For those who love to explore and experience new places, there’s no better way to do this than by train. With a plethora of city breaks offering excellent rail connections, you will discover an abundance of amazing destinations to visit.
City breaks by train provide a fantastic alternative to flying and are an excellent way to marvel over pretty landscapes during your journey. Whether you’re seeking railway breaks in the UK, short getaways or longer interrailing trips, there’s something out there for all. Keep reading to learn more about some of the best city rail breaks and where to go for your next adventure.
Before booking your next city break by train, we recommend exploring the different times to visit these destinations. The weather can affect several aspects of your trip, especially for those looking to spend much of their time out and about.
Deciding on the best time for a city break ultimately depends on what you aim to do during your trip and where you plan to go. Those looking for city breaks by train in Europe will want to organise their trip during summer or the shoulder seasons.
Summer is great for warmer temperatures and lots of sunshine, but it is often one of the busiest times to explore some of the popular cities in Europe. Whereas, spring or autumn are perfect for those seeking a pleasant climate with fewer crowds. These seasons are ideal for sightseeing without having to worry about the hustle and bustle that the peak period brings.
Winter also tends to be an excellent time to enjoy a city break by train. With plenty of festivities, Christmas markets and sparkling pretty lights, it provides an ideal season for those pursuing a romantic getaway. It’s worth packing plenty of layers for your trip during this time, as it can get pretty chilly throughout this season!
With so much to see and do during a rail break, you’re sure to find a season to suit a range of travellers.
After deciding on the best time to embark on a city break by train, you’re next likely wondering about the best places to go. Whether you’re pursuing a weekend away for couples or something for the whole family, there are railway getaways for all. Below are some of the best cities to visit by train, alongside some top tips for how to spend your time during your trip.
One of the best city breaks by train is undoubtedly to Paris in France. This popular destination draws visitors from all over the world to see its iconic sights, browse the high-end shops and indulge in the mouthwatering cuisine.
You can visit Paris in just 2.5 hours from London, making it perfect for those looking for city breaks by train from the UK. Whether you’re planning to stay here for a few days or looking for a short weekend break, the ease of travelling by rail makes it an excellent choice for a range of travellers.
Paris city breaks by train are a superb option for those aiming to explore renowned sightseeing spots such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Sacre-Coeur and much more. Spend your days marvelling over romantic landscapes or hop on a river Cruise along the Seine. No matter how you enjoy your time here, a trip to Paris by train is an excellent way to see all that this wonderful city has to offer.
For those looking for fantastic cultural events, alongside excellent sightseeing and exciting festivities, Copenhagen in Denmark is the place to be. This beautiful city provides visitors with a plethora of wonderful attractions such as historic castles, idyllic gardens, intriguing museums, unique architecture and much more.
Copenhagen is often quieter than some of the renowned cities like Paris and Rome, making it ideal for those looking for a peaceful city break. The metropolis also provides guests with fantastic rail links, meaning you can explore here with ease. You can hop on and off the S-train network that provides visitors with connections to many of the top neighbourhoods and attractions around Copenhagen, great for those looking to minimise how much walking they need to do.
You can also travel to Copenhagen on the Eurostar from the UK, an excellent alternative to flying. The journey takes around 14 hours and there are approximately 10 trains that run from London each day. This is a comfortable way to explore and provides plenty of other wonderful places to see along the way. Travellers can hop off in Brussels, Cologne or Hamburg and stay overnight before heading onwards to Copenhagen in the morning. This allows you to see even more fantastic destinations in one trip.
Another excellent city to visit by train is Budapest, situated in the stunning country of Hungary. Its central European position provides great connections to other popular destinations, making it a convenient place for those visiting by rail.
You will also discover a plethora of amazing sightseeing spots in Budapest, making it an excellent city for those seeking a break brimming with adventure. From the fascinating Roman ruins to the outstanding castles, remarkable architecture and tasty cuisine, you’re sure to find something here for all types of adventurers.
To visit the city from the UK, you can hop on the Eurostar to Brussels and then the sleeper train to Vienna and finally onward to Budapest. This provides an excellent opportunity to see a plethora of other popular cities in one trip. As you take this comfortable journey to Hungary, be sure to spend some time taking in the many sights and attractions along the way. Alternatively, spend a few days in Germany and Austria to add even more excitement to your trip.
Rail breaks to Edinburgh are one of the most popular excursions to enjoy by train. Scotland’s capital provides guests with a plethora of things to do and see, making it ideal for those seeking a trip brimming with exploration and adventure. Whether you’re seeking a romantic getaway in the UK or something for the whole family, a train journey to Edinburgh is sure to impress.
