grand tour of europe by train

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Train & Rail Tours & Trips in Europe

Explore Europe with a train adventure that will take through world-renowned locations such as France (Paris), Italy (Rome, Venice and Florence) or the beautiful city of Prague. If you feel like going even further, Spain (Barcelona and Madrid) are a great choice. While you're in Europe, don't miss out on London and discover everything it can offer.

113 Train & Rail tour packages in Europe with 983 reviews

• Train & Rail

Eco-Comfort - Tour Of Italy By Train

Overall experience was excellent. The support staff was always available to answer any questions, as well as to provide vouchers for ad hoc optional tours that were selected during the excursion. Tour guides were knowledgeable. Hotels were very nice.

• €50 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

• Sightseeing
• Christmas & New Year

Berlin to Venice (15 Days) (including Salzburg)

Glacier Express & Porsche 911 Rail & Drive Experience

• In-depth Cultural

Berlin to Rome

All the places were amazing,but the hotels on Italy were not the same quality standards. They could be better.

Mediterranean Express: Rivieras & Railroads

Hey is anyone going on the Mediterranean Express trip on 8th September, looking to get to know my fellow travellers a little before I arrive! :)

Central Europe Group Rail Tour (18-35)

I am so happy I took this trip! I love that there is a planned activity in each city but you also get free days to explore on your own or with new friends. Every city was stunning and I met some great people as well. The thing that made me want to leave a review the most was honesty our tour leader , Cristina was a delight and a perfect balance for our group. She made this trip more memorable then I could have imagined and had great tips for each city too!!!!! Truly an unforgettable experience I would highly recommend. I wish I did the whole Europe tour instead of just central Europe.

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Paris to Barcelona: Tapas & Train Rides

European Romance

Highlights of Europe (Classic, Summer, Start Amsterdam, End London, 13 Days)

Whole of Europe Group Rail Tour (18-35)

I did the 4 week Europe tour and it was the best experience of my life! Couldn’t imagine a better tour guide than Cristian. I met the most amazing people and the experiences we had go unmatched. I had to leave the trip early and Euroventure organised this perfectly for me. Cant wait to book my next trip through this company for next summer. Couldn’t recommend more ❤️

Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre & Venice in 7 Days

Overall the Italy on a Budget tour is great. Lorenzo and Eduardo did an amazing job in the tour to Cinque Terre and Pisa. I would be only a day in Pisa and add more time in Cinque Terre

• €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Contrasts of Switzerland (8 Days)

Well coordinated and tour director was fabulous. Wonderful way to see the beauty of Switzerland but would have liked an additional layover day in Lake Geneva.

Italy By Train

Overall what was on offer, was delivered. The hotels in Florence and La Spezia were hed out as 4 star, but e beieve they were at best 3 star. The hotel in One was advertised as 3 star and that was accurate.

London to Istanbul Rail Adventure + Cappadocia Extension

London to Istanbul Rail Adventure

What people love about train & rail tours in europe.

Overal a great experience, the guides ensure you have an authentic experience and take care of the difficult parts of traveling. It's a long trip and designed for those wanting to see much of central Europe in a short amount of time. I have taken away many good memories with the people I travelled with, and have formed a deeper understanding of western art, history and culture. Highly recommend.

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Great European Journey By River and Rail

Program overview.

Journey through Switzerland, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, cruising the Moselle and Rhine rivers on this 10-night program, which includes 4 nights in the Swiss Alps—featuring the Matterhorn and Mount Pilatus—and a 6-night river cruise. Ride aboard 3 legendary railways—the Gornegrat Bahn for views of the Matterhorn; the Glacier Express from Andermatt to Zermatt; and the Pilatus Railway, the world’s steepest cogwheel railway. Also enjoy a scenic cruise on Lake Lucerne. Enhance your “Grand Tour” with the Amsterdam Post-Program Option.

Program runs in alternative orders on some departures.

Program Details

• Pre/Post Options
• Accommodations
• 12-day, 10-night “Grand Tour” of Europe featuring an incredible combination of river, rail, lake, and mountain travel from Lucerne to Amsterdam
• Enjoy 4 nights in the Swiss Alps—featuring the Matterhorn and Mount Pilatus, plus a 6-night river cruise.
• Retrace the “Grand Tour,” a traditional European holiday taken by aristocratic young ladies and gentlemen of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries.
• Reach Mount Pilatus’ 7,000-foot summit by panoramic gondola for a 360-degree vista.
• Walk through the UNESCO World Heritage-designated La Petite France in Strasbourg.
• Travel from Mannheim to Heidelberg, a highlight of the historical "Grand Tours."
• Cruise through the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Middle Rhine Valley to see Lorelei Rock.
• Enjoy a walking tour of charming Cochem with a visit to the Imperial Reichsburg castle.
• Explore Cologne’s Old Town and see the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Kölner Dom.
• Amsterdam Optional Extension*

Day 1 - Depart home city

Day 2 - Geneva, Switzerland/Täsch/Zermatt

Day 3 - Gornergrat/Zermatt

Day 4 - Zermatt/Andermatt/Lucerne

Day 5 - Lucerne/Mount Pilatus

Day 6 - Lucerne/Basel/Embark Amadeus Queen

Day 7 - Strasbourg, France

Day 8 - Mannheim, Germany for Heidelberg

Day 9 - Rüdesheim/Koblenz

Day 10 - Cochem

Day 11 - Cologne

Day 12 - Amsterdam, the Netherlands/Return to home city

View detailed program itinerary >

Amadeus Queen

Exclusively Chartered, Deluxe River Boat

The elegant and meticulously crafted Amadeus Queen, features all the comforts of a refined and traditional hotel. Its 72 stylish staterooms and suites are among the most spacious of any European river boat (188 to 284 square feet). Suites include a private balcony, and select staterooms feature a unique floor-to-ceiling window that lowers to French-balcony height at the touch of a button.

Learn more about the Amadeus Queen >

The Golden Age of Amsterdam Optional Extension

Get acquainted with this captivating city graced with leafy canals and gabled houses on a 2-night, post-cruise extension at the deluxe DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Centraal Station. Enjoy a cruise along its delightful, 17th‑century waterways, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and view acclaimed art by the great Dutch Golden Age masters at the Rijksmuseum. Venture to Hoorn, a picturesque, 17th-century harbor town and key Dutch East India Company port, and soak up the inviting ambience and historic architecture of Edam, legendary for its tasty cheese.

Depending on your chosen departure date, the optional extension may be a Pre-Program or Post-Program.

The Optional Extension is available at an additional cost. Details will be provided with your reservation confirmation.

Admire the awe-inspiring, visionary work and vast scope of Switzerland’s impressive railways as you experience firsthand the sublime majesty of the iconic Alps from incredible perspectives. Journey on 3 of the world’s great Alpine railways—the panoramic Glacier Express , the scenic Gornergrat Bahn , and the dramatic Pilatus Railway —and, while admiring the innovative engineering necessary to create these routes, savor vignettes of the quintessentially Swiss landscape—including 14,000-foot-high mountain peaks, flowing streams, cavernous gorges, and crystalline glaciers.

Learn more about the Glacier Express >

The first-class Hotel Alex is situated in a beautiful, quiet location in the center of Zermatt.

The deluxe Schweizerhof Hotel is located on the banks of Lake Lucerne in Switzerland.

Ready to Begin Your Journey?

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Program Itinerary

Days 1 depart home city.

Your trip will begin by departing the U.S. or Canada. Arrive the next day in Zurich and transfer to Lucerne to check in to the hotel . Enjoy a Welcome Reception in the hotel.

Day 2 Geneva, Switzerland/Täsch/Zermatt

Arrive in Geneva and enjoy a panoramic drive to Täsch. Then, board a shuttle train that takes you up to Zermatt, a cozy, car-free, mountain resort town nestled near the Matterhorn at 5,276 feet. Check into the first‑class Hotel Alex and gather for a Welcome Reception, followed by dinner on your own.

Day 3 Gornergrat/Zermatt

Today, revel in a ride aboard the Gornergrat Bahn, the world’s highest open-air cog railway. Ascend through pine and larch forests, take in picture-perfect views of the Matterhorn, and then alight at the Gornergrat, an alpine ridge at roughly 10,000 feet. Glorious, expansive vistas of snowcapped peaks await you! Enjoy free time and return to Zermatt at your own pace.  

Day 4 Zermatt/Andermatt/Lucerne

Check out today and embark the celebrated Glacier Express. Settle in for a marvelous journey as you glide amid ever-changing panoramas of lush mountains, tranquil valleys, and sparkling lakes. Arrive in Andermatt and savor a delicious lunch. Head on to Lucerne and check into the deluxe Hotel Schweizerhof. Your evening is at leisure.

Day 5 Lucerne/Mount Pilatus

A compact city on Lake Lucerne and the Reuss River, Lucerne boasts wonderfully painted buildings, stately churches, and two medieval, covered wooden footbridges. On a walking tour, see the imposing Water Tower and the famous Chapel Bridge with an inner roof adorned with 17th-century paintings. Afterward, continue to majestic Mount Pilatus, a massif with numerous summits. Ride by cable car to one summit and then ascend in a gondola up to Pilatus Kulm at 6,795 feet. From this vantage point, gaze in all directions at spectacular vistas of Lake Lucerne, forested countryside, and if the weather is clear, dozens of alpine peaks. Relish free time and lunch at the mountaintop complex. On your descent, appreciate the scenery on the other side of the mountain aboard the Pilatus Railway, the world’s steepest cogwheel train. Wrap up with a pleasant cruise across Lake Lucerne. This evening, make your own dinner plans.  

