The Travel Trick Rick Steves Uses To Save Time And Money At The Same Time

Walking a fine line between saving money and fully experiencing the fruits of a vacation can be difficult. In a new place, especially on a trip abroad, it can be impossible to make informed decisions on when to skimp and splurge. One place this is particularly prevalent is in hotel rooms. While you need to lay your head down somewhere while on vacation, there are often a ton of options that run the price gamut — as well a wide variety in both comfort level and amenities. If you're on the move, one particular Rick Steves travel trick that can make a big difference in value, both in terms of price and time-saving convenience, is taking an overnight train. In addition to Steves' tipping strategies, and even his best haggling tips, the suggestion to skip booking hotels in favor of traveling while sleeping can be a gamechanger.

While an overnight train likely isn't top of mind for many travelers, it can deliver significant value in many ways. For starters, you'll likely spend less on a train ticket than on a hotel room, especially if you're avoiding hostels and other backpacking-friendly budget solutions. Plus, for those traveling to different places during their voyage, the train can also serve as a time saver that kills two birds with one stone. If travel is part of your itinerary anyway, cutting out the cost of a hotel altogether and shifting the time it takes to move from one city to the next during your sleep hours can revolutionize your plans.

As an example, a one-way train journey from Paris to Berlin takes around 8 hours. That would eat up an entire day and cost somewhere in the neighborhood of €100 or $114, as of November 2025. Instead, a traveler willing to sleep on an overnight train, rather than in a hotel room, could spend roughly the same amount of money but would be buying themselves an entire extra day in Paris or Berlin by traveling overnight. Instead of paying for a hotel room — which can be upwards of $200 a night for a three-star offering — you'll explore for the day, then bundle your night's sleep with the transportation costs. Instead of spending as much as $350 for the train ticket and a room, you'll gain an entire day of exploration while keeping roughly $200 in your pocket.

While overnight trains can offer a wealth of value, there are some important things to keep in mind. For one thing, the Paris-Berlin example can feature as many as three changes on the route. Having to swap trains throughout the night can interfere with your sleep significantly, so selecting a non-stop route or one with a single change either early in the voyage or near the end can help frame your night better. Similarly, there are lots of different class options. You can rough it in a standard seat — although it should be noted that they are usually fairly comfortable on European trains — or opt for a sleeper, either private or shared. All of this can affect the price you pay for your ticket, and it's worth noting that Steves recommends avoiding train ticket upgrades.