Europe has one of the best train infrastructures in the world, connecting cities big and small all over the continent. However, there are still some instances when driving in Europe may be more convenient. Here are some of the pros and cons of taking a train versus driving in Europe for your consideration.
Taking a train is often cheaper
Unless you’re traveling a wildly long distance that requires many train connections, train fares in Europe are usually cheaper for one or two people. That’s because the cost of the rental has to include all the related expenses like additional insurance, gas, highway tolls, and parking at your destination.
Driving may be cheaper if you’re traveling in a big group
If you’re three to five people and you can split all the driving expenses, you’ll likely pay less if you split the cost of a rental car rather than each person paying their own train fare. Again, this usually depends on how long you’re traveling. Usually trains that cross borders or that have many connections tend to be more expensive. If you’re only traveling a couple of hours within the same country in Europe, you may still save money by taking the train.
You can only get to certain places by car
As much as I adore Europe’s trains, I have to admit that there is a limit to where you can reach conveniently. If you want to take a trip out to the countryside, which is likely to be less crowded, cheaper, and more naturally beautiful, then you’ll probably struggle to get there conveniently using trains and other shared transportation. This includes mountain ranges, lakes, national parks, and other nature areas.
Note: this is not always the case. For instance, some mountain towns in Switzerland like Zermatt are completely carless and only accessible by train.
Driving in major European cities is a nightmare
If you’re only traveling to one or two major cities, driving is a mistake. Most European cities are not well-built for car traffic. The streets are narrow, the routes are not straightforward, there are many one-way streets and confusing roundabouts, and you have to share the road with hundreds of thousands of pedestrians, bikers, and sometimes trams, which can be difficult to drive alongside if you’re not used to it.
Parking in large European cities is expensive and inconvenient
One of the best reasons to take a train anywhere in Europe instead of drive is to avoid parking. As large cities are not so car-friendly, parking is always a hassle. Most hotels don’t have parking of their own so you have to either figure out street parking or find a lot that allows long-term parking. And the closest garage may still be a short walk to your accommodation. If you miss the parking garage entrance, it might take you 15 or 20 minutes to drive back to it because of traffic and one-way streets. Then you’ll be paying through the nose per day to have your car sitting there doing nothing in a place where you can comfortably get around on public transportation or on foot.
Driving is more convenient if you’re traveling with a lot of luggage
If you’re not someone who can travel light, I advise you to avoid taking three rolling luggages to a European train station. Luggage space is limited, trains can get crowded, and if you have to make a short train connection, you’re going to be a lot less mobile with a ton of luggage. On the other hand, when you drive, you can just throw your bags into the trunk and not worry about physically lugging them anywhere until you get to your final stop, no matter how many times you stop along the way.
In the same vein, driving is usually more convenient if you’re traveling with pets and/or kids, who tend to require a ton of extra things like strollers, travel carriers, diaper bags. Having to juggle your child or your dog and all your luggage when you’re getting on and off a train is not for the faint of heart.
The train is more comfortable
This may be something of a controversial opinion, but despite all the freedom that driving gives you, it’s not more comfortable than being on a high-speed train with wifi access, food and drinks for sale, and working toilets. There’s no need to time your bathroom breaks according to the nearest gas station. You can get up and walk around whenever you want. And European second class seats on most trains are more comfortable than premium economy seats on most airlines. You can charge your items, use a laptop, or eat on your tray table.
Train connections are stressful and could lead to delays
If you’re traveling anywhere that requires one or more connections, you might be in for a stressful day. That’s because it could be confusing to change trains, and any minor delays could knock your entire itinerary out of whack. Having to make a line at a train station information center because you missed your connecting train is not an ideal way to kick off a holiday, especially if you don’t speak the language.
Even worse than expected connections is the dreaded rail-replacement service. This occurs, sometimes at the last minute, on any given route because there is construction or maintenance on the tracks. Then you have to get off the train at some random station and take a cramped bus to another random station on the route after the closure. While the process is usually well-organized and you won’t miss this makeshift connection, it’s a hassle that adds several extra stops where you have to get off and on the train with all your things. And for as comfortable as trains can be, the rail-replacement buses are not.
Driving is more dangerous
There are about 100 rail-related deaths per year in the entire EU. By comparison, vehicle deaths are about 40,000 a year. If you’re coming from the US where there are 12.9 automobile-related deaths per capita, the risk of death is still relatively low; most EU countries have 5 or less deaths per 100,000 residents. However it’s still more dangerous in comparison to sitting on a comfortable train.
Safety-related stresses that occur on the road like dealing with other drivers, inclement weather, keeping track of speed limits, getting stopped by the police, or getting flat tire are a non-issue when you’re riding a train. Even as a passenger, driving can be more exhausting because you have to be paying attention if you’re navigating and just generally being the driver’s second set of eyes.
The train route may be prettier
Europe optimizes train travel by cutting through areas that are not car-accessible to get to other cities faster. This sometimes means traveling down the edge of the Alps or along the Rhine with beautiful views the whole way. For the driver who usually has to keep their eyes on the road, train travel is a much more relaxing experience.
Pro-tip: you can mix and match
If you want to avoid big cities but still want a car to reach remote places, you can leave your car a few cities away from a major city and take the train. For example, should you drive in France, Reims is a good place to have a car because it gives you access to all the champagne houses and vineyards that are outside city center. Paris, on the other hand, is not. So if you drove to Reims, you could park there long-term and actually save time on the trip to Paris, which is 30 minutes shorter than driving on the high-speed train.
If you’re traveling through Europe and you’re weighing the pros and cons of driving versus taking a train, there is no easy answer. I recommend comparing the fastest options first and then considering all other variables according to your situation.
Leave a Reply