Lady’s 15 Train Trips from London to Europe You’ll Want to Take

Today I want to bring you my guide to the best train trips from London to Europe. From capital cities to beautiful towns, there’s no shortage of rail journeys you can take from the UK capital to the continent. Whether you love exploring iconic urban hubs or discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations, there’s a trip to Europe you’ll want to take. I’ve included a map, too.

Train Trips from London to Europe

The best train trips from London to Europe range from major cities to mountain towns. Some offer medieval walls and cobbled streets, while others are known for their contemporary cool.

Whatever you’re interested in, these European rail getaways will get you in the mood to travel and inspire your upcoming adventures.

I’ve been to all the places on my list and I can personally recommend them. They’re not only some of my favorite travel destinations, but also some of the best places to visit in Europe. I’m sure you’ll enjoy them as much as I do.

Tips for Train Trips from London to Europe

Before you start reading through my list of places to travel, there are a few things you can do to maximize your time and budget.

First, remember there’s a time difference between London and the continent. If you can, try to catch the first train of the day so you can make the most of your time when you arrive.

On your return, try to book the last train of the night since you get an hour back en route. That will allow you to get the most out of your final day in Europe.

Second, remember that prices rise the closer you get to the date you travel. Try to plan ahead or take advantage of fare sales to save more of your travel budget for when you’re in Europe.

Third, bear in mind that in Belgium you can travel for free to any station in the country after you arrive in Brussels on the Eurostar. That makes it an attractive prospect to explore both the capital and lesser-visited cities like Ghent and Mechelen.

Fourth, if you have a short time in Europe, try to book a hotel or other accommodation somewhere central.

That will allow you to maximize your time doing the things you want to in the destination, and save you from spending half your trip traveling to and from the station. You can book a place to stay here.

Fifth, factor in the time of year you’ll be traveling to Europe from London. Days are short in the winter, so you’ll need to be prepared to do activities that require daylight in a compact amount of time.

On the contrary, traveling in the summer months will mean you’ll enjoy daylight during your whole visit. You can check sunrise and sunset times before you book your trip to find out how much sun you’ll see (or not) during your stay.

1. Paris

First on my list of the best train trips from London to Europe is Paris. With direct Eurostar trains from the UK capital, the City of Light is just 2 hours and 15 minutes away.

You’ll have plenty of time to see the main attractions whether you take a day trip to Paris from London or you spend more time getting to know the city. You can even take a full-day tour from London.

The French capital is beloved for everything from its cuisine to its culture. It has fashion for shopping lovers, museums for art aficionados, and picture-pretty streets for those who love to wander.

While the City of Light is best explored over the better part of a week (or more), you can see the highlights on a weekend trip from London.

You can check out my London and Paris itinerary for ideas if you’ll be visiting both cities in one trip. Highlights include visiting famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, soaking up the scene on the Seine, and walking around areas like Montmartre.

If this train trip sounds good to you, you can book a place to stay here. You can also take a look at my guide to the best area to stay in Paris for my top picks for accommodation.

2. Venice

Venice is another of the best train trips from London to Europe. It’s perfect if you love luxury travel, as the rail journey is run by the iconic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.

After taking the Eurostar to Paris, you’ll board the beautiful sleeper train for your onward journey to Italy. With vintage carriages, cabin stewards, and formal dress for dinner, the experience will whisk you back to the golden age of travel.

When you arrive in Venice, you’re in for a treat. With its maze of canals and fairy-tale bridges, this city does romance like London does rain. You can see the highlights on my Venice itinerary.

A moonlit gondola ride and a Bellini with a view are just the things to acquaint you with the city, and there’s no better way to spend an afternoon than wandering through the labyrinth of side streets.

If this trip appeals to you, you can book a place to stay here. My favorite luxury hotel in Venice is The Gritti Palace. It’s a local legend, and it’s worth a splurge. You can book a room here.

