Traveling by Train in Europe – 5 Pros and Cons

The pros and cons of travelresourcesonline by train vary depending on the county. There are significant differences between traveling by train in North America compared to traveling by train Europe. North Americans may not consider rail travel when planning a European trip because they compare it with the rail service they have experienced at home or they have never traveled by train. They may have some unfounded negative ideas regarding train travel.

Following are examples of what can be regarded as the cons of traveling by train with a rebuttal for each, the pro.

1. Train travel is too expensive. To compare the cost of renting a car with the cost of purchasing a Rail Pass you will have to compare all the variables of the two methods for each trip you take. The cost of car rental or travel with a Rail Pass will be affected by the number of people traveling together, the length of your stay, the distance you plan to travel, where and when you plan to travel. The cost of gasoline, vat and insurance add to the cost of car rental. Extra add cost for reservations, and overnight trips add to the cost of the Rail Pass. If you plan to travel by car or a Rail Pass be sure to make your arrangement before you leave home.

2. Train schedules are restrictive. Many places are not accessible by train. Train travel in Europe is convenient and efficient. The Europe railway network services more than 30,000 cities and towns, with more than 90,000 departures a day on more than 250,000 km of railway tracks.

3. Train travel is inconvenient. Train stations are usually at city centers. Many cities have more than one station. Train stations offer many amenities, restaurants, retail stores, local tour information, money exchange outlets, hotel and lodging information, public transit information, ticket offices, taxis, railway ticket offices, Tourist Information and lockers where you can store your luggage for up to 24 hours. Smaller stations will few amenities. The train stations in large cities are similar to a North American mall except the stations cater to the needs of the traveler.

4. Train travel is slow and inefficient. There are several classes of train in Europe. The high-speed trains are fast. These trains make direct connections between the large cities of Europe. At speeds from 150 to over 300 km an hour high-speed train is the expeditious way to travel. It is much faster than driving. When traveling by plane you will need ground transportation to and from the airport to the city center. For shorter trips there are regional and local trains that travel fast but not as fast as the high-speed trains. All trains run on time.

5. Train travel is not comfortable. Train travel is boring. Train travel is relaxed and comfortable. Some of the amenities found on European trains are: reclining seats with built-in tables and video screens, an integrated audio system, notebook and laptop connections, cellular-friendly areas, and air conditioning. Food is available in several ways depending on the type of train and if you are traveling first class or second class. The high-speed first class ticket holders on some trains are served a meal at their seat. On some trains you have the option of going to a sit down bistro, the lounge or buying snacks at your seat from the snack trolley. Traveling by train offers you a relaxing experience. You can meet other travelers usually from Europe, read, nap, write in your journal or just watch the view from the window.travelresourcesonlinetravelresourcesonlinetravelresourcesonline