Although, there are many conveniences and also inconveniences with either option, it all depends on your length of travel, your travel destinations, and other convenience factors.
FLYING
PROS
1. Flying can save time and money, especially on long distance journeys.
2. A cheap flight may help a tired traveler the inconvenience of sleeping on a night train.
3. Europe has a number of low-cost, budget airlines that (easyJet, RyanAir, germanwings, Air Berlin, etc) offer flights between major European cities for about $100.
CONS
1. Budget airline tickets are usually nonrefundable and nonchangeable.
2. Discount airlines do not wait for late running passengers, since an idle plane waiting for a passenger costs money. (if you are late for check-in even by 5 minutes, you will have missed your flight. Also, if you are over the baggage limit by 1 pound, they will not let you throw it away and charge you for the excess baggage instead)
3. Expensive baggage restrictions - for instance, Ryanair charges a $25 fee for each checked bag (less if you pre-book online). If your checked bag weighs more than 15 kilograms (about 33 pounds), you'll also pay $20 per extra kilo.
4. Food is usually not served during the flight, or it is available for a fee.
EURAIL
2. A cheap flight may help a tired traveler the inconvenience of sleeping on a night train.
3. Europe has a number of low-cost, budget airlines that (easyJet, RyanAir, germanwings, Air Berlin, etc) offer flights between major European cities for about $100.
CONS
1. Budget airline tickets are usually nonrefundable and nonchangeable.
2. Discount airlines do not wait for late running passengers, since an idle plane waiting for a passenger costs money. (if you are late for check-in even by 5 minutes, you will have missed your flight. Also, if you are over the baggage limit by 1 pound, they will not let you throw it away and charge you for the excess baggage instead)
3. Expensive baggage restrictions - for instance, Ryanair charges a $25 fee for each checked bag (less if you pre-book online). If your checked bag weighs more than 15 kilograms (about 33 pounds), you'll also pay $20 per extra kilo.
4. Food is usually not served during the flight, or it is available for a fee.
Most discount airlines in Europe sell their tickets exclusively over their website or over the phone, and tickets are not available via travel agents. Most are ticketless; you simply turn up at the check-in desk with your passport and confirmation number. A credit or debit card is a very good idea for booking tickets. Most discount airlines sell their tickets as single journeys only.
The pricing structure is complex, with fares fluctuating strongly according to demand, often on an hourly basis, and the same rule "get as much money as a traveler is ready to pay" that invented by traditional carriers. There are no shortcuts for obtaining the cheapest fares. In fact, fares can vary from as little as $2 on special promotions, right up to $700.
The following will however increase your probability of obtaining very inexpensive fares:
- Do fly in mid-week
- Do fly early in the morning or late at night
- Do fly in low season (Spring and Autumn)
- Do make use of sales. These sometimes appear 3-5 weeks prior to departure, however this is by no means guaranteed.
- Don't fly during public holidays.
- Don't book your ticket less than two weeks in advance
- Opt for return tickets, but keep in mind, in most cases airlines will charge extra fees for changes of date or time.
EURAIL
PROS
1. Eurail Select Passes allow travelers to save on train trips, as the cost of individual train tickets can be much higher than that of the pass.
2. Take advantage of an excellent rail system. Unlike the American passenger rail system which has few trains that go few places, the European rail system is an excellent one.
3. Trains are frequent and on time (to the minute, don't be late!), and there are trains to many small destinations. They can get you to a LOT of sights without you having to worry about renting a car and driving in Europe.
4. Spontaneity. Being able to just jump on a train to go anywhere can give you amazing flexibility and spontaneity. Tired of a city, hop on a train to go somewhere else!
5. Different kinds of passes. Different passes are available depending on how much travel you plan to do:
CONS
1. Seats not guaranteed. The Eurail Pass does NOT guarantee you a seat. This kind of uncertainty can be devastating if you are not prepared for it. You can make reservations ahead of time, though this may cut down on spontaneity.
2. Passing through non-participating countries. Also, the Eurail Pass may not cover portions of your trip through non participating countries. For example, traveling from Paris to Dublin, or from Athens to Rome, will require you to purchase tickets in addition to your Eurail Pass.
1. Eurail Select Passes allow travelers to save on train trips, as the cost of individual train tickets can be much higher than that of the pass.
2. Take advantage of an excellent rail system. Unlike the American passenger rail system which has few trains that go few places, the European rail system is an excellent one.
3. Trains are frequent and on time (to the minute, don't be late!), and there are trains to many small destinations. They can get you to a LOT of sights without you having to worry about renting a car and driving in Europe.
4. Spontaneity. Being able to just jump on a train to go anywhere can give you amazing flexibility and spontaneity. Tired of a city, hop on a train to go somewhere else!
5. Different kinds of passes. Different passes are available depending on how much travel you plan to do:
CONS
1. Seats not guaranteed. The Eurail Pass does NOT guarantee you a seat. This kind of uncertainty can be devastating if you are not prepared for it. You can make reservations ahead of time, though this may cut down on spontaneity.
2. Passing through non-participating countries. Also, the Eurail Pass may not cover portions of your trip through non participating countries. For example, traveling from Paris to Dublin, or from Athens to Rome, will require you to purchase tickets in addition to your Eurail Pass.
3. Non-rail portions of your trip. These are not covered by the Eurail pass, so if you have to take a ferry, for example, you'll have to pay for this out of pocket. The Pass may get you a lower price, however.
4. Sites not serviced by a train. Note also that while European countryside is well covered by trains, not everything is accessible by train. Some sites may require you to take a bus or rent a car, which drives the transportation price up. If you want to go to a lot of sites that are inaccessible by train, the Eurail Pass may not make sense for you.
4. Sites not serviced by a train. Note also that while European countryside is well covered by trains, not everything is accessible by train. Some sites may require you to take a bus or rent a car, which drives the transportation price up. If you want to go to a lot of sites that are inaccessible by train, the Eurail Pass may not make sense for you.
Bottom Line:
It really does depend on your travel itinerary. In order to get the best deal from a Eurail Select Pass, a bit of planning is necessary. Travelers must have a good idea of which countries they wish to visit, and in what time frame, before beginning their trip. Do a comparison between the cost of flying versus the cost of taking the train. In the end, it all depends on your preferences. But for a young traveler like me, I enjoy the thrill of experiencing Europe firsthand before my eyes and the flexibility that comes with an Eurail pass. Eurail all the way baby!
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