Save Big on Summer Rail Travel in Europe

There's a 95 percent chance Senior Editor Christine Sarkis is thinking about travel right now. Follow her on Instagram @postcartography and Twitter @ChristineSarkis.

Christine Sarkis is an SATW-award-winning journalist and executive editor at SmarterTravel. Her stories have also appeared on USA Today, Conde Nast Traveler, Huffington Post, and Business Insider. Her advice has been featured in dozens of print and online publications including The New York Times, Conde Nast Traveler, and People magazine. She has also shared travel tips on television and radio shows including Good Morning America, Marketplace, and Here & Now. Her work has been published in the anthologies Spain from a Backpack and The Best Women's Travel Writing 2008. She is currently working on a travel memoir.

The Handy Item I Always Pack: The Trtl Pillow. It's easy to pack and comfortable, and makes it so I can actually sleep on flights.

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: Seeing the Aurora Borealis from the comfort of somewhere warm, like a glass igloo or hot spring.

Travel Motto: Curiosity is an amazing compass.

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: Aisle all the way.

Email Christine Sarkis at editor@smartertravel.com.

See recent posts by Christine Sarkis

Do your summer plans include a trip to Europe? Then check out these current deals and discounts on rail travel, including 50 percent off high-speed train tickets, free travel for kids, and discounts for students and seniors:

Half-Off High Speed: Get 50 percent off tickets booked by August 15 for travel through August 29 on Thalys trains. The high-speed train connects Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Antwerp, and Cologne.
Student Deal: Students under 26 with a valid ISIC card can get 10 days for the price of eight when buying a Eurail Select Pass by July 31. Two extra days means another side trip and another adventure. This offer is available through Rail Europe and Eurail.com.
Senior Discounts: Travelers 60 and older can get discounted rates on trains around Europe. BritRail offers 15 percent off select first-class passes, and can find rail pass discounts in France, Ireland, and Romania as well.
Family Deal: One child age five to 15 travels free with each select adult or senior rail pass holder. Additional kids traveling with the adult can get a discounted rate. Children under five travel free. On the same discounts page, you’ll also find discounts for youths and groups, and for travel during low season.

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