Day 6 Lucerne/Basel/Embark river boat

Check out this morning and admire the scenery on the way to Basel, where you will enjoy a guided tour, lunch, and free time. Embark the Amadeus Queen and join the Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner later tonight.

Day 7 Strasbourg, France

Discover the medieval grandeur of Grand-Île, the historic center of Strasbourg and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, during a walking tour. See the bridges and towers of the 13th-century Ponts Couverts, and meander past the many half-timbered houses in the canal-lined Petite France district, where tanners, millers, and fishermen once lived during the Middle Ages. Visit Notre Dame Cathedral, an exquisitely ornamented Gothic beauty.  

Day 8 Mannheim, Germany, for Heidelberg

Dock in Mannheim and journey to romantic Heidelberg to visit the Renaissance-era ruins of its grand castle overlooking the picturesque Neckar Valley. Take a walking tour in the lively old town filled with Renaissance and baroque gems, such as the old bridge, Alte Brücke.

Day 9 Rüdesheim/Koblenz

Arrive in the heart of Riesling wine country today. Take in the vineyards near Rüdesheim on a mini-train before sampling fine wines in town. Afterward, cruise through the enchanting Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dotted with some 40 castles, and see the fabled Lorelei Rock. Stop for a walking tour in lovely Koblenz, founded by the Romans more than 2,000 years ago where the Rhine and Moselle Rivers meet

Day 10 Cochem

Sail through a splendid, narrow section of the Moselle River lined with colorful towns and tiered vineyards, then dock in charming Cochem. Delight in its half-timbered houses on a walking tour, and visit hilltop Reichsburg Castle, which offers stunning river views.  

Day 11 Cologne

One of Germany’s oldest cities, Cologne is renowned for its magnificent Gothic cathedral, Kölner Dom , built over a period of more than 630 years. Admire the old town’s top sites and the cathedral’s impressive exterior on a walking tour. Enjoy free time afterward and, if you’d like, go inside the cathedral to see the Shrine of the Three Kings, a gilded reliquary. This evening, attend the Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner.

Day 12 Amsterdam, Netherlands/Return to Home City

After breakfast, disembark the ship in Amsterdam and transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

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The History Hit Miscellany of Facts, Figures and Fascinating Finds

What Was the Grand Tour of Europe?

Lucy Davidson

26 jan 2022, @lucejuiceluce.

In the 18th century, a ‘Grand Tour’ became a rite of passage for wealthy young men. Essentially an elaborate form of finishing school, the tradition saw aristocrats travel across Europe to take in Greek and Roman history, language and literature, art, architecture and antiquity, while a paid ‘cicerone’ acted as both a chaperone and teacher.

Grand Tours were particularly popular amongst the British from 1764-1796, owing to the swathes of travellers and painters who flocked to Europe, the large number of export licenses granted to the British from Rome and a general period of peace and prosperity in Europe.

However, this wasn’t forever: Grand Tours waned in popularity from the 1870s with the advent of accessible rail and steamship travel and the popularity of Thomas Cook’s affordable ‘Cook’s Tour’, which made mass tourism possible and traditional Grand Tours less fashionable.

Here’s the history of the Grand Tour of Europe.

Who went on the Grand Tour?

In his 1670 guidebook The Voyage of Italy , Catholic priest and travel writer Richard Lassells coined the term ‘Grand Tour’ to describe young lords travelling abroad to learn about art, culture and history. The primary demographic of Grand Tour travellers changed little over the years, though primarily upper-class men of sufficient means and rank embarked upon the journey when they had ‘come of age’ at around 21.

‘Goethe in the Roman Campagna’ by Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Tischbein. Rome 1787.

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Grand Tours also became fashionable for women who might be accompanied by a spinster aunt as a chaperone. Novels such as E. M. Forster’s A Room With a View reflected the role of the Grand Tour as an important part of a woman’s education and entrance into elite society.

Increasing wealth, stability and political importance led to a more broad church of characters undertaking the journey. Prolonged trips were also taken by artists, designers, collectors, art trade agents and large numbers of the educated public.

What was the route?

The Grand Tour could last anything from several months to many years, depending on an individual’s interests and finances, and tended to shift across generations. The average British tourist would start in Dover before crossing the English Channel to Ostend in Belgium or Le Havre and Calais in France. From there the traveller (and if wealthy enough, group of servants) would hire a French-speaking guide before renting or acquiring a coach that could be both sold on or disassembled. Alternatively, they would take the riverboat as far as the Alps or up the Seine to Paris .

Map of grand tour taken by William Thomas Beckford in 1780.

From Paris, travellers would normally cross the Alps – the particularly wealthy would be carried in a chair – with the aim of reaching festivals such as the Carnival in Venice or Holy Week in Rome. From there, Lucca, Florence, Siena and Rome or Naples were popular, as were Venice, Verona, Mantua, Bologna, Modena, Parma, Milan, Turin and Mont Cenis.

What did people do on the Grand Tour?

A Grand Tour was both an educational trip and an indulgent holiday. The primary attraction of the tour lay in its exposure of the cultural legacy of classical antiquity and the Renaissance, such as the excavations at Herculaneum and Pompeii, as well as the chance to enter fashionable and aristocratic European society.

Johann Zoffany: The Gore Family with George, third Earl Cowper, c. 1775.

In addition, many accounts wrote of the sexual freedom that came with being on the continent and away from society at home. Travel abroad also provided the only opportunity to view certain works of art and potentially the only chance to hear certain music.

The antiques market also thrived as lots of Britons, in particular, took priceless antiquities from abroad back with them, or commissioned copies to be made. One of the most famous of these collectors was the 2nd Earl of Petworth, who gathered or commissioned some 200 paintings and 70 statues and busts – mainly copies of Greek originals or Greco-Roman pieces – between 1750 and 1760.

It was also fashionable to have your portrait painted towards the end of the trip. Pompeo Batoni painted over 175 portraits of travellers in Rome during the 18th century.

Others would also undertake formal study in universities, or write detailed diaries or accounts of their experiences. One of the most famous of these accounts is that of US author and humourist Mark Twain, whose satirical account of his Grand Tour in Innocents Abroad became both his best selling work in his own lifetime and one of the best-selling travel books of the age.

Why did the popularity of the Grand Tour decline?

A Thomas Cook flyer from 1922 advertising cruises down the Nile. This mode of tourism has been immortalised in works such as Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie.

The popularity of the Grand Tour declined for a number of reasons. The Napoleonic Wars from 1803-1815 marked the end of the heyday of the Grand Tour, since the conflict made travel difficult at best and dangerous at worst.

The Grand Tour finally came to an end with the advent of accessible rail and steamship travel as a result of Thomas Cook’s ‘Cook’s Tour’, a byword of early mass tourism, which started in the 1870s. Cook first made mass tourism popular in Italy, with his train tickets allowing travel over a number of days and destinations. He also introduced travel-specific currencies and coupons which could be exchanged at hotels, banks and ticket agencies which made travelling easier and also stabilised the new Italian currency, the lira.

As a result of the sudden potential for mass tourism, the Grand Tour’s heyday as a rare experience reserved for the wealthy came to a close.

Can you go on a Grand Tour today?

Echoes of the Grand Tour exist today in a variety of forms. For a budget, multi-destination travel experience, interrailing is your best bet; much like Thomas Cook’s early train tickets, travel is permitted along many routes and tickets are valid for a certain number of days or stops.

For a more upmarket experience, cruising is a popular choice, transporting tourists to a number of different destinations where you can disembark to enjoy the local culture and cuisine.

Though the days of wealthy nobles enjoying exclusive travel around continental Europe and dancing with European royalty might be over, the cultural and artistic imprint of a bygone Grand Tour era is very much alive.

To plan your own Grand Tour of Europe, take a look at History Hit’s guides to the most unmissable heritage sites in Paris , Austria and, of course, Italy .

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Grand Tour of Europe: London to Rome

4.7 out of 5 stars

You have up to 60 days to get a full refund

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Sample the continent’s most culture-packed, historically rich regions.

On this sweeping tour, world-famous sights like Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower, and the Colosseum are just the beginning of what you’ll experience. Get a taste of several languages and cultures as you journey from Great Britain to France to the Netherlands, travel across Germany, and continue through Switzerland and Italy.

Your tour package includes

• 14 nights in handpicked hotels
• 14 breakfasts
• 4 dinners with beer or wine
• 11 sightseeing tours

Included highlights

• Trafalgar Square
• Buckingham Palace
• Eurostar train ride
• Eiffel Tower photo stop
• Amsterdam canal cruise

An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.

Day-by-day itinerary

Board your overnight flight to London today.

Welcome to England! Meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.

View the regal landmarks of England’s vibrant and cosmopolitan capital on a guided sightseeing tour.

• Pass the grand Trafalgar Square and Baroque-style St. Paul’s Cathedral, perched atop Ludgate Hill.
• See Westminster Abbey, the setting for royal coronations, weddings, and funerals.
• View icons like Big Ben, the London Eye, and the Tower of London.
• Stop by Buckingham Palace, where you may catch the Changing of the Guard.

Spend a free afternoon in London or add an excursion.

Windsor Castle

From $125 per person

Board the famed high-speed Eurostar train and travel beneath the English Channel as you journey to Gare du Nord in Paris, France.

Enjoy a free evening in Paris or add an excursion.

