City-Hopping Across Europe By Train? Rick Steves' Son Has Some Tips

With its charming cities and picturesque landscapes, Europe is brimming with diverse destinations and cultures pretty much everywhere you look, which make it the ideal place for travelers hoping to embark on an extended backpacking adventure. From the bustling streets of Paris filled with shops and restaurants to the ancient sites in Italy that are perfect for history buffs, there's no shortage of places to see, foods to try, and experiences to enjoy. 

However, when it comes to creating the perfect European travel itinerary, there's one important decision that can make or break your trip: How you're going to travel between destinations. Should you just book flights? Or are you better off purchasing a Eurail Pass and riding the train? The options — and the confusion — are endless. Luckily, Andy Steves, son of renowned travel author Rick Steves and a travel expert in his own right, has his own opinions on what long-term travelers in Europe can do. 

Speaking on the Zero to Travel podcast, Steves emphasizes that there's no universal solution when it comes to choosing between trains or planes for moving around Europe. "There are so many different variables that it really depends on the individual to be able to give a straight answer," he admits. Nonetheless, he suggests that travelers consider three key factors before simply committing to train travel and purchasing a Eurail Pass: One, the number of days you need for travel; two, the timeframe in which your pass is valid; and three, the specific countries you plan to visit.

When it comes to considering a Eurail Pass, Steves suggests treating it as a math problem. That way, to determine if a pass is worth it, you'll need to compare the total cost against your specific travel plans. "It's really up to the traveler to figure out [...] what is the best use of a Eurail Pass," Steves says. "If you're planning out your trip and you know exactly that you want to travel from, say, Paris to Berlin, Berlin to Budapest, Budapest to Vienna, Vienna to Venice, then Florence and Rome, you gotta factor in how many travel days that will be, how many different countries would that need to be valid in, and what's the overall length of the trip that [you're] going to take."

From there, Steves suggests comparing the price of the pass to the cost of individual tickets or alternative transport options — for example, flying between the longer distances. Knowing how these differ will, hopefully, prevent you from overspending on your Eurail Pass, and ensure that you're getting the best bang for your buck. Specifically, in terms of calculating costs, Steves recommends using resources like the official SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) website to help you understand prices and schedules a little better.

On top of that, Steves also points out that, with Rail Pass, you're technically entitled to hop on and off the train, but you still need a reservation that'll guarantee you a seat on the train. Steves explains: "Those are two different things, and you may still need reservations even though you have a Eurail Pass." In some instances, these reservations might even incur an additional fee of $10 to $15 each.

While cost is a big factor in determining your travel method, Steves also underscores that you don't overlook the enjoyment aspect of train travel. Even if it's slightly more expensive than other options, taking the scenic route can upgrade your European adventure and give you more time to actually enjoy the journey. Plus, once you factor in things like baggage fees, travel time to and from airports, and the stress of going through airport security, trains often come out on top in terms of convenience and overall experience.

Finally, if you do decide to travel by train, Steves has one final tip: Play it to your advantage. "[Overnight trains] work really nice at their correct length," he says. "An overnight train that takes four hours sucks, but an overnight train that takes nine and a half hours, you can get a full night's sleep and then you wake up the next morning ready to go." Plus, at the end of the day, this strategy also helps you save on a night's accommodation — which is always a plus if you're backpacking through Europe on a budget.