Train Travel Europe: 5 Routes That Win

There are routes in Europe where the train isn’t the second-best option. It’s the best.

Faster city center to city center. No airport chaos. Scenery instead of clouds. And the CO₂ footprint? A fraction of flying.

The key insight most people miss: when you add the total journey time — door to door, not just the flight duration — the train wins more often than the booking sites suggest.

5 European Train Routes Worth Taking

1. Paris — Barcelona (High Speed, 6.5 Hours)

The TGV between Paris Gare de Lyon and Barcelona Sants is one of Europe’s most comfortable rail connections. No stop, high speed through the Pyrenees. Board in central Paris, step off in central Barcelona.

Total door-to-door time advantage over flying when you factor in travel to CDG or Orly, security, waiting, flying, landing at El Prat, and the transfer into the city: the train is often equal or faster — and significantly less stressful.

Book on the SNCF or Renfe website. Early booking unlocks fares well below €80 one-way.

2. Zürich — Milan (Gotthard Tunnel, 3.5 Hours)

Since the Gotthard Base Tunnel opened in 2016 — at 57 kilometers, the world’s longest railway tunnel — Zürich to Milan takes under four hours. The crossing through the Alps is an experience in itself: minutes of darkness, then suddenly the light changes and Italy begins.

No airport transfers on either end. Both stations are in the city center. Flying makes no sense here.

3. Vienna — Salzburg — Munich (Railjet, 4 Hours)

Railjet and ICE connect these three cities several times daily. All three stations are central. All three cities have excellent public transport from the main station. The route through the Austrian Alps on the western approach to Salzburg is genuinely beautiful.

Flying between Vienna and Munich is logistically absurd when you count the airports. Nobody who has done this route by train chooses the plane.

4. Amsterdam — London (Eurostar, 4 Hours)

Under the English Channel. Board at Amsterdam Centraal, stop briefly in Rotterdam and Brussels, step off at London St. Pancras International — which is one of the finest stations in Europe, Victorian glass and iron. No Heathrow, no Gatwick, no security marathon.

Travel time roughly equivalent to flying when total door-to-door is calculated. Fares start from €35 with early booking, though popular times sell out weeks in advance. Check the Eurostar website directly.

5. Budapest — Prague — Berlin (Night Train)

The night train from Budapest via Vienna, Prague to Berlin — a classic reborn by European rail operators investing in night train infrastructure. Board in the evening, wake up in a different country. One ticket, one overnight, two cities.

Night trains eliminate one hotel night and one day of travel time. For budget travelers, the math is often better than flying plus accommodation. For anyone who finds airports exhausting — which is most people — the overnight train is simply more pleasant.

ÖBB Nightjet operates several overnight routes across Central Europe. Book directly on the ÖBB website.

When the Train Makes Sense

The rule of thumb: if the journey is under 5 hours by high-speed train and both cities have central stations, take the train.

Under 3 hours: the train wins on every metric — time, comfort, cost, and stress. Flying isn’t even a real option once you count total journey time.

3–5 hours: usually worth taking the train. Flight prices need to be significantly lower to justify the airport overhead.

5–8 hours: train and flight compete. Comfort, price, and timing all factor in. An overnight train option changes the calculation — you save time by sleeping.

Over 8 hours without a viable night train: flying usually wins on time.

What You Get on the Train That Flights Don’t Offer

A seat you can actually move in. A view that changes every few minutes. The ability to walk to a dining car. No liquid restrictions. No gate. No boarding queue. Arrival in a city center, not an airport 40 minutes from anything.

For boutique hotel stays in city centers, train travel pairs naturally — you arrive where the hotel is, not 45 minutes away.

Booking Train Tickets in Europe

Omio and Rail Europe search across operators and show options for complex itineraries
Direct booking on operator sites (SNCF, Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB, Renfe, Trenitalia) is often cheaper for single-country routes
Eurail Pass: worth it for complex multi-country itineraries over several weeks. Not worth it for a single route.
Book early for fixed-price high-speed trains (TGV, Eurostar, AVE in Spain) — early fares are significantly cheaper than day-of.

When the Train Doesn’t Work

Routes over 8 hours without a night train option. Cross-connections in Eastern Europe without direct services. When you’re traveling from a city far from a high-speed rail line. When the flight price is genuinely low and the time saving matters.

But for city trips within Europe? Check the train first, then the flight. You’ll be surprised how often the train wins.

Zercy knows the difference and gives you honest recommendations — even if that sometimes means: take the train.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the European train actually cheaper than flying?

No, and the comparison is more nuanced than it looks. High-speed trains booked early (6–8 weeks in advance) are often cheaper than flights on the same route. Flights look cheaper until you add airport transfers, luggage fees, and the time cost of airport procedures. For most routes under 4–5 hours, the total cost (time + money) of the train is competitive or better.

How far in advance should you book European train tickets?

For high-speed trains (TGV, Eurostar, ICE, AVE, Railjet), yes — seating is mandatory and must be booked. Regional trains in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland often don’t require advance booking with a valid pass or ticket. Overnight trains require advance booking, especially for couchettes and private compartments.

What’s the most scenic train journey in Europe?

Several compete: the Glacier Express through the Swiss Alps (Zermatt to St. Moritz), the Bergen Line in Norway (Oslo to Bergen), the Cinque Terre coast by regional train, and the Bernina Express (Chur to Tirano) are all extraordinary. These are trips in themselves, not just a means of getting somewhere.

How do you bring a bicycle on European trains?

On many routes, yes — but with restrictions. High-speed trains often don’t allow full-size bikes; some require a bike booking and a fee, others only allow folding bikes in a bag. Regional trains are more flexible. Check with the specific operator for each leg of your journey.

Trains Through Europe: 5 Routes That Beat Flying