Please note: Travelers should be prepared for an early morning train departure. Porterage is not included for the train transfers. Travelers must be comfortable lifting and carrying all luggage over steps, onto platforms, and into luggage storage

Dinner in Paris & Seine River Cruise

From $129 per person

A guided tour introduces you to the architecture, scenery, and history of the City of Light’s many neighborhoods, called arrondissements.

• Drive down the sycamore-lined Champs-Élysées to view the Arc de Triomphe.
• Pass Pont Neuf and the legendary Notre-Dame Cathedral, located on an island in the Seine River.
• See the Eiffel Tower, the Palais Garnier opera house, and Place de la Concorde, the city’s grandest square.
• Marvel at the iconic architecture of the Louvre and Hôtel des Invalides.

Spend the afternoon exploring Paris on your own or add an excursion.

Versailles Palace & Gardens

From $139 per person

Ride a high-speed train to Amsterdam. Then, take to the water with a local guide who will introduce you to the the Dutch capital’s iconic canals and unique character.

• Cruise by icons like the Dutch National Opera house and the Skinny Bridge.
• Reflect on the city’s history as you pass by a former Jewish neighborhood.
• See the dancing houses, the narrowest houses in Amsterdam, and “flower bikes” decorated by a local known as the Flower Bike Man.
• Disembark near the Rijksmuseum, and stroll to the iconic Van Gogh Museum for a tour with an audio guide.

Please note: Travelers should be prepared for an early morning train departure.

Spend a free day in Amsterdam or add an excursion.

A Day in Charming Delft

Cross into Germany on your way to the Heidelberg region today, making several stops along the way.

• Enter Cologne Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece and UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Marvel at views of six ancient castles during a cruise on the Rhine River, which takes you from Boppard to Sankt Goar.

Please note: From mid-October through March you will enjoy a German wine tasting in Boppard instead of the cruise.

Sit down for an included dinner this evening.

Discover the medieval charms of Heidelberg on a guided sightseeing tour.

• Walk through Heidelberg’s Old Town, passing Market Square and Heidelberg University.
• Take a funicular ride to top of Heidelberg Castle for panoramic views of the Old Bridge and the Rhine River below.

Then, cross into Switzerland this afternoon.

A local guide introduces you to Lucerne, a charming lakeside city located in the Swiss Alps.

• Pass hand-painted facades along the cobbled streets of the Old Town.
• View the Lion Monument, a tribute to the Swiss Guards who sacrificed their lives in Paris during the French Revolution.
• See the Jesuit Church, the first large Baroque building of its kind to be built in Switzerland north of the Alps.
• Cross the medieval Kapellbrücke, a covered wooden footbridge spanning the Reuss River, and view the Water Tower.

Enjoy a free afternoon in the Swiss Alps or add an excursion.

Mount Pilatus

From $135 per person

Head out on a morning trip to explore the Lake Como area where you'll have a chance to admire the beautiful architecture, breathtaking views, and cruise the crystal-clear turquoise waters.

• Transfer to the beautiful Villa Carlotta to soak in spectacular views from the elaborate villa gardens.
• Embark on a scenic cruise on Lake Como and soak in some of Italy's most beautiful estates and gardens.
• Float past charming lakeside towns to Bellagio, a village whose scenery has inspired poets and young lovers for centuries.
• Enjoy free time in Bellagio to grab lunch, shop, and explore at your own pace.

Return to your hotel in the Lake Como region and enjoy a free evening.

En route to Venice, stop in Verona and walk through the city with your Tour Director.

• Stroll through the city’s UNESCO-recognized historic center.
• Admire the Roman arena, Piazza delle Erbe, and the balcony of Shakespeare’s Juliet.

Enjoy free time before continuing on to Venice, where you'll sit down for an included dinner with your group.

Admire historic churches, winding canals, and picture-perfect piazzas on a guided tour of the city known as the Queen of the Adriatic.

• Step into the iconic St. Mark's Square and view the impressive St. Mark's Basilica.
• View the stately Doge's Palace, built in the Venetian Gothic style in 1340.
• Marvel at the Bridge of Sighs, the link between Doge's Palace and the New Prison.
• See a glassblowing demonstration to learn about the city's most celebrated art.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Venice or add an excursion.

Gondola Ride: Venice Canal Cruise

From $89 per person

Private Gondola Ride: Canal Cruise for Two

From $165 per person

Travel to Rome by train, crossing the Apennine Mountains for sweeping views of the Italian countryside. Upon arriving in the Eternal City, take a guided walk to discover its beautiful, centuries-old squares and fountains.

• Stroll past the Spanish Steps, where Bernini’s Baroque-style fountain has stood since the 1600s.
• Walk to the intricately carved Trevi Fountain, and toss a coin for good luck.
• Step inside the Pantheon, home to the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome.
• Learn about the engineering skills of the ancient Romans and how they created this well-preserved temple.
• End at Piazza Navona and see the Fountain of the Four Rivers.

Enjoy a free day in Rome or add an excursion. Then, join your group at tonight’s farewell dinner. Tonight, as you dine, you'll be treated to a multi-course traditional Italian meal with a live musical entertainment.

Iconic Sights: Vatican City

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or continue on to Florence.

Travel north to Florence this morning, arriving in time for a guided tour.

• View the legendary Florence Cathedral, known as the Duomo.
• Pass Giotto’s Campanile, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.
• Walk past Piazza della Repubblica to the medieval Ponte Vecchio.
• Stroll along the Arno River and through the courtyard of the Uffizi Gallery to Piazza della Signoria, center of Florentine life.

Enjoy a free evening in Florence or add an excursion.

Fiesole Villa Dinner

From $99 per person

Spend a free day in Florence or add an excursion.

This evening, enjoy a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.

Siena & San Gimignano: Tuscan Hilltowns

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Book for just $99 down

That’s all it takes to secure your spot on tour with AutoPay. Then, pay for your trip in interest-free, monthly installments.†

Overall rating 4.7 out of 5

5 out of 5 stars

Awesome tour!! The trip of a lifetime! Lexi was amazing tour guide and handled all of us very well!

Amazing tour!! We had a fantastic time!! Lexi was amazing tour leader!! Thank you so much EF Tours -we are telling everyone to check you out!!

Traveler photos

Hotels, flights & FAQ

This stylish hotel is located in London's Hammersmith neighborhood. Guests enjoy the fitness center, lounge bar with rooftop terrace, and spacious roo...

This contemporary hotel is located in Montmartre. Guests enjoy on-site dining options, an outdoor terrace, and spacious rooms. Nearby, you’ll find Sac...

This trendy hotel is located in the Oost district of Amsterdam. Guests enjoy comfortable rooms, lounge-bar, and easy access to the tram. Nearby you'll...

This comfortable hotel is located in the Mannheim city center. Guests enjoy a pool, restaurant, and free Wi-Fi. Nearby, you’ll find Schloss Mannheim, ...

This Belle Époque hotel is located near the lake promenade. Guests enjoy a restaurant, bar, and outdoor terrace. Nearby, you’ll find Lake Lucerne, Cha...

This scenic hotel is located in Lecco, on the shores of Lake Como. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, a gym, and restaurant. Nearby, you’ll find walking paths, ...

This charming hotel is located in the Cannaregio district in central Venice. Guests enjoy a private courtyard, pool, and billiards area. Nearby, you’l...

This peaceful hotel is located just outside of Rome's city center. Guests enjoy the swimming pool, relaxing garden, and fitness center. Nearby you’ll ...

This classic hotel is located in the San Lorenzo neighborhood of Florence. Guests enjoy the on-site coffee house, spacious rooms, and convenient locat...

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• Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
• Find out more about flights
• This tour visits the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. In order to enter these countries, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
• We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
• Beginning in 2025, U.S. and Canadian passport holders must register for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to enter many European countries.
• Passport holders from over 60 visa-exempt countries (including the U.S. and Canada) will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to visit 30 European countries. That means that even if you’ve previously traveled to any of these European countries without a visa, starting in 2025, you’ll need to get ETIAS authorization to visit them again. If you’re traveling to multiple countries with this requirement, you only need to complete the form once. All Go Ahead travelers are responsible for obtaining their own ETIAS travel authorization before departure. For more details, please visit our Help Center .
• If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
• You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code EUR.
• Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in London and depart from Rome (or Florence on the tour extension).
• Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost if they are arriving or departing on the standard day.
• When you arrive in London, a driver from a private chauffeur service will be standing at the arrival hall with your name on a message board. If you do not see your driver, please be patient and stay in the arrivals area. They may be assisting another traveler who has also just arrived and will be back shortly.

Physical Activity Level

This is a high physical activity-level tour. You can expect to be on the move on a regular basis throughout the course of the tour.

Tour Pacing

This is a brisk-paced tour. The pace of a tour itinerary considers how often you’ll switch hotels, the amount of planned daily activities, and how you’ll get from place to place. You can expect:

• Two 1 night stays
• Most days full of included activities (more if you add excursions)
• Most transportation by motor coach
• Some transportation by train and boat
• Daily bus time varies and can be lengthy

Walking, Terrain & Physical Requirements

• Travelers should be prepared to walk 2-3 miles per day - this includes city streets, cobblestones, stairs, and hills.
• Cobblestone streets can become slick when wet.
• The city of Venice is fully pedestrian with 3-5 steps leading up and down the many bridges throughout the city.
• The terrain around the Roman Forum and the Colosseum includes inclines and uneven stairs.
• Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.
• Please Note: Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on tour.

