EuroCheapo's Train Articles

Prague to Berlin: A train ride worth taking

Elbe gorge
The Elbe: en route from Prague to Berlin. Photo © hidden europe

May 01 There are some journeys worth making for their own sake. And others which merely bridge an essential gap from A to B. Many rail journeys to Berlin from nearby European capitals are often seen by seasoned travelers as more in the latter category. There is little by way of dramatic scenery in the region. Travelers » Read more

Posted in Berlin, Czech Republic, Germany, hidden europe, Prague, Train, Trip Planning

London to Paris on Eurostar: Pure cinema

London to Paris on Eurostar: Pure cinema

Apr 10 It is no surprise that, when Eurostar started operations, it immediately became the preferred option for business and leisure travelers heading from London to Paris. Almost 20 years later, the airlines cling to a small residual share of the market between the two capitals — flights are nowadays favored mainly by travelers who are making » Read more

Posted in Train

Terminal Retreats: Railway station lounges

Terminal Retreats: Railway station lounges

Apr 03 Eurostar may be utterly modern but in its lounge for premium clients at Brussels Midi station, Eurostar strikes a nicely retro note. This is a marvelous stylish space, the perfect spot to relax prior to boarding the train to London. Yes, railway stations have departure lounges too. The chance to relax in seclusion is not » Read more

Posted in hidden europe, Train

European Rail: Celebrating 140 years of Thomas Cook Timetables

European Rail: Celebrating 140 years of Thomas Cook Timetables

Mar 06 “Hey, come on,” said our neighbor as we sat in spring sunshine, exclaiming in mild delight at the timetable that had just been delivered by the Berlin postie. “Look,” he said, “it is just a train timetable.” One book: 140 years of travel history But the March 2013 issue of the “Thomas Cook European Rail » Read more

Posted in Ferries, hidden europe, Practical Info, Train, transportation, Trip Planning

By Rail through the Balkans in 2013

By Rail through the Balkans in 2013

Feb 13 If you are planning travels through the Balkan region this summer, it is worth bearing in mind that the pattern of rail services has changed radically over recent months. And the changes are not generally for the good. Croatia is gearing up to join the European Union this summer and rather perversely celebrates its accession » Read more

Posted in Croatia, Greece, hidden europe, Macedonia, Train

Train Connections: Europe’s Best and Europe’s Worst

Train Connections: Europe’s Best and Europe’s Worst

Jan 23 Train stations are just like airports. Some are great spots for making connections, others make that change of train (or plane) rather less memorable. Change trains in Cologne and, even with just a dozen minutes between trains, you have a strong sense of having experienced something of Cologne. The German city’s landmark cathedral towers over » Read more

Posted in Architecture, hidden europe, Train

Eurostar Expands its Network: London to Aix-en-Provence from £109 return

Eurostar Expands its Network: London to Aix-en-Provence from £109 return

Jan 16 Eurostar is the slick train service that has for almost 20 years provided a reliable high-speed link between London and two capital cities on the continent: Paris and Brussels. Fair fares and high speed With adult return fares from London to Brussels and Paris currently available from £59 return, budget-conscious British travelers are well aware » Read more

Posted in Train

Nomadic Matt’s favorite tips for saving money in Europe

Nomadic Matt’s favorite tips for saving money in Europe

Jan 08 This is a guest post from budget traveler extraordinaire, Matt Kepnes. Keep up with his travels and read his advice at NomadicMatt.com For the last five years, I’ve spent every summer traveling around Europe. My first summer riding the train through the European countryside enamored me with the continent and I couldn’t resist coming back….repeatedly. » Read more

Posted in Europe, Food, markets, Other, Practical Info, tips, Tours, Train

3 Rail Tips for 2013: Consider regional passes, return tickets and stopovers

3 Rail Tips for 2013: Consider regional passes, return tickets and stopovers

Jan 02 Like us, you are probably already planning rail trips for 2013. Our New Year resolutions are to remember the slow train (always much more fun than the high-speed services) and give time to those smaller communities through which we have so often passed but which we have never taken time to explore. Europe at speed » Read more

Posted in hidden europe, Train, Trip Planning

How to find and book slower trains in Europe

How to find and book slower trains in Europe

Dec 14 We’ve already published many articles on the subject of booking train tickets in Europe, most of them by our go-to rail experts, the team at hidden europe magazine. I was reminded of their advice earlier this week when trying to find (and book) train tickets from Avignon, in the south of France, to Florence, Italy » Read more

Posted in Florence, France, Italy, Nice, Train, Trip Planning