Top train holidays in Europe
Europe is an oasis of history and culture ready to be explored. With emerging EU rail-sharing partnerships connecting major cities across the continent, it's never been easier to travel by train between European countries and cities. Imagine spending a week tasting local cuisine in ancient squares, browsing artisan ateliers and viewing the architecture of three different countries. Here are three multi-city itineraries designed to maximise your European rail adventure.
Paris-Zurich-Munich
Credit: Shangri-La Paris
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Paris
How long to spend here: 3 nights
Upon arrival in Paris, check into the Shangri-La Paris, where spectacular Eiffel Tower views await. Begin your trip exploring storied districts, from the arty Le Marais to the historic Place de la Concorde and the grandeur of the Champs-Élysées. Seek out under-the-radar attractions such as Sainte-Chapelle for its stained-glass beauty and the Conciergerie, where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned. At the Louvre, venture beyond the crowds to explore the Galerie d’Apollon and Monet’s water lilies at L’Orangerie. Shop Avenue Montaigne’s designer stores or La Grande Épicerie de Paris for artisanal treats and wine bars.
Train: Paris to Zurich on the TGV Lyria – from four hours (direct)
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Zurich
How long to spend here: 3 nights
Take the earliest four-hour, high-speed train to Zurich, aiming to pull into the central station by noon. Hop on a rack railway to The Dolder Grand, a regal 1899 hotel with a modern Norman Foster-designed wing. Visit the Fraumünster church for Chagall’s stained-glass windows and wander through the Lindenhof, a Roman-fortress-turned-park with exceptional city views. Join locals for a morning plunge or winter sauna in open-air bathhouses, before browsing Swiss-made products at the Victorinox flagship store or, for a unique foodie experience, create your own chocolate bar at the Lindt Home of Chocolate.
Train: Zurich to Munich on the Deutsche Bahn – from three-and-a-half hours (direct)
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Munich
How long to spend here: 2 nights
Take any of the three daily morning trains to Munich to arrive in just three-and-a-half hours. Settle in at the majestic Rosewood Munich, which occupies the former Bavarian State Bank, then head to Marienplatz to watch Rathaus-Glockenspiel figurines depict a 16th-century jousting tournament. Next, admire Residenz München's architecture, or stroll through Nymphenburg Palace’s serene gardens. In the Kunstareal, view Alte Pinakothek’s European Old Masters. Time permitting, visit the Neuschwanstein Castle. End your trip at the English Garden with a beer and Bavarian meal at the Biergarten am Chinesischen Turm.
Madrid-Barcelona-Milan
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Madrid
How long to spend here: 3 nights
After landing in the Spanish capital, arriving at the Rosewood Villa Magna’s inviting open-plan lobby is the perfect city introduction. Once you’re refreshed, scour contrasting neighbourhoods: La Latina for an old-town vibe and tapas culture, Barrio de las Letras for its bohemian charm or the upscale Salamanca district for luxury shopping. Visit the Palacio Real or the late Duchess of Alba’s residence, Palacio de Liria, which houses a first edition Don Quixote, then stroll around El Retiro Park with its manmade lake and neoclassical statues. Don’t miss the essential art collections at the Prado Museum, Reina Sofía and Thyssen-Bornemisza.
Train: Madrid to Barcelona on Renfe AVE – from three-and-a-half hours (direct)
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Barcelona
How long to spend here: 3 nights
A high-speed train from Madrid to Barcelona arrives in under three-and-a-half hours. Stay at Monument Hotel, a modernist edifice on swanky shopping avenue Passeig de Gracia. Glimpse the city’s inception at the Barcelona History Museum and experience the Gothic Quarter’s historic treasures and artisanal shops. For a deeper look at Gaudí’s work, visit his under-explored projects: the colourful tilework and tranquil garden of Casa Vicens and the mosaic-dotted rooftop of Palau Güell. Alternatively, tour Salvador Dalí’s Girona haunts: the Casa-Museu Dalí and Gala Castle Museum.
Train: Barcelona to Milan on SNCF Connect – from 12 hours (2 changes)
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Milan
How long to spend here: 3 nights
The scenic train journey to Milan takes 12 hours 32 minutes, with two transfers. Sleep at Portrait Milano, an archbishop’s seminary turned chic urban hotel. Take in Milan’s historic core from the 14th-century Duomo’s rooftop terraces and tour the Sforza Castle housing Michelangelo’s unfinished Pietà or Villa Necchi Campiglio, a well-preserved 1930s villa. Mix art and fashion at the Prada Foundation and the often overlooked Museo Poldi Pezzoli or the must-see The Last Supper at Santa Maria delle Grazie. Wind down your journey at the Navigli canals, a prime spot for a classic Italian aperitivo.
Frankfurt-Amsterdam-Brussels
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Frankfurt
How long to spend here: 2 nights
A morning landing gives you ample time to explore Frankfurt. The Florentin is a turn-of-the-century villa wrapped around an atmospheric botanical courtyard. Descend into the Altstadt’s (old town) medieval cellars beneath the Römerberg in the Saalgasse or climb the Kaiserdom (Frankfurt Cathedral) tower for pictorial city views. The Städel Museum’s modern wing and the nearby Goethe-Haus are must-see cultural stops. Take a train to Rheingau, then cable car over vineyards at Rüdesheim and stop at Kloster Eberbach, one of Germany’s most atmospheric medieval monasteries.
Train: Frankfurt to Amsterdam on the Deutsche Bahn – just under four hours (direct)
Credit: De L’Europe Amsterdam
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Amsterdam
How long to spend here: 2 nights
Leave early on a direct high-speed train from Frankfurt and arrive in Amsterdam in about four hours. Check in at De L’Europe, one of the city’s most enduring institutions, with suites overlooking the Amstel River. Amble through Begijnhof, a hushed medieval courtyard in the city centre, then take in the Anne Frank House before seeing unparalleled art at the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum. Between museum visits, take time to explore the city and plan a bicycle quest to the tree-lined canals of Jordaan and the bustling Noordermarkt. Lastly, finish with a train excursion to Zaanse Schans, where an army of windmills lines the Zaan River.
Train: Amsterdam to Brussels on the Eurostar – from just under two hours (direct)
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Brussels
How long to spend here: 2 nights
Brussels is just a short train ride away (one hour and 52 minutes). Start your exploration of Brussels at the Grand-Place square, a fine example of Flemish Baroque architecture. We recommend the Corinthia Brussels, a grand Belle Époque hotel with a restored stained-glass skylight ceiling. View surrealist art pieces at the Magritte Museum, then venture to the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, Europe’s oldest glass-topped arcade. Don’t leave without stopping by speciality chocolate shops and patisseries for traditional sweets, and make sure to sample the city’s most inventive craft beers at local microbreweries.