Booking Trains In Europe: Rail Europe Vs. Trainline

Traveling by train is often the best way to get around Europe. The extensive rail networks make it easy to visit multiple countries and cities efficiently and comfortably. When it comes to booking trains, two of the biggest players are Rail Europe and Trainline.

But which one should you use? Here’s an in-depth comparison of these two popular rail booking platforms to help you decide.

A Brief Comparison Table

Feature	Rail Europe	Trainline
Founded	1932	1997
Countries Covered	35+	45+
Rail Passes	Yes	No
Point-to-Point Tickets	Yes	Yes
Fees	Per ticket fee	Per booking fee
Cancellations	Strict	Flexible
Best For	Rail passes, custom packages	Budget flexibility

Overview

Rail Europe

• Founded in 1932, Rail Europe is one of the oldest and most well-known train ticket retailers for European rail travel.
• Owned by Eurail Group GIE, which also operates Eurail passes.
• Offers train tickets for rail networks across over 35 European countries.
• Provides pass options like Eurail and Britrail along with point-to-point tickets.
• Customers can book online, by phone, or through travel agents.

Trainline

• Launched in 1997, Trainline is a leading independent train and coach ticket retailer.
• Provides ticketing for train travel across 45 European countries.
• Offers both digital tickets and paper tickets that can be printed or sent by post.
• Customers can book through the website or mobile apps.
• Also provides platform seat reservations and alerts in select countries.

Tickets And Passes

Both Rail Europe and Trainline sell rail passes and point-to-point train tickets across Europe.

Rail Passes

• Rail Europe has exclusive access to sell Eurail and Britrail passes which allow unlimited train travel in select countries.
• Trainline does not sell rail passes.

Point-to-Point Tickets

• Both sites sell regular point-to-point train tickets for routes across Europe.
• Rail Europe tickets can only be purchased through them or authorized sellers.
• Trainline offers the same European train tickets for the same prices as Rail Europe. The difference is you can buy Trainline tickets directly from anywhere.

Countries, Routes, And Carriers Covered

Rail Europe and Trainline both cover extensive rail networks in Europe.

• Rail Europe offers ticketing for trains across over 35 European countries by working with national railways.
• Trainline provides booking for train companies in 45 European countries including Eurostar and Thalys.

So coverage is very similar, the key difference being that Trainline also includes Eurostar (London-Paris/Brussels) and Thalys (Paris-Brussels-Amsterdam/Cologne) which are not available on Rail Europe.

Ticket Types And Fares

Both sites offer different ticket types and fares to suit different travel needs and budgets.

Ticket Types

• Rail Europe offers first and second class tickets along with couchette and sleeping car options for overnight journeys.
• Trainline provides the same selection of ticket types where available.

Fares

• Both sites have access to discounted advance-purchase fares with limited availability in addition to regular fares.
• Rail Europe customers can also use Europe’s variety of railcards and youth discounts to save on fares.
• Trainline runs regular web-only sales with discounted fares across European routes.

The best fares are generally the same on both platforms if booked early. Last minute travel may be cheaper on Trainline with web sales.

Extra Services

Along with tickets, Rail Europe and Trainline offer additional services for more convenient train travel.

• Seat reservations: Available through both to guarantee seats, especially useful for fast trains.
• In-journey alerts: Trainline provides real-time alerts and notifications about your train journey.
• Customer support: 24/7 multi-lingual call support and online chat available through both platforms.
• Mobile apps: Rail Europe and Trainline both offer user-friendly mobile apps to book and manage trips.

Fees And Payment

There are differences in fees and payment options offered:

• Rail Europe charges a service fee per ticket issued, along with shipping fees for paper tickets.
• Trainline has a fixed booking fee per transaction for e-tickets instead of per ticket fees. No fees for paper tickets.
• Both accept major credit/debit cards and PayPal. Trainline also offers Apple Pay and Google Pay.

So Trainline can work out cheaper than Rail Europe for multi-ticket bookings. Both are free for pass purchases.

Why Choose Rail Europe?

Here are some key reasons to consider Rail Europe over Trainline:

• Exclusive access to Eurail and Britrail rail passes.
• Long established reputation specialized in train travel since 1932.
• Offers vintage train journeys not available elsewhere.
• Customers can consult with knowledgeable rail agents for trip planning.
• Integrated booking for European trains and select ferries.

So Rail Europe is ideal for rail pass buyers and those wanting specialist European rail expertise.

Why Choose Trainline?

Here are some of Trainline’s advantages over Rail Europe:

• Book directly anytime without going through agents.
• No per ticket fees, just one low booking fee per transaction.
• Additional services like alerts, live arrivals/departures.
• Greater flexibility with free ticket changes and fee-free cancellations.
• Often cheaper for last-minute point-to-point ticket bookings.

Making Trainline more suitable for flexible independent travellers looking for the best deals.

Also watch this video to know more about Trainline!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Rail Europe Vs. Trainline: Verdict

• For rail passes, Rail Europe is the only option. They also excel at custom European rail vacations.
• For flexibility and budget tickets, Trainline has the advantage. Their direct model avoids agent fees.
• Both provide an extensive network of train companies across Europe. Coverage is largely the same, except for Eurostar and Thalys only being on Trainline.
• The customer experience is seamless across both platforms. Rail Europe offers specialist advice while Trainline prides itself on tech-driven convenience.

So weighing your specific needs will determine which is better for your European train travel. Ultimately, having the choice between these two reputable platforms is a great benefit to travelers.