A Europe by train itinerary connects major cities across 33 countries with direct high-speed rail links. Passengers can travel from Paris to Brussels in 1.5 hours, Brussels to Amsterdam in under 2 hours, and Amsterdam to London via Eurostar in about 4 hours.
Eurail and Interrail passes cover these routes and many more. The pass allows unlimited travel across 33 countries.
In addition, budget travelers can use regional trains and overnight trains to save on hotels. There are luxury trains available, such as Eurostar, TGV, and ICE. Besides, there are premium scenic trains also available, which include upgraded coaches.
Why Choose a European Train Travel Itinerary?
European train travel offers direct access to the city without airport security and transfers. The other reasons include:
Scenic train routes in Europe: Train travel routes in Europe itinerary feature alpine views, river valleys, and coastlines. Some of the popular options include Glacier Express and Bernina Express in Switzerland, the Rhine River route in Germany, Beira Alta in Portugal, and Baltic connections from Vilnius to Tallinn. These routes offer daily trips and come with large windows for views.
Flexibility with Eurail/Interrail passes: With Eurail and Interrail passes, travelers can board trains on any travel day. These passes cover 33 countries in Europe. Eurail passes can be registered by non-EU residents, but Interrail passes can be registered by EU residents.
Budget vs luxury Europe train travel: Budget travelers can purchase a Eurail Global Pass, which costs around 381 euros, and saves money compared to individual tickets. While luxury travelers can purchase a Eurostar Pass, which includes 1st class travel and sleeper trains.
1 Week Europe Itinerary by Train (7 Days)
This1-week Europe itinerary by train covers four cities with shorter travel durations. It works best for first-time travelers and allows them to purchase a 7‑day Eurail Global Flexi Pass (valid for 7 travel days within 1 month).
It costs 296 Euro in 2nd class for adults, 222 Euro for youth (ages 12–27), and 26Euro 6 for seniors. First-class options are more expensive, around 395 euros for adults.
| Day(s) | City | Train from the previous station | Travel Time | Suggested Hotel (mid-range, near station) | Est. Hotel Cost/Night (EUR) | Daily Budget Est. (food + activities, EUR) |
| 1–2 | Paris | Arrival | – | Hotel near Gare du Nord | 180–220 | 150–200 |
| 3 | Brussels | Paris | 1.5 hrs | Ibis Styles near Brussels Midi | 120–160 | 120–170 |
| 4–5 | Amsterdam | Brussels | 2 hrs | Hotel near Amsterdam Centraal | 160–210 | 140–190 |
| 6–7 | London | Amsterdam (via Eurostar) | 4 hrs | Hotel near St Pancras | 200–250 | 160–220 |
Pro-tip: Please check in advance the Eurostar cancellation and refund policy as it differs for Eurail passes versus regular tickets.
10 Day Europe Train Itinerary
A 10-day multi-city Europe train itinerary lets travelers explore Western and Southern Europe.
A10‑day Europe train itinerary costs 362 Euro for a Eurail Global Flexi Pass (10 travel days within 2 months). On high-speed trains, seat reservations cost 20-40 euros extra.
This itinerary lets passengers explore major attractions like Paris’ Eiffel Tower, Rome’s Colosseum, Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace, Amsterdam’s canals, and Budapest’s Fisherman’s Bastion.
| Day(s) | City | Train from the previous station | Travel Time | Suggested Hotel (mid-range, near station) | Est. Hotel Cost/Night (EUR) | Daily Budget Est. (food + activities, EUR) |
| 1–2 | Paris | Arrival | – | Hotel near Gare de Lyon | 180–220 | 150–200 |
| 3–4 | Zurich | Paris | 4 hrs | Hotel near Zurich HB | 170–210 | 140–190 |
| 5 | Milan | Zurich | 3.5 hrs | Hotel near Milano Centrale | 140–180 | 130–170 |
| 6–7 | Venice | Milan | 2.5 hrs | Hotel near Venezia Santa Lucia | 160–200 | 150–190 |
| 8–10 | Rome | Venice | 4 hrs | Hotel near Roma Termini | 150–190 | 140–180 |
2 Week Europe Itinerary by Train
A2‑week Europe train itinerary covers major destinations in Northern and Central Europe. It comes with a 15-day flexi Global Pass that costs 380 Euro plus 100 Euro as a seat reservation fee. Travelers can expect a total trip budget of 2,800–3,800 euros per person, including hotels, food, and attractions.
