Cheap Travel Europe: Travel Europe on a Budget By Train on the Eutrail

The best way to travel through Europe on a budget is on the Eutrail. Not only is it cheaper, it also gives your the chance to soak in the scenery and atmosphere as you travel. Locals use it and that's the best recommendation you can get.

Imagine, the Eurail Global Pass allows you unlimited train rides throughout 20 countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland (Rep.), Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. You can choose a pass for 15 days, 21 days, one month, two months or three months of unlimited first class travel. After the specified time frame is up, your travel should be done.

Alternatively, you may opt for the Eurail Global Pass Flexi where you can have 10 or 15 non-consecutive unlimited first class travel days distributed at your convenience throughout a two-month period.

If there are two of you or more travelling together, the Eurail Global Pass Saver offers discounts. If you get the Eurail Global Pass Saver Flexi, your group can choose 10 or 15 non-consecutive days of unlimited first class travel distributed at your convenience throughout a two-month period.

Those who are younger than 26 years old can avail of further discounts with the Eurail Global Pass Youth or the Eurail Global Pass Youth Flexi. These offer the same choices as the Eurail GlobalPass and the Eurail GlobalPass Flexi, but for second class travel.

If you only want to travel among three to five countries among the 20 countries identified above, you can do this cheaper with the Eurail Select Pass. You then choose five, six, eight or 10 non-consecutive days of unlimited first class travel distributed at your convenience throughout a two-month period. You also get free passes or discounts on transfers by bus, boat, ferry or lake steamer.

As with the Global Pass, the Eurail Select Pass has a Pass Saver for groups and a second class pass for the youth aged under 26.

Day trains have either open coach car seating with a center aisle or compartment seating in enclosed cabins.

Night trains give you the most savings, though, combining the cost of overnight sleeping accommodations with your transportation cost. It saves you time, as well, freeing your days for touring. Just don't forget to reserve in advance.

There are two choices on night trains: sleepers and couchettes.

Sleepers accomodate couples, families or travellers of the same sex in compartments with sleeping berths and a private washtand. Fresh linens and towels are provided. Some Deluxe accomodations have restroomsin each compartment.

Couchettes are simpler, with compartments containing open bunks provided with a pillow and blanket each. Travellers are not segregated according to gender. Washrooms are located at the end of each car.

Food and drink can be bought on almost all trains.

Although a pass already allows you to board a train, you still need to make reservations for specific trips on specific trains at a specific date and time. Otherwise, you are not guaranteed a seat.

Make sure to plan your itinerary accurately ahead of time. Remember that European trains are always on schedule and usually stop for only a few minutes.