Travel In Europe by Train versus By Plane

Many travelers think to themselves, "It must be faster to fly." However, this is not the case because you have to factor in non-flying time. You need to get to the airport an hour or more before your flight, stand on the check-in line, get through security and then hope weather or other factors don't delay your flight. Now you are traveling for hours, possibly the same amount of time, or even more than the time a train would have gotten you there.

I may be biased, but travel in Europe by train is really the best way to go. Trains can take you where you want to be. You can travel to capital cities and charming, forgotten towns where time has stood still for centuries. You can save by going second-class (it's hardly roughing it) or travel first class all the way, with gourmet meals and private sleepers.

Train travel is for everyone: young and old, the frugal or the spend-happy. This is especially the case because the goal of any real traveler is to experience that sense of place. Beauty is found not just in a museum or monument. It's also right outside your train window.

Rail travel in Europe is a cultural experience. When you travel by air it's almost like a suspension of life. You're just anxiously waiting to get to your destination. However, this is valuable vacation time, to be savored and enjoyed like a vintage bottle of wine or a Van Gogh painting. Breathing in recycled air while munching on pre-made food is not what Europe is about.

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