Traveling within Europe by rail can be relaxing, efficient, cost effective, and fun. The web site provided here is a great way to check out schedules to see if your plans will allow the time and to check out pricing. Many of the large gateway cities in Europe (direct destinations from the US) have railway stations integrated into the airport. TIP: Check out this site for planning - www.raileurope.com/us/rail/fares_schedules/index.htm
This is a follow up to my tip about flight reminders and alerts. In addition to the airline electronic updates, it is also useful to have access to your home airport or destination airport web site. It is extremely useful when the airport web site provides the overall arrival and departure schedule. The airline gives you information about your single flight while checking the airport site gives information on how the entire airport is running; this is particularly useful during bad weather. TIP: Check the airport web site before leaving for the airport. Here is an example from my home airport: www.grr.org/RTFI.php
Today it is getting more competitive to fly business class to Europe. I was fortunate enough to work for a company that always allowed business class fares over the ocean to Europe or Asia. The business class fares have become rather pricey, especially to Europe. There are several new airlines that claim to provide business class service to Europe for the fares less than the standard business class rate of major carriers. TIP: Check out these airlines for cost effective business travel to Europe - www.maxjet.com/homeAction.do and www.eosairlines.com/flyeos/overview/home.jsf