This itinerary lets travelers experience Europe’s most celebrated capitals:
- Paris – Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Seine river cruises
- Amsterdam – canal tours, Van Gogh Museum, and Anne Frank House
- Berlin – Reichstag dome, Museum Island, and East Side Gallery
- Prague – Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, and Prague Castle
- Vienna – Schönbrunn Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and opera culture
- Budapest – Parliament building, Fisherman’s Bastion, and thermal baths
3 Week Europe Train Itinerary
Eurail Global Flexi Pass (valid for 22 days in 3 months) serves best for a 3-week Europe rail travel. Adult price for 2nd Class costs around 500 Euro, and 670 Euro for 1st class. Seat reservations cost 120-200 euros extra on Eurostar, TGV, and Italian high‑speed trains. The total trip budget estimate would be around 4,200–5,800 per traveler.
This 3-week itinerary allows a balanced pace of travel with 2-3 night stays per city, which is best for sightseeing and having enough time for local sightseeing. All destinations given below are connected by high-speed or scenic trains.
| Day | City/Region | Train from the previous station | Travel Time | Suggested Hotel (mid-range) | Est. Hotel Cost/Night (EUR) | Daily Budget Est. (EUR) |
| 1-4 | Paris (France) | Arrival | – | Central Paris hotel | 180–220 | 150–200 |
| 5-7 | Zurich/Interlaken (Switzerland) | Paris | 4–5 hrs | Hotel near the station | 170–210 | 140–190 |
| 8-11 | Milan/Venice (Italy) | Switzerland | 3–4 hrs | Venice or Milan station hotel | 140–190 | 130–180 |
| 12-14 | Vienna (Austria) | Italy | 5–7 hrs | Vienna Hbf area | 140–180 | 130–170 |
| 15-18 | Berlin (Germany) | Austria | 8–10 hrs (or night train) | Berlin Hbf | 130–170 | 120–160 |
| 19-21 | Amsterdam (Netherlands) | Germany | 6 hrs | Amsterdam Centraal | 160–210 | 140–190 |
1 Month Europe Train Itinerary
The 1-month Europe by rail travel guide combines Western, Central, and Eastern Europe. Travelers can use a 1-month continuous or a 15-day-in-2-months flexi Global Pass.
The price for a rail pass costs around 900 euros for a 1-month continuous pass. First Class pass costs 1200 Euro. Seat reservations cost 200-300 euros extra.
The one-month Europe rail travel itinerary works best for travelers who want to explore both capitals and quaint European towns. Travelers pass by scenic routes like the Swiss Alps, the Rhine Valley, and the Italian countryside.
| Day(s) | City/Region | Train from the previous station | Travel Time | Suggested Hotel (mid‑range) | Est. Hotel Cost/Night (EUR) | Daily Budget Est. (EUR) |
| 1–3 | Paris, France | Arrival | – | Hotel near Gare de Lyon | 180–220 | 150–200 |
| 4–5 | Lyon, France | Paris | 2 hrs | Hotel near Lyon Part‑Dieu | 140–180 | 120–160 |
| 6–8 | Zurich, Switzerland | Lyon | 4 hrs | Hotel near Zurich HB | 170–210 | 140–190 |
| 9–10 | Lucerne, Switzerland | Zurich | 1 hr | Hotel near Lucerne Station | 160–200 | 130–170 |
| 11–13 | Milan, Italy | Lucerne | 3 hrs | Hotel near Milano Centrale | 140–180 | 130–170 |
| 14–15 | Florence, Italy | Milan | 2 hrs | Hotel near Firenze SMN | 150–190 | 140–180 |
| 16–18 | Rome, Italy | Florence | 1.5 hrs | Hotel near Roma Termini | 150–190 | 140–180 |
| 19–20 | Venice, Italy | Rome | 4 hrs | Hotel near Venezia Santa Lucia | 160–200 | 150–190 |
| 21–22 | Salzburg, Austria | Venice | 5 hrs | Hotel near Salzburg Hbf | 140–180 | 120–160 |
| 23–24 | Vienna, Austria | Salzburg | 2.5 hrs | Hotel near Wien Hbf | 150–190 | 130–170 |
| 25–26 | Munich, Germany | Vienna | 4 hrs | Hotel near München Hbf | 150–190 | 130–170 |
| 27–28 | Berlin, Germany | Munich | 4.5 hrs | Hotel near Berlin Hbf | 160–200 | 140–180 |
| 29–30 | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Berlin | 6 hrs | Hotel near Amsterdam Centraal | 160–210 | 140–190 |
6 Week Europe Train Itinerary
A European itinerary of 6 weeks by train can be covered through the Eurail Global Pass for a 2 or 3-month continuous plan.