Climate Considerations

• In London, travelers can expect cool, cloudy, and rainy days throughout the year, with occasional heatwaves in the summer months (June-September).
• For most of central Europe, temperatures range from 40sF in winter to low-80sF in summer, with occasional heatwaves in the summer months (June-September).
• In Italy, temperatures range from 50sF in winter to 90sF in summer. In the summer months (June-September), travelers can expect heatwaves with temperatures consistently above 90F.

Physical Activity & Tour Pace Questions

• Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special mobility or luggage handling assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group enjoys a smooth and informative journey, and they can’t be relied on to provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
• This tour moves at a reasonable pace to avoid missing scheduled stops. The rest of the group cannot miss any scheduled activities because of the needs of an individual.
• Due to the pace and physical activity level of this tour, mobility aids such as wheelchairs or walkers will be difficult to use and are not recommended. Please notify Go Ahead Tours before your departure if you plan to bring these on tour with you.
• If you have mobility concerns or tour pace questions, please visit our Help Center or send a message to our Customer Experience Team. We’re here to help!
• This tour includes various modes of transportation, including train, boat, and private motor coach. Some modes of transportation will have raised platforms or steps and often not provide access to ramps or lifts.
• Train rides from London to Paris, Paris to Amsterdam, and Venice to Rome are included in the price of your tour.
• All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
• European train stations typically operate similarly to airports where security measures, such as baggage and body scanners, are common. Platforms are often spread out across large distances and require travelers to manage their luggage on escalators or stairs. Porterage services are not offered on train transfers and luggage storage on trains is extremely limited. Please keep in mind that trains may only be stopping at the stations for a few minutes; speed with loading and unloading may be imperative.
• Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and trains.
• Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
• Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights.
• Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
• Travelers must manage their own luggage throughout tour as porters are not guaranteed. This includes at hotels, airports, and boarding trains.
• Luggage storage on trains is extremely limited, and often requires travelers to lift their suitcases onto storage racks, sometimes above the seats.
• We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
• A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
• You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
• It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
• We recommend packing a reusable water bottle to cut down on single use plastic waste.
• We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
• We recommend packing your Insurance Card (from your primary insurance provider) in your carry on luggage.
• Go Ahead handpicks every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm.
• Accommodations are typically three to four star hotels.
• All accommodations include a private bathroom.
• Most rooms will include a safe for valuables.
• Your hotels will have Wifi, but it may be limited to common areas.
• Elevators in hotels are not guaranteed.
• Some hotels on this tour require travelers to walk with their luggage a few blocks as buses cannot drop travelers off right out front.
• Please be advised that the strength of the air conditioning in European hotels/buildings is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada.
• England operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and uses a Type G plug with three large, flat pins.
• France, the Netherlands, and Germany operate on the European standard 220-240 volts and use Types C, E, or F plugs with two small, round pins.
• Switzerland operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and uses Types C or J plugs with two round pins or three round pins, respectively.
• Italy operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and uses Types C, F, or L plugs with two round pins or three round pins, respectively.
• We cannot guarantee that your hotel accommodations will have laundry services or facilities. We recommend checking directly with the hotel once they are confirmed about 30 days prior to departure.
• Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date.
• Excursions are available for purchase prior to departure, and most excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour directly through your mobile app for an additional $10 USD.
• We recommend purchasing excursions at least 3 days prior to your tour departure. Please note some excursions have advance booking deadlines. Check your tour itinerary for more information to ensure you don’t miss the deadline to add them.
• Optional excursions may be canceled on tour due to reasons like low enrollment, weather or unexpected closures. If an excursion you signed up for is canceled by Go Ahead Tours, you will be refunded the full cost of the excursion. Please note it may take up to 60 days for your refund to be processed.
• Your Tour Director may offer their own optional excursions which can only be purchased on tour via cash (in local currency).
• At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website at cdc.gov .
• If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies, please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
• If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
• Most of our itineraries include headsets used during certain sightseeing tours so travelers can hear their guides or Tour Director. If you use an assisted listening device, such as a hearing aid or cochlear implant, please visit our Help Center for more information or contact our customer experience team. Please note that at this time not all our destinations offer headsets due to supplier limitations.
• The water is safe to drink throughout your tour unless posted otherwise.
• This tour includes one lunch and four dinners. Included meals may be plated set menus, buffet or family style depending on the location. Dinners include one glass of beer, wine, or soft drink and water, coffee and tea.
• Breakfast each morning is also included at the hotel and is typically buffet style with hot and cold options.
• For traditional English fare at a reasonable price, try a pub meal of fish and chips or bangers and mash. Stilton cheese, steak and kidney pie, and Cumberland sausages are also worth a try.
• Modern-day London boasts an array of diverse international restaurants. Popular options for the adventurous palate include Indian, Thai, Chinese, Indonesian, Greek, and West African cuisines. Sip afternoon tea with delicious finger sandwiches and scones at Harrods for the ultimate in English tradition.
• For a picnic with French flair, stop at a small grocery store for cheeses, pâtés, cured meats, fresh-baked bread, and fruit. In the cities, sidewalk vendors are known for their steaming crepes, while mouthwatering pastries and hot café au lait beckon from cafes. In restaurants, the prix fixe option is a popular way to enjoy a set three- or four-course menu for a good price.
• Although lunch is generally served from noon until 2pm in France, dinner is served from 7:30pm onward. Those wishing to eat earlier can stop at a cafe, where light entrées and sandwiches are available throughout the afternoon and evening.
• In the Netherlands, simply prepared meat and fish dishes, substantial soups, and hearty stews are local staples. Snack food traditionally features fish—you might try maatje, raw green herrings served with onions—but pancakes, french fries, doughnuts, and waffles are just as plentiful.
• German food is hearty and substantial. Among the specialties are dumpling stews, sauerkraut, sausages, smoked cheeses, and dark breads. Bavaria produces some of the world’s purest beers, and white German wines are exceptionally good.
• Swiss food is varied and sophisticated, and some popular dishes include sausages, breaded veal fillets, freshwater fish, and cheese dishes such as fondue and raclette. Be sure to try Swiss chocolate, which is among the world’s finest.
• Venice and Northern Italy are known for flavorful meats and pastries.
• Roman food is typically freshly prepared and varies depending on the season. Must-try bites include cacio e pepe (a simple dish of pasta, cheese and pepper) and supplí (a fried rice ball similar to Sicily's arancini).
• For more authentic meals, try local trattorias, small restaurants set away from the main piazzas. A typical Italian meal includes wines and the occasional beer, followed by a few sips of after-dinner drinks like grappa or limoncello.
• On the tour extension, Tuscany is world-famous for its wine, oil, sauces, and pasta. Menus favor subtle, lighter pastas and desserts made with nuts, fruit, and honey. Try a dish featuring the region’s Chianina beef, perhaps the most prized breed of cattle in all of Italy. For wine, popular Tuscan reds include Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, which are primarily made from the Sangiovese grape. Well-known white wines are also made around the San Gimignano region.
• At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
• We recommend tipping the equivalent of $10-$12USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
• If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
• Tips can only be paid in cash.
• If you are traveling to multiple countries with different currencies and the same Tour Director, ask them what currency they prefer for their tip.
• The cost of porterage is included in your tour price, and it is not necessary to tip baggage handlers.
• You will use the Pound sterling in England, the Swiss franc in Switzerland, and the euro in France, the Netherlands, Germany, and Italy.
• Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
• We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
• You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
• International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
• Plan ahead and bring cash to tip your tour director, local guides, and bus drivers. We also recommend keeping coins in the local currency on hand, as some public bathrooms may charge a fee for use.
• To ensure you feel prepared before traveling on tour, we strongly recommend you download the EF Go Ahead Tours mobile app. The app is free and provides important deadlines, entry requirements, your detailed itinerary, packing tips and more. You can also connect with fellow travelers through the chat feature in the app.
• Wifi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
• There is no Wifi on any of the motor coaches.
• Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
• Your Tour Director will be leading your group throughout your journey. You will have the same Tour Director throughout your tour.
• The role of the Tour Director is not only to provide information and context on the destinations you visit, but also to confirm services, coordinate inclusions, prepare each days’ activities and support travelers while on tour. As such, they must focus on the success of the group, and cannot provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
• One of the benefits of traveling with EF Go Ahead Tours is our on tour emergency support team.
• Our extensive network of offices around the world, and our integration of ISO 31000: Risk Management Guidelines, help our dedicated 24/7 Emergency Service teams anticipate and address on-tour challenges in a flexible and iterative way.
• This team supports travelers and Tour Directors using a combination of extensive training, simulations, incident response planning, and decades of experience to help manage emergencies if they arise, ranging from personal health concerns or injuries to major world events.
• As needed, On Tour Support can facilitate additional support for travelers on tour, arrange assistance from outside specialists, and liaise with local and international authorities to help solve on-the-ground issues. In addition, the team is dedicated to supporting and facilitating communication between travelers and families in the event of an emergency while on the road or at home.
• England is on Greenwich Mean Time Zone (GMT) and is five hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
• All other destinations on this tour are one hour ahead of GMT and six hours ahead of ET.
• When it’s noon in New York, it’s 5pm in England and 6pm in France, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy.
• When you travel with EF Go Ahead Tours, you’ll make a positive impact on the places you visit, and the people and animals you meet along the way. That’s because our three core Responsible Travel commitments—protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and promoting animal welfare—are at the heart of every tour we offer.
• Travel, when done responsibly, can make an enormous socio-economic impact to communities. To maximize your impact, eat at locally owned restaurants and shop at local businesses. Ask your Tour Director to point out restaurants they recommend.
• Prepare for your trip: be aware of the monetary norms such as tipping and negotiating in a market, learn about the destination’s forms of etiquette, and take some time to learn a few words in the local language.
• When interacting with locals, make sure to ask people for permission before you take their picture, and approach cultural differences with empathy and an open mind.
• EF Go Ahead Tours encourages our travelers to limit their waste while on the road, especially single use plastics. You can avoid single use plastics by packing your own toiletries, using electronic documents, and bringing a reusable water bottle and shopping bag. If you need to use plastics or paper, please recycle.
• Environment: On this tour, we recommend the use of a reusable water bottle, as the local drinking water is safe for travelers. Your Tour Director can provide additional guidance on local water standards. Make sure to bring a reusable water bottle to cut down on single use plastics.

