Train travel: the eco-friendly way to explore Europe

At Wildhartt, we love adventure—but not at any cost. Exploring nature, yes, but while limiting our impact. That’s why we encourage everyone to travel by train whenever possible. Kinder to the planet and often more comfortable, train travel is part of the art of journeying. In this article, we share our best tips and insider tricks to explore Europe by train, whether you're starting from Belgium or elsewhere.

Why travel by train in 2025?

Traveling by train is more than just a means of transport. It’s a way to relearn how to travel, to take time to enjoy landscapes, reconnect with the rhythm of nature, and reduce your carbon footprint.

• 📈 A train trip emits up to 20 times less CO₂ than a flight over the same distance

• 🌄 You often arrive directly in the heart of nature or a city, without long transfers

• 🚋 It’s a more comfortable way to travel, where you can read, observe, chat or even sleep

Train travel from Belgium: tips and tricks

If you're based in Belgium, you're in luck: the Belgian rail network is well connected to the rest of Europe, and there are plenty of ways to travel on a budget:

• 🎓 SNCB Youth Holidays: unlimited travel within Belgium for young people during summer

• 📅 SNCB Weekend Ticket: 50 percent off round trips during weekends

• 🏖️ Direct trains to France (TGV), the Netherlands (InterCity), Germany (ICE)

• 📲 Handy apps: Rail Planner, SNCB, Omio to compare prices and schedules

Train travel across Europe: passes, networks and tips

If you want to go further, Europe offers excellent international rail options:

• 🌍 Interrail Pass: access to over 33 European countries, ideal for multi-stop journeys

• 🌚 Night trains: Nightjet (Austria), European Sleeper (Amsterdam to Berlin), SNCF Intercités de Nuit (France)

• 💼 Trusted booking platforms: Trainline, Rail Europe, SNCF Connect

• 📆 Eco-smart tips: book early for better prices, avoid Friday and Sunday evenings

Traveling with Wildhartt: adventure starts at the station

At Wildhartt, every expedition is designed to be accessible by train. Our trip descriptions include guidance on how to reach the starting point without a car. It’s our way of making adventure more sustainable:

• ✈️ No need to take a plane

• 🚶‍♂️ Combine train travel with hiking and bivouac

• 🚆 Train travel often lets you extend the adventure before it even begins

Whether it’s in Slovenia, Finland, the Alps or the Ardennes, our expeditions are crafted so you can leave the car behind.

Go further: our blog post on train travel deals

We’ve also written a practical blog post that shares smart tips for cheaper and better train travel. It covers must-see scenic lines, the best times to book, trusted platforms and common pitfalls to avoid (especially some misleading comparison sites). It’s the perfect follow-up if you want to deepen your sustainable travel planning.

👉 Our best train travel tips

Traveling differently is possible

At Wildhartt, we believe train travel is part of the adventure. It’s a way to travel that aligns with our values: explore, respect, and be amazed. Why not try a 100 percent train-friendly expedition?

📅 Our trips run regularly, our groups are small, and our guides are passionate.