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Hacks for Getting the Most Out of European Train Travel

By U.S. News & World Report

When avid traveler and national Catholic radio show host Teresa Tomeo visited Italy with her husband to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary, she was shocked to find herself booted off a train at night in an unfamiliar setting. If it weren’t for a fellow English-speaking traveler who advised her and her husband to get back on the train, which ultimately returned them to where they wanted to go, she says she could have been lost for hours.

Unfortunately, Tomeo’s situation is a common snag, even for the most seasoned international travelers. For this reason, U.S. News compiled expert tips from European train companies and frequent travelers to help you navigate traveling by train with ease.

[See: 12 Great Destinations in Europe You Can Afford.]

Pick Your Transportation Strategically

First, decide if traveling by train is truly the best option to get from point A to point B. Jeff Wilson, host of “Real Rail Adventures” on Public Television, says that it can sometimes be more affordable to travel by rental car, especially with a group of three or more. “When I tried to string together trains for four from Prague to Krakow to Budapest, down through Croatia and up through Slovenia back to Prague, I found them to be more expensive than renting a car for a month,” he explains. Still, in major cities, train travel may be your best bet as parking fees can be cost-prohibitive, he cautions.

Services like Rail Europe, the major distributor of European rail products in North America, can help you purchase tickets in multiple destinations in Europe and can be purchased before arriving overseas. You can also purchase tickets for high-speed trains like Eurostar online ahead of time. Alternatively, you can purchase tickets at a local station in Europe.

Book Early to Cut Costs

Melanie Albaric, marketing and communications manager for Rail Europe, advises booking your tickets early to score the best discounts. Plus, some routes and fares have limited availability and may sell out closer to your travel dates. James Cave, who writes the Portugalist.com blog, cautions that in Portugal if you book a train more than five days in advance, you can score a 40 percent savings on most routes.

Another way to cut costs is to take an overnight train. “When you wake, you’ll have an entire day to see the sights,” Albaric says. “Save even more by booking a couchette, which is a shared compartment with six beds. Think of it as a hostel on-the-go,” she adds. Albaric also recommends traveling with at least one other person, as that allows you to book a Saver rate, which is a discount for groups of two to five passengers traveling together. But be forewarned, there are some caveats. “Discounted rates may be restrictive when it comes to refunds or changes, with less flexibility than a full fare ticket,” she says.

Justin Uselton, one of the writers behind ACouplefortheRoad.com, suggests buying round-trip tickets up front, explaining that travelers can typically save 20 to 30 percent more than buying the legs separately. He also suggests looking for the local “cards,” which are aimed at locals versus tourists and are less expensive. For example, get an Oyster Card for the Tube in London or a DART card when in Dublin. Multi-attraction passes like the Paris Pass and Omnia Pass, which covers sights across Rome and Vatican City, also offer free travel on local metro trains in addition to admittance to key attractions.

[See: 10 Secret European Spots to Visit This Year.]

Seek Out Assistance

Tomeo says even Italians get confused at train stations, citing a trip where a local spent 30 minutes trying to buy tickets. For that reason, having a person on hand who speaks the local language can be invaluable to get where you want to go in the most efficient and economical way possible.

“I travel to Italy at least two times a year, and when I need to use the train, I always bring an Italian-speaking companion to the station,” Tomeo says. “Many of the passages from Rome can be purchased via machine, but if you don’t speak the language, you could end up in Venice when you’re trying to get to Naples,” she adds. You can always ask a local for assistance, but at train stations people tend to be very busy and in a hurry, so it’s best to plan ahead.

Maintain Personal Safety

Italian trains are rampant with pickpocketing, so it’s best to keep a close eye on valuables, Tomeo cautions. Uselton also advises keeping a small bag with you rather than checking it. “Pack less than you think, as most European cities are very accommodating with laundry. You simply don’t need an outfit a day,” Uselton explains.

Look for Family-Friendly Promotions and Perks

“With space on board to move around, traveling by train gives families a much more relaxing and enjoyable experience, and it can also be an excellent way to save money,” says Jane Ashman, head of sales and business development at Eurostar. Eurostar allows kids younger than 4 to travel free, and Eurail passes offer free travel for up to two children ages 4 to 11 per adult pass holder. Plus, with the Swiss Family Card and the Swiss Travel Pass that accompanies several BritRail passes, kids under the age of 15 can travel for free or at a discount, Albaric says. Swiss trains are especially family-friendly, Wilson says, recalling a time he even traveled on a line that had a pirate-themed treasure hunt for kids to keep them entertained.

Avoid Common Mistakes

If you’re planning to travel between countries, remember to carry your passport. Arriving early is also a wise idea, as departure times and routes change frequently in Italy, Tomeo says. Also, keep in mind, the latest check-in time for Eurostar routes is 30 minutes, but it’s a smart idea to allow for extra time to ensure you are in the right place and ready should a train depart ahead of schedule.

[See: 9 Ways to Travel Better.]

Buy Your Attraction Tickets on the Train

To save time, Ashman recommends heading to the bar buffet aboard Eurostar trains, where passengers can buy metro or underground passes along with tickets to key attractions. “It means that you can get on with your trip as soon as you step off the train, without queuing for tickets,” she explains. Because Eurostar has partnerships with top museums and galleries across various destinations, you can enjoy two-for-one entry to top sights simply by presenting the Eurostar ticket, Ashman says.

More from U.S. News

How to Plan a Budget-Friendly Trip to Italy This Summer

7 Affordable Places in Europe to Visit Right Now

6 Tricks to Traveling Across Europe on the Cheap

Hacks for Getting the Most Out of European Train Travel originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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