Europe by train
I'm desperate to travel across Europe by train, but overwhelmed about where to go and the best routes to take. I'm interested in southern Europe as I imagine going through the Alps would be beautiful. How do I go about planning this trip and keeping the costs down? Isla Leckie, Leitrim
Tom replies:
While it's hard to know which rails to ride across Europe, getting started is a lot easier. You need three things: the first is a sense of adventure; it sounds as though you've already got that. The second is an Inter Rail pass to take you anywhere you feel like going. These come in two varieties: the Global Pass covers travel from Spain to Turkey to Norway, is valid in 30 countries and available for a set number of days within a broader time period, or for a continuous period of 22 days or one month. Prices range from €159 for a youth second-class ticket valid for five days and travel within a 10-day period, to €469 for an adult pass valid for one month.
Individual country passes allow you to explore one place for less. For more information, see www.interrailnet.com.
Finally, you need a book to tell you about all the lovely routes you can take. Thomas Cook's European Rail Timetable (€15; from www.thomascookpublishing. com) is the one essential document for planning and travelling.
As for costs, self-cater, stay in hostels or camp where you can, and take the occasional night train. Avoid high-speed services such as TGV in France, ICE in Germany and Spanish TALGO trains, as they'll require a supplement. You also get lots of discounts with an Inter Rail pass -- flash it whenever you can.
- Tom Hall
