Rail: The European Way

1) When you need information If a station has an Information desk--use it to plan your trip. Don't expect the person at the ticket window to answer all your questions when there's a line of impatient commuters waiting. This is especially important in crowded stations like Venice. Find Departing Train information by consulting the yellow posters at the stations.
2) Buying That Ticket Go to the ticket window (checking first whether you need national or international tickets) with the following information: Train time or train number, class (usually first or second), one-way or round trip, and the date you are traveling on. Be aware that some express trains in some countries may require a seat reservation. Fast trains usually are more expensive--you'll be charged a supplement.
3) Discounts and Specials When planning your trip, be sure to ask if there are any specials. On a recent trip in Germany, we were able to reduce the cost of a ticket from 76 to 22 dollars by taking a slightly slower train that left almost at the same time. Also, take advantage of any student and age discounts that may be in force.
4) Facilities Long distance trains often have restaurant or cafe cars. Medium distance trains may rely on a cart carrying sandwiches, snacks, drinks and coffee. Regional trains often carry no food or beverages. Best bet is to check out the stores in most large train stations these days--you can often get a great variety of interesting food to take on the train and it'll probably be cheaper.
5) Finding Your Car if you have a Reservation At each track in larger stations, or sometimes on the wall of the station is a "Composition of Trains" board that shows where each numbered car will be as the train pulls in. If you're late you can jump on any car and make your way through the train by their internal doors.
6) What if I Don't have a Reservation? Then just sit anywhere. But be aware that if you don't want to be bumped from your seat, check the outside of your compartment for slips of paper that indicate if someone else has reserved that seat down the line. On newer trains the reservation info is on an LCD screen above the seats.
7) Trains to Airports Many cities now have airport service by train. Most go to the heart of the city (to the central train station) where you'll usually find hotels. This means that you can also get to the airport from many cities; you don't have to return to the city the airport is in on your last day in Europe as long as the train into that city stops at the airport.
8) Am I Valid? Many countries have you validate your ticket before you get on the train. This prevents multiple use of the ticket, especially if the ticket is regional and valid for 90 days. Validation machines are usually yellow-orange in color and your ticket will have an arrow telling you which end to validate.
9) So What's Cheap? In general, trains in the southern part of Europe are cheaper than trains in the north. Slower trains are also cheaper than those slick, fast ones. Also, ask about special passes that might be available in the country in which you're traveling.
10) Save Money (or at least touring time) Consider taking longer trips on an overnight train. You can often buy a couchette or bunk on a train from the conductor (check when you purchase your ticket). You'll save a hotel and a day of travel.