How to buy
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It's best to buy European train tickets online, especially if you live outside Europe. But if you live in the UK or Ireland and would prefer to book tickets by phone, this page tells you who to call depending on the journey you want to book.
Remember that if you book by phone or in person you'll normally pay a booking fee, and the agency you use may not be able to access the cheapest rates for your journey if they don't have a connection to that operator's ticketing system.
How to buy
tickets in person
There are very few places in the UK where you can buy European train tickets over the counter. The Eurostar ticket office at London St Pancras only sells tickets as far as Paris or Brussels plus a few major cities in France, Germany & the Netherlands. Most British railway stations do not sell international tickets at all except for train & ferry tickets to the Republic of Ireland. But there are one or two exceptions worth mentioning:
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International Rail desk at STA Travel near London Victoria Station: European rail booking agency International Rail staff a desk inside the STA Travel Agency at 52 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0AU, see www.internationalrail.com/9d-london-rail-desk. It's open 09:00-12:00 & 13:00-15:00 Monday-Friday, but you can't just turn up - you need an appointment, but it's easy to book one online at www.internationalrail.com/9d-london-rail-desk. The desk can sell Eurostar tickets, all sorts of European rail tickets & reservations, Interrail passes, Eurail passes and reservations and so on. They are an official Eurail Aid office, and can validate Eurail passes. Francesca can issue most tickets & reservations on the spot. In 2019, reports suggest this too has now closed down...
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The Trainseurope desk at St Pancras closed in 2017.
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The Voyages-sncf.com / Rail Europe travel centre in Piccadilly, London closed down in November 2015.
How to buy tickets by phone
It's easy to buy European train tickets by phone in the UK or Ireland, but choose your agency carefully, as some agencies are better for some journeys than others because of the specific ticketing system(s) which they use.
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For journeys from the UK to France or involving just the direct trains (note the word direct) from Paris to Turin, Milan, Barcelona & Switzerland, I'd call someone like Ffestiniog Travel or International Rail.
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I'd call International Rail to sort a journey deeper into Spain or Italy, even though they're only open office hours and charge a slightly higher booking fee, because they are equipped with French, Spanish, Italian, Belgian and German systems, so can sell all the cheap fares across much of Europe.
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On the other hand, I'd call Deutsche Bahn (German Railways) for a journey to Germany, Austria, Central Europe or Scandinavia for example, as they (obviously) use the German ticketing system so can access all the cheap fares within and across Germany, they charge minimal booking fees and are open weekends and evenings.
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Then again, for a more exotic journey such as London to Moscow or Istanbul, I prefer to call a smaller private agency such as International Rail even though they charge a booking fee, as their staff can be more familiar with making complex long-distance bookings.
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Remember that European train reservations open 60, 90, 120 or in a few cases 180 days before departure, you can't buy tickets before reservations open! More info about when European train bookings open.
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Deutsche Bahn |
Deutsche Bahn (German Railways) have an English-speaking phone number, as well as numbers for information & tickets in several other European languages. Calls are handled by English-speaking staff at DB's call centre in Berlin. They can sell tickets and reservations for much of Europe, and charge either no booking fee, or a token one. DB's long-standing 0871 UK phone number was discontinued in October 2020. Recommended for: journeys from London to Germany, Austria, Scandinavia, central & eastern Europe, or within and between those countries. Naturally, they use DB's own (German) reservation system. Phone lines open: 08:30-20:00 Monday to Friday, 09:00-13:00 Saturday & Sunday, UK time. Personal callers: No Website: www.bahn.co.uk. Plus points: This is German Railways' own telesales office in Berlin, good for tickets from London to Germany as they use German Railways' reservation computer and can access all German Railways' special offers. They are also good for Scandinavia, Austria, central & eastern Europe, including trains to Russia & the Ukraine. They don't charge a booking fee. Limitations: Staff at a smaller agency such as European Rail (see below) can sometimes be more familiar with arranging complex bookings such as London-Istanbul or London-Romania/Bulgaria, etc. even though they charge a booking fee. Ticket delivery & collection: In many cases tickets can be emailed. Alternatively, hard-copy tickets can be sent to any address worldwide for a small fee, about €5.90. Booking fee: Since the new EU legislation came in they have dropped their 2% credit card fee but now charge 1.5% fee for all phone bookings. |
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International Rail0844 248 248 3
Lines open 09:00-17:00 Monday-Friday. From outside the UK call +44 844 248 248 3
