Flying Versus Trains and Buses for Europe: The Surprising Routes to Cheap, Convenient Travel
Flying vs. trains vs. buses in Europe: which is really cheapest, fastest and most comfortable on common routes, plus the environmental trade-offs.
Europe
Can I Take Fido? Top Tips for Riding European Trains With Dogs
Navigate the rules, pack wisely, and get the correct tickets for travelling with a dog on trains in Europe
Can I Take Fido? Top Tips for Riding European Trains With Dogs Read More »
Omio Has Problems—There Are Better Alternatives for Booking Travel
Our extensive testing and review of Omio finds better options out there for most air, train, and bus travel booking.
Omio Has Problems—There Are Better Alternatives for Booking Travel Read More »
Trainline Review: A Legit Money-Saver for Trains—But Not Always
I’ve used Trainline for years to book train and bus tickets in Europe; here’s why I use it and what I wish was better.
Trainline Review: A Legit Money-Saver for Trains—But Not Always Read More »
Hacks for Getting the Cheapest European Train Tickets
An overall guide to saving money on train tickets when travelling in Europe, including quick suggestions for each country
Hacks for Getting the Cheapest European Train Tickets Read More »
Rail Europe vs Omio vs Trainline: Which Consistently Gets the Best Deals on Train Tickets
We tested the top three train booking platforms to find out which gave the best prices: Omio, Trainline, or Rail Europe?
How to Travel Europe by Train
Here are answers to basic questions for newbies to taking trains in Europe—from those who have ridden the rails here for years
How to Travel Europe by Train Read More »
Senior Savings on European Train Travel: The Ultimate Guide to the Discounts
This is a detailed guide to senior discounts for trains in Europe and how to ensure you get them.
Senior Savings on European Train Travel: The Ultimate Guide to the Discounts Read More »
What You Never Knew about European Trains — Secrets from a Ticket Inspector
Train secrets from the point of view of a train ticket inspector from France working in Switzerland
What You Never Knew about European Trains — Secrets from a Ticket Inspector Read More »
Our Test Results: The Best Train Booking Platform for Europe
By testing hundreds of trip searches over a broad swath of booking websites, we pinpointed the best ways to get cheap train tickets in Europe.
Our Test Results: The Best Train Booking Platform for Europe Read More »
Travel Hacks for Cheap European Bus Travel
How to find the cheapest long-distance bus options in Europe, prepare for your trip, and make the most of it
Travel Hacks for Cheap European Bus Travel Read More »
Our Reviewers’ Picks of Underrated, Useful Travel Gear
Can You Plug All Your Devices into a Single Foreign Socket?
Want enough juice for a USB-C laptop without its charging brick? Want to charge a phone and tablet too? Plus plug in any other electrical device? And use all the weirdly shaped electro-holes in any wall in the world or under a train seat? A universal charger is the answer; we've tried tons and this is our favorite. It can fast-charge phones and laptops with 3 USB-C and 2 USB-A charging ports and it comes with a spare fuse.
Do You Shake, Bump, and Jiggle Everywhere You Roam?
We use our favorite road speaker to animate small parties, indoors or outdoors, anywhere in the world. At just the size of a tall beer can, the Ultimate Ears Boom 4 sounds impressive and has solid bass, especially when placed on a hard surface in the center of the room. We have smaller, even more portable picks (though not as loud) in our review.
Shouldn't You Be Able to Squish Your Water Bottle into a Pocket-Sized Disc?
Having a water bottle that I can fold up flat makes me more motivated to actually use it everywhere I go and to stay hydrated. Hydaway makes the only durable, food-grade silicone (non-BPA, non-plastic) ones we've found.
Can You Roll Your Backpack?
Rolling luggage is great except when you hit trails, metro stairs, or cobblestone streets. Backpacks are fine but who wants to carry them for long? We currently recommend this Osprey model that's a bit pricey but extremely sturdy, full-featured, and has been at my side for years on the road.
Don't Take Up Table Space! Don't Dump Your Stuff on the Floor!
Hang a bag at any café table. Don't take up your hosts' shelf space in the bathroom. Keep your pack off of the floor in a busy hostel. If you have a Heroclip on the strap of a pack, suitcase, carry-on, or purse, you'll use it all the freaking time for all sorts of things.
A Discrete, Portable, Not-at-All-Messy Way to Have Good Lube on Hand?
Good lube can be essential for safer sex, but unfortunately most lube packaging is not road-worthy. One of our sexpert's favorite silicone-based and ultra-body-safe lubes comes in an excellent travel version. In our guide we also detail a few other travel and daily-carry water-based options, as well as how to discuss lube across cultures.
