Europe by Rail, Welcome Aboard!
Swanand Malode, Rail Europe Expert.
Welcome to Europe — one of the most dynamic, vibrant, cultural, historical and fascinating places on the planet. On one continent you can discover thousands of years of history, some of the best food and wine in the world, art, architecture, nature and adventure, the better way to do and see it all than traveling in comfort and style by European Rails.
Europe is the rail capital of the world, with nearly 250,000 km of track which span to the farthest corners of the continent. Compared to air travel or car rental (which can be costly, inefficient and not eco-friendly), the multitude of rail services offered daily gives travellers the ultimate flexibility in planning itineraries. Best of all, rail travel is Europe’s most sustainable form of transportation.
Rail travel offers competitive pricing as well as lower fares, which, depending on the train operator, are available up to six months in advance. A rail pass can also provide free or discounted attraction, accommodation and dining options.
Climb aboard and discover the benefits that traveling Europe by rail can offer you, you can even become a rail lover yourself by trying Europe by Trains.
Nomad Tours - One-Stop Shop for European Rail Travel
We at Nomad Tours, are one-stop shop for planning and booking European train travel and sightseeing products. From rail passes to train tickets and reservations, we provide access to an extensive array of rail products from over 50 European train companies by using Rail Europe Platform.
When you book with us, you have access to almost 250,000 km of track on which to explore nearly every corner of the continent via a network of high-speed trains linking Europe’s main cities and international airports, as well as regional lines exploring the countryside.
High-speed trains allow for more flexibility with itineraries since they can travel at speeds of up to almost 350 km per hour. In addition, most stations are located in the heart of Europe’s cities, close to hotels, restaurants and currency exchange & ATMs, so travellers can arrive by train and start exploring immediately, refreshed and relaxed.
Another note on flexibility, there are multiple services every day with a wide choice of routes and departure times, giving clients the ability to adjust their travel schedule as needed. Plus, European rail companies maintain punctuality rates of more than 90 percent, and there are no lengthy check-in lines or tedious luggage procedures, so travellers can be confident in their itineraries.
Rail travel is not only flexible and efficient, but it’s also one of the most comfortable ways to travel in Europe. Passengers can stretch their legs, have a drink or sit down to a meal. There are even seats with some train operators that offer video and entertainment facilities, and most trains are equipped with WiFi, so it’s easy to use mobile phones and laptop computers.
Would you like to know one more reason to book rail travel for your European Itinerary??
The spectacular scenery, you can relax and watch beautiful landscapes roll gently by making the journey every bit as special as the destination and let’s not forget that train travel is the most eco-friendly mode of transport, helping to sustain the beauty and longevity of Europe’s landscape.
Train Tickets
With the maps, schedules and fares for more than 50 different train companies across Europe, you are sure to find the right experience for your clients. From short distances on local trains, to Express and Intercity trains that travel longer distances at high speeds, there’s a train for every traveler’s style and itinerary. Plus, clients can save money by booking early.
If clients are limiting their travel to just one or two cities, the city-to-city tickets are the best option. Train tickets are valid for a single route from one European destination to another and are affordable, too. A reservation is required on some lines like high-speed trains. A seat reservation guarantees an assigned seat on a specific time and date. Tickets inclusive of reservation mean that one single document covers the journey, as well as the reservation.
E-Tickets
Many high-speed trains now offer e-tickets as a delivery option. Your clients have the option to print e-tickets at home or at the station (when available). Print-at-home tickets are contained in a PDF document sent at the time of booking, most often through a web link in the email confirmation sent by Rail Europe. Print-at-home tickets cannot be printed by rail staff.
Note: Thalys and Italo print-at-home tickets are emailed separately after your purchase.
To print a ticket at the station, travellers must use a self-service kiosk prior to boarding the train. This can be done on the day of travel or any time prior, but printing must be done at a train station.
Rail Passes
Often the best product for all-purpose travel is the rail pass, which gives clients the ability to explore one or more countries by train when planning to travel for more than three days.
Each rail pass is valid for a set number of travel days, during which travellers can take as many train trips as they like. These can be consecutive days or flexible and can be applicable to a single country, a region or multiple countries. Rail passes often have discounted versions for two or more people traveling together, and there are youth and senior options available. What’s more, children often travel for free when traveling with an adult.
A Consecutive Pass may be best for anyone who plans to travel by rail every day because it provides unlimited rail travel for however many days your clients purchase. If your clients want more of an open itinerary and more travel time, a Flexi Pass offers just that — flexibility. Most passes are available in first and second class, as well.
With a rail pass, seat reservations are required at an additional nominal charge for these trains/routes:
- High-speed trains
- International day trains
- International and domestic night trains
- Scenic routes
You may not be ready to book your reservations at the time you purchase your rail passes, but it is important to remind you that reservations may be mandatory and you will need to purchase them prior to their departure, as seats and sleepers are sometimes limited.
