How to Plan Rail Travel

Go to eurail.com for travel in Europe, amtrak.com for travel in the United States, or viarail.ca for Canada. Read about the various routes available and time required for travel.

Purchase passes for longer periods of travel. These often offer substantial savings compared with buying tickets for each individual stop. For example, the Eurail Global Pass allows you to travel to more than 20 countries in Europe over a time period of two weeks to as much as three months. The USA Rail Pass from Amtrak allows as many as 18 segments of travel over 45 days.

Select business class or first-class accommodations for each segment of your travel. These may not be available on shorter trips, but the extra cost will be well worth it when you are traveling for several hours or overnight. Extra legroom, private beds and bathrooms and food service are often included in these classes.

Pack lightly and carry your own bags. Courtesy baggage service is available at some large terminals, sometimes for a fee. Many trains limit carry-on baggage to two bags plus a personal item such as purse, briefcase or infant bag. You can sometimes check bags at the station, but confirm this with the carrier in advance.

Check the location of your departing station. Large cities often have multiple train stations, just as they have more than one airport or bus terminal.

Arrive at the station at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure, with your photo ID and/or passport. If you are unfamiliar with the area or are new to traveling by rail, give yourself more time, perhaps as much as an hour.

Pack snacks or even a meal to carry with you. Eating and drinking are allowed on trains, and there is no requirement that you purchase food items from the rail service. Of course, part of the experience can be enjoying a meal in the dining car. Even trains that do not offer full-dining service often provide cafe service for sandwiches, snacks and beverages.