There is a particular pleasure in arriving somewhere by train. You step off in the middle of the city, often in a station that is worth a look in its own right, and the journey itself has been part of the trip rather than something to get through. Europe’s rail network makes this easy. Most major cities are linked by fast, frequent trains, and many of the classic routes take less time door to door than flying once you count airport transfers and security.
Why rail suits city-to-city travel
City centre to city centre is the key. A three-hour train from Paris to Amsterdam drops you a short walk or taxi ride from your hotel. There are no liquid limits, no luggage weigh-ins, and you can move around, eat and look out of the window. For journeys of up to about five hours, the train is usually the more comfortable choice, and often the quicker one.
Classic routes from our rail tours
London to Paris
The Eurostar runs from St Pancras International to the Gare du Nord in a little over two hours. Remember to arrive in good time for passport and security checks, which take place before boarding in London. From Paris you can continue south to Nice, east to Switzerland, or north to Brussels and Amsterdam.
Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam
High-speed trains connect all three cities, and Brussels is only around an hour and a half from Paris. It is a natural loop for a first trip to Europe, with very different cities close together.
Amsterdam to Berlin
A direct train takes around six hours and crosses the flat Dutch countryside into northern Germany. It is a longer day, but a comfortable one, and it opens the way to Central Europe.
Berlin, Prague, Vienna and Budapest
This is one of the great rail journeys in Europe. The line from Berlin to Prague follows the Elbe valley through Saxony, one of the prettiest stretches of track in Germany. Prague to Vienna and Vienna to Budapest are both comfortable journeys of a few hours. Four capitals, each with its own architecture and food, linked without a single flight.
Switzerland
Swiss trains run like clockwork, and the network reaches lakes, mountain resorts and small towns that would be hard work by car. Lucerne, Interlaken, Zermatt and Lugano all sit on scenic lines. Some of our Swiss itineraries can include the Glacier Express, the panoramic train between Zermatt and St. Moritz, which takes most of a day and is a journey to enjoy rather than a way of getting somewhere quickly.
Italy
Italy’s high-speed trains link Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan in a few hours. Rome to Florence takes around an hour and a half, and Florence to Venice about two. Venice Santa Lucia station opens straight onto the Grand Canal, which is a fine way to arrive.
Spain and Portugal
Spain has one of the largest high-speed networks in Europe. Madrid to Seville, Córdoba or Barcelona is fast and smooth, and Portugal adds the coastal line between Lisbon and Porto.
Scandinavia
Oslo, Stockholm and Copenhagen are linked by rail, with journeys through forests, past lakes and, between Denmark and Sweden, across the Øresund Bridge.
Practical advice
Seat reservations
On many high-speed and international trains, a reservation is compulsory, including for rail pass holders. On regional trains you can usually just board. Popular routes in summer and at holiday times can sell out, so reserve early where you can.
Luggage
There is no formal weight limit on most European trains, but you need to be able to lift your bags onto racks yourself. Space at the end of carriages fills up quickly on busy services. One medium suitcase each and a small day bag is the comfortable maximum. On longer tours, travelling light makes station changes much easier.
Rail passes or point-to-point tickets?
A rail pass gives flexibility for travellers who want to decide their route as they go, or who will take many trains in a short time. For a planned itinerary with a handful of long journeys, individual tickets bought in advance are often better value. The right answer depends on the route, so it is worth comparing both.
First or second class?
Second class on Europe’s main lines is comfortable. First class gives more space, quieter carriages and, on some trains, a meal or drinks served at your seat. On longer journeys, or at busy times of year, the extra room is often worth it.
Timing your connections
Allow a comfortable margin when changing trains, especially at large stations where platforms can be far apart. Building in a night or two in each city, rather than rushing through, is what makes rail travel enjoyable.
Planning a rail tour
The hardest part of a rail holiday is the logistics: which trains to take, when to book them, where to stay near the station and how to get from the platform to the hotel. That is where a planned tour helps. Our rail tours cover many of the routes above, with hotels and rail travel arranged in advance. If you have a different route in mind, send us your ideas through the Plan your trip form and we will put an itinerary together.