You can also go to Verona by train from London on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. If you want to continue your trip, there are departures from Venice to Vienna, Prague, Budapest, and Istanbul as well.

3. Bruges

Bruges is another of the best train trips from London to Europe. While there are no direct rail services from the UK capital to Bruges, you can take the train to Brussels and change there for free rail services to Flanders.

Bruges is packed with pretty waterways and wander-worthy streets. This medieval city in Belgium is worth seeing for its picturesque squares, bell towers, and well-preserved historic center.

If this sounds like a journey you’d love, you can book a place to stay in Bruges here. There’s a range of accommodation options to choose from.

4. Provence

Back in France, one of my top picks for train trips from London to Europe is Provence. There are several easy connections you can make after taking the Eurostar to Paris, including Nice, Marseille, and Aix-en-Provence.

There are seasonal connecting Eurostar trains from Brussels to Marseille and Aix-en-Provence, making it easy to reach these destinations via a quick transfer after taking the Eurostar from London to Brussels. Nice is just a short ride from Marseille, too.

Once here, there’s a lot to do. Since I studied in Nice when I was in college, I’ll start with it. From the historic streets of Vieux Nice to the famous Promenade des Anglais, there’s a lot to do on this part of the French Riviera.

If you want to go a bit further afield, you can rent a car, take a bus, or go on a tour to pretty villages in Provence like Tourrettes-sur-Loup, Saint Paul de Vence, and Eze.

You can also take a connecting train along the coast to places like Monaco, Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Antibes, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Cannes, Villefranche-sur-Mer, and Ventimiglia in Italy.

Alternatively, you can base yourself in Nice and choose from any number of day trips by train, car, bus, or tour. There are lots to choose from, so you can’t go wrong.

If you want something different in the region, you can take the train to Aix-en-Provence. It’s a beautiful city with historic fountains, markets, and streets.

You can also take the train to Marseille. This bustling port city has risen in popularity in recent years, and it’s a great option for an urban getaway.

If the South of France gets you excited to travel to Europe by rail, you can book a place to stay here. From hotels to apartments and villas, there are lots of options.

5. Amsterdam

Amsterdam is another of my top picks for train trips from London to Europe. There are direct Eurostar trains from London, and the journey takes 4 hours.

Once in The Netherlands, you can get your fix of narrow houses, scenic canals, and world-class museums housed in beautiful buildings.

It’s easy to walk or cycle along Amsterdam’s waterways, soak up the colors in the floating flower market, and stroll through the Vondelpark. You can see more fun things to do on my Amsterdam itinerary.

The restaurants and food scene are exciting, too. Don’t miss the Indonesian rijsttafel menus or the contemporary cafes dotted throughout the city. Sweets like stroopwafels are a must as well.

Amsterdam is famous for its nightlife, too. Whether you go to a show, a bar, or a club, you can’t go wrong. While here, make sure to take advantage of the opportunity to sample genever, a famous Dutch spirit.

If this rail journey sounds good to you, you can book a place to stay here. I’ve enjoyed a stay at the Amsterdam Marriott Hotel. It’s in a central location near the Rijksmuseum. You can book a room here.

6. Brussels

Brussels is one of the fastest and easiest train trips from London to Europe. Like Paris, the Belgian capital benefits from direct rail services to the UK capital. You can get here in just under 2 hours, leaving you with plenty of time to explore the city.

Brussels is underrated as far as European capitals go. I spent a summer living and working here after college, and I had a great time getting to know the city. It’s still one of my favorite weekend trips from London to Europe.

From the stunning buildings in the Grand Place to the narrow streets lined with restaurants, leafy parks and squares, historic shopping arcades, and Art Nouveau buildings, this city is full of beauty.

And that’s to say nothing of the world-class museums, famous street art, and delicious food and drinks (think waffles, fries, chocolate, mussels, and beer and you’ll get the idea).

It’s easy to see a lot of the city in a day or a weekend in Brussels. Most of the sightseeing highlights are in one compact area near the Grand Place and the central train station. That makes it possible to do this trip if you have a limited amount of time.

