New to train travel, or to travelling on your own? Here are some tips to help you plan a great trip.
- Plan ahead. The earlier you plan, the more choice you'll have for trains and accommodation. In summer especially, trains that need a seat reservation can sell out weeks or even months in advance. So start planning as soon as you know when you're going.
- Leave enough time to change trains. Trains are usually reliable, but delays can happen. Give yourself extra time between connections, especially if your next train needs a seat reservation. You can set a minimum change time with the filters in the Planner. How the Planner works
- Check live updates on the day. The Planner shows live delays and cancellations for some train companies only. You can turn live updates on under More > Settings. For the most up-to-date information, also check the departure boards at the station or the train company's website. List of train companies | What to do if your train is delayed
- Look beyond the first results. The Planner shows the fastest connections first, but they're not always the best for you. Use the filters to avoid seat reservations, or split your journey into shorter parts to add a stop along the way, for example Paris to Lille and then Lille to Brussels instead of Paris to Brussels.
- Turn on notifications. We'll send you a push notification if there are major disruptions or strikes, so you can change your plans in time. You can turn them on under More > Settings.
- Connect with other travellers. Join the official #DiscoverEU Facebook group to ask other travellers for tips and ideas for places to visit. More ways to meet other participants
Have a question during your trip? You'll find lots of answers in the DiscoverEU Help Centre.