There are plenty of beautiful landscapes to enjoy during your train ride to Edinburgh, making it perfect for those pursuing a relaxing way to travel. Once you arrive in the city, the pretty architecture, historic cobblestone streets and excellent shopping provide a plethora of things to do during your break. Edinburgh is also within easy reach of the coast, making it perfect for those looking to stay by the sea.
You will discover an abundance of trains that travel directly to Edinburgh across the UK. This makes it an easy trip for those seeking a short city getaway. Below you will find the average travel time from some of the major cities in the UK to Edinburgh by rail.
London to Edinburgh – 4 hours 56 minutes
Manchester to Edinburgh – 4 hours
Leeds to Edinburgh – 3 hours 5 minutes
Birmingham to Edinburgh – 5 hours
Bristol to Edinburgh – 7 hours 22 minutes
Glasgow to Edinburgh – 1 hour 15 minutes
Newcastle to Edinburgh – 1 hour 32 minutes
A trip to Vienna in Austria provides visitors with one of the best city breaks in Europe by train. The stunning capital supplies guests with a plethora of impressive buildings, fantastic museums, stunning palaces and much more. There is so much to see and do here, visitors often find themselves needing more time just to experience it all.
Travelling to Vienna by train is relatively easy from the UK, making it an excellent choice for those in pursuit of a European city break. You can venture from London to Vienna by rail with the journey often taking around 17 hours and 51 minutes. Visitors often choose to take the Eurostar from London to Brussels and then hop on the sleeper train to Salzburg and Vienna.
Upon arriving in Vienna, you will discover an excellent underground network with links to the surrounding neighbourhoods and nearby attractions. This makes it a fantastic destination for those looking to explore this beautiful Austrian city with ease. What’s more, you will discover an abundance of other rail connections to popular places such as Budapest, Prague and Bratislava, great for those looking to venture out of Vienna and beyond!
One of the best city breaks by train is undoubtedly a trip to Antwerp in Belgium. You can get here in just under 4 hours from London. This lovely railway journey will take you via Brussels towards this beautiful metropolis.
There are more than enough things to do here, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a short city break by train. Antwerp is home to a plethora of historic attractions, impressive architecture, fantastic breweries and much more. Spend some time in the Diamond Quarter where you can scour excellent museums, pretty galleries and some great shopping.
For those looking to get the most out of their railway adventure, a trip from London to Antwerp will certainly do the trick!
London is the capital city of England so it comes as no surprise that tourists flock here to experience all that the bustling metropolis has in store. Being home to Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, the London Eye, several museums and much more, you’re sure to find something here for all.
You can enjoy London trips by train from numerous destinations around the UK. This prevalent spot allows you to visit here with ease from many popular cities around the country. To help plan your break here with ease, below you will find a list of city-to-city train journeys to London, alongside the average travel time from each of these areas.
Cardiff – 1 hour 50 minutes.
York – 1 hour 55 minutes.
Manchester – 2 hours 10 minutes.
Bristol – 1 hour 45 minutes.
Birmingham – 1 hour 30 minutes.
Derby – 1 hour 30 minutes.
Nottingham – 1 hour 45 minutes.
Leicester – 1 hour 10 minutes.
Sheffield – 2 hours.
Leeds – 2 hours 30 minutes.
Newcastle – 3 hours 5 minutes.
Edinburgh – 4 hours.
Glasgow – 5 hours.
There are plenty of other ways to enjoy a city break in London by train. You can travel from many other places around the UK, however, there may be some changes along the way. The list above provides you with some of the best cities that offer direct travel to London by rail.
When considering your next city break, Amsterdam is one not to miss. This stunning destination has everything you could need for a trip exploring unique sights and new cultures. From the intriguing museums to the exquisite eateries, pretty architecture, idyllic streets and much more, there’s something here for all types of travellers.
City breaks to Amsterdam by train are very popular and with so many ways to get here with ease, it comes as no surprise why. You can hop on a direct train from London to Amsterdam that takes around four hours, providing you with a convenient alternative to flying. The Eurostar provides a comfortable form of transportation, making your journey here even more enjoyable from the start.
Spend your time in Amsterdam experiencing unique sights such as Anne Frank’s House, the Van Gogh Museum, the Royal Palace Amsterdam, Dam Square, plus many more. With so much to see and do here, alongside the city’s pretty surroundings and laid-back atmosphere, a trip to the Dutch capital won’t disappoint.
With so many incredible cities to visit by train, you’re sure to find something for all. This also allows you to travel in an eco-friendly way, helping the planet whilst enjoying a unique adventure. Whether you decide to scour some of the iconic sites in the frequented cities around Europe or would prefer to discover some of the best-hidden gems, there are more than enough ways to get to these top spots by rail!
If you love adventure, why not check out some of the other travel guides available on Backpacker Boy? Discover plenty of resources that are packed with useful information and recommendations for planning your next trip to some of the best places in the world!
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