• Overview
  • Trip Outline
  • Trip Includes
  • Trip Excludes
  • Hotels

Grand European Capitals Tour: Amsterdam to Paris

Get ready for the ultimate European adventure by rail! On this 13-day journey, you’ll experience the very best of the Old World. From iconic canals and stunning alpine scenery to world-class breweries, museums, and so much more.

In Amsterdam, cozy up in a brown cafe or take a bike tour of the canals. Berlin dazzles with edgy street art, museums galore, and an amazing food scene. Soak up Munich’s beer garden culture and outdoor lifestyle. Zurich combines old-world charm with modern Swiss refinement. And in Paris? Incredible food, unmatched style, and world-famous sights await around every corner.

Live your dream European adventure and let us handle all the logistics. All you have to do is have an amazing time!

What your itinerary will look like:

Itinerary with Flexible Activities: You can follow our recommended itinerary to experience the highlights of each destination, or customize it to suit your personal preferences.

Itineraries

Day 1

Arrive in Amsterdam

Welcome to the Netherlands! After checking into your hotel for two nights, get oriented in this picturesque Dutch city by joining a canal cruise that passes iconic 17th-century merchant houses and leaning gabled buildings. [Night in Amsterdam]

Day 2

Discover Amsterdam

Spend today experiencing the highlights of Amsterdam through its world-class museums like the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Anne Frank House. Be sure to also wander through charming neighborhoods like the Jordaan and see lively Dam Square. [Night in Amsterdam]

Day 3

Travel to Berlin

Leave Amsterdam after breakfast and take the train to the German capital, Berlin. Upon arrival, check into your hotel for a three-night stay. Get your bearings by exploring the area around the iconic Brandenburg Gate and visiting the moving Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. [Night in Berlin]

Day 4

Berlin's Historic Center

Devote today to Berlin's historic heart by visiting sites like the Reichstag, Berliner Dom, and the famous East Side Gallery, a remaining 1.3 km stretch of the Berlin Wall covered in murals. Learn about Berlin's Cold War period with a visit to the Berlin Wall Memorial or Stasi Museum. [Night in Berlin]

Day 5

Museums and Neighborhoods

With so many world-class museums, you'll be spoiled for choice in Berlin. Top picks include the Pergamon Museum, Neues Museum with its famous Bust of Nefertiti, and DDR Museum showcasing East German life. Spend the afternoon in vibrant areas like Kreuzberg or the Turkish district. [Night in Berlin]

Day 6

Journey to Munich

Depart Berlin after breakfast and take the train to the Bavarian city of Munich. After hotel check-in, get your first taste of Munich at the famous Marienplatz square with its New Town Hall glockenspiel show. End your day with a beer at one of Munich's renowned beer halls. [Night in Munich]

Day 7

Munich's Attractions

Today, explore top Munich sites like the incredible Nymphenburg Palace and the nearby Englischer Garten, one of the world's largest city parks dotted with beer gardens. You could also visit the BMW Museum and factory to learn about this iconic German automotive brand. [Night in Munich]

Day 8

Travel to Zurich

Leave Munich after breakfast and cross into Switzerland to the city of Zurich. Upon arrival, check into your hotel for two nights. Spend your afternoon strolling along the upscale Bahnhofstrasse shopping avenue and exploring Zurich's atmospheric Old Town. [Night in Zurich]

Day 9

Zurich's Highlights

See the top attractions in cosmopolitan Zurich like a walking tour of the Old Town churches and guildhalls. Visit world-class museums such as the Swiss National Museum or the Kunsthaus art museum. You could also take a scenic cruise on Lake Zurich. [Night in Zurich]

Day 10

Travel to Paris

Depart Zurich after breakfast and take the train to Paris, France. After checking into your hotel for a three-night stay, spend your afternoon strolling along the iconic Champs-Élysées and seeing the Arc de Triomphe up close. [Night in Paris]

Day 11

Eiffel Tower and Louvre

No visit to Paris is complete without seeing the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum. Start at the Trocadéro for fantastic views of the Iron Lady, then head to the Louvre to marvel at legendary works like the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. [Night in Paris]

Day 12

Montmartre and the Left Bank

Spend the morning in the charming Montmartre neighborhood, strolling through Place du Tertre and seeing the iconic Sacré-Cœur Basilica. In the afternoon, cross to the Left Bank's Latin Quarter to visit Notre-Dame Cathedral and browse the bouquiniste bookseller stalls. [Night in Paris]

Day 13

Depart Paris

On your final day, visit any Parisian attractions you may have missed, like the stunning Palais Garnier opera house or the artistic Musée d'Orsay. If time allows, you can also squeeze in some final shopping or strolling along the Seine before departing this magnificent city.

