Train travel in Europe

[Waltzers]

Hi, I’m booking a European trip from Australia. Just wondered if anyone can advise on the best sites to book train travel? We’ll be doing Salzburg to Paris, there seems to be some big differences in prices and I don’t want to end up booking through a dodgy site and having issues! Thanks

Trainline?

This guy: https://www.seat61.com/index-mobile.htm

That’s German trains for the whole route. int.bahn.de/en/

Make sure you book seats as well as tickets

The Man in Seat 61 website is phenomenal and will talk you through this.

I'd book with the train operator itself. If there's a problem during the ride and you book with a third party like Trainline, it's harder to get redress (been there, done that). Deutsche Bahn are not the most reliable train operator but you go for the experience, over everything else.

I've booked trains direct with Tenitalia and Belgian Railways from the UK with no problems.

My mum has travelled extensively by train in Europe and agrees that Man in Seat 61 is the best reference website.

I used rail Europe for Berlin- Prague-Vienna- Salzburg-Innsbruck- Verona a few years ago. Also recommend reading the Man in Seat 61.

https://www.raileurope.com

The likes of Trainline charge a booking fee.

You can often avoid this by booking direct with the rail operator directly. Simple Google searches will reveal who the operating company is.

Prepare yourself for delays if using German Trains (DB) as sadly they are far less reliable than they once were. What I mean is don’t give yourself short connection times if you can avoid it. French (SNCF) and Austrian (OBB) are much more reliable, and if you are booking early pay the higher price, if small, to travel first class.

I presume you’re talking the Salzburg - Munich - Paris route? Strasbourg is a lovely stop off that way.

An well as the Man in Seat 61, there is a book called Europe By Rail which is great.

I use the Trainline app just for ease to have everything in one place, and it’s quick and easy to compare prices. You also get notifications about delays etc. But as others have mentioned it does charge a booking fee.

I have used the Trainline myself, so easy

Thanks so much, I will research the suggested sites.