Life (on the rails) is good — so it’s no wonder that train travel has made a comeback in a big way. If you’ve ever dreamed of booking a Eurail Pass to travel Europe by train and forget about life for a little while, this is the time to do it. Skip the long airport security lines, grab your carry-on, and head to Western Europe where we’ve found a route that will have you covering six countries in two weeks.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Start: Paris, France
There’s plenty to see in Paris, and if you’ve never been there before, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Notre-Dame should definitely be top of your sightseeing list.
But there’s something to be said for just winding your way through the neighborhood streets or the tree-lined sidewalks of the Champs-Élysées, stopping for a croissant or a glass of wine, and people watching at one of the plentiful outdoor cafés.
If your interests turn to the macabre, visit the Paris Catacombs, a series of underground tunnels where millions of the cities’ inhabitants found their final resting place.
Where to Stay: citizenM Paris Gare de Lyon
Next Stop: Geneva, Switzerland
Get off in Geneva and get your government on with a tour of the United Nations. Then visit Old Town for French-inspired cobblestone streets and cafés. Spend some time on Lake Geneva and soak up stunning views of the town and snow-capped Mont Blanc.
Take a boat ride (discounted for Eurail pass holders) or head to the Pâquis Baths, a public beach with a huge sun deck, saunas, a restaurant, and water sports. For fans of more extreme sports, hop back on the train and head to Interlaken for the ultimate snowboarding, skydiving, or whitewater rafting adventure.
Train Route: Paris Gare De Lyon to Geneva Main Station (about 3 hours 15 minutes)
Where to Stay: Hotel President Wilson, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Geneva
Next Stops: Innsbruck and Salzburg, Austria
Hop off in Innsbruck and you are surrounded by idyllic Tyrolean mountains as far as the eye can see. There’s a reason that Innsbruck has hosted the Winter Olympics twice, so for the ultimate ski experience, head to one of the nine ski resorts that make up Olympia SkiWorld.
If you can manage to take your skis off, take a stroll through Old Town (the Altstadt) and make sure your camera is ready to go. Recharge with the most amazing strudel you’ve ever tasted at Strudel-Cafe Kroell.
Just under two hours from Innsbruck is Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart and home to the Sound of Music Tour. Top off your day of touring with a treat at one of the several MICHELIN-Starred restaurants in the city, such as SENNS.Restaurant or Esszimmer.
Train Route: Geneva Main Station to Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof (about 7 hours 30 minutes); then Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof to Salzburg Hauptbahnhof (about 2 hours)
Where to Stay: AC Hotel Innsbruck and Sheraton Grand Salzburg
Next Stops: Munich and Berlin, Germany
Just a short hop over the border of Austria and you’ll arrive in Munich. Visit during Oktoberfest for the ultimate beer-drinking festival. But any time of year here you’ll find plenty of biergartens to enjoy.
Take a break from the beer and visit Marienplatz, Munich’s main square. Formerly host to jousting competitions and executions, the square now hosts street performers, shops, and vendors selling bratwurst. A Christmas market takes over the square during holiday time.
Six hours from Munich (plenty of time to recover), you’ll be in Berlin, where some of the world’s most fascinating history and culture can be found. See the remnants of the Berlin wall and Checkpoint Charlie or visit the Topography of Terror museum for an eye-opening experience.
Wind down from the day by hitting one of the many music festivals or clubs. The music scene in Berlin has something for everyone — from classical to punk and everything in between.
Train Route: Salzburg Hauptbahnhof to Munchen Hauptbahnhof (about 2 hours); then Munchen Hauptbahnhof to Berlin Hauptbahnhof (about 4 hours)
Where to Stay: Aloft by Marriott Munich and The Westin Grand Berlin
Next Stop: Amsterdam, Netherlands
The next stop on your European tour is the tiny, picturesque capital of the Netherlands: Amsterdam. Rent a bicycle to see the city like the locals do.
Be sure to visit the Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum, or Rijksmuseum to stock up on culture before a night on the town. Yes, there’s the Red Light District, so see that if you must, but don’t pass up one of the cozy, traditional brown cafés (bruin café) for a local beer.
Train Route: Berlin Hauptbahnhof to Amsterdam Centraal Station (about 6 hours)
Where to Stay: Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel
Final Stop: Brussels, Belgium
Every vacation should include beer, chocolate, and french fries (well, at least this author thinks so), and Belgium has them in spades.
Start your sightseeing in the capital city of Brussels at the impressive central square, the Grand Place, where you can pop into the Brussels City Museum to learn about the area’s history. A few blocks away you’ll find the famous Manneken Pis statue — it’s become a mascot of the city.
There’s no shortage of fodder for art enthusiasts here: The Magritte Museum, Musée Oldmasters Museum, and Musée Meunier Museum are all worth a visit. Also consider making the excursion (about 40 minutes by train) to the Atomium, a marvel of a building originally constructed for the Brussels World’s Fair in 1958.
Unwind after a long day of exploring with a beer at Poechenellekelder, a Brussels Beer Project taproom, or one of Delirium’s various bars.
From Brussels, take a fun day trip to the medieval town of Bruges. Stroll through Markt Square, where you may recognize the Belfry of Bruges from the big screen. A visit to the 16th-century De Halve Maan Brewery for a tour and samples is absolute heaven.
Train Route: Amsterdam Centraal Station to Bruxelles-Midi Station (about 2 hours)
Where to Stay: Brussels Marriott Hotel Grand Place
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