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The Grand Tour of Europe Revisited

A shorter Grand Tour for Today's Vacation-short Tourist

"Young English elites of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries often spent two to four years traveling around Europe in an effort to broaden their horizons and learn about language, architecture, geography, and culture in an experience known as the Grand Tour" writes Matt Rosenberg in his excellent article, Grand Tour of Europe.

While the whole idea of the three year Grand Tour sounds nice to me, it doesn't sit well with the average boss in the 21st century. Not to mention the fact that broadening one's horizons seems to be a goal that's lost its significance in these troubled times.

So where's a person to go in Europe these days to get a flavor of "the continent?" Below you'll find some of my recommendations for a two to three week visit of Europe for today's on-the-go traveler.

The original Grand Tour started in London and crossed the channel to Paris. It visited big cities because that's where the culture was. (Not to mention the big tourist hotels.) The Tour would move on to Rome or Venice, with side excursions to Florence and the ancient cities of Pompeii or Herculaneum. Public transport, such as it was at the time, was used.

There are few reasons to deviate from these guidelines today. If you only have a short vacation time you will be more comfortable staying at a single hotel for three or four days rather then moving around every day. (Search for the "grand tour" on the web and you'll see offers of tours visiting a major city each and every day. I can't imagine what travelers get out of these sorts of tours--other then major travel vertigo I mean.)

There is enough to do in any of Europe's major cities to spend the whole two to three weeks in any one of them, as long as you are interested in a wide variety of activities and you like to explore and celebrate the differences between cultures.

So, let's base the New Grand Tour on the older framework, and modify it for modern travel tastes (and to take advantage of quicker travel times today.) Using an open jaws ticket that'll allow us to enter Europe in London and leave out of Rome, we'll take airplanes or trains to get between cities. (You really don't want any part of a car in London, Paris, or Rome and you can't even have one in Venice, so don't think of it at this point--we'll discuss the best way to add a car to the Tour on page 2.)

So let's see how an agenda for the aforementioned tour works out (links go to travel planning maps and essentials, if available):

• London 3 days
• Paris 3 days (plus a side trip to Versailles)
• Venice 2 days
• Florence 2 days
• Rome 4 days

That's two weeks. Notice that the itinerary doesn't include Pompeii. That's because you can visit Pompeii as a day trip from Rome. It's a moderately long one, taking two hours to Naples and then a 35 minute ride on the Circumvesuviana commuter train line to Pompeii. It's even shorter to Herculaneum. ( Pompeii guide )

Feel free to juggle these destinations and durations around. Perhaps you'll want to eliminate London, giving you more time in the rest of Europe. Or you can make your way through Germany instead of going through France on your way to Italy. I might think of another Tuscan town between Venice and Rome if I had to travel in July or August, since Florence always seems overrun with tourists at that time. Your choice.

And you don't have to take the train. Europe is currently awash in cheap airlines to travel between cities these days. For Information on these cheap airfares and other transportation options, see the links in the linkbox below. Just remember that the time you save will often be eaten up by getting to and from the airport. Trains generally drop you in the center of cities.

Read on if you've got more time or you're looking to tack on a car tour of the countryside to the Grand Tour.

I've got three weeks. Give me some Grand Tour expansion possibilities with or without a car.

Where can you go if you have three weeks and wanted to extend your journey from the same basic Grand Tour?

Other cities easily accessible along the route (cities in parenthesis are cities not along the route but within 5 hours train ride):

From London

• (Glasgow, Edinburgh Scotland)
• Amsterdam , the Netherlands
• Brussels, Belgium
• Lyon (Food Capital)
• Dijon (Burgundy)
• Avignon (in Provence )
• Cities in Switzerland (Basel is easiest, Geneva , Lucern , Bern )

From Venice

• (Salzberg, Vienna , Austria)
• (Munich , Germany)
• Padua (an easy day trip from Venice)
• Bologna (Food Capital)

From Florence

• Orvieto, Lucca, Pistoia and other places in Tuscany and Umbria regions
• ( The Amalfi coast )
• Top 10 Rome Day Trips

What can I do with a car?

You can rent a car for as many days as you'd like. Paris is pretty easy to navigate out of (avoid the rush hours), so I'd recommend the car there. Italian trains are cheaper than the rest of Europe and the lines pretty extensive, so a car will be less of a bargain. Still, a car offers you the promise of a countryside excursion that you can't always get on the train, like a stop in Chianti wine country.

Other Options along the Grand Tour

Hotels often offer tours with companies that pick you up at the hotel. In Paris you might tour some castles of the Loire or go wine tasting in the Champagne region . In Rome you might visit Villa d'este , Pompeii , or Hadrian's Villa. Check at your hotel desk.

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Europe by train: Five great one-week rail trip routes

Posted on Last updated: December 11, 2023

Explore Europe by train with five of the best European rail trip itinerary ideas you can do in just one week, covering Northern Europe, Italy, Eastern Europe, Spain and Portugal, and Scandinavia.

* This site contains affiliate links , where I get a small commission from purchases at no extra cost to you.

Train travel is one of the best ways to explore Europe – the continent is fairly compact so it’s easy to get around and there’s a wide network of train routes and rail passes available, so you can just sit back and soak up the views. But if you want to explore Europe by train, most suggested rail itineraries are geared up for InterRailers with months to spare.

That’s not the only option though – you can have a mini European rail adventure too. Just choose a region and a few destinations and create your own route. Or if that sounds too much work, here are five of the best one-week European rail trip ideas to get you started.

Each of the routes is possible in a week’s holiday, but if you’ve got more time you can take it slower and spend more time in each place. The idea isn’t to wear yourself out trying to see everything in every destination, but to take in the highlights and get a taste for each place (if you find somewhere you love, you can always come back again and stay longer).

From Scandinavia to Spain, there’s the perfect European rail route for you – and if you’re ready to go, check out my detailed one-week itinerary posts, which are linked to after each route description and give you the full details of which trains to take, how much they cost, how to book tickets, what to see and where to stay along the way.

5 itineraries for exploring Europe by train

Northern Europe: Canals and chocolate

Amsterdam > Bruges > Paris > Chur > Milan

This train journey takes you through some of Northern Europe’s higlights – from its cosmopolitan capital cities to its storybook canalside towns and on through the mountains of the Alps on board one of Europe’s most spectacular train journeys.

Start your trip in Amsterdam and spend the day exploring this vibrant city with its 50km of canals and 1500 bridges. Visit one of Amsterdam’s art and culture museums, take a walk around the UNESCO-listed Canal Ring or hire a bike to explore further afield.

Then take an early train to the pretty Belgian city of Bruges (3 hours) for an afternoon feasting on local beer and chocolate. Next morning, climb to the top of the Belfort tower or take a boat trip along Bruges canals before catching an afternoon train to Paris (3 hours).

Paris has something for everyone – big-name museums like the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, iconic monuments like the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, parks, pavement cafés and boutique shops. Or why not try out some of the city’s more unusual attractions , like the Promenade Plantée railway line turned park or underground Musée des Égouts?

Then take the train on to Chur (5.5 hours) and spend the evening in Switzerland’s oldest city. Catch the Bernina Express the following morning – one of the most scenic train rides in Europe. This four-hour rail journey runs through the stunning scenery of the Swiss Alps, across bridges and viaducts past Alpine meadows and traditional mountain villages.

The Bernina Express terminates in Tirano in Italy, where you change onto a local train to connect on to Milan (3 hours). Then spend your final morning shopping and sightseeing in the Italian fashion capital’s historic heart before heading home.

Read the full Northern Europe by train itinerary

Italy: Palazzos and pizza

Venice > Florence > Rome > Naples > Sorrento > Sicily

This rail trip is a feast of Italian culture, history, food and wine, travelling from Venice in the north to Sicily in the south. Begin your trip with a full day in Venice – cruise the Grand Canal, get lost in the backstreets and brave the crowds at St Mark’s Square and the Doges Palace. Then take an early train on to Florence the following morning (2 hours).

Spend the afternoon soaking up Florence’s artistic atmosphere, with galleries, museums, churches and palazzi overflowing with Renaissance masterpieces, and try some delicious Tuscan food and wine. Next morning, take the short train journey to Rome (1.5 hours).

Explore some of Rome’s historic highlights, from the Colosseum and Pantheon to St Peter’s Basilica and the Trevi Fountain, before finding the perfect piazza for a sunset aperitivo .

Travel further south to the gritty coastal city of Naples (1 hour 10 mins) to spend the day exploring its archaeological treasures and stuffing yourself in the home of pizza before taking the Circumvesuviana railway south to Sorrento. Eat gelato and soak up the seaside views in Sorrento then spend the next day visiting some of the nearby sights.