Your rail adventure and hotel package includes: 

  • Welcome Package: Receive a personalized welcome package upon arrival, including travel essentials and detailed itinerary information to ensure a seamless start to your journey. 
  • First-Class Rail Travel: Experience the ultimate in comfort and style with first-class rail travel throughout your itinerary. Please note that some regional trains may only offer second-class seating. 
  • 4-Star Plus Hotel Accommodation: Enjoy luxurious 4-star-plus accommodations in all cities, conveniently located near train stations for easy access and maximum convenience. 
  • Daily Breakfast: Start each day with a delicious full breakfast, provided at all hotel accommodations, offering a variety of local and international options. 
  • Airport Transfers: Enjoy hassle-free airport transfers upon arrival and departure, ensuring a smooth and stress-free travel experience. 

Your rail adventure and hotel package does not include: 

  • International Airfare: Flights to and from Europe are not included in the package price. Rail Escape can offer an additional reservation of flights. 
  • Excursions Activities and Entrance Fees: Any tours, excursions, or activities are not included and may incur additional costs. 
  • Meals Beyond Breakfast: While a full breakfast is provided daily, lunch, dinner, and any additional meals or snacks are not included and are the guest’s responsibility. 
  • Local taxes or fees: The packages do not include additional local taxes or fees, such as hotel tourism taxes.  
  • Personal Expenses: Personal shopping, souvenirs, and additional hotel services (e.g., minibar, laundry, room service) are not covered. 
  • Tips and Gratuities: Gratuities for hotel staff, guides, and drivers are not included and are at the guest’s discretion. 
  • Local Transportation: Transportation within cities, such as taxis, buses, and subways, is not included. 

 

Important Notes 

  • Customs Fees and Duties: Any – if applicable - customs fees or duties for goods purchased while traveling are the responsibility of the traveler. 
  • Extra Nights: Any additional hotel nights or early check-ins and late check-outs outside the scheduled itinerary will incur extra charges.  
  • Visa and Passport Fees: Guests are responsible for securing their own visas and any associated costs. Please ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates. 
  • Travel Insurance: We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance for your trip. Please arrange this separately, as it is not included in the package. 

All our hotel options have been carefully selected, conveniently located near the train station for your comfort.

Amsterdam

Our Included Favourite

NH City Centre

Family friendly

On-site fitness area

Popular Alternative

Hotel V Frederiksplein

Intimate, laid-back atmosphere

Family friendly

Luxe Alternative

WestCord City Centre Hotel Amsterdam

Rooms with City View

Sunny terrace

Berlin

Our Included Favourite

Adina Apartment Hotel Hackescher Markt

Gym and Sauna

Washing machine in the apartment

Popular Alternative

Premier Inn Berlin Alexanderplatz Hotel

Full Kitchen Apartments

Family friendly

Luxe Alternative

Classik Hotel Alexander Plaza

Wellness area

On site Restaurant & Bar

Munich

Our Included Favourite

25 hours the royal bavarian

Walking distance from the city center

Offers bike rentals

Popular Alternative

Courtyard by Marriott Munich City Center

Family friendly

Fitness center

Luxe Alternative

Sofitel Munich Bayerpost

Munich’s former Bavarian Royal Post Office

Luxury spa

Zurich

Our Included Favourite

Hotel Glockenhof

2 on site restaurants

Impeccable cleanliness

Popular Alternative

Townhouse Boutique Hotel

Small boutique hotel

Brand new Bar & Restaurant

Luxe Alternative

Central Plaza Hotel

Modern lifestyle and excellent service

3 on site restaurants

Paris

Our Included Favourite

Bloom House Hotel & SPA

Wellness area with spa, swimming pool and sauna

Lounge bar

Popular Alternative

Hotel Aida Marais Printania

Breakfast buffet

Quality awarded hotel

Luxe Alternative

25 hours Terminus Nord

As colourful as an African bazaar

Offers bike tours