I paid $560 for a 7-day Eurail pass to country hop by train in Europe. I took 8 rides between 6 cities and it was so much better than flying.

Fri, 09/27/2024 - 15:54

The author traveled around Europe by train and preferred it to flying. — The author traveled around Europe with a Eurail pass.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I traveled by train in four European countries using a Eurail pass in October 2022.
I preferred the experience of country hopping by train to flying to each place.
Traveling by train was cheaper, more comfortable, and more eco-friendly than flying.

Traveling by train beats flying any day — at least in Europe.

I formed this opinion in October 2022, when I spent two weeks backpacking through Europe with a Eurail pass.

Eurail passes grant travelers unlimited access to most European trains for a set number of days. Some trains only require a Eurail pass, while others, including overnight trains, incur an additional, discounted price.

Instead of trudging through airports and squeezing into coach seating, I rode the rails in affordable, top-tier classes. Here's why I'll only take trains through Europe in the future.

I used Eurail to travel by train from Germany to Austria, Italy, and Switzerland and to travel locally in those countries.

The author prepares to board a train in Europe.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

It was my first time using Eurail, and I bought a weeklong pass for $477. A ticket for the same journey in 2024 would cost about $360, according to a search on the company's website.

In total, I took eight train rides between six different cities over a seven-day period.

The author's Eurail pass on a European train.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I paid additional fees on top of my Eurail pass for two overnight trains, and when I upgraded from coach to first and business class on three rides. Each added fee was between $10 and $45, depending on the trip duration. The total cost of train travel was $560 with the upgrades.

According to a quick search on Google Flights, if I were to fly between each city in economy class instead, it would be about the same price as a Eurail pass — $360.

The author gets off a red-eye flight to Berlin. — The author gets off a red-eye flight in Berlin.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

But I'd still travel by train on future trips.

With Eurail, I could afford to ride in first and business class in large, plush seats.

the author sits in business class on a train in Italy. — The author sits in business class on a train in Italy.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

From attendant service to oversized bathrooms with mood lighting, traveling in business class through Italy was a dream. Comparable cabins on a plane would be too expensive for me.

I also booked a bunk in a shared cabin on an overnight train.

Two images: Left: The author's legs stretched out on a red couch inside a sleeper cabin. Right: The author takes a selfie with a mask on in the same spot — The author rides a Nightjet sleeper train in Europe.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I could lie flat and get some sleep, which would have been much more difficult on a red-eye flight in coach.

Additionally, trains were easier and quicker to board than flights.

The author boards trains in Italy.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Rather than going through a lengthy check-in and security process at the airport, I could just walk right onto the train platform.

And on trains, I didn't experience one of the most annoying things that happens to me when I fly: the ear-popping that often lingers for a couple of days.

The author enjoys a business-class ride on a Trenitalia train in Italy.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I also didn't miss how flights dehydrate my body.

Plus, with large windows overlooking picturesque scenery, my train rides offered views of each country that I wouldn't see from a plane.

Views of Switzerland from a train window
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

As I traveled from Italy to Switzerland, looking out the window kept me off my iPad for the entire ride.

Lastly, I appreciated that traveling by train is a more sustainable way to get around Europe.

Inside a train car in Italy with a view of mountains out the window — Inside a train car in Italy.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Travel sustainability experts previously told BI that opting for train travel over flights can lower the carbon footprint of a trip.

For me, traveling by Eurail pass proved to be comfier and more eco-friendly than flying.

The author boards a train in Italy with her big backpack in October 2022.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I would definitely do it again.

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I paid $560 for a 7-day Eurail pass to country hop by train in Europe. I took 8…