For a Fun-filled Getaway, Travel Europe by Train

Discover our Europe rail routes and luxe packages for a dream vacation

Travel Europe by train and discover it all, from bucket-list capitals like London, Berlin, Rome, and Amsterdam to idyllic villages and lakeside hamlets steeped in charm.

Thanks to the vast and intricate European rail network, visiting almost anywhere on the continent is a breeze. How about breakfast in Paris and dinner in Barcelona later that day? With premium rail tickets, prime accommodation, and plenty of fascinating attractions, exploring Europe by rail with one of our self-guided travel packages will be the trip of a lifetime.

Discover the distinctive history and culture of Europe

Europe has a remarkably diverse blend of cultures with multiethnic roots, picturesque landscapes, and famed attractions. From the allure of the Eiffel Tower in Paris to the Swiss Alps and Amsterdam’s canals aglow at twilight, European highlights are everywhere you go.

A picturesque view of Bern's old town with a river and historic buildings

1. Sensational scenery

Your vantage point aboard the train overlooks Europe’s dramatic landscapes—sweeping coastlines, alpine mountains, impressive bridges, enchanting castles, pine forests, and riverside vineyards.
Colorful buildings along Zurich riverbank under a clear blue sky

2. Culturally-rich heritage

Every stop reveals Europe’s multicultural heritage, with ancient ruins, archaeological sites, and centuries-old amphitheaters. Visit galleries, tour museums, and experience elaborate festivals, all within reach of the station.
A woman shops at a colorful fruit stall in a street market

3. Gastronomic delights

At each stop, you can taste regional specialties and traditional cuisine. Because stations are central, you can almost immediately try authentic Italian pizza, hearty German sausages, or hot, buttery croissants upon arrival.
The iconic London Eye ferris wheel beside the Thames River at sunset

4. Abundant activities

Europe’s rail routes offer something for every traveler. Families can enjoy the Zurich to Chur route with its family coach and kids’ games, couples can relax on Spain’s Costa Brava, while seniors can leisurely admire the scenic Greek countryside. 

Budapest Castle illuminated at night with a cityscape backdrop

5. Linguistically diverse

Visiting countries and areas with different languages adds an exciting and enriching dimension to your travels. Our English-speaking rail travel agents support you along the way, and you might even master a few European phrases!

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Historical christmas market of Vienna in front of the impressive castle
#WT-CODE 5816

European Christmas Market Tour

8 Day(s) 7 Night(s)
No Size Limit

Enjoy festive traditions with our European Christmas Market Tour through Zurich, Munich and Vienna by Rail Escape! Book your Xmas adventure now!

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Christmas market with large tree and illuminated decorations at night in Augsburg
#WT-CODE 5818

German Christmas Market Tour

9 Day(s) 8 Night(s)
No Size Limit

Discover Germany´s Christmas traditions with our German Christmas Market Tour from Munich via Nuremburg to Cologne by Rail Escape.

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Belem Tower reflecting in calm water under a clear blue sky
#WT-CODE 4886

Highlights of Portugal: Lisbon, Coimbra and Porto

8 Day(s) 7 Night(s)
No Size Limit

Discover the Highlights of Portugal on our 8-day rail tour from Lisbon to Porto. Enjoy seamless travel and authentic cultural experiences. Book your journey today!

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Mountain lake with rocky shores under cloudy skies
#WT-CODE 4870

Scenary And Elegance: Swiss Train Tour

10 Day(s) 9 Night(s)
No Size Limit

Embark on a 10-day Swiss Train Tour from Munich to Milan. Experience breathtaking alpine vistas aboard iconic trains. Book your adventure today!

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Facade of the German Bundestag with its glass dome
#WT-CODE 4906

Historic Heartland: Berlin to Budapest Tour

9 Day(s) 8 Night(s)
No Size Limit

Explore Europe’s cultural capitals on our 9-day Berlin to Budapest Tour. Enjoy immersive experiences. Book your adventure today!

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What makes Europe ideal for our rail vacation packages?

The Europe train destinations we select are renowned for their natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and ability to provide you with a luxurious and meaningful travel adventure.

10 reasons to entrust Rail Escape with your next European vacation

With Rail Escape, your rail transport, lodging, and airport transfers are organized so you can explore each destination at your leisure.

Hand-picked rail itineraries

We select the best destinations and luxe hotel options to create our unforgettable rail travel experiences.

Self-guided adventure

Discover European destinations at your own pace—plan everything from meals to free time according to your interests.

Stress-free premium travel

Your comfort is at the heart of what we do, so we only offer premium tickets from each rail service provider.

Luxury lodgings

We choose high-quality boutique hotels and local lodging options, with breakfast included for your convenience.

Take the local route

Explore like a local by opting for rail travel, giving you an authentic European journey.

Flexible itinerary

Extend your stay to suit you–add extra time or destinations to your trip.

Eco-friendly travel

Rail transport emits less carbon than flying or driving, offering a more responsible way to explore the continent.

Seniors & families welcome

Our packages suit travelers of all ages, offering appropriate, accessible, and unforgettable rail travel experiences.

Over 60,000 miles traveled

With over 60,000 miles of European rail travel experience, we have a deep understanding of local and international routes to tailor your package.

Expert support

Our English-speaking customer service team members are experts in European rail travel. Our Welcome Pack contains valuable information and tips for your trip.

Insider tips for navigating European rail travel

Our list of practical hints and tips helps you to plan your journey for the best train experience in Europe:
RhB train in Switzerland, capturing the iconic red carriages winding through the stunning Alps.

Arrive at the correct station

Many European cities have multiple stations, so double-check your ticket for the correct station name. Most have signs in English to help you find your way.