Country Rail Passes
If clients are visiting just one country, then all they need is a one-country pass. These provide rail travel on the applicable national rail network. But if they are really afflicted with the travel bug, then suggest the Eurail Global Pass. This sweeping pass offers travel across 33 European countries.
The Eurail Global Pass is available in a consecutive-day version with options for 15 days, 22 days and one, two or three months of validity, offering unlimited travel within these timeframes. A Flexi Pass version offers four, five, or seven non-consecutive days within a one-month period, or 10 or 15 non-consecutive days of unlimited train travel within a two-month period for travel on any or all days of the pass in a majority of European countries.
The Eurail Global Pass Senior is the same as the Eurail Global Pass, but it is discounted for travellers 60 and over. The Eurail Global Pass Youth is discounted for those under 28. There are also discount options for families, as well as groups.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Eurail brand is certainly the most widely recognized name, but it applies to certain passes only. we offers many more passes across a wide variety of rail products, including the Swiss Travel Pass, German Rail Pass and others.
High-Speed Trains
Europe’s rail travellers enjoy access to a network of high-speed trains that link the continent’s main cities, as well as most international airports. High-speed trains can travel at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour, providing maximum efficiency along with comfort and amenities.
Clients may use a rail pass on a high-speed train, but a seat reservation needs to be purchased and used alongside the pass.
High-Speed Networks
Eurostar trains run in England, France, Belgium and the Netherlands with direct lines from London to Paris, Brussels, Lille, Avignon, Amsterdam, Disneyland Paris, seasonal service to the South of France, as well as the French Alps.
For business travellers, Business Premier class is a great option, offering access to the Business Premier lounge at the station, 10-minute fast check-in, and a dedicated train car to work in and enjoy a hot meal served at their seat.
France’s TGV network is one of the icons of the European rail system. It connects Paris to more than 200 cities within France and cities like Brussels, Frankfurt, Geneva, Lausanne, Zurich, Turin, Milan and Barcelona in neighbouring countries.
The Thalys trains connect Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Germany. There are 24 Thalys trains daily between Paris and Brussels, and all are under 90 minutes. When you book a premium fare in first class, your clients receive an exclusive experience with access to the lounge at the station, at-seat meal service, complimentary newspapers, taxi reservation services and free WiFi.
Italy is home to the Frecciarossa and Frecciargento trains, as well as the Italo, a privately owned operator. These high-speed trains connect Italian city centres, from Rome and Florence to Venice, Milan, Bologna and Naples, plus smaller towns in between. Book your clients an exclusive experience with either Executive class on Frecciarossa trains or Club Executive on Italo trains.
Expert Tip: Rail passes cannot be used on Italo trains.
The ICE in Germany connects all major German cities, like Frankfurt, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Munich, Cologne and Berlin, with connecting service to Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, France and the Netherlands.
The AVE is Spain’s high-speed line, which links Barcelona and Madrid, as well as Cordoba and Seville. A partnership with France allows for quick and easy travel between Spain and France on high-speed trains.
The start of the OUIGO Spain service between Madrid and Barcelona opens up a new era for the railway in Spain. This milestone was a turning point, offering more competitive prices. More routes will progressively be added to make high-speed travel more accessible.
Finally, Sweden has the SJ High Speed, which takes travellers between Stockholm and major cities in the south and southwest of Sweden, including international routes to bordering countries.
Night Trains
For a unique experience, we suggest that clients travel by night train, which can save valuable sightseeing time during the day, especially if it is a particularly lengthy journey. Plus, it’s a great option for saving on the cost of a hotel room. Your clients will wake up just in time to start the day touring.
Consider the NightJet between Austria and Italy, a night train in Sweden or Italy or the Paris-Moscow night train which is truly a unique journey. There is also a popular night train in the U.K., between London and Edinburgh/Glasgow. There is the legendary Paris-Nice sleeper train that whisked travellers through France to the Mediterranean for close to a century. Lastly there is the Spanish Trenhotel night train known for its luxury and connects many of Spain’s big cities, including Barcelona, Madrid and Granada. This train allows you to make long journeys overnight and travel in a great variety of sleeping accommodations.
All night trains require reservations and offer a wider range of accommodations. These vary according to train and route, but it is common to find several accommodation options to meet the clients’ needs. Tickets can be purchased from 60 to 180 days in advance, depending on the route.
Reclining Seats are the most affordable reservation and include a controlled reading light and seated sleeping area.
When traveling on a night train with a rail pass, the journey is covered but a reservation must be purchased at an additional fee.
Let’s Enjoy!
Courtesy and Credit : Rail Europe
