How to Book a Train Ticket Online

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1Choosing a Train Line and Ticket Type

2Optimizing Your Purchase

3Booking Your Ticket

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Tips and Warnings

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References

There was a time when you had to book a train ticket in person at the station, but today it is becoming increasingly popular do it online instead. Many railways even offer e-tickets so you can store your ticket on your phone. It sounds very convenient, but you may not know where to start, especially if you are booking a ticket in a different country. Feel confident booking your next ticket online by choosing the right train line and ticket type, optimizing your purchase, and knowing how to use your ticket.

Steps

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Choosing a Train Line and Ticket Type

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   Find out what train lines operate where you plan to travel. A quick Google search (e.g. “train lines in Italy”) should lead you to the right place if you're not sure where to start.

   • If you are traveling through several countries, there may be regional trains that can be booked through your country of departure.
   • You can also find helpful lists of worldwide railway websites online.
   • Many companies have apps for iPhone or Android where you can book tickets, check timetables, get alerts about delays or timetable changes, and even store your electronic tickets.
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   Use a third party website to buy your tickets if the train line's website is not navigable. If you find that the website for the train line is not available in English, or is not easy to navigate, it's best to find a third party website to buy your ticket rather than risk booking the wrong ticket.

   • If the website is not available in English, it may also mean that it does not accept foreign payment methods.
   • Know that many third party websites charge a small fee on top of the ticket price. Fees can range from $1-5.
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   Decide whether you will need a single one-way ticket or a round-trip ticket. If you don't know if and when you will return to your departure station, a one-way ticket is the best choice. Buy a round-trip ticket if you know you will be coming back to the same place.

   • It can be cheaper to buy a round-trip ticket than two one-way tickets, so compare the price of buying a round-trip ticket with two separate tickets if you plan to return to your departure station.
   • In Europe, round-trip tickets are cheaper in Britain, Ireland, and Spain.
   • Some areas may offer day return tickets along popular routes. These are often only a little more expensive than a single one-way ticket.
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   Consider buying a rail pass if you will riding the train often. Rail passes are good for unlimited travel for periods ranging from one week to one year. You can also get a flexi train pass, which allow you to travel for a certain number of days within a fixed period.

   • Rail passes should be booked in advance and validated in the ticket office (not on train) on your first day of train travel.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Optimizing Your Purchase

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   Choose the right ticket for your budget. An economy class ticket is the least expensive and most popular. In some areas, however, first-class tickets are only marginally more expensive than economy, so you may find it well worth the price on a longer trip.

   • In some rare cases, first-class tickets may be even cheaper than economy tickets because the economy cars are already full.
   • If you are looking for a quieter train ride because you want to sleep or work but don't want to pay the premium price for a first-class ticket, look for quiet cars where the passengers are not allowed to talk on the phone or speak loudly with their seatmates.
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   Find any discounts that apply to you. Depending on your age or life stage you may be eligible for an extra discount. Some railways have special internet fares for customers who book online.

   • In most areas being under 26 or over 60 years old will qualify you for a young adult or senior ticket. Age requirements differ depending on the train line. Be prepared to show your ID card to prove your age.
   • If you are a student, check the fine print on the website before you book a student fare. Many railways only give student discounts to passengers who can show a student ID from the country or region in which the train operates.
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   Buy advance tickets if your trip is already planned out. Train ticket sales can start as early as three months before departure, so if you already know exactly when you would like to travel, you can book in advance to take advantage of lower prices.

   • You can save the most money buying tickets one week to three months in advance in many European countries, in particular Austria, Britain, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Sweden.
   • In certain countries, notably Switzerland and most Eastern European countries, there is no incentive to buy tickets in advance as they cost the same 1 month or 1 minute before departure.
   • Similar to budget airline prices, advance tickets can fluctuate in price from day to day. If you want to hunt for a good deal, check the advance ticket rates for your destination often. Buying tickets midweek and midday is usually cheaper than buying on the weekend.
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   Travel during off-peak hours for cheaper fares. Tickets for off-peak hours, usually midday on weekdays, tend to be cheaper. Some areas add a fixed surcharge to tickets for travel during peak hours (usually on the weekend and weekdays in the early morning and evening).

   • If your journey starts during a peak travel time but continues during off-peak hours, it may save you money to split your trip into 2 tickets. This way, you don't have to pay the peak hour price for your whole trip. Websites such as www.trainsplit.com make it easy to find out if splitting your ticket will save money.
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   Set up a ticket alert to see the range of prices for your trip and find the best deal. Find the option to create the alert and input your trip preferences. The site will then send you daily or weekly emails with the current prices for your selected itinerary.

   • Some websites may even give you the option to turn your most recent search into a ticket alert.
   • If you are not sure what the normal fare for your trip is, a ticket alert is a great way to find out the average ticket cost.
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Booking Your Ticket

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   Register an account on the website where you will buy your ticket. Many websites require you to make an account in order to book your ticket. You will need to provide a valid email address and password.

   • Sometimes you can book a ticket without registering. You will still get a confirmation email, but you won't be able to log in to your account on the website to see your trip details later.
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   Search the timetable and choose your ticket. Input the date and time you would like to travel and select your train. The system will probably default to a regular full-fare adult ticket. Remember to apply any discounts.

   • You may need to select add-ons to this ticket if you are traveling with a bicycle or pet.
   • There is usually a dedicated bicycle car where you can sit with your bike, but not all trains have them, so make sure it's ok to bring your bike with you.
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   Add a seat reservation if necessary. The system should alert you if you need to buy a seat reservation for the trip you have selected. Seat reservations usually cost extra, so find out if the train requires, recommends, or doesn't allow seat reservations.

   • In some cases you can specify a preference for a window or aisle seat, or even pick your exact seat.
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   Provide the passenger and payment information. You may be asked to provide detailed passenger information. You can then pay with a credit or debit card, and sometimes also with PayPal or other online payment account.

   • You should be able to choose whether to save your payment information on the site when you purchase your ticket. If you prefer not to have your information stored for security reasons, opt out of saving your information in your account.
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   Follow the collection instructions in the confirmation email so you know how to use your ticket. Buying a ticket online does not guarantee that you will be able to board the train with a copy of the ticket on your phone. You may need to print out your ticket at home or at the station.

   • If you need to print your ticket at the station, look for designated ticket collection machines. Make sure arrive early to print your ticket as there may be a line.
   • If you are sent an e-ticket with a barcode that you do not need to print, you can show it to the ticket inspector on your phone or tablet.
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   Validate your ticket if necessary. In most cases, tickets purchased online will not need to be validated at the train station because you have purchased a ticket for a particular time and train.

   • In case you had to print your ticket and home or at the station and it says you must validate it, look for machines as you walk onto the platform.
   • E-tickets do not need to be validated.
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Warnings

• Don't plan to get off the train before your final destination. If you find a ticket from Vienna to Munich that is cheaper than a ticket to Linz, you may be tempted to buy the ticket to Munich and just get off in Linz. Although you may get away with it, train officials can fine you if you are caught.
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