Prepare for onboarding

Arrive at least 30 minutes before your departure to factor in time to find your departure platform and possible luggage scanning. Leave enough time for a passport check before boarding if you are traveling to and/or from Great Britain.

Verify your platform

Check your ticket for departure time and train number. The platform will be posted on the departure board, sometimes just 10-15 minutes before departure. Stay alert to avoid missing your train!

Plan for long walks

Some stations are larger than a shopping mall, so allow extra time for walking, including stairs and escalators.

Station amenities

Bigger stations typically have cafes, retail stores, lounges, and luggage lockers. Keep change handy, as the restroom might require a small entry fee.

10 other inspiring rail routes in Europe to consider

With so many beautiful European rail journeys available, choosing one can be challenging! Here are ten of the most scenic train routes in Europe

Switzerland and Italy: Chur to Tirano

On this spectacular four-hour journey from Chur to Tirano, admire the Landwasser viaduct, Bernina Pass with Lago Bianco, Palü Glacier, and Poschiavo Valley from the panoramic windows of The Bernina Express.

Norway: Oslo to Bergen

The Bergen Railway covers nearly 300 miles in seven hours, passing through Norway’s lush valleys, majestic fjords, and the magnificent Hardangervidda plateau.

Germany: Offenburg to Konstanz

Board the Schwarzwaldbahn, or Black Forest Railway, passing through meadows, churches, villages, forests, and tunnels. Connect to the Upper Rhine Railway at Singen and head to Lake Constance (Konstanz).

Austria: Stainach-Irdning to Attnang-Puchheim

The Salzkammergut Railway runs over 40 miles through the Austrian Lake District with spectacular views of imposing cliffs, shimmering lakes, and delightful villages.

Serbia and Montenegro: Belgrade to Bar

This thrilling 12-hour, 280-mile Balkan route on the Belgrade-Bar Railway weaves through valleys, rivers, lakes, tunnels, and bridges and crosses one of Europe’s tallest viaducts.

Italy: La Spezia to Levanto

The Cinque Terre Express, which runs along the Ligurian coast, connects the main villages of Monterosso, Corniglia, Vernazza, Riomaggiore, Manarola, and Levanto.

Scotland and Great Britain: Fort William to Mallaig

Travel the West Highland Line to Mallaig, crossing the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct, used in the Harry Potter films. The awe-inspiring views of Scotland’s rugged landscape may include red deer in remote areas.

Portugal: Porto to Pocinho

The Linha do Douro stretches 125 miles along the Douro River’s wild landscapes. Pass through tunnels and rural villages before arriving at Pocinho, with its neat olive groves.

France: Latour-de-Carol to Villefranche-Vernet-les-bains

The slow-moving Little Yellow Train meanders along steep gradients, bridges, tunnels, and quaint French villages. Head to the open-top carriage in summer for panoramic views of the Pyrenees.

Bulgaria: Septemvri to Dobrinishte

Ride through the Balkan countryside on the Rhodope Narrow Gauge railway. Pass the Chepinska river gorge and quaint towns before Avramovo station, the highest point. Follow the Mesta River to the town of Bansko.

Frequently asked questions about rail travel in Europe

Our rail travel team answers some of the most common questions about exploring Europe by rail.

Do I need to check in for each leg of my rail trip?

Generally, no formal check-in is required–check the departure boards and head to the correct platform to board your train. Some stations have security checkpoints where you may need to scan your luggage and verify your ticket. Your ticket will usually be checked by a conductor or staff member at the security checkpoint, on the train, or by automated machines at the platform entry. The check-in process may differ in each country and station, so arrive at the station at least 30 minutes before your departure time.

Passport control on international trains usually happens at the border during the journey, if at all, except when travelling to or from Great Britain where your passport is checked before boarding the train. There are no regular border controls in most Western European countries within the Schengen zone. Spot checks may occur, though, so ensure you always have a valid travel document with you.

When traveling through larger stations, factor in extra time to disembark, locate the departure board, and find your next platform. There may also be a security checkpoint between connecting trains. We recommend allowing at least 30 minutes for a smooth transfer when switching trains.

Rail Escape’s rail travel and hotel packages start from USD $2,000 per person and accommodate various budgets. 

 

Our train and accommodation experiences offer our guests a comprehensive and immersive adventure, including premium rail transportation, boutique hotels with breakfast, and airport transfers. Our Welcome Pack also includes recommendations for unique sightseeing opportunities, restaurants and cultural excursions to help you plan your activities at each destination.

The travel time to your destination varies depending on factors such as the Europe rail routes and train speed. 

 

Listed below are some general travel times for high-speed train journeys between popular European destinations:

 

• Paris to Amsterdam: 3 hr 20 min
• Paris to Barcelona: 6 hr 15 min
• Madrid to Barcelona: 2 hr 45 min
• Paris to Rome: 11 hr 15 min
• Rome to Venice: 3 hr 05 min
• Amsterdam to Berlin: 6 hr 20 min
• Berlin to Prague: 4 hr 40 min
• Prague to Vienna: 4 hr 25 min
• Vienna to Budapest: 2 hr 50 min

Luxe rail experiences are central to our rail travel and accommodation packages, so we only offer premium tickets on trains like the Eurostar, ICE, Railjet, and AVE.

We currently focus on luxury rail packages within Europe and the UK. However, we may expand in the future. Stay tuned as we continue to add new destinations and itineraries.

A legendary European rail vacation awaits you

Travel Europe by train and revel in the comfort and convenience of premium rail travel and accommodation pre-booked for you. With so many European rail routes to explore, you’ll have the opportunity to see the variety and splendor of Europe’s stunning landscapes and experience each destination’s distinct traditions and flavors. Browse our rail vacation packages or get in touch with our team to start planning your next European adventure!