Getting to Europe by train
The Eurostar connects London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord (2h15m), Brussels-Midi (1h51m) and Amsterdam Centraal (3h52m) directly. From Paris, the European high-speed network opens up: Lyon, Barcelona (6h30m from Paris), Madrid, Marseille, Geneva, Zurich and Berlin are all reachable the same day.
The great rail journeys
Several European rail routes are acclaimed for scenery and experience as well as transport. The Bernina Express from Chur (Switzerland) to Tirano (Italy) crosses the Alps through extraordinary alpine landscape. The El Transcantábrico in northern Spain offers a luxurious multi-day journey along the Atlantic coast. The Bergen Railway in Norway traverses the Hardangervidda plateau. The scenic route from Salzburg to Prague winds through the Bohemian mountains.
Night trains
The Nightjet network operated by Austrian Federal Railways offers overnight services linking major Central European cities: Vienna, Zurich, Brussels, Hamburg, Berlin, Munich and Prague are all connected. Night trains offer sleeper cabins, couchettes and seated options and represent an efficient way to cover distance without losing a day of travel. Booking opens 180 days in advance; the best fares go quickly.
Practical booking
Rail Europe and the Trainline handle most European long-distance booking. For complex multi-country itineraries, Seat61.com (a guide run by an enthusiast) is an invaluable resource that describes routes, operators, booking strategies and the quirks of different national rail systems.
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