You can go back in time with a trip to the buried Roman cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii , climb Mount Vesuvius, take a boat trip along the coast to the colourful villages of the Amalfi Coast or head across the Bay of Naples to the glamorous island of Capri.

Then finish your trip by travelling south to Sicily. Getting there’s an adventure in itself – you can take the train all the way as it travels onto the ferry for the 30-minute boat trip across the Messina Straits. Once in Sicily, get a taste of the island by choosing from Taormina (6 hours 45 mins), Catania (7.5 hours) or Palermo (9 hours) for your final stop.

Read the full I taly by train itinerary

Eastern Europe: Concerts and cake

Budapest > Bratislava > Vienna > Ljubljana > Zagreb

Head east to some of Europe’s cultural capitals to experience world-class art, architecture and music as you travel to five different countries in just one week. Start your rail journey through Eastern European in the Hungarian capital Budapest, with a full day to soak up the city’s culture, steam in its thermal spa baths and party by night in its ruin pubs.

Then catch a train to Bratislava in Slovakia (2.5 hours), a compact city on the banks of the Danube. Spend the afternoon checking out Bratislava’s mix of 18th-century and Socialist-era architecture, from the blue Church of St Elisabeth to the quirky ‘UFO’ Bridge.

Then travel on to Vienna in Austria (1 hour by train – or if you fancy a change from rail travel, the two cities are also connected by a boat which runs along the Danube).

Visit an ornate palace, take an architecture walk around the Ringstrasse, watch the horses at the Spanish Riding School, catch a Mozart concert at the State Opera House and fill up on delicious sachertorte at a traditional Viennese coffee house.

Next travel on to Ljubljana in Slovenia (6 hours) along the route of the scenic Semmering Railway through Austria’s mountains. Spend the afternoon exploring the bridges and Baroque churches of Ljubljana’s charming old town and catch sunset from the castle.

Take a day trip from Ljubljana to beautiful Lake Bled (1 hour by train), famous for its island church, hilltop castle and creamy custard Bled cakes. Then end your trip in Zagreb, across the border in Croatia (2.5 hours), with a day wandering around the historic Upper Town, picnicking in Maksimir Park and visiting the Museum of Broken Relationships.

Read the full Eastern Europe by train itinerary

Spain & Portugal: Paella and port

Barcelona > Valencia > Madrid > Porto > Lisbon

This rail journey takes you across Spain and Portugal, from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic, with plenty of fantastic food and drink along the way. Start your trip in the Catalan capital city of Barcelona and spend a full day checking out Gaudi’s unique architecture, people-watching on Las Ramblas and soaking up the sunshine on Barceloneta beach.

Then take an early train down the coast to Valencia (3 hours) where you have the afternoon to explore its mix of old and new – from the traditional buildings of the Ciutat Vella to the Space-Age City of Arts and Sciences – and try a paella in the city where it was created.

The next day take the short train ride inland to the Spanish capital Madrid (1.5 hours) for an evening of eating and drinking in the city’s tapas bars. Spend the next morning discovering Madrid’s parks, museums and historic buildings – from the famous Prado art museum and Mercado de San Miguel food market to the largest palace in Europe.

Then travel across the border to Porto (6 hours 45 minutes via Vigo) and spend the next day taking a traditional rabelo boat trip beneath the six bridges over the River Duoro and port-tasting at the famous producers across the river in Vila Nova de Gaia.

Finally travel south to Lisbon (3 hours) to end your trip with a feast of local seafood and pastel de nata custard tarts in Portugal’s capital. Check out the city’s street art scene, ride one of the vintage trams and get a workout climbing to the top of the Miradouro São Pedro de Alcantara or Miradouro do Graça for views across Lisbon’s red rooftops.

Read the full Spain and Portugal by train itinerary

Scandinavia: Fjords and funiculars

Copenhagen > Stockholm > Oslo > Flåm > Bergen

This final Europe by train itinerary takes in some of the scenic highlights of Scandinavia on a journey across three countries. Start with a full day in Danish capital Copenhagen – cycle the cobbled streets, ride the Tivoli Gardens rollercoasters, walk along the canals of Christianshavn and check out Nyhavn’s design shops and Michelin-starred restaurants.

The following day, take the train across the border to Sweden, travelling to Stockholm across the Öresund Link, a unique combination of a bridge and a tunnel (5.5 hours). Then spend the afternoon and the new morning exploring Stockholm.

Wander through the medieval streets of Stockholm’s Gamla Stan old town, learn about Sweden’s most famous exports at the ABBA and Nobel Prize museums, or take a boat trip to explore some of the 30,000 islands which make up the Stockholm Archipelago.

Then catch an afternoon train across the border to Oslo in Norway (6.5 hours), where you have the next day to soak up Scandinavian culture at the city’s museums, art galleries and the impressive modern Opera House or historic 13th-century Akershus Fortress.

Next head west along the scenic rail route towards the coast – first taking a mainline train to Myrdal (4.5 hours) and then catching the stunning Flåmsbana mountain railway down to Flåm, passing mountain peaks, lakes and waterfalls (50 minutes).

Spend the night in Flåm on the edge of the fjords, and take a boat trip into the Sognefjord the next morning before travelling to Bergen (2 hours). Finish your trip visiting the colourful wooden houses of the UNESCO World Heritage Bryggen district, checking out the views from the Mount Fløyen funicular and eating seafood at Bergen’s fish market.

Read the full Scandinavia by train itinerary

Don’t want to organise it yourself? You can also book a custom rail trip based on any of our Europe by train itineraries through our partners Byway ,* the flight-free holiday platform, which include transport and accommodation.

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Monday 26th of February 2024

Hey Lucy, these train journey articles are fab and so informative, thanks!

I’m planning to do either the Scandinavian or Northern Europe one solo - would you say both of these would be safe for a solo female?

Monday 15th of May 2023

Hi Lucy, Hope you are well. Loved your article! Planning a trip with kids age 14 and 8. Want to see two countries ( france/switzerland) and end up in London. Would love to see switzerland through rail...like those lovely videos we keep seeing but also explore a bit more. How can we plan this best? Any advice/guidance will be much appreciated! Thank you in advance. Warm regards, Saba

Lucy Dodsworth

Friday 26th of May 2023

Hi Saba, depending on how long you have you could start in Milan and take the Glacier Express scenic train (https://www.ontheluce.com/swiss-scenic-trains-and-the-diy-alternatives/) from Tirano to Zermatt, then travel on to Geneva and into France, either heading down to the South of France or north along the border to Strasborg and Colmar towards Paris.

Sonia henry

Wednesday 26th of April 2023

Hi Lucy trying to get from Athens by train what countries can I do

Tuesday 2nd of May 2023

Hi, you could travel up through North Macedonia, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria and Germany. Or another alternative is to take a ferry to Bari in Southern Italy and travel north from there.

Monday 27th of February 2023

Hi Lucy. Your feedback is very informative. I'm thinking about going to Norway in a couple weeks for about 7 days. What countries can I visit from Norway within that time? I'm looking to capitalize on as much places I can see. I mentioned Norway, but not quite sure as yet. I may consider Denmark. Let me know your recommendations.

Tuesday 7th of March 2023

Hi Darren, my Scandinavia itinerary covers Denmark, Norway and Sweden is a week so that should be easily doable in your timescale. You can also catch the ferry from Stockholm to Tallinn in Estonia if you also want to venture into the Baltics, there are frequent sailings and it's only around two hours.

Tuesday 20th of September 2022

Loved your article. Do you have any suggestions for an itinerary with an overnight train so that we can experience a night on a sleeper train (with a cabin and bathroom)?

Thursday 22nd of September 2022

Hi Pam, there are quite a few to choose from in Europe – I did a post on some of my favourites here https://www.ontheluce.com/european-night-trains/ but you could travel London to Scotland on the Caledonian Sleeper or the ÖBB Nightjet trains run from Austria to France and Germany, and both have cabins with private bathrooms.

30 Days in Europe Itinerary: EF Ultimate Break Grand Tour of Europe Review

Disclaimer: This post might contain affiliate links, which means we get a small commission if you make a purchase (at no extra cost to you).

If you’re looking to plan a grand tour to Europe, this sample month-long, 30-day Europe itinerary will give you an idea of how it’s possible!

During the summer of 2017, we traveled with EF Ultimate Break  on the  Grand Tour of Europe ! This extensive Europe trip allowed us to explore 11 countries and 22 cities in 39 days. Whether you want to travel with a group like EF or plan a big trip on our own, no matter what, you’ll be able to see and do SO MUCH. In this post, we talk about our experience traveling with EF Ultimate Break, what you should consider when planning a month-long European trip, and our sample itinerary.

Planning 30 Days in Europe vs Tour Agencies

We loved this trip with EF Ultimate Break so much that we wanted to share it with you this month in Europe’s itinerary so you can use it as inspiration if you plan an ultimate 30-day trip to Europe!  When planning a HUGE trip like this, it’s really important to consider your “travel style” and how you want to experience Europe. Are you someone who wants to travel slowly, as in someone who wants to feel like a local by the end of your visit? Or are you someone who’s satisfied by checking cities off your bucket list and doing the top things in each city?

