One of the biggest perks about travelling around Europe is the accessibility. (Europe can fit into the entire country of Australia!) The countries in Europe are close to each other, and travelling from one country to another is quick and efficient. There are many ways to travel through Europe, and in order to decide what’s best for you, you’ll want to consider your budget, your time, and your personal preferences. Take a look at some of the pros and cons of various forms of European travel.

Air Travel

Years ago, flying around Europe seemed like nothing but an expensive hassle. This is not the case today. In some cases, flying can actually be the cheapest option. The proliferation of no-frills, competitively-priced airlines has provided travellers with numerous options for their journey through Europe. The most popular budget-friendly airlines include RyanAir and Easy Jet, which offer pretty comprehensive route maps, but even some of the major European airlines (such as British Airways, Air France, and Lufthansa) have started offering great seat sales to compete with the cheaper airlines. The best fares can usually be found when booking in advance. It is, however, important to watch out for the fine print. Most budget tickets are non-refundable and non-changeable, and baggage allowance and fees can get complicated. Pay attention to which airports you’ll be flying in and out of; smaller airlines are known to use obscure airports in some cases.

Train

A favorite choice for many, the train is a great way to travel around Europe. The trains are fast and reliable, and most destinations can be easily accessed by train. If you’re covering lots of ground, or will be spending quite a bit of time in Europe, consider purchasing one of the many available European rail passes. There are multi-country passes available, as well as passes that can only be used in certain countries. If a pass isn’t for you, point-to-point tickets can also be purchased. These are convenient if you’re just using the train once or twice, and are quite affordable; you can sometimes find round-trip rides from London to Paris for around $100 USD. Make sure to know which train station you want to head to (major cities usually have more than one), and keep in mind that not all cars on a train make the same journey; each car is usually labelled separately, since cars get dropped off and picked up in different places.

Car

If you have the extra money, renting a car is the perfect option for those who want to see Europe at their own pace. During high season, many people enjoy having a car in case they show up in a city and are unable to find any accommodations; having your own car means simply driving over to the next town.  However, it isn’t for the budget-conscious crowd. Daily rental rates are quite high (it’s more economical to rent on a weekly basis), but it can sometimes be worth it if you’re splitting the cost with 2 or 3 other travellers.  Don’t forget to factor in insurance, taxes, and fuel costs when estimating car rental costs. Most European cars have manual transmissions; automatics can be hard to find, and expect to pay more in rental charges. Driving in Europe is usually a pleasant experience once you’ve gotten used to driving on the left (in Great Britain and Ireland), the Autobahns, steep roads, and the occasional sheep crossing.

Whichever mode of transportation you choose to explore Europe, be sure to learn the rules and regulations in each country. Have a great trip!