Rick Steves Recommends This Type Of Train Travel To Save Time And Money In Europe

With nearly 800 million international tourists in 2025, Europe is considered the most-visited continent in the world, according to UN Tourism. Understandably, the continent features some of the world's top and most iconic destinations, with historic and cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and smooth transportation networks. But as sweet as Europe might be, travel costs can quickly pile up if you're not careful, especially in areas where tourists most commonly flock to. And even if you're planning to visit only affordable European destinations in 2026, knowing the right type of train travel to use can further save you time and money in terms of transportation and accommodation. On this note, travel expert Rick Steves advises: "Take an overnight train to avoid the cost of a hotel and save a day in your itinerary."

When you think about it, this makes a lot of sense. Instead of traveling during the day and still needing to pay for a hotel overnight, you can avoid stress and added expenses with the overnight train hack. As Steves explains on his website, "For every night you spend on the train, you gain a day for sightseeing and avoid the cost of a hotel." In other words, you drift off in one destination and wake up in another, and once you're off the train, you have the whole day to yourself for exploration. You also have more cash available for all the activities you have in mind.

According to Rick Steves, there are three options if you plan to sleep in an overnight train in Europe, but each of the options has its own price depending on the level of comfort you want. The simplest one is what the travel expert calls the "free airplane-style seat," which is typically the standard seat that comes with your rail pass. While it most likely won't offer you the comfort of a bed, it's sufficient if you're someone who wants to avoid any extra charge even at the expense of comfort.

If you want real sleep, Steves suggests going for a couchette: a bunk bed in a shared compartment that typically accommodates six people. This also comes with basic bedding and can cost around $30 to $50 depending on the train arrangements. You're free to choose from the top, middle, and bottom bunks, but as Steves notes, "While the top bunk gives you more privacy and luggage space, it can be hotter and stuffier than lower bunks." So, it boils down to what you want and what you may be willing to sacrifice. Note that such compartments may involve both genders.

For the coziest option, which also doubles as the priciest, go for private sleepers. You have the option of having the entire room to yourself or sharing it with one or two other passengers, depending on how much you're willing to shell out. As noted by Steves, compartments with two or three beds can cost about $40 to $150 per person. But if you want full privacy, you can pay a single-sleeper surcharge of about $70 to $190 to occupy the entire compartment alone. As a money-saving travel tip, though, Steves advises: "Trade away the sleeper privacy for a couchette and save $55."