When planning a 30-day Europe trip, you can either arrange to spend more time in one location or plan to see as much as possible in a short amount of time! Since this trip itinerary was already preplanned by EF Ultimate Break (which is one of the perks of EF), we knew and understood what we were getting into when we picked the trip! EF does offer trips that feature only a few destinations for a more extended period of time if you’re interested in slower travel. In this grand tour, 30-days of Europe itinerary, there were lots of stopover destinations and short visits to cities, just so we got a taste of what each city is like!

If you want to learn more about EF Ultimate Break as a company, read our full review here !

30 Days in Europe Itinerary

Ef ultimate break: grand tour of europe review.

We have been traveling with the EF travel agencies since 2014 and have loved every one of our travel experiences! EF makes taking large trips, like this 30-day trip, easy and seamless! After the trip was booked, we had to pay and plan our free time activities!

The formal Grand Tour of Europe with EF Ultimate Break was scheduled for 30 days, including air travel days; however, we chose to extend our trip and return to London, UK to visit family. EF Ultimate Break offers this extension feature to all of their trips. You can add on another EF trip or a personal trip to your itinerary as long as you inform them early enough! Only your flights leaving and returning the United States are arranged by EF, so if you want to fly somewhere else you have to handle that on your own.

Please check out our itinerary and associated blog posts about our trip to learn how you can see so much of Europe in 30 days!

Read our review of EF Ultimate Break here!

Book with our referral link and get $100 off your next EF Ultimate Break trip!

We hope you enjoy learning about what we experienced during our month in Europe! We hope this itinerary shows you how much you can see in a month in Europe!  Bon voyage!

• Flight-Pittsburgh to Toronto to London
• Arrive in London/check-in
• Introduction to London  Walking Tour- Leicester Square and Soho
• included Big Ben, Buckingham Palace
• Toured the British Museum
• Walked by Tower Bridge
• Day Trip to Oxford
• Evening sightseeing walk at Westminster Square
• Eurostar train to Paris
• Picnic dinner at the Eiffel Tower
• Evening Seine River Cruise
• Paris bus tour with a local guide
• San Chapelle and Notre Dame visit
• Luxembourg Gardens visit
• Paris Gourmet Bistro Dinner
• French Fragrance Experience
• Louvre Museum
• Strolled through the Tuileries Garden
• Musee de Orangerie
• Cabaret Show
• Evening Champs Elysees walk
• Travel by bus and stop in Ghent for lunch
• Arrive in Amsterdam
• Sightseeing tour of Amsterdam’s Red Light District (local guide)
• Bike tour of the countryside
• Mediterranean Food Experience at Olivity
• Evening Canal Cruise
• Anne Frank House
• Van Gogh Museum
• Cheese and Clog Factory- Day Trip to Volendam
• Travel by bus to Frankfurt
• Frankfurt Tower
• Dinner and historic district
• Travel to by bus and stop in Eguisheim for lunch
• Arrive in Engelberg
• Hiking in Engelberg and dinner
• Highlights of Lucerne walking tour and Excursion Up the Swiss Alps
• Travel by bus and stop in Verona
• Arrive in Venice region
• Venice by night walk
• Saint Marks Basilica included
• Venice in One Day
• Local Vineyard Dinner 
• Travel to Rome via train
• The Vatican and Saint Peter’s Basilica
• Rome at Night Tour
• Roman Forum and Colosseum
• Baths of Caracalla
• Ostia Antica Day Trip
• Opera Dinner
• Travel and stop in Orvieto
• Arrive in Florence and evening walk in Florence
• Sightseeing tour of Florence (local guide)
• Leather shopping experience
• Academia Gallery
• Da Vinci Museum
• Cinque Terre Day Trip
• Travel and stop in Pisa
• Arrive in Antibes
• Free evening-dinner
• Nice Bike and Winery Tour
• Travel to Nimes
• Temple of Artemis and Roman Ruins
• Travel and stop in Carcassonne
• Arrive in Barcelona and Orientation walk of Barcelona
• Parque Guell included
• Maritime Museum
• Authentic Flamenco Show
• Paella Making Class
• Picasso Museum
• Barcelona History Museum
• Parc de la Ciutadella
• Travel to Madrid via train
• Arrive in Madrid
• Including Picasso’s Propaganda Piece at Reina Sofia Museum
• National Archeological Museum- Madrid
• Fly to London

As you can see, we got to see and do a lot while we were in Europe for only 30 days! If you think you’re ready to tackle planning a month-long excursion to Europe, go for it! We hope this post served as inspiration for your trip and gave you some ideas!

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Grand Tour of France by Train

Discover the beauty and fascinating diversity of France on this 15 day itinerary by train. The tour starts in Paris and takes you to the wine city of Bordeaux, the Côte d'Azur with Marseille and Nice, the magnificent region of Provence, Lyon - the French capital of gastronomy, and finally Strasbourg, the picturesque capital of Alsace.

Transportation

Self-guided

Itinerary - Day by day

Arrival in paris view details hide details, day at leisure in paris view details hide details, add extra nights in paris - day at leisure in paris from eur 115 per person per night, train from paris to bordeaux, the wine city view details hide details, explore bordeaux and the vineyards view details hide details, add extra nights in bordeaux - explore bordeaux and the vineyards from eur 80 per person per night, scenic journey by train from bordeaux to marseille view details hide details, add extra nights in marseille - scenic journey by train from bordeaux to marseille from eur 64 per person per night, train along the coast from marseille to nice view details hide details, explore nice and the french riviera view details hide details, add extra nights in nice - explore nice and the french riviera from eur 68 per person per night, train from nice to avignon in the heart of provence view details hide details, day at leisure in avignon view details hide details, add extra nights in avignon - day at leisure in avignon from eur 99 per person per night, train from avignon to lyon view details hide details, explore lyon, france's capital of gastronomy view details hide details, add extra nights in lyon - explore lyon, france's capital of gastronomy from eur 91 per person per night, train from lyon to strasbourg, the capital of alsace view details hide details, day at leisure in strasbourg view details hide details, add extra nights in strasbourg - day at leisure in strasbourg from eur 62 per person per night, train from strasbourg to paris view details hide details, add extra nights in paris - train from strasbourg to paris from eur 115 per person per night, departure from paris view details hide details, tour category.

Accommodation at comfortable tourist class hotels according to European standard.

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Accommodation at 4 star hotels or unique properties in attractive locations or other special qualities.

See Gold accommodation

Travel tips and reviews

Read travel tips from our local experts, and see reviews from our travellers.

"Everything went to clockwork and I must thank Authentic Europe for making it so. The tours that I did all lived up to my expectations; the most fun being the trip to St Emilion, due not only to the guide but also to the group that I spent the day with."

Tour package includes:

• 14 nights hotel accommodation in a standard room with private shower/WC, including breakfast. Tourist taxes are not included and must be paid locally.
• Train tickets as per the itinerary
• Electronic travel documentation, including a detailed travel itinerary and travel vouchers
• Access to our 24/7 emergency phone service while travelling
• Additional services included for Tour Category GOLD only:
• Category GOLD hotels (see details above)
• Upgrade to 1st class train tickets

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Grand Train Tour of Switzerland

On the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland, panoramic trains take you to all the highlights and sights in Switzerland, year-round. Get in, lean back and enjoy – wherever you like.  

• 1,280 kilometer
• 11 large lakes
• 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• 4 official languages

Alternative section: St. Moritz – Lugano (by bus)

Switch to the bus and road

Interlaken – Zweisimmen – Montreux

A panoramic ride between two worlds.

Lugano – Flüelen – Luzern

The panoramic journey by train and boat.

Luzern – St. Gallen

Over gentle hills with a view of the Alps.

Montreux – Visp – Zermatt

Up the valley to the “mountain of mountains”.

St. Gallen – Schaffhausen – Zürich

The “maritime” side of Switzerland.

St. Moritz – Tirano – Lugano

From glaciers to palm trees.

Zermatt – St. Moritz

The slowest express train in the world.

Zürich – Luzern – Interlaken

From lake to lake, from city to city.

Explore the sections

From glaciers to lakes and from mountains to cities: each section of the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland has a unique character.

Find your perfect itinerary

Discover the top travel suggestions for the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland.

Everything you need for your journey

Tickets, reservations & timetables, mygrandtraintour booklet, grand train tour reiseführer, train lines of the grand train tour, bernina express.

From St. Moritz to Lugano

Glacier Express

From Zermatt to St. Moritz

GoldenPass Panoramic

From Interlaken to Montreux

Gotthard Panorama Express

From Lugano to Lucerne

Luzern–Interlaken Express

From Lucerne to Interlaken

Thurbo Seelinie

From St. Gallen to Schaffhausen

Treno Gottardo

From Locarno to Lucerne

Vigezzina - Centovalli Railway

Voralpen-express.

From Lucerne to St. Gallen

Destinations along the Grand Train Tour

Schaffhausen, book a grand train tour package.

All panoramic trains in one trip.

Barrier Free Grand Train Tour of Switzerland

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Private Hire / Train Charter

Accommodation on Le Grand Tour France

18 Cabins, between 10 m² - 25 m² , personalised light levels, music, and heating / air-conditioning.

The cabins of Le Grand Tour reflect the timeless journey. Bearing the names of illustrious personalities of the past, they create a rendez-vous with history.

Private salons by day, they are transformed into comfortable bedrooms by night.

Your cabin awaits you after the events of each day, where you can relax to the sound of your preferred music in soothing lighting.

Large picture windows present the panorama of the scenic French countryside.

Each Le Grand Tour cabin has a private bathroom.

Your butler is available at all times.

