Holidays by Train: the easy, affordable way
The image of traveling by train? Expensive, slow, and a bureaucratic maze to book. Our new colleague Bram proves otherwise: he has already traveled all over Europe by train, from Rome to above the Arctic Circle in Sweden and through the Scottish Highlands. According to him, exploring Europe by train is the ultimate feeling of freedom.
Kriskras door Europa
Interrail: With Interrail, you can travel through 33 countries in Europe in a more affordable and, above all, flexible way. There are several options: for example, you can travel by train for seven days within a month, or travel as often as you like on any train for three months. Prices vary depending on the option and age group.
The big advantage? Interrail works with travel days, not individual train trips. So if you miss your train, you can simply book a new one for free in the app. Want to skip planning altogether and see where the train takes you? It’s all possible.
👍Tip from Bram👍
Throughout the fall, Interrail regularly offers big discounts. And if you’re turning 18 this year, you can even win a free pass through the European DiscoverEU initiative!
Hotel on wheels
A nighttrain is in fact a hotel on wheels. What’s more, your vacation begins the moment you step into the station. You settle into your seat or bed and watch Europe’s most beautiful landscapes roll by: from a sweeping sunset to deer grazing along the tracks. The next morning, you’ll wake up feeling refreshed at your destination.
With a night train, the day of departure counts too. This means you can travel from Brussels to Stockholm, the Scottish Highlands, or Rome in a single travel day.
Brams Favoriete Routes
- 14:30u Brussels => 16:15u Köln => 21:30u Hamburg => 11:30u Stockholm
- 18u Brussels => 20u London => 10u Fort William (Schotland)
- 07u Brussels => 09u => Paris => 15:30u Turin => 20u Rome
The times listed are for illustrative purposes, but they do accurately reflect the actual travel time.
Did you know?
Did you know that Brussels aims to become the European capital of night trains? Today, there are already direct connections to Vienna, Munich, Amsterdam, Prague, and Berlin, and starting in September 2026, there will also be connections to Zurich and Milan.
The Man in Seat 61 is the absolute bible of train travel in Europe and beyond. The website was founded by Mark Smith, a former British railway manager. He compiles information on train connections in more than 100 countries. He provides an overview of which seats are best to reserve and what you need to keep in mind. But most importantly, he guides you for free through the maze of all the websites and booking platforms.
Biking and taking the train are a perfect combination for an active vacation. However, not all trains allow you to bring your bike on board. Want to know where in Europe you can take your bike on a train and how to do it? Be sure to check out the De Wereldfietser website for a handy overview of all your options.
Bram's golden train travel tips
- Embrace mindful traveling: Allow about two hours for your transfer. If the train is on time, you’ll have plenty of time to explore a new city. If your train does end up being delayed, you won’t have to worry about missing your connection.
- The Deutsche Bahn app (bahn.com): Their trains might not run on time 🫤, but their app does provide the most accurate information on how and where to book trains in Europe.
- Zugfinder.net: Do you want to plan your train trip down to the last detail? Then this website is a goldmine. You’ll find detailed seating charts for various train models, but even more useful: accurate data on how many delays a specific train has experienced in recent weeks. That way, you’ll know in advance just how risky that tight connection really is.
- Still in need of inspiration? Chronotrains.com: A super handy website that shows you where you can get to by train within a certain amount of time. For example, you can get from Brussels to Hamburg, Bordeaux, or Munich in 8 hours.
Bram Michielsen
Related insights
Rome toont de weg naar inclusieve deelmobiliteit
Hoe kan deelmobiliteit bijdragen tot een veerkrachtigere en meer op mensen gerichte mobiliteit? Op die vraag zochten professionals en politici uit meer dan 12 EU-landen naar antwoorden op de CIVINET 2-daagse in Rome. Wij zetten de belangrijkste bevindingen op een rijtje.
2025 in cijfers
Alle belangrijke impactcijfers van een heel jaar in een handige infographic vol hyperlinks. Klikken maar!
Creating people-friendly streets
Streets should prioritise people over cars. Through creative campaigns, temporary interventions and experiments, we show how cities and towns can reclaim space for walking, cycling and community life.