-beaten-path day trips to explore lesser-visited and more authentic parts of Europe.
Be flexible with your travel dates and times, the Eurail Pass is designed for a bit of spontaneity!
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It’s as simple as buying the pass online and selecting the time frame you want to travel for. Options range from a three-month unlimited pass to one that just covers four days of travel in a month.
When you order your Eurail Global Pass, you will receive an information booklet that gives you more details.
If you are under age 27, you can apply for the Eurail Global Pass for Youths, which will save you 20 per cent on your ticket.
The Eurail Pass covers train travel in 33 countries – Austria, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and Wales.
Eurail Passes are for non-European residents. So if you’re an Aussie visiting Europe, you’re able to purchase one. 
Eurail just trains, so local buses, trams, metros and other forms of public transport aren’t included in your pass.
Some longer-haul buses and ferries are included in the pass.
Overnight trains, Eurostar trains, and high-speed trains usually require you to make a seat reservation, rather than just turning up. 
Night train travel is available to Eurail Pass holders with a supplement. A great benefit of travelling overnight is that you’ll be able to save money on accommodation. Just be sure you plan in advance as these overnight seats can get snapped up quickly.