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
In the UK, there are now hardly any places where you can buy European train tickets over the counter. The former Rail Europe office in Piccadilly closed in 2015. 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 Ireland. You usually need to buy online or by phone.
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, some agencies are better for some journeys than others because of the ticketing system(s) they use.
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For journeys from the UK to France, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Portugal I'd call someone like Ffestiniog Travel, The Travel Bureau or Trainseurope.
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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 agency such as The Travel Bureau or Trainseurope 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 2, 3, 4 or sometimes 6 months 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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The Travel Bureau01902 326 662
Lines open 09:00-17:00 Monday-Friday.
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Recommended for: Most train journeys all over Europe. Phone lines open: 10:00-16:00 Mondays to Fridays, closed weekends. Personal callers: No. Website: rail-travel.co.uk. Member of AERA. Email: rail@thetravelbureau.co.uk Plus points: Can arrange rail tickets across much of Europe. Limitations: Only open office hours. Booking fee: Yes, but not known. Ticket delivery & collection: Tickets can be sent to any address worldwide, some can be emailed. |
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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 Travel01766 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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Trainseurope01354 705098
Lines open 09:00-19:30 Monday to Friday, 10:00-15:00 Saturday & Sunday. |
Recommended for: journeys from London to most destinations, as they use the French, Belgian, Italian & German reservation systems. Phone lines open: 09:00-19:00 Monday to Friday, 10:00-15:00 Saturdays & Sundays. Personal callers: No. Website: www.trainseurope.co.uk. Email: sales@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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Other UK agencies
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Other good agencies include: The Travel Bureau: www.thetravelbureau.co.uk (office in Wombourne, West Midlands, 08448 156 212). Rail Canterbury: Now closed permanently. |
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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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TogreijseDK: +45 25 47 09 09
Lines open 08:00-16:30 Monday to Friday. |
Recommended for: All European journeys, if you're in Denmark Phone lines open: 09:30-17:30 Monday to Friday, 10:00-17:00 Saturday. Personal callers: Jernbanegade 29, 7700 Thisted, Denmark. Website: togrejse.dk. Email: booking@togrejse.dk Ticket delivery & collection: Tickets can be sent to any address. Booking fee: Yes. |
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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
Hotels in Europe
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
You should take out travel insurance with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover from a reliable insurer. It should cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit. These days, check you're covered for covid-19-related issues, and use an insurer whose cover isn't invalidated by well-meant but excessive Foreign Office travel advice against non-essential travel. An annual policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself. 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, I get a little commission if you buy through these links, feedback always welcome.
www.staysure.co.uk
offers enhanced Covid-19 protection and gets 4.7 out of 5 on
Trustpilot.
www.columbusdirect.com is also a well-know brand.
If you live in the USA try
Travel Guard USA.
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Get an eSIM with mobile data package
Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a European mobile data package and stay connected. Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list. There's no need to buy a physical SIM card! Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data.
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Get a Curve card for foreign travel
Most banks give you a poor exchange rate then add a foreign transaction fee on top. 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 money you spend on your Curve card 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 Curve app for iPhone or Android. 2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses. 3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card. 4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app. You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.
I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader. The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than getting a card out). I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend 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.
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Get a VPN for safe browsing. Why you need a VPN
When travelling you may use free public WiFi which is often insecure. A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi. It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply. See VPNs & why you need one explained. ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using this link you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription. I also get some commission to help support this site.
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Carry an Anker powerbank
Tickets, reservations, hotel bookings and Interrail or Eurail passes are often now held on your mobile phone. You daren't let it run out of power, and you can't always rely on the phone's internal battery or on being near a power outlet. I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over. Buy from Amazon.co.uk or Buy from Amazon.com.
Touring cities? Use hill walking shoes!
One of the best things I've done is swap my normal shoes for hill-walking shoes, in my case from Scarpa. They're intended for hiking across the Pennines not wandering around Florence, but the support and cushioning for hiking works equally well when you're on your feet all day exploring foreign cities. My feet used to give out first and limit my day, now the rest of me gives up before they do!