There is no better way to see Europe than from a train window. The continent's rail network connects 33 countries, from the Arctic Circle to the Mediterranean, offering travelers a sustainable, comfortable, and often surprisingly affordable alternative to flying. Here is your complete guide for 2026.
Eurail Pass vs. Point-to-Point Tickets
The eternal debate. For trips covering 3+ countries over 2+ weeks, the Eurail Global Pass almost always wins on value. The 2026 Global Pass costs approximately €400 for 7 travel days within a month (flexible), or €700 for a continuous 1-month pass. Point-to-point tickets work better for single-country trips or when you can book 2-3 months ahead — advance tickets on routes like 🇫🇷 France to 🇪🇸 Spain can cost as little as €29.
The Great Routes
The Classic: Paris → Switzerland → Italy
Board the TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon, speed through Burgundy, and arrive in Geneva or Lausanne in just 3.5 hours. Then take the legendary GoldenPass line through the Swiss Alps to Interlaken, continue over the Gotthard Pass to 🇮🇹 Italy, and descend into Milan. Total journey: 2 days if you rush, but a week is better. The Bernina Express from Chur to Tirano is the most scenic rail journey in Europe — UNESCO agrees, having inscribed the Rhaetian Railway as a World Heritage Site.
Scandinavia: The Arctic Railway
The Nordland Line from Trondheim to Bodø in 🇳🇴 Norway crosses the Arctic Circle at the 66th parallel, passing through increasingly dramatic landscapes of fjords, glaciers, and treeless tundra. In winter, the Northern Lights dance above the train. From 🇸🇪 Sweden, the overnight train from Stockholm to Narvik (in Norway) is arguably Europe's most spectacular sleeper service.
The Balkans: Belgrade → Bar
This 12-hour journey from 🇷🇸 Serbia through 🇲🇪 Montenegro crosses 435 bridges and passes through 254 tunnels, climbing to 1,000 meters above sea level before descending to the Adriatic coast. The ticket costs under €25. Few European travelers know about it, yet it consistently ranks among the world's most beautiful train rides.
Night Trains: The Revival
After decades of decline, European night trains are experiencing a renaissance. ÖBB Nightjet connects 🇦🇹 Austria with 🇩🇪 Germany, Italy, 🇨🇭 Switzerland, and beyond. European Sleeper launched Amsterdam to Barcelona in 2024. Swedish operator Snälltåget runs summer services from Stockholm to Berlin. A couchette berth typically costs €50-80 — saving a night of hotel costs while covering distance. The experience of falling asleep in one country and waking in another never gets old.
Booking Strategy
High-speed trains in western Europe (TGV, ICE, Trenitalia Frecciarossa) require seat reservations even with a Eurail Pass — book these early. Regional trains in 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇦🇹 Austria, 🇨🇿 Czechia, and Scandinavia are hop-on/hop-off with no reservation needed. Eastern European trains are almost always reservation-free and incredibly cheap — a 6-hour journey in 🇷🇴 Romania or 🇵🇱 Poland might cost €10.
💡 Pro Tips for 2026
Download the Eurail app for real-time schedules and digital pass activation. The DB Navigator app (German Railways) works across most of Europe for timetable lookups. Pack a universal power adapter — train power outlets vary by country. First class on eastern European trains often costs just €5-10 more and is worth every cent for the extra space and quiet.