Bed Sizes on Le Grand Tour

Double Queen size bed - 140cms x 200cms / 4ft 6ins x 6ft 6ins; extra bed 70cms x 190cms / 4ft 6ins x 6ft 3ins

Twin beds each 70cms x 200cms / 4ft 6ins x 6ft 6ins.

Suites have both Double Bed and Twin Bed configurations. Cabins have Double Bed only. Addition of 3rd bed possible (70cms x 190cms; 4ft 6ins x 6ft 3ins) in Suites & Adjoining Suites.

Le Grand Tour Classic Cabin

The Classic Cabins of 10 m² are suitable for 1 or 2 passengers.

Private bathroom, butler service, amenities, personalised light levels, music, and heating / air-conditioning.

Double Queen size bed (140cms x 200cms / 4ft 6ins x 6ft 6ins)

Exceptional dining included.

Le Grand Tour Suite

The Suites of 15 m² accommodate between 1 and 3 guests.

Double Queen size bed (140cms x 200cms / 4ft 6ins x 6ft 6ins) or Twin beds (each 70cms x 200cms / 4ft 6ins x 6ft 6ins). Addition of 3rd bed possible (70cms x 190cms / 4ft 6ins x 6ft 3ins)

Le Grand Tour Adjoining Suites

The Adjoining Suites of 25 m² accommodate between 2 and 5 guests.

Double Queen size bed (140cms x 200cms/ 4ft 6ins x 6ft 6ins) or Twin beds (each 70cms x 200cms / 4ft 6ins x 6ft 6ins). Addition of 3rd bed possible (70cms x 190cms / 4ft 6ins x 6ft 3ins)

Le Grand Tour France General Information

Do not confuse 'Le Grand Tour France' with similarly named rail tours of France using ordinary scheduled SNCF trains and packaged hotels.

Payment Schedule

25% non-refundable Deposit to reserve.

25% part-payment, no later than 180 days before departure.

50% balance*, no later than 90 days before departure.

Full payment* is required for reservations made 90 days or less.

*2.5% Club discount off the price will be applied to the balance or full payment for Club Members. Join free by subscribing to the Club newsletter.

Included in Le Grand Tour Journeys

The price includes all taxes except tourist tax, if applicable.

The stated itinerary on Le Grand Tour

Full board - breakfast, lunch and dinner

Beverages - mineral water, table wine matched with the menus, coffee, tea and soft drinks

Participation in the off-train visits as booked by Le Grand Tour

Transfers between Le Grand Tour and visit locations

Excluded from Le Grand Tour Journeys

Personalised off-train visits as arranged by Le Grand Tour on behalf of clients; to be booked before departure

Transfers to personalised off-train visit locations

Beverages other than those mentioned in inclusions

Tourist tax if applicable

Clients’ personal expenses

Tips / gratuities for the off-train tourist guides

External services not offered by Le Grand Tour and directly requested by the Client, in particular supplements during meals, including à la carte wine

Trip cancellation, trip interruption and repatriation assistance insurance costs in the event of an accident, illness or death

In general, all added expenses not mentioned above.

For all additional services during the itinerary, the service prices shall be those displayed in Le Grand Tour or applied by third party service providers for the personalised visits.

Much of the programme is not developed for children.

Disabled Access

One Suite on Le Grand Tour France is adapted for wheelchair use. Le Grand Tour has a wheelchair adapted for use onboard, reserve on booking. It must not be taken off the train.

This Suite can be a Double Bed (140x190cm) or Twin Beds (70x190cm each). Please note: The Double Bed is accessible by the foot of the bed. Twin Bed - Le Grand Tour's own wheelchair fits between the beds.

All visits are wheelchair-accessible. However, these areas are not accessible: Reims Cathedral - the towers; Beaune Hospices, - the cellars, Annecy, - old town; Avignon Palais des Papes - higher areas; Alpilles - the walk. Passengers can either bring their own wheelchair for off-train use (stored in the train baggage car) or arrange the local hire.

One piece of cabin luggage per person in the Suite or Classic Cabin. Exceptionally, a bigger suitcase can be stored elsewhere on Le Grand Tour; accessible upon request to your butler.

Le Grand Tour France Reservations

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6 of the best European train routes for summer 2024

May 3, 2024 • 5 min read

From scenic trains through Germany's Rhine Valley to sleeper services from Brussels to Prague, here are the best train routes for summer 2024 © Boarding1Now / Getty Images

Are you planning some European travel this summer? Me too. Getting from A to B by train has never felt so exciting, with a thrilling mix of new routes, classic journeys, and under-the-radar options to choose from.

Here are some of the most enticing European train journeys available for summer 2024. Some services kick in when summer timetables begin in June, while many are in operation now. Either way, it’s time to start planning!

1. There's a new service linking the Baltic capitals

Lithuania has been quietly building up international rail connections in recent years. A cross-border service to Warsaw and Kraków in Poland began in late 2022, and since December last 2023, it has been possible to travel between two of the Baltic capitals by direct train. The journey north from Vilnius to the capital of Latvia , Riga , takes 4 hours and 15 minutes and runs daily, making it a competitive alternative to the bus. Booking in advance is recommended, though. This new route through the Baltics is a precursor to a hoped-for extension towards Tallinn which would link the three capitals. Back in Vilnius, connecting with an onward train to Kaunas is possible. 

How to book: Book online through LTG Link. Ticket prices start at €24.

2. Travel at high speed from Barcelona to Seville

Iryo, a recent entrant into Spain’s seemingly ever-expanding range of high-speed services, has established a foothold on the high-traffic Madrid to Zaragoza and Barcelona route. Its new offering extends from Barcelona and Madrid to the Andalucían cities of Córdoba and Seville , making the journey between the Catalan capital and Seville in 5 hours and 50 minutes. Using the same rolling stock as Trenitalia’s slick Frecciarossa trains, Iryo is also notable for an onboard food service that includes cheese and ham tapas and sustainably sourced Spanish wines to help the high-speed scenery flash past.

How to book: Tickets from €40 one way can be bought online through Iryo .

3. Take the night train from Brussels to Prague

Europe’s night train revolution continues to reshape the experience of traveling across the continent. Only last year, there was no option to reach Prague from the west by sleeper. Now, there are options to lull you to sleep from Paris or Brussels to Berlin , then onto Prague by lunchtime. One approach is the thrice weekly Austrian Nightjet service from Paris and Brussels to Berlin, where you change trains for Prague. More conveniently, there is the privately run European Sleeper train on alternate nights, which takes you all the way. Don’t expect too many frills, though: this train consists of older carriages leased from various train companies around Europe. You will, however, travel directly to Prague with a friendly train crew and enjoy a time-efficient, continent-spanning journey. 

How to book: One-way tickets from Brussels to Prague on the European Sleeper start at €79 for seats, €109 for couchette space, €179 sleeper berth.

See more of Europe on the sleeper train.  Here's our guide to the best routes

4. Scoot along İstanbul's Sirkeci seafront line

If ever a station was a shadow of its former self, it’s Sirkeci, sitting on the shores of the Bosphorus in İstanbul ’s Sultanahmet district . Best known as the one-time terminus for the fabled Orient Express trains, Sirkeci lost its long-distance services in 2013. While the city bustles around Sirkeci, the ground-level platforms have sat unused since, while the underground Marmaray railway flashes underneath the old city bearing travelers from Europe to Asia. There’s life in old Sirkeci yet though. The opening of the new 5.2-mile light rail service to Kazlıçeşme restores trains to the original trainshed. In time, these renewed tracks may even see a return of Sofia - and Bucharest -bound services to the banks of the Bosphorus rather than their less convenient departure point at Halkalı, the western end of the Marmaray line. For now, this is an excuse for nostalgically-minded travelers to hop on a train from one of Europe’s most storied stations, perhaps for a seafood meal in lively Kumkapi, one of the stops on the new line.

How to book: A journey on İstanbul’s trains costs around €0.50. Find out more about transport within İstanbul with our guide to getting around .

5. Ride the summer-only route from Budapest to Koper on Slovenia's Adriatic

Some journeys are so perfectly made for hot weather that they only exist during Europe’s hottest months. Pulling out of Budapest ’s Deli station – not to be confused with the more famous Keleti – the Citadella train noses its way every morning to the Slovenian border and onto the compact capital, Ljubljana . While the views on the Hungarian journey are less remarkable, the stretch of track running alongside the Sava River between Celje and Ljubljana introduces Slovenia’s natural beauty. Between June 16 and August 24, taking this train past the capital to Koper on the Slovene riviera is possible. Koper is home to a historic center stuffed with Venetian architecture and, combined with an unusual journey to get here, more than justifies being added to any central European plans this summer.

How to book:  Tickets cost from €22 one way and can be bought on the MÁV website . 

6. Spend a month traveling Germany by train for just €49

One of the continent’s great travel deals can open up a host of slow journeys in Germany. For €49, travelers can purchase a Deutschlandticket for a month. The price includes regional and suburban (but not ICE or IC long-distance) services across Germany, plus buses, trams and subways. As well as covering urban exploration, this ticket is perfect for hopping around the Rhine and Moselle valleys , taking a tour of the Black Forest or exploring many of the Harz Mountain lines. It also opens up possibilities for some regional international services across borders. Even if you end up paying for the occasional inter-city service, you’ll still save money.

How to book: The Deutschlandtickets (€49 per month) are sold through the DB website , but they're not aimed at visitors, so buying one as a non-German resident can be fiddly. See Seat61's how-to  for the latest guidance.

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