Eurostar has opened a new line from Frankfurt to London.
From the Eurostar's bullet trains whisking people under the English Channel to commuter trains running through Eastern Europe it is possible to travel the entire continent on rails. You could board a train in London and find yourself in Prague in less than 17 hours. The entire system has been centralized through the Rail Europe website so passengers can easily book tickets, and find passes suited to their itinerary. The following tips will help you get the most out of your European train experience.
Train Passes
Single trip train tickets throughout Europe can be expensive --- a second class ticket from London to Paris cost $168. If you are planning on visiting Europe for an extended period, and know which countries you will visit, purchase a Eurail Pass. Prices for passes are determined by the number of countries visited and how many days you will be using trains. For example, you can visit five neighboring countries, traveling in first class for five days over a two-month period for $577.00. Rail passes are also available for the entire train network (Global Pass) or a particular country like the Eurail Italy Pass. All prices are valid as of March, 2011.
High-speed Versus Conventional Trains
High-speed trains will get you to where you're going fast at a substantially higher cost. More conventional trains still make up the bulk of Europe's rail system. The trains are slower, but also less costly. High-speed trains like the Eurostar and German ICE can be more than double the ticket price of traditional trains. Sometimes you have no option, like the connection between Paris and London, but on other occasions, like travel from Gothenburg to Stockholm, you have the option of taking the high-speed X2000 or a slower train. The X2000 fare is $120, whereas regular train service is $51. High-speed rail now operates in 21 countries across the European continent. All prices are valid as of March, 2011.
Overnight Trains
All night trains are scheduled to depart in the late evening, arriving at their destination in the early morning, giving passengers the chance to spend two full days in different cities without the cost of a hotel. Four night trains operate on the European rail network: Elipsos, City Night Line, Artesia and Paris to Moscow. Elipsos connects cites within Spain, France, Switzerland and Italy. The City Night Line links Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland and Italy. The Artesia, operating as a high-speed day and night train, connects major destinations in France and Italy. The Paris to Moscow train is a two-night journey with a full-day stop in Berlin. First- and second-class sleeping compartments are available.
Book Online
Internet access is readily available throughout Europe, allowing travelers to book train tickets ahead of time. This allows travelers to remain flexible with their itinerary while avoiding ticket lines at the train station. Nearly every main station on the European rail network has an e-ticket station where tickets can be printed. After making an online reservation, an e-mail will be sent with a e-ticket number. This number can be inputted into the e-ticket station, and the ticket printed.
On the Train
The acronym WC stands for water closet in Europe. Electrical outlets are available on some trains, depending on the country and type of train. All electrical outlets in Europe run on 220V. Electrical outlets in the United Kingdom are 230V. Space is available for luggage in overhead compartments.
Tags: City Night, City Night Line, Electrical outlets, e-ticket station, European rail, European rail network
