Cheap Train Tickets

Finding cheap train tickets can be complicated by crossing national borders. Some people are tempted to buy a multiple country rail pass, and yet they don't necessarily need a pass that's good in every nation. Most of us stay within just a few contiguous countries. Multiple country rail pass rules often defy what you learned in geography class. For example, Ireland "borders" France because they're connected by ship line; for logistical reasons, Norway and Finland do not count as bordering countries, while Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg together count as one country. Confused? It's not as bad as it sounds at first, and the costs are attractive: $453-$1002 USD depending upon the number of days and countries chosen.

Many people associate youth passes and Europe with students, and you will see many students take advantage of this offer. But you do not have to be a student, and "youth" as defined as no older than age 26. Choose three, four or five contiguous countries. Prices increase as you add nations. Another price factor is the number of days it is valid. The days do not have to be consecutive. The pass is good for two months after activation. The passes are good for second-class travel. On many European trains, the only added benefit in first-class is fewer fellow passengers. Five days of travel within three contiguous countries in two months goes for $228 USD. For 15 days within two months and visits to five contiguous countries, the cost is $502.

There are direct Thalys high-speed links to 17 cities including Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and Cologne in more than 50 daily round trips. Hit just the right schedule, and you can cover the distance between Paris to Brussels in less than 90 minutes. At first, this might seem like an extravagance, but you will save precious vacation time on faster trains. Just be sure the cost is in balance with the time saved. It pays to book early. There are advance purchase discounts, and seats on these fast trains tend to get booked quickly.

This is perhaps one of the best travel values in Asia. You get one week of unlimited coach passage on all Japanese trains for just 28,300 JPY ($303 USD). Japan is connected by more than 12,000 miles of track, so it's literally possible to go just about anywhere in the country by train. Note that the pass is available only to travelers entering Japan on a non-Japanese passport with "temporary visitor" entry status. There are a few restrictions (read the fine print) but generally, you will do much better with this pass than trying to buy a week's worth of single point-to-point tickets. Check it out for your itinerary, and notice that 14- and 21-day passes are also offered.

A CanRail Pass is promoted for people who want to go a long way on a limited budget. It will cost you more in the summer months, when tourism in Canada reaches its peak. Summer season is June 1-Oct. 15 ($941 CAN) and Off-Peak Season is any other time of year ($588 CAN). You get 12 days of unlimited travel in Comfort (economy) class and may make as many stopovers as you wish. It's valid anywhere VIA goes, from coast-to-coast and up to Hudson Bay. Drawbacks: taxes are not included, and you still have to obtain tickets before boarding. Up to three days may be added to the pass at a per-day cost. Discounts available for children, students and seniors.