If a train trip to Brussels sounds appealing, you can book a place to stay here. I’ve visited many times, and my top pick is the Hilton Brussels Grand Place. It’s in a great location near Brussels Central Station. You can book a room here.

7. Zurich

Next on my list of train trips from London to Europe is Zurich. After taking the Eurostar from London to Paris, you can connect for high-speed rail services to the Swiss city. The fastest services arrive in around 7.5 hours.

Once in Switzerland, you can take in Zurich’s pretty church spires, bridges, and narrow cobblestone lanes. There are great boutiques in the city, not to mention a big lake. My Zurich itinerary will show you the highlights.

If taking the train from London to Switzerland appeals, you can book a place to stay in Zurich here. I’ve enjoyed a night at Boutique Hotel Helvetia, and I highly recommend it. You can book a room here.

If you want to travel elsewhere in Switzerland, you can also take the Eurostar from London to Paris and connect for high-speed rail services to places like Geneva, Lausanne, and Basel.

8. Luxembourg

Luxembourg is another of my favorite train trips from London to Europe. The Grand Duchy is one of the smallest countries on the continent, but the capital packs a punch. With a pretty old town and sweeping views, there’s plenty to love.

While there are no direct trains from London to the Grand Duchy, you can take a train to Brussels, from where there are onward services to Luxembourg City with a change en route.

The whole trip takes around 5.5 hours each way. I’ve done it before, and it’s simple and straightforward.

Because Luxembourg is so small, you can see a lot of the capital on a day trip from London. From the medieval fortifications to the bridges spanning the gorges, it’s a scenic place to visit.

It’s worth spending more time in the country, though. Not only is it a long train ride for just one day, but there’s also more to see than just the capital. Places like the Mullerthal Region are known for their natural beauty.

If you want to spend a night or more, you can book a place to stay in Luxembourg here. There are plenty of options, from hotels to apartment rentals and more.

9. Avignon

Back in Provence, Avignon is next on my list of the best train trips from London to Europe. After taking the Eurostar to France or Belgium, you can connect to a high-speed rail service to Avignon.

There are seasonal Eurostar services to Avignon from London via Brussels, too. I’ve taken them twice and I love how easy the journey is.

Once in Avignon, there’s a lot you can do. This walled city on the Rhone River is known for its medieval streets and rich history.

Avignon was the seat of the Popes for most of the 14th century, and it has a huge papal palace you can tour. The city also has a mix of all things historic and modern, with shops and restaurants dotted throughout pedestrianized streets.

My Avignon itinerary will show you the highlights. From fun restaurants to the famous Pont d’Avignon bridge, there’s a lot to love about this place. You can even take a wine tour to Chateauneuf du Pape.

If you want to take this rail journey, you can book accommodation in Avignon here. I’ve stayed in the city a number of times and my favorite is Hotel La Mirande. It’s a beautiful property with an acclaimed restaurant. You can book a room here.

10. Cologne

If you want to visit Germany by rail, Cologne is my top pick for train trips from London. You can take the Eurostar from London to Cologne via Brussels. The journey takes around 5 hours.

There’s a lot to see in Cologne. From the famous cathedral to the historic streets, this city has plenty to offer visitors. During the festive season the Cologne Christmas markets are hard to beat.

If traveling by rail from the UK capital to Germany appeals, you can book a place to stay in Cologne here. There’s no shortage of options, from hotels to apartment rentals and more.

11. The French Alps

Next on my list of the best train trips from London to Europe is the French Alps. There are seasonal Eurostar services from London to the mountains via Lille each winter.

The weekly Eurostar Snow train travels from London to the Alps via Lille from early December to early March. It stops in places like Chambery, Albertville, Moutiers-Salins-Brides-Les-Bains, Aime-la-Plagne, and Bourg-Saint-Maurice.

From there you can connect to a shuttle to famous ski resorts like Courchevel, Les Arcs, Val Thorens, Val d’Isere, and Tignes.

