Many people balk at the prospect of ordering anything on-line, let alone train travel. But it is surprisingly easy to do, and your tickets are sent to your email and then you can print them off ready to go. Also the prices of train travel are relatively cheap, and in some cases you have a choice between First Class and Second Class.  We always opt for the First Class tickets as they do provide more comfort.

Here is a quick overview of train travel through Europe:

ITALY

  1. ItaliaRail – pretty much takes you anywhere you wish to go throughout Italy. The booking process is straightforward and once you choose your start and end point, all the train times will appear for you to choose the best option for your travel needs. Things to watch out for:
    • Regional train timetables are only available within about 2 months of travel.
    • Trains between larger cities, e.g. Rome and Florence are available 3 months and over.
    • It is worthwhile signing up for an account with ItaliaRail as it allows you to manage your tickets through their website.
    • Generally speaking all tickets are non-refundable so be sure you have chosen the correct train and time before finalising your booking.
  2. Trenitalia – will provide similar times and stations to ItaliaRail, but they do offere refundable tickets. So if you are unsure about your travel plans, but want to ensure you have your tickets booked, then Trenitalia is probably a safer option.
    • Interrail Italy Pass – This is available for European residents only. You might think it worth buying a train pass which allows you to take as many trains as you wish on any given day. They are available for 3, 4, 5, 6 or 8 travel days within a 1 month period so you need to decide whether you wish to do that much travel in a month, and whether you think the cost is value for money.

SPAIN

  1. Renfe – this is Spain’s national train company and main provider. The network is made up of regional and inter-city trains. However they are expensive so it is always a good idea to check out other providers as well. There can be quite a difference in ticket prices.
  2. Renfe AVE – these are high speed trains usually used for long-distance routes between major cities in Spain.
  3. Renfe Viajeros –
  4. Iryo – this is Spain’s first private high speed operator and offer a premium on-board service. They have a good reputation so should be investigated when booking tickets.
  5. Spain Rail –

PORTUGAL

  4. Eurail Pass – This is for residents outside Europe, and is similar to the Interrail Italy Pass. They have a number of different packages so a little investigation is required before you decide what is best value for money for your trip.