Getting around Europe - by train or by plane?

Europe is an easy place to travel in that it maintains sophisticated and well-developed rail and sea networks, airports and roads. There are many options to get from A to B, many of them pleasant and affordable. Budget airlines have made air travel very accessible; however, travelling by rail is another popular and practical way to travel that won't take you over budget. So, how should you get around when travelling in Europe? Here are some of the pros and cons to give you an idea of what to expect if you decide to spring for that Eurorail ticket:

Access

Nearly every city in Europe has at least one train station that is served by a good number of trains every day. Many domestic routes run hourly. Of course, if you are looking to travel to the deep rural parts of Europe, you should probably consider taking a bus. Although trains are easily accessible, bus centres are just as easy to reach and give way to a much wider network that often reach out-of-the-way places.

Eco-friendliness

When you choose European train travel, you are choosing a method of transportation that pollutes considerably less than most others. The CO 2 emissions on an average Eurorail trip are about three times lower per person than travelling the same route by vehicle and four times lower than by plane. Only cycling and sailing beat train travel as eco-efficient means of travelling. Even the steam train journeys of not that long ago, which are now almost exclusively restricted to the realm of 60th birthday ideas , were relatively clean compared with other modes of transport.

Comfort

The average train passenger is afforded more leg room and seat space than on a plane or a bus. As for sleeping quarters, it can't be beaten. Lots of trains in Europe have sleeping compartments that are spacious and comfortable. Many trains also have a separate restaurant car, which enables passengers to dine in relative style and comfort compared with the dining options on a plane or bus.

View

Only a bus or boat can compete with a train when it comes to having a great view of the beautiful landscapes and city views of Europe. From the train, you see colourful cities, the quaint countryside and the lush green hills of the continent. The only drawback, compared with travelling by car, is that you can't stop, relish the view and take a picture or two.

Speed

Among the slowest means of transport, a train's speed in reaching its destination is its biggest drawback, or plus, depending on how you look at it. If you're in no real rush to get to where you are going, relaxing and taking in the views as you sit on a train may sound like the perfect way to travel through the continent. But if you're like most people, with little time to spare to travel leisurely, other means of travel may be more appealing.

All in all, train travelling in Europe is an ideal option, so long as you have the time to enjoy it!