Thinking of traveling through Europe by train? We spent a few different summers hopping on trains across the continent—some incredible, and some we probably won’t ride again. We used a combination of Eurail Passes and point-to-point tickets through platforms like Rail Europe and Omio. But here’s the thing: it was hard to find honest European train travel reviews of what these trains are really like.
Before purchasing seat reservations, I needed answers: How comfortable are the seats? Is there decent food? Do outlets and WiFi actually work? What’s the real difference between first and second class? Since we couldn’t find much info beyond the technical specs and maps, I’m here to fill in those gaps with real-world insight from a traveling family.
Renfe Euromed (Spain)
Route: Barcelona Sants to Valencia-Joaquin Sorolla
Train: Renfe Euromed 01161
The Renfe Euromed is a high-speed train that hugs the Spanish Mediterranean Coast, so you’ll be treated to beautiful sea views throughout the 2 hour and 45-minute journey.
We booked first class using our Eurail Pass (seat reservation cost: $12 USD). Family members without a pass paid over $100 per person for the same journey at the station—lesson learned: book ahead!
What We Loved:
- Spacious, comfy first-class seats with outlets and tables
- Attentive announcements in multiple languages
- Clean bathrooms and working AC
- Dining car with a nice variety of snacks, boxed lunches, and drinks
- Food cart service mid-journey
- Even a movie playing onboard!
Insider Tip:
Head to the dining car as soon as the train departs. The line grows fast, and snack carts take a while to reach your seat.
Thinking about purchasing a Eurail Pass? It can be very confusing, so we put together a guide that will hopefully make it easier for you to navigate! Click here for Everything you Need to Know about the Eurail Pass!
TGV Lyria (France to Switzerland)
Route: Paris-Gare de Lyon to Geneva Cornavin
Train: TGV Lyria 4729
This double-decker train felt more like luxury travel than public transportation. It connects France and Switzerland in just over 3 hours at speeds up to 320 km/h (199 mph).
Our Experience:
- Super comfortable first-class seats with legroom to spare
- Free WiFi and charging outlets at every seat
- Plenty of luggage storage
- Exceptionally clean bathrooms
- Attentive staff who moved our party of 6 so we could sit together
Tip:
Book tickets 2-6 months in advance for the best pricing. Use platforms like Omio to compare.
You can book your seat reservations HERE
When we first booked our seat reservations, we could not figure out how to get our party of 6 to sit together, so 2 of us were in a different car. It was not a big deal as the seats are very comfortable, have a ton of leg room, and has an outlet at every seat. There is also free WiFi available on this train. After we took off, the train attendant saw that we were split up, and found us seats, on the second story, for all of us to sit together. We were extremely grateful to her for taking notice, and taking action without having to be asked!
Our new seats were a 4 top table, directly next to a 2 top table. The seats can recline, and still enough leg room without bothering the person behind, or in front of you. There was plenty of space in all of the cars for luggage storage. The bathrooms are well equipped and very clean.
Foodie Highlight
The dining car was hands-down the best of any train we’ve taken. Michelin-starred French chef Michel Roth designed the menu—and you can taste it. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully plated.
Helpful Information
*Your earliest available booking date depends on factors such as what country you are from, whether you are booking with a Eurail Pass, etc. Check out Omio to compare ticket prices and find the perfect route!
Trenitalia EuroCity (Switzerland to Italy)
Route: Geneva to Venice St. Lucia
Train: Trenitalia EC 35
This early-morning 7-hour trip came with stunning views through the Alps, but it wasn’t our favorite ride overall.
The Good:
- Gorgeous mountain and countryside scenery
- Reserved seats and decent legroom in first class
The Not-So-Great:
- Dated train with worn-out seats
- Spotty WiFi (never really worked)
- Limited working outlets
- Dining car opened over 2 hours late and was chaotic
- Short-staffed and missing food items
If you’re traveling with little ones, we suggest packing food in advance and skipping the early departure.
Our Trip
We were in first class for this trip. The train itself is nice, but a little dated. The seats have seen better days. There was free WiFi available, but it never worked. There were also outlets at every seat, but only 2 out of the 6 seats we occupied worked.
Our train departed at 05:39 am. Since it was so early, there weren’t many food options open yet at the train station, so we figured we would eat on the train. Upon boarding we asked when the dining car would open and we were informed it would open at 07:00 am. By that time we were famished!
The dining car did not open until a little after 8:00 am. As soon as it opened, it was pandemonium. There was only one person working the entire car (taking orders and making the food). We ordered our food and waited for almost 30 min. Once it came out we were missing some items, and when we asked the attendant about those items, he said that they had run out. So we were asked to wait at the back of the line to re order. (And I’m not sure if we ever got a refund for those items). Not fun trying to explain that to a hungry toddler. Once we got our food, it was good, but nothing memorable.
I would take this route again, but I think I would opt for a time later in the day, and wouldn’t pay extra for 1st class. 2nd class seemed to look exactly the same. Ticket prices for a 7 hour train ride were very reasonable though.
Trenitalia FRECCE (Tuscany, Italy)
We also used the Trenitalia FRECCE trains throughout Tuscany. These are high-speed and modern trains included with our Eurail Pass—no seat reservation required!
Why We Loved It:
- Easy to hop on and off for day trips
- Frequent departures
- Clean, air-conditioned cars
- Stress-free option for families traveling through Italy
Bonus: While on a cruise, we skipped the pricey excursions and used FRECCE trains to explore cities at our own pace—saving hundreds of dollars.
Night Trains
We took two sleeper trains during our earlier travels in 2018. While many things may have changed, here’s what we experienced:
EuroNight EN 50463 (Munich to Zagreb)
- Basic but clean compartment with two beds and a sink
- Shared showers available at Munich station before boarding
- Great way to cover ground overnight on a budget
NightJet Deluxe (Vienna to Rome)
This was a game-changer.
- Private room with its own shower and toilet
- Comfortable beds and surprisingly good sleep
- Breakfast delivered with a wake-up call
If you’re picky about hygiene (like us), splurging on a deluxe room is so worth it.
In Conclusion
Train travel in Europe is one of our favorite ways to get around—but it pays to do your homework. Some trains feel like a luxury hotel, while others might leave you hangry and confused. The Eurail Pass saved us money and offered flexibility, but we always double-checked whether seat reservations were required.
We highly recommend booking your trains through Omio, RailEurope, or GetYourGuide. Compare prices, check for hidden seat fees, and know what to expect.
From scenic coastlines to late-night sleeper cabins, we’ve experienced it all—and hope this helps you plan your own train adventure across Europe.
Want more tips like these? Check out our full guide to the Eurail Pass, cruise excursions, and traveling Europe with kids!
Happy riding!
