39. European Rail Travel Tips & Stories with The Man in Seat 61 | Mark Smith
From Rails, Ales & Old Towns: The Europe Travel Podcast by Scott Hartbeck
April 30, 2026 · 48 min · Episode 39
About this episode
Scott interviews Mark Smith about European rail travel, sharing tips and stories from his experiences.
Scott is joined by Mark Smith, better known as The Man in Seat 61, to talk all things European rail travel, from how he first fell in love with it to why he still believes rail is the best way to explore the continent. On the show, Mark shares stories from his early rail adventures across Europe (and beyond) before taking us on a tour of some of his favorite European rail stations and cities, including tips on cafes and bars. Along the way, he also offers plenty of practical advice, including insight into one of the biggest questions travelers face: when it makes sense to buy a Eurail Pass, and when it doesn’t. Support the show: https://ko-fi.com/railsalesoldtowns Show notes and links to places discussed: https://www.railsalesoldtowns.com/ep39 Follow @railsalesoldtowns on Instagram & Facebook for more European travel inspiration. Theme music by Stu Wilson.
People in this episode
Host: Scott Hartbeck
Guest: Mark Smith
Topics covered
- European rail travel
- travel tips
- rail adventures
- Eurail Pass
- European cities
- cafes and bars
Keywords
- rail travel
- Eurail Pass
- European cities
- travel stories
- cafe tips
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: The Man in Seat 61
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