you are in Europe for shorter periods. Maybe others have had a different experience. I just planned a trip for the Netherlands, Belgium, and Paris for early October. I can't reserve tickets yet, but based on prices right now, a rail pass will be hard to make work with the limitations they usually have. My advice if you do not go with a rail pass is to buy train tickets directly from the national rail service and not from other sites. 2nd class tickets for day trips can be fairly cheap.