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Recommended for: Most train journeys all over Europe. Phone lines open: 09:00-17:00 Mondays to Fridays, closed weekends. Personal callers: No. Website: www.internationalrail.com. Member of AERA. Email: sales@internationalrail.com Plus points: International Rail are equipped with multiple ticketing systems, including the French (SNCF), Spanish (Renfe), Italian (Trenitalia), German (DB) & Belgian (SNCB) rail ticketing & reservations systems. That means they can access the cheap tickets for most of Western Europe and much of eastern Europe, unlike some other agencies equipped with only one country's system. Can send tickets anywhere in the world. Limitations: Only open office hours. Booking fee: They charge a £10 booking fee for bookings under £100, £20 for £100-£300, £30 above £300. Ticket delivery & collection: Tickets can be sent to any address worldwide. £10 courier fee for overnight delivery to UK addresses. However, Eurostar and many European tickets can be emailed as e-tickets, saving time and courier fees. |
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Ffestiniog Travel...01766 512400
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Recommended for: Most train journeys all over Europe. Phone lines open: 09:00-17:00 Mondays to Fridays, 09:00-13:00 Saturdays. Website: www.ffestiniogtravel.com. Member of AERA Personal callers: Yes, at the former St Mary's Church, Church St, Tremadog, Wales, LL49 9RA. Email info@ffestiniogtravel.co.uk. |
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Trainseurope0871 700 7722
Lines open 09:00-17:30 Monday to Friday |
Recommended for: journeys from London to most destinations, as they use the French, Belgian, Italian & German reservation systems. Phone lines open: 09:00-17:30 Monday to Friday, closed Saturdays & Sundays. Personal callers: Yes, at March & Leicester. London St Pancras International: Trains Europe used to have a desk here, but it closed in 2017. March railway station, Cambridgeshire (main office), open 09:30-17:30 Monday to Friday, closed Saturdays & Sundays. Leicester station office, open Monday-Saturday 10:00-16:00. Their office at Cambridge railway station has closed. Website: www.trainseurope.co.uk. Email: info@trainseurope.co.uk. Member of AERA. Plus points: An experienced European rail agency offering Eurostar, European rail tickets, ferry tickets & railpasses. Trains Europe can make seat, couchette & sleeper reservation for almost any train in Europe except those starting in Portugal, Serbia, Greece, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine, Moldova or the Baltic states. Fax 01354 660444. Will send tickets overseas if required - from outside the UK, call +44 1354 660222. Ticket delivery & collection: Tickets can be sent to any UK address, may also send overseas by special arrangement, at extra cost. Booking fee: About £10-£30 per booking. |
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UK Voyages-sncf(formerly Rail Europe UK)
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SNCF's (French Railways) UK subsidiary has closed down. Originally Rail Europe UK (raileurope.com), later rebranded as UK voyages-sncf, it first closed its West Malling call centre and shifted call handling to Spain, then in March 2018 closed both its UK website and its UK phone number. If you now call 0844 848 5 848 it tells you to call SNCF in France on 00 33 970 60 99 70, which will cost you 80p/minute. You may want to use a UK agency as this will be cheaper to call, although almost all the remaining UK agencies have higher booking fees and shorter opening hours (usually closed evenings & weekends) than the former Rail Europe UK. |
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Other UK agencies...
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Other good agencies include: Rail Canterbury: Unfortunately, they have now closed down permanently. The Travel Bureau: www.thetravelbureau.co.uk (office in Wombourne, West Midlands, 08448 156 212). |
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RailShop.ie(01) 866 5841
Lines open 09:00-17:00 Monday to Friday
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Recommended for: Most European journeys, as they have the French, German, ACP & UK ticketing systems. Phone lines open: 09:00-17:00 Monday to Friday, closed Saturdays & Sundays. Personal callers: No: Website: www.railshop.ie. Email: railshop@atts.ie. Plus points: A small expert agency based in Dublin. Ticket delivery & collection: Tickets can be sent to any Irish address, may also send overseas by special arrangement, at extra cost. Booking fee: About €10 per booking. |
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Irish Rail(01) 703 1885
Lines open 09:00-17:00 Monday to Friday
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Recommended for: Most European journeys. Phone lines open: 09:00-17:00 Monday to Friday, closed Saturdays & Sundays. Personal callers: Yes, but only at the largest Irish rail stations. Website: www.irishrail.ie. Email: europeanrail@irishrail.ie. Plus points: You're booking direct with a train operator. Ticket delivery & collection: Tickets can be sent to any Irish address. Booking fee: Not known. |
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Deutsche Bahn00 44 8718 80 80 66
Lines open 09:00-20:00 Monday to Friday, 09:00-13:00 Saturday & Sunday. |
Recommended for: journeys from London to Germany, Austria, Scandinavia, central & eastern Europe. Naturally, they use DB's own (German) reservation system. Phone lines open: 09:00-20:00 Monday to Friday, 09:00-13:00 Saturday & Sunday. Personal callers: No. Although aimed at Britain users they will send tickets to Irish addresses. Website: www.bahn.co.uk. Plus points: This is German Railways' excellent UK telesales line, but they'll send tickets to Irish addresses. They're good for tickets from London to Germany as they use German Railways' reservation computer and can access all German Railways' special offers. They are also good for Scandinavia, Austria, central & eastern Europe, including trains to Russia & the Ukraine. They don't charge a booking fee. Limitations: Staff at a smaller agency such as European Rail (see below) can sometimes be more familiar with arranging complex bookings such as London-Istanbul or London-Romania/Bulgaria, etc. even though they charge a booking fee. Ticket delivery & collection: Tickets can be sent free of charge to any Irish address. Booking fee: Since the new EU legislation came in they have dropped their 2% credit card fee but now charge 1.5% fee for all phone booking. |
