Getting deals on trains in Europe

It's the bargain that has allowed generations of Americans the freedom to roam abroad, allegedly. That would be the Eurailpass, and this year it turns all of 50 years old.

These days, a premium pass grants unlimited travel to 21 countries in 15 days for $689, which is definitely a deal if you're into that sort of thing. For $449, there's also a "second-class youth" pass for people younger than 26; again, it's good for 21 countries and 15 days. (Trivia: Austria is the most popular country among pass holders, Switzerland the least.)

Keep in mind, however, that in many cases you will still need to purchase a reservation for the train you want to take, which can cost about $1.30 to $2.60, sometimes more.

And so, as another European travel season looms and the need for saving dollars has never been greater, more travelers are scaling back, cherry-picking tickets they need from the various rail companies involved. This can often be done online in advance (although sometimes only with effort, as in the case of Trenitalia, Italy's national rail service).

The main thing to keep in mind is that not all trains are created equal, and it pays to study schedules closely. For example, while you can get from Berlin to Vienna in 9 ½ hours on Deutsche Bahn (www.bahn.de), the journey will cost $197 on an IC (Intercity) train but just $148 on an EC (Eurocity) train that takes the same amount of time.

Similarly, a one-way ticket from Rome to Venice can cost about $71 for a 4 ½-hour trip. On a regional train, it's $52 for what ends up taking six hours — but hey, think of it as more time to enjoy the Italian countryside (www.trenitalia.it). And the fastest train from Paris to Nice (5 ½ hours) is, at $97, often the cheapest (www.sncf.com).

Lastly, those low-cost European airlines are generating lots of buzz these days with very cheap fares. But before you book on, say, Easyjet (www.easyjet.com) or Ryanair (www.ryanair.com), again we remind you: Do your homework.

These carriers often utilize airports far removed from city centers (Stansted airport for London, Bergamo's airport for Milan), and getting to them can add a hefty train or bus fare to your overall costs. And don't forget to factor in all their extra fees.