The European rail system is highly integrated, as trains regularly travel between countries. Unfortunately, the European Union has not instituted a central booking agency or website for train tickets, so bookings must be completed through an individual country's train network. Standing in line at the ticket office at the train station is time-consuming and not recommended. The most flexible method for booking short- or long-haul train journeys in Europe is through the touch-screen kiosks available in train stations across the continent.
Locate the ticket kiosk, a six-foot tall, silver or gray rectangle with a large color screen and credit card input slots, in the train station. Touch the screen anywhere to activate it if it is displaying a screen saver. Tap the country flag for the language you wish to use. English is accessed through the British flag.
Choose your departure location from the options listed. Tap the up or down arrows on the right-hand side of the screen to scroll through other stations if you are buying a ticket to use at a station other than the one at which you are purchasing your ticket. Type in the name of your departure station if you do not find it in the listings because many smaller, rural stations will not appear.
Choose your arrival station from the stations listed in the same manner as you chose your departure station in step 3.
Read through the train departure times, number of stops or transfers and total travel times to find the schedule train that fits your travel needs. Select the class you would like to travel in, and tap the plus sign button to indicate the number of passengers. Choose a specific seat assignment or your preference for window or aisle if you are reserving a seat on a long distance train.
Tap the "Finish" or "Purchase" button to complete your reservation and proceed to the payment screen. Enter your name or slide your passport if requested. Choose your payment method---cash, credit or debit card---and insert your payment. Pick up your printed ticket and receipt from the gray plastic window at knee height on the machine.