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TreinreiswinkelNL: 071 51 37 008
Lines open 09:30-17:30 Monday to Friday, 10:00-17:00 Saturday. |
Recommended for: All European journeys, if you're in the Netherlands Phone lines open: 09:30-17:30 Monday to Friday, 10:00-17:00 Saturday. Personal callers: Yes, in Leiden at Breestraat 57 ANVR 4173 Website: www.treinreiswinkel.nl. Email: info@treinreiswinkel.nl This is the best known and very capable independent ticket retailer in the Netherlands. Ticket delivery & collection: Tickets can be sent to any address. Booking fee: Yes. |
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Recommended guidebooks
Paying for a guidebook may seem an unnecessary expense, but it's probably just a tiny fraction of what you're spending on your whole trip. You will see so much more, and know so much more about what you're looking at, if you have a decent guidebook. For the independent traveller, I think the best ones out there are either the Lonely Planet or the Rough Guide. Both guidebooks are excellent, and you won't regret buying one..! Alternatively, the 'Europe by Rail' guide combines country information with basic train information.
Click the images to buy at Amazon.co.uk...
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Hotels & accommodation in Europe
Other hotel sites worth a look...
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www.tripadvisor.com is a huge resource, a good place to browse independent travellers' reviews of all the main hotels.
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www.booking.com is my own preferred hotel booking system (Hotels Combined being a booking site comparison system). It has a simple interface, a good selection in most countries worldwide, useful online customer reviews of each hotel, and decent prices, usually shown inclusive of unavoidable extras such as taxes (a pet hate of mine is systems that show one price, then charge you another!).
Budget backpacker hostels...
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www.hostelworld.com: If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about the backpacker hostels. Hostelworld offers online booking of dorm beds or ultra-cheap private rooms in backpacker hostels in most European cities at rock-bottom prices.
Travel insurance & VPN
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Always take out travel insurance...
Never travel without travel insurance with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover from a reliable insurer. It should also cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit. An annual multi-trip policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy myself. However, don't expect travel insurance to bail you out of every missed connection, see the advice on missed connections here. Here are some suggested insurers, Seat61 gets a little commission if you buy through these links, feedback is always welcome.
In
the UK, reliable insurers include
Columbus Direct.
If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are over 65, see www.JustTravelCover.com - 10% discount with code seat61.
You
can use
www.confused.com to compare prices & policy features across
major insurance companies.
If you live in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland or the
EU, try
Columbus Direct's other websites.
If you live in the USA try
Travel Guard USA.
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Get a Curve card to save on foreign transaction fees...
Banks often give a poor exchange rate, then charge a currency conversion fee as well. A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month as I write this. The balance goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards. And you can get a Curve card for free.
How it works: 1. Download the app for iPhone or Android. 2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to most European addresses including the UK. 3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app. 4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, just like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance onto whichever of your debit or credit cards you choose. You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.
I use a Curve Blue card myself - I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I'm recommending it here because I think it's great. See details, download the app and get a Curve card - they'll give you £5 cashback through that link, too.
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Get a VPN for safe browsing. VPNs & why you need one explained...
When you're travelling you often use free WiFi in public places which may not be secure. A VPN means your connection to the internet is encrypted & always secure, even using unsecured WiFi. In countries such as China where access to Twitter & Facebook is restricted, a VPN gets around these restrictions. And lastly, you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geographic restrictions which some websites apply - for example one booking site charges a booking fee to non-European visitors but none to European visitors, so if you're not located in Europe you can avoid this fee by browsing with a UK IP address using a VPN. VPNs & why you need one explained. ExpressVPN is a best buy and I use it myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using the links on this page, you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription, and I get a small commission to help support this site.