Booking tickets that actually exist
Sleeper berths are the bottleneck. Book the right ones early, through the right channel, and the rest of the trip falls into place.
Book the sleepers first
Daytime seats are rarely a problem; overnight berths are. Lock in your sleeper legs first and plan the flexible daytime hops around them. In high season, popular sleepers can sell out two to three weeks ahead.
Go to the source where you can
Each national railway has its own booking system, and buying direct is almost always cheaper than a reseller. Resellers are convenient and sometimes worth it for the time saved, but you'll pay a per-ticket markup for the privilege.
How far ahead
- Off-season, daytime seats: a day or two is usually fine.
- Overnight sleepers: one to three weeks, more around holidays.
- Major festival periods: as early as the system opens.
Always carry a printed copy of your booking. A dead phone battery at a rural station is not the moment to discover you've no proof of purchase.
Seat-picking tips
Lower berths over upper, seaward side on coastal routes, and a carriage toward the middle of the train for the smoothest ride. Small choices, big difference over a long night.