If that appeals, you can book accommodation in the French Alps here. From chalets to hotels, there’s a wide range of accommodation on offer.

12. Rotterdam

Another of my top picks for train trips from London to Europe is Rotterdam. There are direct Eurostar services from the UK capital to the Dutch city, and the journey takes around 3 hours and 15 minutes.

Once in Rotterdam, there’s a lot to do and see. From the foodie paradise of Markthal Rotterdam to the contemporary architecture of the cube houses, there’s plenty to get excited about. You can see more on my Rotterdam itinerary.

If that appeals, you can book a place to stay in Rotterdam here. I’ve been to the city multiple times, and my top pick for accommodation is the Rotterdam Marriott Hotel. It’s in a central location right by Rotterdam Centraal Station. You can book a room here.

13. Lille

Back in France, another of the best train trips from London to Europe is Lille. It’s one of my favorite under-the-radar cities in Europe, and it’s worth a visit.

This northern French city benefits from direct rail services from London. It’s reachable on the Eurostar in just over 1 hour and 20 minutes, meaning you can see a lot in a short time. You can even do it as a day trip from London to Europe.

But it’s worth spending more time here, as there’s a lot to see and do. Once in town, Lille sightseeing highlights include the Place du General de Gaulle with its beautiful buildings, the delicious pastries in the patisseries, and the great shops and boutiques.

If you want to take this rail trip, you can book a place to stay in Lille here. There are lots of options, from hotels to apartment rentals and more.

14. Lyon

Also in France, another of my favorite rail trips from London to Europe is Lyon. This city is reachable on the Eurostar via Lille or Paris. The journey takes around 5 hours.

Once in Lyon there’s a lot to do. It’s said that if Paris is the heart of France, Lyon is the stomach. The food scene here is world-class, from amazing markets to Michelin-starred restaurants.

There’s great sightseeing, shopping, and opportunities for wandering in Lyon, too. The medieval part of the city is full of attractive streets that open onto leafy squares with cafes.

Up a wooded hill is the cathedral, and in the Croix-Rousse area you’ll find restaurants, independent boutiques and shops, and great views of Lyon.

If you like getting outdoors, the Parc de la Tete d’Or is a huge green space with a free zoo, a big lake, an island with a steam train, and a deer enclosure. My Lyon itinerary can show you more, too.

If a rail journey from the UK capital to the stomach of France appeals, you can book a place to stay in Lyon here. When I visited I loved staying at the Cour des Loges. Housed in a former Jesuit college, it has the largest interior Renaissance courtyard in Lyon. You can book a room here.

15. Bordeaux

Another of my favorite train trips to Europe from London is Bordeaux. This city can be reached from London by taking the Eurostar to Paris and connecting to a high-speed rail service to Bordeaux. The journey takes around 6 hours.

Once in the city, there’s a lot to do. From the stunning historic architecture to the great shops and delicious restaurants, Bordeaux has a lot to offer.

Sightseeing highlights include Bordeaux Cathedral, the Place des Quinconces, and the Grand Theatre de Bordeaux. You can see more on my Bordeaux itinerary.

A lot of people come here for the wine, too. There are world-class clarets to be found here, and the area around the city is rife with vineyards. You can take a wine tour to visit some of the highlights.

If you’re feeling adventurous (and you’re in good shape), you can even run a wine marathon here. I did the Medoc Marathon with friends once, and it was fun to dress in crazy costumes and taste the local vintages as we went.

If a rail journey from London to Bordeaux appeals, you can book accommodation here. I’ve visited a number of times, and my favorite is Hotel La Zoologie. This stylish place was once the Institute of Zoology, and the lobby still retains traces of the signage. You can book a room here.

Map of Train Trips from London to Europe

Train Trips from London to Europe

I hope you’ve enjoyed this list of the best train trips from London to Europe, and that it’s inspired you to get out and discover some of the top places to visit on the continent.

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