Travel agencies and vacation-planning companies have assembled guided train tours throughout much of Europe. Common routes include London, Paris and Rome; Scandinavia and Russia; Spain; Germany and Austria. Tours include hotel accommodations, meals, and optional excursions to museums and other tourist destinations. Prices run around $2,000 and trips usually last 10 to 12 days.
Elegance and style define luxury European train tours. Trains are roomy and well-appointed with wood grain, plush velvet seating and private tables for snacking and dining. Cities visited on luxury train tours include Paris, Roma, Venice, Prague, Moscow and many more. Accommodations at four star or higher hotels as well as meals and complimentary drinks aboard the train are often included. Itineraries run from four- and five-night journeys to two weeks. Prices run around $8,000 per person for a five-night adventure.
If you want to see Europe by train but are operating on a tighter budget, consider planning your own train tour by purchasing Eurail passes between the cities you want to visit. Eurail offers global passes, select passes, multiple and single-country passes. The global pass is most expensive -- $652 for 15 days -- but it allows first-class, unlimited travel to more than 20 countries. A select pass offers unlimited travel bettween up to five bordering countries for varying day lengths. Prices for the select pass start at $410. The more detailed your itinerary, the more narrowly you can refine your Eurail pass, and your budget.