It costs 730 Euro for an adult in 2nd Class and 950 Euro for 1st Class. Seat reservations add 500-600 euros to the Global Pass on Eurostar, TGV, Italian high‑speed, and Balkan night trains.
| Week(s) | City/Region | Train from the previous station | Travel Time | Suggested Hotel (mid‑range) | Est. Hotel Cost/Night (EUR) | Daily Budget Est. (EUR) |
| 1 | Madrid & Barcelona, Spain | Arrival | – | Hotel near Madrid Atocha / Barcelona Sants | 140–180 | 120–160 |
| 2 | Paris & Lyon, France | Barcelona to Paris (TGV/EuroCity) | 6–7 hrs | Hotel near Gare de Lyon / Lyon Part‑Dieu | 160–220 | 140–190 |
| 3 | Milan, Florence, Rome, Venice, Italy | Paris to Milan (TGV) | 7 hrs | Hotels near Milano Centrale / Firenze SMN / Roma Termini / Venezia Santa Lucia | 140–200 | 130–180 |
| 4 | Ljubljana & Zagreb, Slovenia/Croatia | Venice to Ljubljana (EuroCity) | 3 hrs | Hotel near Ljubljana Station / Zagreb Glavni Kolodvor | 120–160 | 100–140 |
| 5 | Split, Croatia | Zagreb to Split (Night Train) | 6–7 hrs | Hotel near Split Station | 110–150 | 100–140 |
| 6 | Vienna, Austria & Budapest, Hungary | Split to Vienna (Night Train) | 8–9 hrs | Hotel near Wien Hbf / Budapest Keleti | 140–190 | 120–170 |
| 6 (end) | Prague, Czech Republic | Vienna to Prague (Railjet) | 4 hrs | Hotel near Praha hl.n. | 130–170 | 110–150 |
European Christmas Market Itinerary by Train
A European Christmas market itinerary by train is a themed travel plan, exclusively curated for the holiday season, where travelers visit famous Christmas markets across Europe.
It covers destinations with iconic Christmas markets in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, and the Czech Republic.
Major highlights include Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, Cologne Cathedral Market, and Munich’s Marienplatz Market in Germany. It also features Austria’s famous Vienna Rathausplatz Market, Salzburg’s Domplatz Market, and Switzerland’s Zurich Christkindlimarkt.
These markets are located within the city centre and are within walking distance of the train stations.
| Day(s) | City/Region | Train from the previous station | Travel Time | Suggested Hotel (mid‑range) | Est. Hotel Cost/Night (EUR) | Daily Budget Est. (EUR) |
| 1–2 | Munich, Germany | Arrival | – | Hotel near München Hbf | 140–180 | 120–160 |
| 3 | Nuremberg, Germany | Munich to Nuremberg (Regional Express) | 1.5 hrs | Hotel near Nuremberg Station | 120–160 | 110–150 |
| 4–5 | Vienna, Austria | Nuremberg to Vienna (Railjet) | 4.5 hrs | Hotel near Wien Hbf | 150–190 | 130–170 |
| 6 | Salzburg, Austria | Vienna to Salzburg (Railjet) | 2.5 hrs | Hotel near Salzburg Hbf | 140–180 | 120–160 |
| 7 | Zurich, Switzerland | Salzburg to Zurich (EuroCity) | 5 hrs | Hotel near Zurich HB | 170–210 | 140–190 |
| 8 | Strasbourg, France | Zurich to Strasbourg (TGV) | 2.5 hrs | Hotel near Strasbourg Station | 150–190 | 130–170 |
| 9–10 | Prague, Czech Republic | Strasbourg to Prague (EuroCity via Munich) | 7 hrs | Hotel near Praha hl.n. | 130–170 | 110–150 |
Traveling by train in Europe is one of the best ways to explore scenic views and celebrated cities, where travelers have one week or six weeks. Not just iconic global landmarks, but passing through hidden gems and breathtaking landscapes that flights do not offer.
In addition, the Eurail and Interrail passes offer flexibility and value for money, allowing passengers to choose between 1st class and 2nd class, sleeper trains, or luxurious high-speed trains.
FAQs
Eurail Passes are designed for non-European residents (any traveler outside the EU, UK, or Europe), while Interrail Passes are for European citizens or legal residents. Both offer similar coverage across 33 countries and have the same travel cost.
Most underrated scenic routes include the Arlberg Line in Austria, the Black Forest Railway in Germany, the Centovalli Railway between Switzerland and Italy, the GoldenPass Line in Switzerland, and the Flåm Railway in Norway.
Yes. Eurail and Interrail Global Passes cover most of Eastern Europe, including the Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, Poland, and the Balkan region, and can be included in your Western Europe train itinerary.
No. All regional and slower trains covered on your Eurail/Interrail pass do not require seat booking in advance. But high-speed trains like TGV, AVE, Frecciarossa, and Eurostar, alongside night trains, require a mandatory seat reservation.
The Eurostar route is available on the official website and shows the full high-speed network connecting London St Pancras with France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland.
