There is no better way to see Europe than by rail but there are a few things you should know before crossing the pond and jumping board. Avoid the following 10 mistakes and you will be well on your way to the trip of a lifetime.
Hopping on the Wrong Train
I've been riding the rails in Europe for nearly 20 years, and I still occasionally step onto a train with a sense of uncertainty. Look, European rail stations can be bewildering places (mostly in a good way!), and if you're in a rush, you can turn right when you were supposed to turn left and end up standing on the wrong platform. Then, a train pulls up, and you're stepping on the wrong one.
To avoid this, remember that it never hurts to ask a member of the train crew before you get on if it's going to your end destination. The crew knows every stop on their route, and based on their reaction, you will find out if you're on the right train about a half-second after asking the question.
PHOTO: Train parked inside train station in Brussels (Photo by Scott Hartbeck)
De-Training at the Wrong Station
Imagine you're on a train between Amsterdam and Berlin, and after a few hours of enjoying the scenery, you settle in for a train nap. A little bit later, you awake to find the train pulling into a station called Berlin-Spandau, so you grab your bag and hop off the train. After all, you're in Berlin. You are technically speaking, but you aren't at the main Berlin railway station because that one is called Berlin Hauptbahnhof.
Most European cities have multiple railway stations (often on the outskirts of the city center), so you need to double-check which one is the best regarding the location of your hotel, onward connections or sightseeing.
Sometimes, you may be better off getting off at one of those other stations, and that brings me to the next mistake I've made.
Train at Prague's main station. (Photo by Scott Hartbeck)
Assuming You Have To Go to the Main Station
Most of the time, you will want to take the train all the way to the main "central" station as described above. These stations are almost always located in the heart of the city and serve as the nexus of the local public transportation system. If you're staying in an outer neighborhood or suburb, you may want to hop off earlier.
A prime example: if you're staying in one of Amsterdam's cool western neighborhoods, you may want to exit the train at Amsterdam Lelylaan instead of Amsterdam Centraal. It's closer to your final destination and will save you time doubling back.
It took me about three trips to the Dutch capital to figure this one out.
PHOTO: Dining car on train in Europe (Photo by Scott Hartbeck)
Ditching Out on the Dining Car
Contrary to popular belief (including mine before my first trip to Europe), not all European trains have dining cars. Typically, it's the longer services between major cities that will boast a dining car and if there is one, you will never regret popping in for a drink or a snack.
Take it from me: do not pass up this quintessential travel experience, because the "travelly" feeling you get in the dining car feels like something out of a movie. Sure, I've had plenty of meals and drinks while admiring the scenery over the years, but there are plenty of times I skipped out, and I'm still regretting them.
On a small, related note, don't forget to bring a snack or two, just in case there is no dining car (just one that won't smell out the rest of the carriage).
Not Paying Attention to Your Bag
While theft on a European train is extremely rare, it's always a good idea to keep an eye on your bags. Especially when the train is pulling in and out of stations. If you can, always store your bag directly above your seat. And, for added peace of mind, if you're traveling in a group, secure your bags to each other with a small wire lock, as it makes it too cumbersome for someone to grab quickly.
If you're wondering where your bags go when you head to the dining car: they stay by your seat. Therefore, you shouldn't leave anything valuable in your bag.
Traveler at a train station in Europe. (Photo via Eurail)
Not Getting Familiar With the 24-Hour Clock
Do you want to take an evening train from Bern to Interlaken tonight? Well, you've got a few options: 18:34, 19:04, 19:34 and 20:04. The 24-hour clock is used exclusively in the European rail travel world, and it's a big mistake to not at least attempt to get to know this clock before you set off on your European rail trip.
Either learn it through memorization or simply just subtract 12 from the two-digit number before the colon to get your time. Who knows, if you're like me, you may even start to prefer it this way.
Being Discourteous on Board
You may have just run to catch your train, and you may be in the middle of an exhilarating stretch of European travel. But most of your fellow passengers are probably just trying to get to work or head back home to see family. So our slightly loud conversations and clumsy bag lugging can be a little cringe.
Always try to talk at a low level (Americans are notorious for speaking at a high volume), and try your best to carry or roll your bag as carefully as you can down the aisle so you don't accidentally bump into a fellow passenger.
This is part of why it always pays off to pack light.
Furthermore, even though you will see people doing it, you're not supposed to put your feet on the seats, and for the love of all things good, if you're watching a video on your phone or tablet, turn the volume down.
Interior of a sleeper car on a European Sleeper train. (Photo Credit: European Sleeper)
Not Booking A Sleeping Compartment
It took me nearly 15 years to book my first sleeping compartment. Don't be like me. For far too long, I made do with sitting upright in the regular seats on an overnight train, but trust me when I say that you don't want to follow suit.
If you have booked a journey on one of the continent's many overnight trains, be sure to reserve a berth in a sleeping compartment. You are sure to awake more refreshed and ready to continue your adventure the next day than had you sat upright, airplane-style the entire time.
Getting Too Distracted by Devices
One I never thought I would be writing when I first started riding European trains, but yes, the device creep is real, and with many trains offering WiFi and plugs galore, it can be tempting to get lost on your screen. Try your best not to, because rail travel is all about appreciating the journey, and there are so many things to appreciate out the window, in the dining car or during conversations with fellow passengers. A little social media or trip research is inevitable, but try not to let it swallow up the entire train ride. After all, you’ll be back home on the couch before you know it, and you need to enjoy every possible moment.
PHOTO: Antwerp Central Station in Belgium (Photo via Paul Hermans / Wikimedia Commons)
Not Appreciating the Railway Stations
Once upon a European rail trip, I was hustling hard to make a train in Prague, speed-walking my way through the underground hallways of the main railway station, when I heard the relaxing sounds of a piano being played. As I continued, I passed under a circular atrium, and I glanced up to see a piano and a grand ceiling above it. Turns out, I had been in such a hurry that I had missed an entire historic Art Nouveau section of the railway station, and I immediately regretted it.
One of the best things about European rail travel is that barring a few rare exceptions, you don't have to show up ahead of time. Most of the time, turning up at the station 15-20 minutes before your train departs is more than enough time. The more time you have, the better. European rail stations are treasure troves of travel fun, home to restaurants, bars and book shops and they all overflow with the buzz of wanderlust.
Walk around and soak up the atmosphere, grab an espresso, or simply admire the architecture or historical features: there is almost always bound to be something of note. At Rome Termini, there's a bit of Roman wall in the station, and in my home of York, England, you can spot a memorial to a railway worker who gave his life trying to help others when York Station was bombed during World War 2.
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