Rail passes are an excellent value if you want flexibility, if you plan to travel extensively throughout one or several countries, or if you plan to cover long distances during your travels. Passes provide access to most rail routes and allow you hassle-free travel, since you won’t have to wait in lines at the train station to get tickets. In some cases, you will still have to make seat reservations or pay supplements, but many routes allow for unlimited pass use without any extra fees.
Point-to-point tickets are good for short distance travel, such as travel from one point to another within a country (like between Rome and Florence) or if you only plan to visit only one or two places (like Paris and Amsterdam). The drawbacks to point-to-point tickets are having to wait in ticket lines, dealing with local currencies and languages, and higher prices. Purchasing individual train tickets, however, is an ideal option for those who plan on limited travel and who already know their exact destinations prior to departure. There are a number of options for individual train tickets, depending on the destination and type of train you choose.
Railpass.com offers both point-to-point train tickets and rail passes, providing excellent options for travelers looking to explore European countries.