Ever since I was in Junior High School, I dreamt of riding the rails in Europe, traveling from city to city using a Eurail Pass. You see, the German teacher in the Junior High and High School (same teacher) took groups of students to Europe every summer to do just that. I had always wanted to join, but at that time, it was just simply out of reach. 

I continued to dream about making a journey like this all through college and beyond. Finally, on my fourth trip to Europe, I made it a reality. 

I decided to buy a Eurail pass for my first Christmas market trip in the winter of 2022. I planned on starting my train journey in Vienna, and then continuing onward to other spots in Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Poland, and France. 

Tip 1: Buy Your Ticket During the Sales

When I went to buy my pass a few days before my trip, I discovered that I had just hit the jackpot of sales! Eurail has their biggest sale every year for Black Friday and I was right in the middle of this sale period. I saved 25 percent on my ticket, which is a significant amount! 

There are three things you should know about these passes. 

1. The sale usually starts a week before Thanksgiving and lasts a couple of weeks at least.  
2. You can buy all types of passes during the sale: first class, second class, monthly, one country, global, etc.  
3. The passes don't have to be used right away. In the past, you had all the way until June to use the passes! 

Apparently, Eurail also has a big sale in the spring, too. However, the Black Friday sale is their best one. So, watch for it, and snag one for your next European adventure! 

Tip 2: Consider Buying First Class Global 

Twice now, I have purchased Eurail passes for my Christmas market trips. Both times, I bought the first class global pass and have been abundantly happy that I've done so.  

Why do I recommend this? 

1. Well, when you have a first class pass, you can ride in any seat on the train (first or second class). This is really great on crowded trains because it just simply gives you more options. Of course, you start off in first class, but then if there's nothing available, you move on to second class until you find an available seat. 

2. First class seats are pretty great. Actually, no, let me be more accurate. They are really great. They are often roomy and comfy and sometimes even come with free amenities (like water, tea, snacks, and so forth). You'll also have charging ports at your seat and faster WIFI speeds than you'll find in second class. 

3. As for the global passes, if you're going to more than one country, the global pass is really a great value. You can travel through 33 countries in Europe with this pass. I personally love the convenience and spontaneity this provides since you can literally get on a train anywhere and go anywhere in Europe with your pass in hand! 

Tip 3: Use the Rail Planner App

As of 2024, Eurail still allows passholders to use the old fashioned paper version of the pass. However, I strongly recommend NOT doing this.

The other option they give is to use their app called the Rail Planner App. It's free and can be accessed wherever you get your apps. Now, this is what I definitely recommend doing. 

Why? 

The app is awesome! Seriously, it's such a great way of making your travel arrangements on the go. You simply open it up, choose your starting point and destination point, then a list of the day's train schedule between those two places comes up. You select the one you want, add it to your trip planner, and then, voila! you have a QR code that works as your ticket. When the conductor comes around on the train, you show the QR code (and sometimes your passport for ID) and that's it! 

You can quite literally book your train ticket as you're walking onto the train. If you decide last minute to take a different train, you just deselect your other one, and choose something else. If you miss a stop, you can get off at the next stop and easily just select a different route to get you back on track.  

I'm telling you: it's the absolute dreamiest way to get around Europe! 

Tip 4: Some Trains Will Require Seat Reservations or Supplements

The seat reservations and supplements are a little more of a hassle, honestly. But the great thing is they don't happen too often. 

Now, if you're traveling in Spain or France or Italy, they actually will happen quite frequently. That's why if those are the primary countries you're planning on visiting, I'd actually advise AGAINST buying the Eurail pass and just get point-to-point tickets. 

Why? 

Well, because seat reservations and supplements cost money. When I was in Spain, my seat reservations were about $13-$16. If I had purchased those tickets straight up in advance, they would have only cost me $18. Doesn't make a lot of sense to have the pass, now does it? 

However, if you're only going to have a seat reservation or supplement every once in awhile, then the pass is definitely still the preferred way to go. 

Arranging for seat reservations is quite easy. You'll just do so at the ticket office at any train station that serves that rail company, or on the Eurail or train company's website. If you do the online options, sometimes you'll get charged a fee. But this fee could be worth it if it's a huge hassle to get into the station. 

Supplements are often charged in Brussels when you go from the airport to the city center. They're not a big deal, though. They're only about 5 euros. 

Tip 5: The Pass is Good for Night Trains 

You can actually use your Eurail pass for night train tickets. However, they don't get you a swanky cabin all to yourself. Basically what they do is allow you to buy your night train tickets at a discount. 

When you book your night train ticket, you just let them know you have a Eurail pass and then you'll get a cheaper rate. Keep in mind that you'll need to show your pass along with your printed ticket to the station conductor to prove that you really do have one! They won't just take your word for it, obviously. 

Tip 6: Your Eurail Pass Can Get You From the Airport to City Center 

In many of the cities I visited in December 2023, I was able to use my pass to get from the airport to city center. This was a great value because it saved me a lot of hassle trying to figure out the city's transportation system and also saved me a lot of money because these tickets are usually more pricey and out of the range of a city's day pass for public transport. 

I used this option in Amsterdam, Brussels (with a supplement), Dresden, Oslo, Stockholm, Madrid, and Barcelona. I'm sure this is also the same at many other cities throughout Europe. 

Tip 7: Eurail Passholders Get Discounts On Other Things!

Apparently, you don't just get free rail travel with your pass, you also get discounts on all kinds of other things, too. Like discounts on ferry tickets, hostel and hotel stays, city cards, and various attractions. 

Check out the full list on the Eurail's website. 

Overall Thoughts

So, was taking the trains around Europe on a Eurail pass everything I dreamed of? Absolutely, and more! I totally love this mode of transportation and appreciate having the flexibility of getting on and off a train whenever I please. It's definitely the dreamiest! 

My Junior High self would be so happy for me! 

What about you?

Have you taken an epic train journey across Europe using a Eurail pass? If so, share your experiences in the comments below!